The Details
Timings and location of the Goblin Market
The Goblin Market will be held at the Tir Na nOg Holistic centre near Drymen, G63 0NF, from the 6th to the 8th September 2024. The Goblin Market is easily accessed from all over the central belt, and we would be thrilled to welcome guests from further afield too. Directions to the centre are available here.
How the Goblin Market Experience works
There are nine performance slots to choose from over Friday to Sunday, with doors opening at 12pm, 14:45 pm, or 17:30 on each day.
Each Goblin Market slot lasts two and a half hours, of which 45 minutes is the staged performance. The rest of the time is yours to do as you please; barter at the market stalls, partake in goblin games, explore the surrounding woodland, and eat, drink and make merry.
Two elixirs - alcoholic or non alcoholic at your discretion - are included in the price of your ticket.
The Gathering of the Goblin Courts
On Saturday evening, the Goblin Court Gathering will be held. This is a fully immersive costume party with optional story elements – you are welcome to request a story seed to encourage interaction with other participants, or simply come along and dance for the evening. Goblin music and performances will take place throughout the night. Tickets are available separately for this event.
Buy tickets for the Goblin Court here
Parking at the Goblin Market
Due to parking being limited, those arriving by car are permitted to stay at the market for only the ticked time of 2.5 hours, but those arriving on foot, by bicycle, by taxi (or another mode of transport that doesn’t take up parking space) are welcome to stay at the market for as long as they so desire after the main performance ends.
The car park itself is onsite, and you will be directed to park by a helpful goblin. Please buy your parking permit alongside your ticket.
Tickets for The Goblin Market, and the Goblin Gathering
You will receive your tickets by email. There will be no ticket collection point at the event so you must bring your tickets with you either printed or on a suitable device. If you have lost or misplaced your tickets email ticketing@goblin-market.co.uk.
It is strongly recommended that you buy your tickets before the event, as we are expecting sell-out shows each day, and there may not be availability on the door.
Costumes
There are no specific clothing requirements for the Goblin Market, apart from wearing some. We wish you to wear what is comfortable, and what you are comfortable wearing.
We do, however, encourage guests to take part in the festive market fair pageantry by dressing up. This is your chance to break out that fancy cloak, steampunk tweeds, kilt, gown, top hat - or something even more sartorially splendid. Rewatch Stardust or Labyrinth for inspiration.
Please remember that the Goblin Market is an outdoor event in Scotland in early autumn. We could experience all four seasons in one day, so please check the weather before you come and dress accordingly. Layers, waterproofs, comfortable shoes (no high heels!) and a sense of adventure are all sensible precautions to take.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome if they are well behaved, happy in crowds, cleaned up after and on a lead. Indeed, the same applies to humans, although the lead is optional.
What to bring
Firstly, please bring your tickets either printed out, or on your phone.
Please also bring means of purchase beyond gemstones, locks of hair and first-borns. Cash (GBP) is preferred though we do accept card payments when the wind is blowing the right way and the card machines can connect to the internet.
To reduce our environmental impact, we would be pleased if guests could also bring:
a refillable water bottle
a cup, bowl and cutlery if you wish to frequent the Inn of Many Lights. Cups, bowls and cutlery will be available for those visitors without their own
a reusable bag for any market purchases
Please also bring good humour, a sense of adventure, and playful spirit.
Photos and videos
Taking pictures is allowed, but please be sensitive and respectful. In general, we believe that the Goblin Market is best experienced through your natural eyes and ears, not through a camera lens. If you do feel the need to share on social media, please use the hashtag #GOBLINMARKET
Photography can be a tricky subject with Goblins and other Fae creatures. While many are keen exhibitionists and love having humans take their pictures, some are shy. Others find the whole business of photography and phones abhorrent. They often feel the best place for digital devices is the receiving end of a well aimed sledgehammer. Again, sensitivity is encouraged.
Despite the grumpy protests of the would-be sledgehammer swingers, designated film goblins will be documenting the event through photography and videography. This will be used for future press, promotion and marketing including (but not limited to) press releases, websites, social media and print. If you are adverse to images of yourself or any of your party being used in this way, please do let us know at the welcome desk and we will ensure this is actioned. We will display signage on site stating this policy.
Age restrictions
Anyone of any age is welcome to enter the market. There are fun activities on offer for our younger guests, but please be advised that the main performance in the Goblin Hall is PG. Some of the content of the performance is more suitable for older children, and additionally it involves being seated for over 45 minutes, which some youngsters may find difficult or dull.
Accessibility
The site is largely suitable for buggies and wheelchair users. The market is situated in a level field very near the car park. There are some hardstanding areas, though most of the stalls and other activities will be on grass, which could be muddy or slippery. There are no stairs or steep slopes, and an accessible portaloo is also available.
Dietary requirements
Diners at the Goblin Hall performance will have a vegan, gluten free option that can be selected after ordering, along with whether you want alcoholic or soft elixirs. The Inn of Many Lights will have both vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Refunds and cancellation policy
Tickets are fully refundable up to 7 days before the event. Once this time has passed, you will RECEIVE NO REFUND. Feel free to give your tickets to friends or family or resell for face value. Some very influential goblins frown on the selling of market tickets for inflated prices.
If the event is cancelled by the event producers, you will be offered a full refund, no matter the circumstances.
Adverse weather
The market will take place in all weather conditions unless deemed to pose a risk to the public or performers. The event production team will take advice from the Met Office and assess conditions regularly. Guests are encouraged to check our social media channels and personal email account used for booking on the day before the event.
If we haven’t managed to answer your questions on this page or the rest of our website, please contact us at welcome@goblin-market.co.uk