Zippy or Santa? Answers on a postcard, please.
A few weeks ago, I ventured up to Manchester to visit the Christmas Market there. I've never been to the one in Manchester before, and I was really excited to see what they had on offer!
When we got there at about half three in the afternoon, it was still light. Just. We spent about an hour and a half there, walking around as it gradually turned darker and darker. I didn't end up buying much, preferring to window shop, but I had a really nice time snapping away with my camera instead! (You can probably guess that from the sheer amount of photos in this post.)
I guzzled a hot chocolate while I was walking around, which really helped to warm my freezing hands up, and ate a huge pancake; which I couldn't even finish!
The market has an array of different stalls from different countries, featuring a varied amount of delicacies. For instance, I ate the loveliest lemon and sugar pancake, while my parents both opted for a chorizo hot dog. There's genuinely something for everyone!
So, to make things simpler, I thought I'd write a little list of everything I loved there:
Zippy/Santa
Sitting above the entire market is 'Santa'. Now, I know I'm not the only one who thinks that he looks suspiciously like Zippy from Rainbow. (He's not got a lot on now the programme's finished, surely? So he can totally afford to don a Santa suit and sit above Manchester's Christmas Market, can't he?) You can see it too, be honest.
The Variety
I've never visited a Christmas Market this big before. I ventured around Nottingham Christmas Market last year, which was lovely, but was nowhere near as big as this one! There are so many different stalls on offer, selling such an array of products.
The Christmassy Atmosphere
Now, I'm not being a Grinch here, but I have to admit that I'm not really in the Christmas spirit yet. However, visiting the Market did help to get me in the festive mood a little bit more. I'm not totally feeling it yet, but give the girl a chance!
The Food & Drink
As I mentioned before, there is literally something for everyone on offer at the Manchester Christmas Market. There are loads of stalls that offer pancakes and also waffles, ones that specialise in Spanish food, German food, Dutch food, sweets, and even bars. Oh, and pies, because up in t'North, pies are an essential delicacy.
Whether you want a meal, a snack, something hot and spicy, or something a little more timid - you're catered for. And as for drinks? If you fancy something alcoholic or not, everyone's included.
Whether you want a meal, a snack, something hot and spicy, or something a little more timid - you're catered for. And as for drinks? If you fancy something alcoholic or not, everyone's included.
Even though I was a good girl and opted for a hot chocolate on its own, there are plenty of tipples to add to your hot choc, if that's what you fancy. You can't move for mulled wine stalls too, which is to be expected, isn't it? (I wouldn't normally condone drinking alcohol at 3 o' clock in the afternoon, but it's nearly Christmas, so go on, knock yourselves out!)
If you're local, or don't mind travelling up to Manchester, I would definitely recommend popping along to the Christmas Market before it closes on the 20th of December!
