A woman has said she was disappointed by the Christmas markets in York because of one detail that ruined her day – and many locals have agreed with her
With just five weeks until Christmas, people are already getting into the festive spirit by heading to their local Christmas markets for a bit of yuletide food and gift shopping. The UK is brimming with towns and cities hosting their own markets in the run-up to Christmas, but one of the largest and most beloved is nestled in the heart of York.
York’s Christmas market kicked off last week and will remain open until December 21st. Charming alpine chalets showcasing local crafts, artisan goods, and scrumptious seasonal delights line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. According to Visit York, over 80% of the traders hail from Yorkshire, so shopping at the market also bolsters local businesses.
However, one woman who recently visited York to explore the markets has grumbled that one thing spoiled her day. Shaila posted a video on TikTok warning people not to venture to York unless they’re specifically going for the markets, as her trip was marred by how “busy” the city was.
Shaila didn’t trek to York solely for the markets, but thought she’d have a gander while she was there. Her original plan was to film some “vlog-style videos” for her social media platforms, but it was so packed when she got there that she felt too frightened to whip out her phone.
She expressed her frustration, saying: “I could barely move. The crowds in York at the moment are actually insane. To be honest, I just didn’t get my phone out once to record because it was just hectic and stressful.”
The woman advised that if you’re planning a trip to York for anything other than the Christmas markets, you should try to wait until after the festive season has passed, as she said the markets are attracting way too many crowds at the moment.
In her post, she added: “Like everyone was just in the way or walking slow, and the QUEUES for so many of the market stalls and shops were insane. Not to mention, cafes were all full. I literally travelled all the way to York and bought a cookie and some fluffy clogs from Next, then called it a day.”
Opinions on the post were split. Some locals described the crowds at this time of year as “awful”, while others said it’s to be expected and people shouldn’t be surprised when they see crowds at a popular attraction.
One individual commented: “Laughing in York resident. You thought wrong, it’s awful.”
Another person chimed in: “As someone who lives here, I avoid town the whole time the market is on. The crowds are crazy and get worse every year. Do not come to York, Leeds is only 30 minutes away, go there!”.
A local resident wrote: “I’ve lived in York my entire life, I avoid it like the plague unless it’s first thing mid-week and even then I won’t make a special visit, just if I happen to be in town.”
But one individual defended the bustling scene, exclaiming: “Oh god, other people doing what you’re doing? How dare they!”
Other York locals also weighed in, noting that while the weekends can be “manic”, weekdays often offer a quieter experience. So, if you’re planning a visit to the markets and can make it on a weekday, that’s your best bet.
However, they also pointed out that evenings and Fridays can be just as packed as the weekends, so timing is crucial if you’re hoping to enjoy the food and get some Christmas shopping done without battling the crowds.
