57 Market stalls sell an array of Christmas gifts and mouth-watering food and
drink from all over Europe. It’s a great place to find handmade crafts such as
jewellery, ornaments, wooden toys and other souvenirs, but it’s the food and
drink that seem to be most popular. Probably the biggest seller is the
‘Gluhwein’, a hot, sweet wine which is sold in a souvenir mug. The market was
originally quite small, occupying just one of the central squares in Manchester,
but it’s grown quickly in recent years, spilling over into maybe five other
pedestrian streets and a few other squares. Apparently there are over 200
stalls now, so it’s become a really big event attracting thousands of visitors.
The main reason I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Christmas Market is the
fantastic atmosphere. When I went there last December, it didn’t matter how
cold or wet the weather was, Manchester seemed to come alive when the
market opened; the streets were bustling with people and there was a real
festive feel to the city.
