'I was outraged at Manchester Xmas markets when I paid £30 for meal and drink' (2024)

Manchester Christmas markets reapperance means the festive season has officially started, and there's no feeling quite as cosy as wandering around them in a fur coat, with a warming hot chocolate (with Bailey's in, of course).

Looking on the cynical side, it also means that Manchester will be unbearably busy at all times between now and December 21 when they close, with the Market Street struggle even more heightened than usual as you desperately try to pass slow walkers who are pondering how many family members they need to purchase Christmas gifts for.

But on opening night (Friday 10 November) I couldn't resist seeing the iconic markets for myself - especially as it's another year where they're not being hosted outside Manchester Town Hall, as there are still construction works underway. They're currently scattered across several locations in the city centre, including Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street.

I started the night at around 5.30pm, at the Exchange Square portion of the markets. There was an excited buzz as I got off the tram, as most people on it headed towards the stalls. I was particularly excited to visit the markets this year, as I left it quite late last year, only visiting on my birthday (December 19) and by that time it was heaving everywhere, even during the day. It was so busy, that I couldn't even get my hands on the viral Yorkshire pudding wrap as the queue was ridiculous, and I didn't fancy spending my birthday lunch in a big queue - so now was my time.

Heading toward 'Porky Pig', the queue went around the back of the stall, and some people who joined the queue even exclaimed that they couldn't believe how big it was already. There were around 25 people in front of us, and we waited around 15 minutes. While we waited, I looked at the menu, and was shocked to see that it had no prices. I'd seen people joking on social media that they'd have to "take a loan out" before visiting, so I was nervous.

As we rounded the corner, I noticed that there was a price list, and I was seriously shocked. Of course, I, like every other Brit, had realised the cost of literally everything had gone up, but I didn't remember the markets being quite so expensive.

I'd decided to opt for a giant carvery box, and my partner and I were going to share some battered pigs in blankets. He decided to go for the 'special' Yorkshire pudding wrap which contained three meats - and it cost £9. I thought the giant carvery box would be a little easier to eat, and it contained "a giant Yorkshire pudding stuffed with a choice of the meat of the day, vegetables, scalloped potatoes or mash, stuffing, and a helping of gravy or cheese sauce." I opted for pork, scalloped potatoes, and gravy. It was £12, and the pigs in blankets, which had three in the box, were £8.50. I wouldn't usually eat such a meat-heavy meal, but oh well, it is (almost!) Christmas.

It was definitely yummy, and worth the wait, but by the time I finished eating all the delicious toppings, I was sad that my Yorkshire pudding was quite soggy. My partner loved his wrap though, and as the Yorkshire pudding is toasted, it really kept its delightful crispiness.

After finishing our meals, it was definitely time for something to wash it down, and no Christmas market would be complete without a boozy hot drink. We walked to St Ann's Square, and I decided to get my yearly Bailey's hot chocolate - because it's just so tasty. When I asked for the price though, I was baffled - £9.50 for a hot chocolate? And the staff member didn't mention the mug deposit scheme to me. I did end up bagging the mug as a memento of the lovely evening, but if you had no idea, I'd feel a bit duped that I'd not been told you could get £3.50 change.

Quickly checking my bank details, my jaw dropped that I'd purchased just a main meal, a side, and a drink - and it had come to exactly £30. The Christmas Markets are definitely somewhere you'd come as a treat, rather than regularly visiting over the festive season, and it would be eye-wateringly expensive if you had a larger family. The atmosphere was lovelier than ever, however, and it felt really relaxed, even though it was busy - but it'll only get busier as time goes on if it's like every other year.

Feeling warm after our hot chocolates, we then decided to check out the stalls on Market Street, walking up one side, and we'd planned to walk down the other after we'd had a couple more drinks, but they'd shut at 8pm which scuppered our plans - so it's worth remembering that the stalls selling gifts shut earlier than the boozy ones.

We went to Dock 53 bar at Picadilly Gardens, and I got a couple of proseccos at £5.20 each, which I thought was super reasonable. It tasted really nice as well and even came adorned with some berries which I thought was a nice touch. Given its super central location, I would've thought it would cost more, but I was not complaining at all considering it's much pricier in bars around it. The music wasn't festive, but people were getting up and dancing to the mixes the DJ was providing.

To round the evening off perfectly, we walked back down Market Street, back toward Exchange Square where we'd planned to get a little 9pm crepe. But alas, when we saw the queue, we decided it was home time instead. Turns out everyone else in Manchester had the exact same idea as us, and when we approached the back of the queue, we realised that there were at least 50 people in front of us - and it wasn't moving anywhere fast. So, my dreams of a Nutella-coated crepe have been put on hold for another time. There wasn't a queue earlier in the night though, so maybe the earlier you get there, the better when it comes to the sweet treat.