- Market Yard, Rainey Street
- Summer Saturdays
- 11am–4pm
- Christmas market November
- No charge to enter
Magherafelt's markets are special days at the Market Yard, 56 Rainey Street: a speciality market on summer Saturdays and a Christmas market on the lights switch-on Saturday in late November.
Selling in Magherafelt
- Who to askNNCG (Naturally North Coast and Glens), [email protected], 07723 622008
- HowRegister as a trader, then fill in the form for each market
- You need£5 million public liability insurance, own tables and chairs
- Street licenceMid Ulster District Council: £215 a year, £58 temporary
Coming up
In Magherafelt
- Sat21NovMagherafelt Speciality MarketMarket Yard, 56 Rainey StreetConfirmedFood & farmers
- Sat28NovMagherafelt High School Christmas Craft FairMagherafelt High SchoolConfirmedChristmas
- Sat5DecNI Christmas MarketBallyscullion Park, 61 Ballyscullion RoadConfirmedChristmas
Every week and every month
- Mid Ulster Farmers Market1st Saturday monthly · next Sat 7 Nov
- Fort Centre RDA Car Boot Sale1st Sunday of the month · next Sun 6 Dec
Within about 15 miles
- Sat7NovAhoghill Craft FairAhoghill Community Centre · about 12 milesConfirmedMakers & craft
- Sat7NovCraft Fair at Cookstown Baptist ChurchCookstown Baptist Church, Burn Road · about 10 milesConfirmedSchool & church fair
- Wed11NovHospice Christmas Fair at the TullyglassTullyglass Hotel, 178 Galgorm Road, Ballymena · about 15 milesLikelyChristmas
- Thu12NovLongstone School Christmas Craft FairLongstone School · about 15 milesConfirmedChristmas
Speciality Saturdays in the Rainey Street Market Yard
There is no weekly street market in Magherafelt now. Instead, the Magherafelt Speciality Market fills the Market Yard at 56 Rainey Street (BT45 5AH) on a few Saturdays between late May and early September, from 11am to 4pm.
It is a chosen line-up of independent businesses: artisan food, gifts, art, craft and street food. Visit Mid Ulster lists no charge to get in, and says all areas are open to disabled visitors.
Christmas market day at the Market Yard
On the lights switch-on Saturday in late November, the Market Yard holds a Christmas market from 11am to 5pm. Magherafelt Chamber of Commerce delivers it with Mid Ulster District Council and NNCG.
The same day has a children's Christmas village in the afternoon, a street party and fireworks at 7.30pm. Santa's grotto opens at the Bridewell on Saturdays until just before Christmas; tickets are booked through Visit Mid Ulster.
Bellaghy, Toome and Maghera on market days
- Bellaghy: Mid Ulster Farmers Market, first Saturday, 1 Tamaghtduff Park (BT45 8JS).
- Bellaghy: NI Christmas Market at Ballyscullion Park has run in early December, ticketed.
- Toome: Lough Neagh Artisans Market at the Lock Keeper's Cottage, some summer Sundays.
- Maghera: Fort Centre charity car boot, 38 Craigmore Road, has run first Sundays.
- Moneymore: Springhill (National Trust) has held a September flea market.
Applying to NNCG for a Market Yard stall
NNCG takes stall applications for both Market Yard markets. New traders register at nncg.co.uk first; approved traders then get a form for each market. Ask on [email protected] or 07723 622008.
NNCG asks for £5 million public liability insurance, product liability for makers, a risk assessment and the right food registrations. Bring your own tables and chairs. Multi-level marketing businesses are not accepted.
For the 2025 Christmas market, the form closed in mid-November and a gazebo pitch cost £25 a metre. Fees for 2026 are on the NNCG form.
A pitch of your own on a Mid Ulster street
Outside the organised markets, Mid Ulster District Council licenses street traders: £215 a year for a fixed or mobile pitch, £58 for a temporary licence, and no more than five temporary licences a year.
You need an AccessNI basic check, gas and electrical certificates and food registration where it applies. Phone 03000 132 132 or apply online.
Rainey Street parking, the 212 bus and the old Salters' town
The Market Yard is beside the Rainey Street pay-and-display car park, the town's largest with 241 spaces. King Street and part of Union Road are free. At Christmas the council has offered three hours at Rainey Street for 10p.
The Goldline 212 between Belfast and Derry stops at Castledawson Park and Ride, a few minutes from town. By car, the A6 dual carriageway runs to the M22 at Randalstown.
Magherafelt grew up as a Salters' Company town around its Diamond. In 1880 its main market day was Thursday, with fairs twice a month.
Who to ask for a pitch
- NNCG (Naturally North Coast and Glens)Trader registration and stall applications for the Magherafelt Speciality Market and the Christmas speciality market.website · email · 07723 622008
- Mid Ulster District CouncilStreet trading licences, and the Taste Mid Ulster touring market.website · 03000 132 132
- Lough Neagh PartnershipThe Lough Neagh Artisans Market at Toome.website · email · 028 7941 7941
- The NI MarketsStalls at the NI Christmas Market at Ballyscullion Park.website
Where markets happen in Magherafelt
- The Market YardThe Magherafelt Speciality Market on summer Saturdays and the Christmas market on the lights switch-on Saturday.56 Rainey Street, Magherafelt, BT45 5AH
- Ballyscullion ParkThe NI Christmas Market, run by The NI Markets on a Saturday in early December in recent years.61 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, BT45 8NA
- Tamaghtduff ParkThe Mid Ulster Farmers Market on the first Saturday of the month.1 Tamaghtduff Park, Bellaghy, BT45 8JS
- Lock Keeper's CottageThe Lough Neagh Artisans Market on some Sunday afternoons in summer and early autumn.Beside the River Bann, Toome
- Fort Centre RDAA charity car boot sale on the first Sunday of the month.38 Craigmore Road, Maghera
- Seamus Heaney HomePlaceA gift shop with Ulster craft makers, and Christmas wreath workshops.45 Main Street, Bellaghy, BT45 8HT
Questions about markets in Magherafelt
What day is Magherafelt market?
There is no weekly market in Magherafelt now; Thursday was market day in the past. The markets are special days at the Market Yard on Rainey Street: a few summer Saturdays from 11am to 4pm, and a Christmas market in late November.
Magherafelt Christmas market
The Christmas market is in the Market Yard on Rainey Street on the lights switch-on Saturday in late November, from 11am to 5pm. Fireworks follow at 7.30pm, and Santa's grotto opens at the Bridewell that day.
When is the Mid Ulster Farmers Market in Bellaghy?
On the first Saturday of every month at 1 Tamaghtduff Park, Bellaghy (BT45 8JS), about 15 minutes from Magherafelt. Stalls sell seasonal food, home baking and handmade goods.
How do I get a stall at the Magherafelt Speciality Market?
Register as a trader with NNCG at nncg.co.uk, then fill in the form for the market you want. You need £5 million public liability insurance, and you bring your own tables and chairs.
Is there a car boot sale near Magherafelt?
The Fort Centre, a riding centre for disabled people at 38 Craigmore Road, Maghera, has held a charity car boot sale on the first Sunday of the month. Check with the centre before you load the car.
When is the Lough Neagh Artisans Market at Toome?
It runs on a few Sunday afternoons a year at the Lock Keeper's Cottage beside the River Bann. Lough Neagh Partnership organises it; phone 028 7941 7941 for the next date.