Manchester Christmas Markets mugs have sold out AGAIN this year with a week still to go of the festive event. Manchester council bosses increased their order of the colourful 2023 design this year to try to keep up with demand.
But even by ordering a staggering 170,000 of the new designs, they have now confirmed they've sold out across Manchester Christmas Markets' food and drink stalls. Anyone buying a gluhwein or hot chocolate will now be served up in "vintage" mugs from previous years, instead of the 2023 design.
The mugs are part of the deposit scheme for those buying drinks across the Christmas Markets. That means you pay a deposit of £3.50 for the mug, which you can redeem when you have finished your drink, or take it home as a souvenir which clearly thousands of people have chosen to do this year.
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The sell out of the mugs means record-breaking sales for this year's markets at this stage of the event. The huge boost in sales of the mugs comes despite the fact there's been a 50p increase this year up from £3 last year.
Last year 140,000 mugs were produced which also all sold out by mid-December. This is the second year in a row that demand has outstripped supply - even with the extra large order of 170,000 of the mugs.
The council say they hope visitors will now enjoy the "vintage" and "retro" mugs that have been brought out of storage for stalls to use for drinks served up over the weekend and up to the main closing date of December 21.
Designed by the city council's in-house design studio, this year's edition of the much-coveted mugs feature festive Nutcracker designs with a distinctive and "on-trend Scandi feel".
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.
"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.
