The Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city during the festive season. It's no secret that a day at the markets can cost you a pretty penny, but it is also possible to enjoy them for free, simply by walking around and soaking up the festive spirit.
One of the big attractions each year is, of course the tasty festive treats on offer, as well as the unique stocking fillers that you can pick up from one of the many independent traders. And while you can expect some food stalls and gift stands to have hefty price tags, you can conquer the markets on a budget.
Setting £20 aside for a festive day out, I wanted to see just how far it would take. To my surprise, I got more than I ever expected and even left on a full stomach.
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In the midst of all the wondrous smells that engulf the streets coming from the multitude of stalls serving festive foods and drinks, one wooden hut simply smelled too good to stroll past.
At the Christmas Markets near Selfridges, you can find an array of soap filled sponges, bath bombs and shower steamers. Each year, the soap filled sponges prove very popular among market shoppers, however I opted for a Christmas tree shaped bath fizzer that smelt very fresh.
The offer at this stall - which didn’t appear to have a name, however is extremely recognisable by its colourful display - was quite good. You could get one of the items for £3.50 or mix and match four for £12.
As well as that, the fabulous stocking fillers come in an array of scents that smell almost identical to popular fragrance brands such as Thierry Mugler’s Alien, Aventus Creed and Lush’s iconic Christmas scent, Snow Fairy.
There’s an array of food at the markets both sweet and savoury, and while many love to moan about food prices at the market, there are options available across nine sites where you can find festive treats for £5. We compiled a list of food and drink prices for every location at the markets to help you find the best prices.
In the mood for something sweet, I nipped down to Dutch Mini Pancakes across from the Exchange Square tram stop. I opted for the delicious pancakes with Nutella, setting me back £6. It’s worth noting, they did have options for £5 depending on the topping or sauce you select.
The portion was more than enough and actually ideal for sharing between two as you’re given 10 mini pancakes drizzled in chocolate sauce and dusted in icing sugar.
Moving on, I was determined to find a Christmas decoration that didn’t set me back an arm and a leg. You can find tonnes of beautifully handcrafted decorations at the market that often come with a hefty price tag.
On a budget, I strolled to The Manchester Shop on St Ann’s square where I noticed they had a selection of Manchester themed Christmas baubles. I ended up picking a really nice clear bauble that features big golden bees for £6.
It’s also worth remembering that many of the stalls here are local businesses and when you spend money here, it’s supporting small businesses in the area which in turn helps the local community.
To finish off my trip to the market I had £4.50 left to spend and I knew exactly what I wanted. Having eaten, secured a stocking filler for a friend and found the perfect Manc Christmas decoration, I finished off the day with a nice warm festive drink.
The Christmas market at King St has a lovely seating area where you can enjoy a range of drinks from mulled wine to hot chocolate. It’s all covered to shelter you from the rain, which on this particular day was particularly miserable and cold.
I paid £7 for my hot chocolate which sounds absolutely INSANE, however, thanks to the mug scheme I got £3.50 handed back to me when I returned my Christmas cup. If you don’t return the mug, then you’ve just spent £3.50 on a cup perfect for winter.
Here's a full list of everything I got:
- Fizzy bath bomb £3.50
- 10 Dutch mini pancakes with Nutella £6
- Manchester bee Christmas tree bauble £6
- Hot Chocolate £7 (but given back £3.50 for returning the mug)
All in all, I walked away having spent £19 which isn’t so bad. The Christmas markets are free to enter, and to be honest, most of the enjoyment is walking around them having a nose.
You don’t need to spend a fortune at the markets to have fun, but it is possible to do it on a budget if you wish.
