Christmas Markets 2023 LIVE — Best & worst Xmas events revealed as Grotto cancelled because Santa’s ‘too busy’
BRITS are now immersing themselves into the festivities of Christmas and what better way than attending a Christmas market.
However, one popular Santa's Grotto event has been cancelled with just days to go after organisers said he was "too busy" to attend.
Rawtenstall Market confirmed in a statement that the grotto has been cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances entirely out of our control".
The statement from Rawtenstall Market read: "It is with a heavy heart that we must share some disappointing news. Due to unforeseen circumstances entirely out of our control, we are sorry to inform you that the Santa Grotto event this year has been cancelled. Unfortunately, Santa has found himself a little too busy this year."
Despite this, there are many more Christmas events for you to attend and we've rounded up some of the biggest and best Christmas markets in the UK returning this year.
Read our Christmas Market blog below for the latest news and updates...
Where is the Christmas market in Edinburgh?
The Christmas market stalls and attractions can be found on Princes Street.
Lidl on Ice will be running an ice rink near George Street and .
Credit: Alamy Manchester’s Christmas market returns
Manchester’s Christmas market is one of the biggest in the UK.
The market returned earlier this month and will be running until December 21.
Last year there were 220 stalls at the market, selling food, drinks and souvenirs.
Manchester’s Christmas Market is free to enter.
Birmingham Christmas Market running until Christmas Eve
Birmingham’s Christmas Market is set to run up until Christmas Eve.
The event started on November 2 and will be on until December 24.
It is the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany which means you can enjoy classics such as schnitzels, bratwursts and steins of beer.
Birmingham Christmas Market is free to enter.
Can you drink alcohol at Christmas markets?
The short answer is, yes, you can drink alcohol at Christmas markets.
You will find that some food and drink stalls will sell alcohol – some with a Christmas theme.
You will be able to find mulled wine and cider as well as other alcoholic beverages.
Credit: Getty What time of day are Christmas markets on?
You will need to check the details of the Christmas market you are going to for specfic times.
However, most tend to be open throughout the day and into the evening.
This means you can visit whatever time you like, just remember to wrap up warm.
Credit: Rex Mum left horrified by Winter Wonderland prices
A mum was left horrified after paying a visit to Winter Wonderland, saying the prices were “crazy expensive”.
Emma took her children for a meal at McDonald’s before going to the market due to the prices.
The market has food stalls serving £9.50 hotdogs, £4.50 portions of chips and £6 waffles.
Speaking to The Sun Emma said: “It’s a rip off and I knew it was going to be. We come every year and it’s always the kids’ Christmas highlight but every year the prices are worse.
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford food for the four of us inside because it’s crazy expensive. The worst bit is you spend so much money and the food isn’t even nice.”
What you need for a Christmas market trip
You may be planning a Christmas market trip in the next few days but there’s a few things you need to know beforehand.
These are some things you need to prepare before going on your festive day out:
- Check the weather forecast – you need to make sure you wrap up warm
- Plan your trip – take some time to decide what parts of the market you want to go to most
- Set a budget – many know that some things at Christmas markets are a bit pricey so it’s important to set a financial budget
What can you find at a Christmas market?
Many have heard of Christmas markets but some may not know what you can actually find there.
As well as market stalls which will sell festive gifts, you can also grab a bite to eat or a drink while you’re there.
Most markets will include children’s activities while some may have some adult rides.
Brighton cancelled annual Christmas market
Brighton has cancelled its annual Christmas market for the first time.
The event will no longer be going ahead after an effort to replace it with a community-led market fell through, it was reported.
This is due to the council failing to secure a commercial partner to fund the markets.
The city’s Christmas markets was hosted by an independent events company E3 Events for the last two years but the company cut short its three-year contract due to difficulties because of costs.
Credit: Alamy
London’s Winter Wonderland running up until New Year’s Day
London’s iconic Winter Wonderland is set to run up until New Year’s Day 2024.
The huge attraction opened from November 17 until January 1, 2024.
As well as food and drink stalls, there are attractions including fairground rides and and the biggest open-air ice rink in the country.
You will need to book a ticket to visit although it is free during off-peak hours.
Credit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder Manchester Christmas market is one of the biggest in the UK
Manchester Christmas markets is said to be one of the biggest in the UK.
The market will be open from November 10 and will run up until December 21.
Last year there were 220 stalls at the market, selling food, drinks and souvenirs.
Manchester’s Christmas market is free to enter.
