Christmas markets in Europe are not encouraging: hot dogs for… €21

Frustrated Europeans are asking: maybe they should now bring their own thermos and snacks to Christmas markets? Indeed: Bratwurst (German sausages) for €21 and mulled wine for €10 do not inspire optimism.

Across Europe this year, enjoying traditional street food on Christmas Eve is becoming an indulgence. As a rule, on the eve of the winter holidays, most Europeans spend recklessly, but not this year – the Christmas mood was spoiled by prices.

In the 2023 study, the Christmas market in Budapest recognized as the best in Europe, but… the enthusiasm of the Hungarians gradually faded away after the appearance of hot dogs for €21 on the menu. With an average salary below €830 per month, residents of the Hungarian capital cannot afford them. A serving of goulash costs 12 euros, and cabbage rolls – 17 euros. Margit Varga, from the southern town of Pécs, visiting the capital as a tourist, says: “This is not meant for Hungarian wallets.”

And Hungary is far from the only country with such a price shock. Food inflation remains high in almost all countries. British Christmas markets dubbed “hell on Earth” on Platform X, with “outrageous prices” and “predatory attitude of stall owners.” Judge for yourself: in the capital Scotland In Edinburgh, burgers cost £12 (€14), Ferris wheel tickets cost £10 (€11.60), and mulled wine costs £7 (€8).

In England not much better writes euronews. In the north-east city of York, festive celebrations are usually cheaper than in London. But this year a burger and chips costs £12 (€14) and mulled wine costs £5 (€5.80). That is, almost on the same level as the famous London “Winter Wonderland”, where:

• mulled wine costs £5.70 (€6.60),
• burger prices – up to 14 pounds (16.20 euros),
• for a hot dog you will have to pay 8.50 pounds (9.90 euros),
• a ride on the giant wheel costs £11 (€12.80).

Christmas market in Liverpool also caused shock. The Liverpool Echo posted a list of holiday treats on Facebook, including mulled wine for £6.50 (€7.50) and bratwurst for £8 (€9.30).

Social media users commented: “You’d have to take out a mortgage to enjoy such exquisite food”, “I’ll go to the nearest Greggs” (inexpensive British bakery chain).

At the same time, many blame such high prices not on the stall owners, but on the organizers: an average-sized stall at the market costs 10,000 pounds sterling (11,600 euros).

In Germany, in the birthplace of Christmas markets, the holiday tradition is practically sacred. But…inflation has run rampant here too. Users posted online photos of Frankfurt sausages costing 6 euros with a laconic caption: “prices have increased this year.”

In Berlin, some traders have decided to skip the Christmas markets this year as their profits have fallen significantly. Broadcaster RBB reports that the cost of a sausage is currently around 2.70 euros, making it impossible to offer the almost traditional price of 3.50 euros that Germans usually associate with this street food.

Mulled wine at Berlin Christmas markets costs from 4 to 10 euros. As data from a survey by the German company Civey show, a third of people are willing to spend 3-3.99 euros, and a quarter considers a price of less than 3 euros acceptable. But, one commentator notes, at least entry to Europe’s Christmas markets is free – in American Seattle You can “plunge into the holiday atmosphere” for 20 dollars (18 euros), but you will have to pay separately for souvenirs, food and drinks.

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