Christmas

The Manchester Christmas Markets have run out of mugs – again

We're resorting to retro mugs from previous years again.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th December 2023

The world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets have run out of mugs for the second year in a row, despite ordering extras to try and keep up with demand.

Manchester City Council is now resorting to using vintage mugs from previous years after completely running out of 2023’s Nutcracker design.

The festive white and blue mugs have been carrying mulled wines, hot chocolates and other winter warmers all over the Christmas Markets since they opened in November.

Visitors to the world-famous festive event are charged a £3.50 deposit (up 50p from last year’s £3 deposit) for each mug.

It’s then up to you whether you take the mug home as a souvenir of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023, or whether you get your money back.

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And it seems like this year’s more expensive deposit hasn’t put people off, with mugs running out a week before the markets close for the year.

It means that we’ve got through 170,000 mugs this year, 30,000 more than in 2022 – quite a feat.

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There are apparently still some of the smaller blue gluhwein mugs in circulation, but they’re few and far between.

The 2022 Manchester Christmas Markets mugs. Credit: Manchester City Council
The 2022 Manchester Christmas Markets mugs. Credit: Manchester City Council
The 2017 Manchester Christmas Markets mugs. Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Christmas Markets 2017 mug design. Credit: Manchester City Council
Vintage and retro mugs are now being used at the Manchester Christmas Markets.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “The love that is out there for Manchester’s Christmas Markets and for our iconic Christmas mugs is just off the scale right now. 25 years on and people still can’t get enough of them, it’s incredible.

“Whilst this year’s fabulous Nutcracker inspired mugs are now few and far between on the markets, we’ve been bringing out the vintage mugs from Christmases past since last weekend to re-stock the stalls that have run out of this year’s.

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“And what a hit they’re proving to be with shoppers who are just loving the nostalgia of it all!

“So come on down and grab a bit of merry Manchester memorabilia while you still can – when the vintage stock goes it’s going to be jingle bells and recyclable paper cups all the way ’til the markets close.”

Manchester’s Christmas markets close on Thursday 21 December.

They are open daily until then at the following times:

  • All craft stalls 10 am – 8 pm
  • All bars and food stalls 11 am – 9 pm

The food and drink stalls in Cathedral Gardens alongside the skate rink will remain open until 31 December.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Christmas

The Pogues announce Manchester gig on first tour since death of frontman Shane MacGowan

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Pogues announce first tour since the death of Shane MacGowan

The Pogues have announced their first UK tour since the death of former frontman, Shane MacGowan, with Manchester one of just half a dozen cities chosen.

Nearly a full year on from his death at just 65, the Anglo-Irish favourites best known for their eternal Christmas classic, ‘Fairytale of New York’, are gearing up for their first outing since their iconic lead singer’s passing as a celebration of his life and their seminal second album.

It’s been 13 years since their last headline tour shortly before their split and it will be 40 years since the release of Rum Sodomy and the Lash by the time they hit the road along with special guests.

Safe to say it’ll be an emotional series of shows for everyone involved.

Revealing just six shows here in the UK, the long-standing band are set to play their sophomore release in full as well as a selection of their greatest hits.

The tour will feature remaining original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Peter Richard ‘Spider’ Stacy, as well as a series of support that are yet to be confirmed.

Speaking on the upcoming dates, The Pogues said: “After the uproarious bash which was the 40th anniversary of our first record, Red Roses for Me, in 2024, we wanted to do it again, but with Rum Sodomy & the Lash.”

The music veterans are remaining tight-lipped about who they’re bringing along but they have promised their selections have been “thoughtfully chosen”.

With MacGowan, lead guitarist Philip Chevron (2013), bassist Darryl Hunt (2022) and long-time collaborator Kirsty MacColl (2000) now having passed away, the band will be roping in plenty of help on vocals and instrumentation.

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Even though the gigs themselves will be coming at the of next spring, you can rest assured you’ll get to hear your beloved festive ballad.

Kicking off the tour in Leeds, The Pogues will play their first Manchester show in over a decade – and without Shane MacGowan front and centre – at the O2 Apollo on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

General admission will be available from 9:30am on Friday, 22 November but you can access pre-sale by registering via their website by 5pm this Tuesday (19 November).

Get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/Mordac (via Flickr)

Christmas

Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?

It’s funny how we all turn a blind eye to the temperature outside when it comes to the Christmas Markets.

At a time of year where should probably all be hibernating inside, droves of us instead head out to brave the elements all in the name of the festivities.

Of course, the Manchester Christmas Markets sell all sorts of wares to take the edge off, and we’re not just talking about the stalls selling woollen mittens everywhere.

Our favourite winter warmers tend to take the form of a tray of piping hot garlic potatoes, or a mug of hot chocolate, or another boozy beverage that’s massively underrated.

The drink in question is a Hot Blob, which is listed on the menu at the Piccadilly Gardens markets as ‘legendary’.

A bold claim, but a lot of long-time Manc residents will understand why.

The Hot Blob is a jaw-clenchingly sweet concoction served piping hot at the Manchester Christmas Market, similar to a hot toddy.

It’s made with Australian fortified white wine, lemon, sugar, and boiling water.

Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?
Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?
Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it? Credit: The Manc Group

The drink was first invented by Yates, that well-known pub chain, which started life as Yates’s Wine Lodge up the road in Oldham.

According to Pubs of Manchester, the Hot Blob has a tendency to ‘speed up drunkenness to a young drinker’.

These days, it’s pretty rare to come across one on a menu, but back in 1990s it was a staple in a few pubs around town.

There even used to be a ‘Blob Shop’ on High Street, run by local legend Ged Ford (now in charge of the equally legendary Millstone pub), which found itself in a state of utter carnage when the IRA bomb went off.

The long-lost institution specialised in ‘cheap wine, cheap beer, and plenty of blobs’.

The old Yates Blob Shop on High Street, Manchester. Credit: deltrems@flickr

Ged sold 6,000 a week.

And while the drink may have fallen out of favour since then, there are still healthy numbers being sold at this time of year, even if they are a damn sight more expensive than they were in the 1990s (£6 a pop, plus a glass deposit).

Anyway. If you’re sick to the back teeth of the endless gluhwein being peddled across the markets, make a beeline for Manchester Winter Ale House at Piccadilly Gardens, where you can find Hot Blobs as well as boozy Vimto and cask ales.

The Manchester Christmas Markets officially end on 22 December.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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