Credit: Getty The best Christmas markets to visit 2/2
Here are some more Christmas markets you should visit this year:
- Bath Christmas market
- Cardiff Christmas market
- Leeds Christmas market
- Edinburgh Christmas market
The best Christmas markets to visit 1/2
If you’re wanting to get into the festive mood, the visiting a Christmas market could be a good idea.
Here are some of the best Christmas markets in the UK:
- London’s Winter Wonderland
- Manchester Christmas market
- Birmingham Christmas market
- Nottingham Christmas market
- York Christmas market
When do Christmas markets begin?
It seems that Christmas markets are starting earlier and earlier each year.
However, the majority of markets tend to open mid/late November and run until New Year.
But you may see some opening even earlier than that.
One popular market left without their Santa’s Grotto
One popular Santa’s Grotto event has been cancelled with just days to go after organisers said he was “too busy” to attend.
Rawtenstall Market confirmed in a statement that the grotto has been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances entirely out of our control”.
The statement from Rawtenstall Market read: “It is with a heavy heart that we must share some disappointing news. Due to unforeseen circumstances entirely out of our control, we are sorry to inform you that the Santa Grotto event this year has been cancelled. Unfortunately, Santa has found himself a little too busy this year.”
Christmas markets abroad
Every winter, the centre of Prague hosts a Christmas market in the Old Town Square.
While you browse the market to the sound of carolers, there will also be traditional sweet treats and mulled wine called “svařák”.
For an extra special day, holidaymakers should consider visiting on December 5 (St. Nicholas Day), which represents the start of Christmas for Czech people.
Kids might even catch a glimpse of the market’s mascot, Mikulas, and his companions, the angel and the devil, in the Old Town Square.
York Christmas Market
York’s Christmas Market will be running until December 22.
There will be alpine-style chalets serving food, drink and gifts.
There will also be some rides including a Helter Skelter.
York’s Christmas Market is free to visit.
Nottingham Christmas Market
Nottingham’s Christmas Market will run until December.
The Winter Wonderland will be across Old Market Square and Trinity Square with more than 70 stalls selling souvenirs and snacks.
There are even rides too, including a Ferris Wheel, ice rink and toboggan slide.
There are lots of themed bars too, including the Ice Bar, Ski Bar and Helter Skelter bar, as well as a rooftop bar.
It’s free to enter but you will need tickets for the rides.
Can you drink alcohol at Christmas markets?
The short answer is, yes, you can drink alcohol at Christmas markets.
You will find that some food and drink stalls will sell alcohol - some with a Christmas theme.
You will be able to find mulled wine and cider as well as other alcoholic beverages.
Credit: Getty Do you have to pay to enter Christmas markets?
The majority of Christmas markets are free to enter, but some may charge a fee.
It's important that you check ahead of time whether you need to buy a ticker or not.
Even if you do go to one that is free entre, you will need some spare pennies if you want to buy some treats inside.
Credit: Rex What time of day are Christmas markets on?
You will need to check the details of the Christmas market you are going to for specfic times.
However, most tend to be open throughout the day and into the evening.
This means you can visit whatever time you like, just remember to wrap up warm.
Credit: Rex
Birmingham Christmas Market running until Christmas Eve
Birmingham's Christmas Market is set to run up until Christmas Eve.
The event started on November 2 and will be on until December 24.
It is the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany which means you can enjoy classics such as schnitzels, bratwursts and steins of beer.
Birmingham Christmas Market is free to enter.
Mum left horrified by Winter Wonderland prices
A mum was left horrified after paying a visit to Winter Wonderland, saying the prices were "crazy expensive".
Emma took her children for a meal at McDonald's before going to the market due to the prices.
The market has food stalls serving £9.50 hotdogs, £4.50 portions of chips and £6 waffles.
Speaking to The Sun Emma said: "It’s a rip off and I knew it was going to be. We come every year and it's always the kids' Christmas highlight but every year the prices are worse.
"I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford food for the four of us inside because it's crazy expensive. The worst bit is you spend so much money and the food isn't even nice."
What you need for a Christmas market trip
You may be planning a Christmas market trip in the next few days but there's a few things you need to know beforehand.
These are some things you need to prepare before going on your festive day out:
- Check the weather forecast - you need to make sure you wrap up warm
- Plan your trip - take some time to decide what parts of the market you want to go to most
- Set a budget - many know that some things at Christmas markets are a bit pricey so it's important to set a financial budget
Leeds Christmas Market back after four years
Leeds Christmas market is back for the first time in four years.
The event hasn't been in since 2019 and will be hosted across the city despite being in Millennium Square in previous years.
There will be 120 stalls and the event will run up until December 22.
