Glasgow’s Winterfest: Worth the Money?

By Emma Murnin

Christmas markets are a fun way to get into the festive spirit as we see various takes on the concept from many cities across the globe. From November onwards, Glasgow has once again started its own yearly festivities, with ‘Winterfest’ hosted in George Square being one of the most popular attractions.

Winterfest brings people in through hosting a range of entertainment, including food stalls, rides, attractions, and even an ice rink. However, amidst growing struggles for the people of Glasgow during a cost-of-living crisis, the enjoyment of the event appears to have been dampened. Through an anonymous survey, we can see that this year's Christmas festivities have not been filled with cheer and joy for everyone.

Market stalls sell everything from decorations to food

Despite food stalls being one of the most highly anticipated features of Winterfest, 79.3% of responses on the survey said that the condiments were not worth their price. Many believe that the pricing of products was unreasonable, stating that it was around £8 for a small tub of strawberries or £14 for only two hot dogs. One person even stated that “everything is so overpriced to the point that you’re put off from buying the food.” When it comes to the rides and entertainment, a further 69% of people agreed that it was not worth their money and appeared to be shocked by the expenses, stating that “it takes away from the experience because you are too busy worrying about how much you've spent.”

However, despite an agreement about the event being overpriced, just over half of the respondents still agreed that they would, in fact, recommend Winterfest as a worthwhile day out to family and friends. One person said: “The price is understandable as it is a holiday event, but most people are reluctant to pay this cost as it does seem extortionate.”

Overall, the opinion of the public appears to be that the atmosphere of Winterfest is worthwhile for a Christmas day out, but only if you are aware that you may end up spending a considerable amount on the festivities.