Are Manchester Christmas markets worth a visit?

[itsbloodylovely]

Hi- me and my partner have a few days off next week and are going to go away for 2 nights.
The plan is to do some Christmas shopping.
I want to combine some nice Christmas markets in there too.
We are from Newcastle so only a few hours drive (if that )
Are they worth a visit?
Want to get in the Christmas spirit

Anyone ?

They are nice to have a mill around but a bit disappointing this year. The majority are food and drink. Not as much if the independent traders/craft/gift type of stalls

What's Manchester like for Christmas shopping?

The main market area in Albert Square is closed due to the town hall renovations. The Piccadilly Gardens location can be a bit lairy in the evenings and very crowded. There's about five other locations but all very similar this year. I live in the city and I've always loved the scale of Manchester markets but the last few years have been disappointing

Sadly the city centre isn't as good as you'd hope. I love Manchester and it's great for eating and drinking but there's less destination shops. House of Fraser is really run down. Debenhams gone. Harvey Nicks is ok but so is Fenwicks

I'm pretty sure there's markets closer to Tyneside. What about York.

God no. There are a few decent stalls but they are scattered far and wide across the city in between dozens of rip off merchants.

That being said I think Manchester is really good for shopping. I don't know Newcastle well so I'm not sure how they compare but there are plenty of interesting independents, particularly around the Northern Quarter and Ancoats. Liverpool's good too if you don't mind another 40mins on the M62.

York markets are nicer I think - this year Manchester has totally been arranged around drinking, there's barely any independent stalls or crafts - it's food (some good!), pick and mix or alcohol. Not as good as it was!

York (although heaving busy) is much more atmospheric imo and there's nice festive shops, good Christmas shopping and lovely food.

We have a day trip booked to York in two weeks so wanted somewhere a bit different.
Newcastle Christmas markets are rubbish again this year -only around 10 stalls
I was hoping to get some nice Christmas tree decorations and maybe some nice cheese /fudge etc

I read something about Christmas mugs from Manchester market?
Do you pay for those ? Or are they free with drink ?

No I wouldn't say they're worth it. Loads of mass produced crap and not much handmade/unique stuff like there used to be. The food and drink used to be ok but it's insanely overpriced for what it is and there's been reports this year of people getting food poisoning after eating at a certain stall. General Xmas shopping I can't really say as I hate the hustle and bustle of the city centre and always buy online.

No christmas market is worth the visit, they are all generally shit.

Definitely not at the weekend, it’s like a cattle market, you can barely breathe!

You pay a deposit for your mug. Once you have finished your drink, you can either take the mug back and have your deposit returned, or you can keep it. Can't remember how much they usually are, sorry.

I think they can be fun to stop for a drink or just soak up the atmosphere, if you are going past anyway or they have some activity like ice skating

I wouldn't go out of my way to make a visit. Bound to be disappointing.

I went on Monday and this is exactly the conclusion I came too, I would travel to Manchester especially for them.

Mugs are £3 deposit this year.

What about Edinburgh? (Disclaimer I've not been to those for a few years so they may also have changed).

Shopping will be good in Manchester. But the markets have been going downhill, last year I just found them rough and scary with a lot of police and security presence. Also very overcrowded. That was on a Saturday though, you may have better luck mid week.

I haven't been this year but previously I've found that it's all overpriced and a bit rubbish. Loads of it is just food and drink and personally if I'm going to pay £££ for a snack and a mulled wine I'd rather sit in a nice cosy pub somewhere. A lot of the supposed craft etc stalls actually seem to be selling mass produced low quality stuff for more than you'd pay online. Plus unless you can go mid-week, mid-day it's stupidly crowded.

Edinburgh markets are pretty crap now too. Same tat on the stalls as everywhere else and really unpleasantly crowded, especially at weekends. I live here and wouldn't bother making the effort to go to them!

I think not. It has one of the least festive atmospheres I've experienced at a Christmas 'event'. I genuinely prefer a small, local craft fair.

Found our local one ridiculously overpriced. I'm not to keen on going again.