Seasonal jingles, mulled wine and tasty German baked goods are not the only things Britons associate with Christmas markets.
Increasingly so, it’s the infuriating rub of shoulders, overly long queues and overpriced hot chocolates.
People trying to get into the festive spirit across the country have been confessing that a stroll through the Yuletide stalls has left them disenchanted – and more ‘Bah humbug!’ than jolly.
Visitors often feel like they ‘can’t move’ because it’s so busy and packed out whenever they go.
Elsewhere, some even compared their experiences to ‘hell’, claiming they were essentially ‘stood still’ the whole time because of the crowds.
It’s a stark contrast to the glamorous, slick photos advertised by city councils which promise a whimsical winter wonderland that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.
However, it’s apparent that packed stalls and overprices food have been turning disgruntled Brits into Grinches up and down the country.
In London, many took to social media to slam Mayfair’s Novikov Christmas market – hosted by the swanky restaurant of the same name.
Seasonal jingles, mulled wine and tasty German baked goods are not the only things Britons associate with Christmas markets. Increasingly so, it’s the infuriating rub of shoulders, overly long queues and overpriced hot chocolates. Pictured: Winter Wonderland
People trying to get into the festive spirit across the country have been confessing that a stroll through the Yuletide stalls has left them disenchanted – and more ‘Bah humbug!’ than jolly
Visitors often feel like they ‘can’t move’ because it’s so busy and packed out whenever they go. Pictured, the expectation (left) versus the reality (right) in Liverpool
The situation further up north is no better, as visitors across Manchester (pictured in a promotional shot), Liverpool and York have all taken their chance to hit out at their city’s markets as well
It’s a stark contrast to the glamorous, slick photos advertised by city councils which promise a whimsical winter wonderland that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit
Promotional photos for York’s Christmas market portray serene and wholesome festive scenes
However, people are complaining that if they go on a weekend they are left with packed crowds to navigate
It promises a daily Champagne ice bar, caviar and oysters, and live music entertainment throughout the evening.
However, beyond the glitz and status, TikToker @franklyfahmida told her followers that ‘everyone’s packed like sardines inside’ while the DJ played ‘c**p music’.
‘Save £20. Save yourself queuing in the cold. Save yourself getting elbowed,’ she urged.
Not everyone was as quick to judge, as many online argued that the market – which features gently falling artificial snow is ‘so nice’ – but you must go when it’s not too busy, before it gets dark.
Elsewhere, many attacked the annual Winter Wonderland set-up in the capital’s Hyde Park.
‘Experience unforgettable Christmas activities in London this Winter at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland!’ the website boasts. ‘From thrilling rides and festive games to enchanting shows and delicious food & drinks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the magical six weeks between Thursday 21st November 2024 and Sunday 5th January 2025.’
The promotional content gushes about ice skating and festive food aplenty – as well as the infamous lights known for being a tourist photo-favourite.
Yet, online, it’s been slammed for not just its prices – many complaining that £8 is too much for a hot dog – but also extremely long queues.
Similar scenes greet the Midlands, in Birmingham, where @bhamupdates shared video of packed crowds attempting to navigate the market
It is a way away from the website, which portrays Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market in glossy photos, bathed in the gentle lights of Christmas decor
In Dublin, one individual took to social media via @inireland8 to post pictures with a stunning backdrop, featuring a towering Christmas tree and a short segment of revellers enjoying a spot of ice skating
However, in the comments section of the video in question, other visitors complained of inflated prices, with one bemoaning a price of €14 for loaded fries
Many still enjoy their Winter Wonderland outings, with some creators insisting the fixings at the annual attraction are well ‘worth the money’ and offering recommendations of specific stalls you ‘must’ hit up.
Similarly divisive scenes greet the Midlands, in Birmingham, where @bhamupdates shared video of packed crowds attempting to navigate the market.
It is a way away from the website, which boasts Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market in glossy photos, bathed in the gentle lights of Christmas decor.
While plenty of people are full of love for the ‘iconic’ market, especially for its fun decorations and dedicated Christmas village aesthetic, some were frustrated by how busy it gets.
The situation further up north has also received some criticism, as visitors across Manchester, Liverpool and York have all taken their chance to hit out at their city’s markets as well.
Manchester in particular had dwellers like @manchesterblog sharing close-up footage of themselves being shoved in the throngs of the crowds.
People in the comments often pointed out that the trouble lies with people choosing to go on the weekends, which is intuitively going to be the busiest time.
