{"id":289,"date":"2025-12-08T13:10:28","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/katy-woods\/?p=289"},"modified":"2025-12-11T21:03:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T21:03:42","slug":"review-newcastle-christmas-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/katy-woods\/2025\/12\/08\/review-newcastle-christmas-markets\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Newcastle Christmas markets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Newcastle Christmas markets have been open for nearly a month and have attracted quite the crowd. With over\u00a060 stalls<\/a>\u00a0stretching across\u00a0Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street, Old Eldon Square and Nelson Street,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0quite the\u00a0selection\u00a0this year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Newcastle Christmas market; Image credit: Katy Woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The markets are very food heavy this year which, if you\u2019re like me, will be great news. Those looking for more gift buying and trinket hunting stalls may be a little disappointed, however.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas markets do have a fantastic atmosphere however, especially at night with the Christmas lights overhead and each stall playing festive music.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would avoid the weekend though if possible, due to the large number of people in attendance.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crowds when walking around aren\u2019t really the problem, however. It\u2019s trying to fight past the queues.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The queues are huge, and run perpendicular to the flow of the crowd so make it really difficult to work your way around.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, once you\u2019ve found the stall you want to order from, you have to find the end of these massive queues and wait in them for what feels like an eternity (probably about 10-15 minutes).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the high number of food stalls is an enjoyable factor, with stalls hosting a variety of cuisine, from Sri Lankan <\/a>food to Mac and Cheese<\/a>, you\u2019re looking at around \u00a310<\/a> (at least) for most meals, which I would argue is quite steep.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Newcastle Christmas markets; Image credit: Katy Woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I was very excited to try the Yorkshire Pudding Wrap stall, for example, opting to try their name-sake product but was left quite disappointed after spending \u00a311 on a wrap which was just… missing something.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bit more flavour, some salt and pepper at least, would do a world of good.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was alright, but if it was me? I\u2019d skip the wrap and just have a Sunday dinner. The novelty of the wrap is a fun idea, but beyond that there\u2019s not much special going on.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The must try dish for me is the Mac and Cheese from Redheads Mac and Cheese<\/a>, however, which comes in a variety of styles including Xmas, BBQ and sticky rib.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, even the original is worth the wait. It\u2019s crispy on top, creamy in the middle, and has hot, stretchy cheese all the way through.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The few stalls that aren’t selling food are also, somehow, selling food however…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By this I mean that if a stall isn’t serving food to go, they’re selling some sort of packaged food to eat later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The list includes The Brownie Bar<\/a>, Sprinkled<\/a> cupcakes and Matthews Cheese<\/a>, however there are a couple of non-food-centric stalls such as the Lush<\/a> stall, selling self-care products.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, I would go for the novelty of the experience. A trip to the Christmas markets will always be a necessary component of any Christmas season, even if it is only to be able to say that you’ve been. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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