Every November, city streets start to fill with wooden chalets, lights and barriers as Christmas markets take shape. For the organisers, the build has to fit into a tight window, often around traffic, shoppers and other events. Getting the chalets delivered, set in place and later taken away again is a job that rewards good planning.
Loading and carrying the chalets
Market chalets come in many shapes and sizes, but most travel well on an articulated flatbed. They are loaded at the storage yard, strapped down and carried to the market site in planned runs. Knowing how many chalets there are, their sizes and the order they need to arrive in helps us plan the loads so the build team gets what they need, when they need it.
We can carry the chalets on artic HIABs, articulated flatbeds or a wagon and drag, depending on the job. You can see the vehicles we use on our range of HIAB lorries and trailers.
Unloading in the street
City streets and squares rarely leave much room for a large vehicle to stay put for long. The lorry's own lifting arm unloads each chalet and sets it into position, so the vehicle can move on as soon as the row is down.
Before the day, we agree the route into the market area, where the lorry will stop and how the chalets will be moved to their positions on the market plan. Barriers, bollards and street furniture all go into the plan.
Working around the city
Christmas markets are usually built in busy town centres, so timing is everything. Many builds happen early in the morning or in the evening, when the streets are quieter. Road closures, permits and access through barriers are normally arranged by the organisers, and we work to the times they set.
The same planning applies at the end of the season. After the market closes, chalets need to come back out in good order and return to storage in the new year. Booking both the delivery and the collection together makes it easier to keep the same plan in place.
It also helps to think about the order the chalets come out. Food stalls, gift stalls and larger bar units often sit in different parts of the market, so we can load in the order your team needs them on the street. That keeps the build moving and saves the lorry waiting while chalets are shuffled around. A simple numbered plan of the market, shared before the first run, makes a big difference on the day.
Plan your market logistics
Christmas markets sit alongside the other event and festival haulage we carry out through the year. If you are organising a market, email us with the number of chalets, their sizes, the site and your build dates, or request a quote online, and we will plan the runs with you.
