Are German Christmas Markets in the UK Really “Rip-Offs”? Here’s How to Create Your Own at Home for a Fraction of the Cost

Every November and December, UK cities burst into life with twinkling chalets, the scent of sizzling bratwurst and sweet Glühwein drifting through the frosty air. 

German Christmas markets have become a festive staple, but recent press reports have sounded a rather sour note, claiming that many of these markets are “rip-offs”, with eye-watering prices for food, drink, and gifts.

For families already feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, the idea of paying upwards of £7 for a single bratwurst or £6–£8 for a small cup of Glühwein can make a festive outing feel more stressful than magical.

So, is there truth in the criticism? And if so, how can you still enjoy the spirit of a German-style market without draining your Christmas budget?

The good news: you absolutely can recreate the experience at home, and often using the very same brands you’d find at German stalls, thanks to Lidl, Aldi and a bit of creative flair.

Why the “Rip-Off” Headlines?

UK-based German markets are wonderful for atmosphere, but they come with real issues:

1. High stall fees for traders

Many operators charge premium fees for vendors to participate. These costs inevitably trickle down to the consumer.

2. Imported ingredients and logistics

Bringing authentic German sausages, mulled wine, pretzels and pastries into the UK adds transport and storage costs, particularly now, post-Brexit.

3. Attraction pricing

Because these markets have become seasonal “experiences”, prices often reflect what visitors will tolerate rather than what products are worth.

4. Central city locations

Whether it's Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Edinburgh, city-centre rents are steep, and consumers end up footing the bill.

None of this diminishes the charm of the markets… but it does make them pricier than many families can comfortably manage.

Create Your Own Mini German Christmas Market at Home

Recreating the magic is far easier, and cheaper, than you’d think. Whether you’re hosting friends, planning a festive family night, or simply want the flavours of Christmas without the queues, here’s how to bring Bavaria to your living room or garden.

1. Stock Up on German Christmas Market Classics at Lidl or Aldi

Both supermarkets offer large German speciality ranges in the run-up to Christmas, many of them the exact foods and brands sold at UK markets.

Bratwurst & Bratwurst XXL

Lidl’s “Deluxe Nürnberger Bratwurst”

Aldi’s “Bavarian Bratwurst” and “Frankfurter-style sausages”

Just grill or pan-fry, nestle in a crusty roll and add mustard.

Glühwein / Mulled Wine

Aldi’s Christkindl Glühwein is a genuine German import.

Lidl’s Glühwein is similar in flavour and strength — and often half the price of market stalls.

Warm gently (never boil!) and serve in festive mugs. Which you can also buy at the same retailers. 

Pretzels

Frozen Bavarian-style pretzels appear at both supermarkets in November and December. Sprinkle with salt, bake for five minutes and enjoy.

Stollen & Lebkuchen

Import labels such as Favorina, Wicklein and Berggold regularly appear in Aldi and Lidl. These are the same brands featured in many European markets, just at supermarket prices.

Potato Rösti & Sauerkraut

A tasty and traditional pairing with sausages, available year-round in both stores.

2. Create a Cosy Market Atmosphere

A German Christmas market is as much about ambience as flavour. You can easily recreate that magical feeling:

Lighting

Use warm fairy lights indoors or LED lanterns in the garden. Hang them along fences, windows, or an outdoor pergola.

Market Stall Vibes

Create small “stations” around your home:

Sausage Grill Stall – your kitchen or BBQ

Glühwein Bar – slow cooker or hob

Sweet Treats Chalet – stollen, gingerbread, waffles

Craft Corner – handmade decorations, children’s crafts

Music

Play traditional German Christmas songs or instrumental festive playlists featuring accordions, violins and glockenspiels.

Outdoor Option

If you have a garden, add blankets, a firepit, and hot drinks for a cosy Nordic-style experience.

3. Offer Market-Style Treats and Activities

Make Your Own Baubles

Let the children decorate clear plastic baubles with glitter, paint or fake snow.

Marzipan & Chocolate Tasting

Pick up assorted German chocolates (Dominosteine, marzipan bars, fruit jellies) and create a tasting board.

Warm Waffle Station

Use a waffle maker and serve with cherries, Nutella, or cinnamon sugar.

DIY Photo Spot

Hang lights and evergreen garlands for an instant Christmas-market photo backdrop.

4. Cost Comparison: A Pleasant Surprise

Item Typical UK  Market Price Lidl/Aldi Price

Bratwurst in a bun £6–£8        £0.80–£1.20 per sausage

Glühwein (small cup) £6–£8        £3–£4 per bottle (4–6 servings)

Pretzel £4–£5                                40p each (frozen batch)

Stollen slice £3–£4                       £1.49 for a whole loaf

In fact, hosting your own market evening for a family of four can cost less than two snacks at a city centre market,  and you enjoy it in comfort, with no crowds or parking costs.

