The festive season has officially begun as Christmas Markets start to spring up once again.
Manchester’s Christmas Market welcomed visitors from last Friday, November 7, and will continue to do so until December 22. Despite the city’s claims of six weeks of ‘festive fun and shopping’, many who have visited the event in its first week feel it has somewhat missed the mark.
Spanning across Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, the annual event attracts both tourists and locals, but this year, the offerings seem to have left people feeling disgruntled. This year, 274 Christmas market stalls have set up shop, offering a wide variety of food, drink, gifts and crafts.
It’s already attracted large crowds, but not always for positive reasons, as visitors can’t help but grumble about the prices. According to the Manchester Evening News, lager prices have increased by 50p on most stalls this year, costing £6.50 a pint.
Furthermore, glasses of prosecco have risen from £6 last year to between £6.50 and £7 depending on the stall, while cocktails now cost £9.50 each, an increase of £1 from the previous year. A TikTok video revealing the steep prices of items at a festive market has sparked outrage among viewers.
The clip showcases hand-decorated plastic wine glasses selling for £29, small Christmas cottage figures priced at £19 and, bizarrely, a stall offering close-up photographs of your eye for up to £27.99. The video quickly attracted attention, with one disgruntled viewer commenting: “It’s just a load of garden sheds selling Poundland tatt at extortionate prices.”
Another person, who had recently visited the markets, shared: “I went yesterday. Overcrowded, expensive and bizarre. Had some guy blaring out Old McDonald and another group singing Every little thing gonna be alright… not Christmassy. Edinburgh’s Christmas market will always be my fave city market.”
A third individual added: “We go just to look at the little wooden houses and laugh at the prices of stuff. Thought that’s what everyone did.”
However, some jumped in to defend the event, attempting to explain the high prices. One person noted: “It is a bit pricey, but as it’s a MARKET, I’d presume most of the things there might be handmade or cooked fresh, but pricing is a bit much.”
Another chimed in: “I looked into hiking a stall at York Market, and it’s £2k per week. That’s why prices are high.”
Nevertheless, it’s worth highlighting that Manchester’s Christmas markets are entirely free to enter, with no advance booking necessary. Only the individual stalls charge fees when purchasing items, so theoretically, if nothing catches your eye, no expenditure is essential whatsoever.
The VisitManchester website declares: “Now in their 27th year, Manchester’s Christmas Markets with their iconic wooden chalets have become legendary, drawing millions to the city centre each year. With over 200 stalls spread across nine locations, visitors can enjoy seasonal treats, mulled wine, and a wonderful festive atmosphere. Whether you’re after handmade gifts, craft items, or delicious food, the markets cater to all tastes and ages.”