Manchester Christmas Markets named one of the most affordable in the UK
Manchester placed in the UK’s top five most affordable Christmas markets, with London’s Winter Wonderland and Cardiff’s Christmas market the most expensive.
New data has revealed the cheapest Christmas markets to visit in the UK, with Manchester named amongst the most affordable for budget-savvy Brits looking to plan a festive day trip.
The study, carried out by Airbnb insurance specialists Pikl, looked at the UK’s top fifteen Christmas markets and the associated costs in each location to create an overall affordability ranking.
Considered costs ranged from entry price, average attraction price, average local parking cost for 6+ hours, and an additional average nightly rate for an AirBnB stay in the area.
According to the criteria Manchester came in at the top five locations for affordability. Considered to be one of the UK’s most popular markets, the study revealed that you can park all day for around £10.00, enjoy free entry and attractions from £5.00.
Overall, though, the most affordable festive day out is at Lincoln markets, where lots of traditional stalls are set up in the city’s medieval square, complete with an ice rink.
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With free entry to the market, an average attraction cost of £3.00, and nearby all-day parking for £3.70, the city boasts an extremely purse-friendly option for those looking for some festive fun on a budget.
Beyond the top 5, attraction price is the main deciding factor for those keen to enjoy festive frills on a budget.
In terms of attraction price the most expensive destination is the historic town of Chester where £30 is the average activity cost, followed closely by £25 in Blenheim Palace.
York’s attraction cost of £13.50 proves more expensive than London’s £10.50 charge for its array of Winter Wonderland festivities, though the £52.98 average parking fee in the capital makes nabbing a £10.00 spot in York a lot more appealing.
For those looking to turn theiur day trip into an overnight stay, the data also accounts for affordability based on the cost of an average nightly Airbnb rate in each location.
The experts at Pikl said: “We’re all feeling the pinch this Christmas, but Brits still look set to enjoy the festive season in a budget-conscious manner.
“As a trusted AirBnB insurance provider, we’d suggest that rental property owners hoping to attract customers over the next month take some of the findings from this study into account.”
Read more:‘Winter Island’ returns to Escape to Freight for more festive fun this November
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The data, commissioned by Pikl Insurance, analysed the affordability of the UK’s best Christmas markets, revealing the cheapest based on entry prices, average attraction price, nearby parking costs, and more.
Featured Image — Flickr/Manchester City Council
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Two teens arrested on suspicion of murder of another teenage boy in New Moston
Emily Sergeant
Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after another teenage boy was killed in New Moston.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a serious assault at Nevin Road, in the New Moston area of Manchester, at around 5pm on Sunday (8 June 2025), and when they arrived at the scene, they found a teenage victim who was critically injured.
The victim – who police have now confirmed to be a 14-year-old boy – later died in hospital, despite the best efforts of all the emergency services and staff from the air ambulance involved.
Early investigations established the identities of possible suspects, and after attending a nearby address, police first confirmed that a 37-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Then a short time later, two people – both males aged 14 and 16 – were arrested on suspicion of murder, and not long after, a further 14-year-old female was arrested overnight, again on suspicion of assisting an offender.
At this time, all four of the suspects arrested remain in custody for questioning.
#ARREST | We have arrested two boys, aged 14 and 16, on suspicion of murder after the death of a 14-year-old boy yesterday, in north #Manchester.
— Moston Harpurhey Police (GMP) (@Gmpmoston) June 9, 2025
“This incident will have shocked and saddened the local community, and distressed anyone who witnessed it,” commented Detective Chief Inspector, John Charlton.
“We are deploying significant resources to this murder investigation, and this led to quickly identifying potential suspects. We are still trying to establish the full circumstances around the incident, so there will be a large police presence and several scenes in place while we continue to investigate this horrific incident.
“The boy’s family are being supported by our officers and we are determined to give them the answers they deserve.”
Police say that despite making several arrests, this is still a ‘live investigation’.
Officers are now actively appealing for information, doorbell or dashcam footage, or eyewitness accounts from anyone who was in the area at the time, so if you think you can help, contact police on 101 quoting log 2250 of 8/6/25, or use the LiveChat function on the GMP website.
Information can also be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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The BRIT Awards is moving to Manchester for the first time in its 48-year history
Emily Sergeant
The BRIT Awards is coming to Manchester.
Yes, that’s right – for the first time in its illustrious 48-year history, British music’s most prestigious awards show will be leaving the capital London and heading up to the capital of the North, as ITV has confirmed that the BRITs will be staged in Manchester for the next two years.
The iconic celebration of UK music is set to electrify Manchester’s newest – and Europe’s biggest – live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, as part of a two-year deal that’s being described as a ‘bold new chapter’ for the legendary event.
After nearly five decades in London, The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place on Saturday 28 February, broadcast exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.
The 2027 BRIT Awards will also take place at Co-op Live.
ITV says Manchester has been chosen as the new home for the BRITs thanks to its ‘deep and rich roots in music‘, having produced scores of iconic and contemporary artists over several decades, as well as also creating dozens of cultural music moments.
Nowadays, Manchester also has a thriving independent music scene to support emerging and new talent, and this makes The BRIT Awards ‘a welcome addition to Manchester’s music legacy’, according to ITV.
The 2026 BRITs will also be the first of three years under the stewardship of Sony Music UK – who have supposedly ‘spearheaded’ the move to Manchester.
The BRIT Awards is moving to Manchester for the first time in its 48-year history / Credit: BRITs (via Press Centre)
Speaking one the announcement of The BRITs move to Manchester, Jason Iley MBE – who is the Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland – commented: “This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music.
“Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards, and I can’t wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham added: “For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.”
“We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester, and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision,” Andy Burnham concluded.
The BRIT Awards 2026 will take place at Co-op Live on Saturday 28 February.
Georgina Pellant -
6th December 2022 