German Christmas markets in the UK bring plenty of magic, but the headlines calling them “rip-offs” reflect a real frustration. With prices climbing each year, families are increasingly looking for budget-friendly alternatives that still offer the enchantment of a festive evening out.

By turning to Aldi or Lidl and using a little creativity, you can recreate the taste, smell, warmth and wonder of a German Christmas market right at home, for a fraction of the cost and with all the joy.

It’s cosy, affordable, fun, and truly captures the heart of the season. Prost... and Frohe Weihnachten!

Traditional German Christmas Celebrations

This is another in our series of Christmas celebrations from around the world. We intend to continue publishing these throughout the coming year, so please look out for these.  

Germany is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and festive traditions, and Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year to experience this. 

From bustling Christmas markets to cherished family customs, German Christmas celebrations blend history, faith, and joy in unique ways. 

Here, we look into some of the most beloved traditions that make Christmas in Germany truly special.

Advent: A Time of Preparation

Christmas in Germany begins with Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Many German households display an Advent wreath (Adventskranz), typically made of evergreen branches and adorned with four candles. Each Sunday in Advent, a new candle is lit, often accompanied by prayers or carol singing.

Advent calendars (Adventskalender) are another cherished tradition. Originally designed to count down the days until Christmas, these calendars have evolved from simple paper designs to elaborate creations filled with chocolates, toys, or even small bottles of wine.

Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte)

Germany’s Christmas markets are world-famous, drawing visitors from across the globe. These markets, often held in town squares, are a feast for the senses. Stalls brimming with handmade ornaments, artisanal gifts, and festive foods create a magical atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy traditional treats like Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Stollen (fruitcake), and roasted nuts. To ward off the winter chill, a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) is a must. Iconic markets such as those in Nuremberg, Dresden, and Cologne are particularly popular.

Nikolaustag: St. Nicholas Day

On the night of 5th December, children place their shoes or boots outside their doors in anticipation of St. Nicholas’ (Nikolaus) visit. If they’ve been good, they wake to find their footwear filled with sweets, nuts, and small gifts. Naughty children, however, might receive a bundle of twigs from Krampus, Nikolaus’ mischievous companion.

Heiligabend: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) is the highlight of the German Christmas season. Families come together for a festive meal, often featuring dishes like roast goose, carp, or fondue. In some regions, potato salad and sausages are the traditional fare.

After dinner, families gather around the Christmas tree (Tannenbaum), which is usually decorated with candles, baubles, and straw ornaments. It’s also common to sing carols and exchange gifts on this evening.

Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day

In Germany, both 25th and 26th December are public holidays. Christmas Day is usually spent with close family, while the Second Christmas Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag) is often reserved for visiting extended family or friends. Traditional meals on these days might include roasted meats, dumplings, and red cabbage.

Epiphany: The Final Celebration

The Christmas season in Germany officially concludes on 6th January, Epiphany (Dreikönigstag). On this day, groups of children dressed as the Three Wise Men go door-to-door singing carols and blessing homes. They write the initials of the Magi (C+M+B) and the year above doorways, a practice believed to bring good fortune.

A Season of Joy and Reflection

German Christmas traditions are steeped in history and community spirit. Whether it’s the glow of candlelit trees, the warmth of Glühwein at a market stall, or the joy of family gatherings, these customs capture the essence of the festive season. For those lucky enough to experience Christmas in Germany, it’s a time of wonder, joy, and cherished memories.

Don't forget the Frankfurt German Christmas Market in Birmingham!

Yes, please don't forget the Frankfurt German Chirstmas Market in Birmingham!

You can get a flavour of what it is like here

Gingerbread men, gingerbread houses. Typically Christmas!

There's something that is really redolent of the true, Continental Christmas, the gingerbread house and the gingerbread man construction kits. I remember that, as children, the first time we came across such a Continental delight was when my father came back from a tour of duty in Germany. We had such fun in building and decorating the house and decorating the gingerbread man that Christmas, so many years ago!

Now, the delightful fun of this Continental Christmas tradition is brought very much alive by those clever folks at Bespoke Foods. Their new Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Man kits are available and are safe fun for the entire family.

There is absolutely no baking or cooking, so they are ideal for the children, and everything is there for them to set to to build the house and decorate the giant gingerbread man! Everything is there, the ready-made icing, the buttons. But why let the kids have all the fun? This is an ideal project for creative and nostalgic adults (if they have children or not!) over a glass of German Gluehwein, too!

To find out more please visit www.bespoke-foods.co.uk