I really like the Manchester European Christmas Market. It's the first Christmas Market I ever…read moreexperienced, so maybe it's also a bit nostalgia for me since the first time I went I was enamored. However, now that I have been to Europe many times in the winter and I've experienced the Christmas markets in various cities in different countries, I still do enjoy the Manchester Christmas Market though. It has a very warm, inviting atmosphere. It's not big and not too small either.
As an American, I love the idea of public drinking outdoors, so I loved sipping warm mulled wine outdoors in a festive setting. There's even double decker, two levels bars here. So you have your choice. You can cozy up indoors, you can head upstairs to the second level to overlook the entire market, or you can take your mug and wander around the festival.
I also really like the layout of the cute wooden huts. They're not in just a long straight row like some markets. The Christmas Market in Manchester takes over an entire square, and the stalls are laid out in a grid, so it's easy to wander and check out all of the stalls. The layout invites you to linger, sipping and eating as you go versus some markets you kind of just market straight through and they have a separate area for sitting and eating. However, the downside of this, is this market is incredibly crowded. I mean I quite like a crowded, festive atmosphere, but it's just a bit too crowded.
The market has expanded outside the main square now, and does carry on throughout the city to a few other squares which are less crowded and the prices for food seem to be cheaper too.
Also, one of my favorite things at the market are to sample different foods and I particularly like the variety of food options at this market. There's lots of interestings things to try. This year, we had the Yorkshire Pudding Wrap which was awesome. We also shared some cheesy garlic potatoes which were decadently delicious.
I always have a good time at this market and I like the big Santa on top of the building, and all the decor that just make this market so fun to wander through.