“You do have to keep things in perspective”
09:57, 09 Nov 2025Updated 10:08, 09 Nov 2025
Crowds out for the first Saturday of Manchester Christmas Markets 2025(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Prices have crept up again as Manchester’s big Christmas Markets made their return at the weekend – but stallholders have defended the increases amid soaring costs hitting small businesses.
The markets have returned for their biggest ever showing across Manchester city centre this weekend, taking over TEN zones this year.
That includes the big return of Albert Square, in use for a public event for the first time in six years amid ongoing refurbishment works at Manchester Town Hall.
There are 274 Christmas Markets stalls this year, including a host of hot food and drink stalls, with big crowds seen on the first Saturday in the city centre.
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In the MEN’s annual price list after visiting all hot food and drink stalls across the ten markets sites, we reported increases of around £50p to £1 on most drinks, while some of the independent food stalls were increasing prices by as much as £2 on some items returning from last year.
The Christmas Markets were packed on Saturday on Piccadilly Gardens (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Lager was up by 50p on most stalls at £6.50 a pint, while Gluhwein can set you back from £5.50 to £6.50 depending on the stall you go to – up by £1 on last year at the most expensive price. Glasses of prosecco were up from £6 last year to £6.50 to £7 depending on the stall, while cocktails are up from £8.50 to £9.50.
However German bratwurst sausages – one of the markets’ most signature dishes – remained steady in price on last year staying at £8 – although larger sausages and currywurst will set you back from £9 to £9.50 depending on the stall you visit.
German beers also remained the same in price year-on-year at the traditional Bavarian bars like The Windmill on Piccadilly Gardens and The Witch House on New Cathedral Street at £6 – £6.50.
Independent food stalls have seen some of the starkest price rises, with Eat Greek gyros up by £1 this year at £11, Yard and Coop’s popular fried chicken trays up by £2 on last year at £13 and Pasta Claus’s Italian dishes up by £2 – £3 on last year, including carbonara from £9.50 in 2024 up to £12.50 this year and bolognese up from £8.50 to £11.
One of last year’s hit stalls, Mr Crimble’s Crumble, have put their sweet treats up from £7 last year to £8 this year, while loaded Amsterdam fries are up by £1 – £2 as well with Manc Poutine now costing £11, up from £10 last year, and beef brisket fries now £13, up from £11 last year.
Sausage prices are stable – but independent food stalls have made some increases(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It pays to shop around, particularly if you’re after one of the market’s ubiquitous Yorkshire pudding wraps. The original stall, Porky Pig’s on Exchange Square, is selling its “famous” wrap for £10, but elsewhere on the markets at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens you will be looking at paying from £11 – £13 for a meat-filled Yorkie wrap at rival stalls.
Stallholders we spoke to said that given spiralling costs impacting them this year they had no option but to increase prices.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester’s “Mr Christmas” said at the launch of the Christmas Markets on Friday that the council has urged stallholders this year to keep prices reasonable.
He said: “We all know when we go shopping prices are a nightmare for all of us, but we have said to the traders, if you put your prices up too much you won’t sell anything, so hopefully they will listen to us. We’ve spoken to the traders about it.”
He continued: “I would add that the Christmas celebrations in Manchester are bigger than anywhere else in the country. The Market staff they have worked really hard this year and you can see the quality. It’s some of the best in the world here.”
Holy Duck is one of the new food stalls this year on Exchange Square(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Stallholder Gareth Kitching, who has been at every Manchester Christmas Markets since they first started 28 years ago, has defended his fellow stallholders on pricing. He has kept his own prices the same this year at his Clowbecks and Porkys Grill on Piccadilly Gardens – at £8 for a sausage and £9 for hot pork rolls.
But he said: “Wages and prices have gone up, and for some stalls the price of products will have gone up as well.
“You have to think is £8 for meat in a sandwich all that expensive really? And beer at £6.50 a pint – when you’re paying £8 – to £9 for a pint at arenas nowadays so you do have to keep things in perspective.”
Christmas mugs and sausages return(Image: Manchester Evening News)
MEN readers have had their say on the prices this year, with a mix of those calling it “a complete rip off” to those saying simply “if you don’t like it, don’t go”, in a range of comments on our price list report and on our Facebook page.
Joanne Card wrote: “RIGHT, Listen everybody, you now know the prices, they will be also on the vendors truck to inform you off the prices, please do not post a picture of mulled wine and a sausage and then moan at the price, you made a choice.”
Kianu commented to say: “You pays You money You takes your choices. If you feel these prices are excessive and of course they are, and if you feel you are better off buying a coat instead, or cannot afford the market prices then don’t buy or go to the market or get a couple of sandwiches in Aldi and walk around eating those instead.”
Unicornsparkle added: “Over priced for what it is. You must have more money than sense to buy anything from them markets. Instead of standing outside cold, you could go to a nice restaurant for them prices!”
Hulme Raider said simply: “A timely reminder that once again these are completely optional.”