UK has the 'world’s most popular Christmas market' even beating German classics
A UK Christmas market is the most popular in the world, one seasonal search-based study has suggested.
Germany may be the spiritual home of wooden toys and warm wine, and New York the centre of Hollywood-created 90s festive magic, but it is Manchester that is today's most sought after Christmas market in the world.
The sprawling city centre festive fair is the most searched for in the world. That far exceeds Union Square Holiday Market in New York, which tops the list for TikTok views at 4.8billion. Manchester also has the second most associated Instagram hashtags, only bested by the iconic Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin.
Part of Manchester Christmas Market's popularity is its size. It has an impressive 220 stalls across its nine city centre sites in its 24th outing. This year has seen the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens - once again transformed into the Winter Gardens - as well as multiple other streets nearby.
The Manchester market attracts the most online searches (Danielle Wroe/ Daily Mirror)The Manchester Christmas lights trail also offers a warm festive glow while a central ice skating rink something for young and old to enjoy.
Snap up £12.99 flights to one of the best Christmas markets in the world
Not everyone is a fan however. Many eyebrows have been raised this year about the price of essential Christmas goods at the market, with hikes to prices of sausages, hot pork rolls and Yorkshire pudding wraps. Many hot food and drink stalls have seen an average price rise of 50p on popular dishes and beverages including mulled wine, hot cider and boozy hot chocolate.
Mirror reporter Danielle Kate Wroe made a trip to the market earlier this month and was dismayed with what she found there. "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," she wrote.
"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."
Her "jaw dropped" after she realised a main meal, side and drink had set her back £30, noting that "it would be eye-wateringly expensive if you had a larger family". Still, it didn't put her off completely as she added: "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."
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