One even expressed that visiting Christmas markets on Saturday and Sunday is only for ‘amateurs’, as others expressed that they had a lovely time going on less busy days during the week.
In London, many took to social media to slam Mayfair’s Novikov Christmas market – hosted by the swanky restaurant of the same name
However, beyond the glitz and status, TikToker @franklyfahmida told her followers that ‘everyone’s packed like sardines inside’ while the DJ played ‘c**p music’
Elsewhere in Dublin, one individual took to social media via @inireland8 to post pictures with a stunning backdrop, featuring a towering Christmas tree and a short segment of revellers enjoying a spot of ice skating.
However, in the comments section of the video in question, other visitors complained of inflated prices, with one bemoaning a price of €14 for loaded fries.
Another frustrated customer posted: ‘Went yesterday and paid €16 for two small watered down paper cups of mulled wine.
‘Prices weren’t posted anywhere and the line was long so I didn’t even know the price until I was ordering’.
A further upset visitor fumed: ‘A basic staple of any Christmas Market is a fancy hot dog stall. This had none and everything else is a rip off price.’
It comes after locals living in the shadow of Britain’s largest Christmas markets told MailOnline that they feel the annual Bavarian tradition is being tainted by anti-social behaviour and rip off food and drink, which has priced them out of their own high streets.
Residents in Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester have all seen the cost of their annual trip to their local market soar this year in a decidedly un-festive continuation of the cost of living crisis.
Meanwhile, visitors to London’s Winter Wonderland have said that the Hyde Park attraction – where a pint of beer can sell for as much as £12 – is now unaffordable.
The infamously expensive city attraction is also subject to an initial £7.50 entry fee making any trip there one that dents the wallet.
Manchester in particular had dwellers like @manchesterblog sharing close-up footage of themselves being shoved in the throngs of the crowds
People in the comments often pointed out that the trouble lies with people choosing to go on the weekends, which is intuitively going to be the busiest time. Pictured, crowds in Manchester
And in smaller rural areas like Canterbury, Winchester and Exeter, locals have said that their Christmas markets are a pain they can do without.
Due to the increased footfall of shoppers in their town centres, some locals have said the markets make their areas unnavigable during the festive season.
Sadly, in Exeter this increase in crowds has led to more anti-social behaviour and petty crime blighting the festive vibes.
Meanwhile, the Mail recently looked into what you may end up spending on an average family outing at Winter Wonderland.
With a cup of hot chocolate coming in at eye-watering £9.50 and hot dogs costing as much as £16, London’s popular Yuletide attraction is fast becoming the sole preserve of wealthy tourists – and the bane of financially overstretched families.
Winter Wonderland includes an array of fairground rides, an ice kingdom and a Christmas market.
But whether a family of four would have enough left over to enjoy any of those offerings after paying for admission, food and drink is another matter.
An off-peak visit including a hot dog each, two soft drinks for the children, a beer and a mulled wine for the parents, and churros with Kinder sauce for dessert, would cost a minimum of £97.
That price assumes the visit takes place during the reduced off-peak times of 10am and 2pm on one of 16 specific dates – failing which, there would be an admission charge of up to £7.50 for both children and adults, adding another £30 to the bill.
The calculation also assumes the family purchases a Bavarian village food package, which allows adults to wash down a bratwurst with their choice of a beer, wine, mulled wine, or single spirit and mixer for £15. Children receive a choice of soft drinks to accompany their hot dog, at a price of £11.50 each.
If the items were purchased individually – with two hot chocolates for the children, the bratwursts substituted for hot dogs at £16 a pop, and the churros replaced with a shared dessert of two Nutella and banana crepes at £10 each – the cost would climb to a staggering £143.50.
That total also assumes that Dad treats himself to a pint of Thor’s Hammer beer at £12.
Factor in the price of rides, and the bill rises considerably.
An off-peak, fast-track family ticket for the giant wheel comes in at £36, rising to as much as £48 during peak periods.
Similarly, an off-peak ice skating ticket for a family of four costs £34, climbing to £46 at peak times – with an additional fee of £2 per item for the cloakroom, where all bags and large items must be left.
Throw in a couple of goes on the real ice slide for the kids – £5 a head for children and adults at all times – and the total cost of the three rides, at peak time, would be £108.
It means a peak-time visit to Winter Wonderland for a family of four, with all tickets purchased on the day, would come in at a whopping £262.50.
The high prices did little to deter visitors last week, however, when huge queues snaked around Hyde Park as people sought an early festive fix as the event opened.
