One of the highlights at Nottingham's Winter Wonderland is all the food stalls and bars selling festive favourites. And when stomachs start to rumble after a busy shopping session or a skate around the new aerial ice path, there's plenty to get stuck into - from a warming mulled wine to a filling German sausage hot dog.
We took a stroll around Old Market Square to pick out some of the mouth-watering things to eat and drink this Chrimbo, whether you're on a night out with friends and family, perusing the gift stalls or taking the kids for a pre-Christmas treat.
To help you budget we checked out how much it will hit your wallet. The cost has caused a bit of a stir with Nottinghamshire Live readers, however, stallholders said unfortunately they have been left with no choice but to put up their prices due to the rise in energy costs and ingredients. Here's what we found:
Read more: Impressive aerial pictures of Nottingham's Winter Wonderland
Toast your own marshmallows
New for 2022 is the chance to toast your own marshmallows over an open flame. Fun whatever your age and the chance to channel your inner boy scout or girl guide.
It costs £4.50 for a skewer with three plump, fluffy marshmallows at the stand near the ice rink. Top tip: don't hold the marshmallows directly in the centre of the flame. You don't want to burn them. Rotate the skewer for an even toasting. Allow to cool slightly before eating or the gooey sugar could do your mouth some serious damage.
Bratwurst
Is it even Christmas without at least one bratwurst? The swing grill within a windmill is back serving Germany's best-loved sausages. A bratwurst hot dog in a brotchen roll is one of the cheaper bites at the market, costing £6.
If you're extra hungry there's a half-metre sausage for £8. A chilli krakauer (the smoky one) is also £6. For something more filling the currywurst tray at £8.50 contains sliced bratwurst with chips topped with curry ketchup and a bread roll. Fried onions are an extra 50p.
Tornedos
Skewers of swirly crisp potato are one of the easier snacks to eat on the hot. The spud can be pimped up with flavoured salts including chilli, BBQ, garlic or nacho cheese, all for £6.
If you're avoiding carbs (come on, it's Christmas) there is a healthier alternative that isn't deep-fried - and that's a courgette tornedo, priced at £4.
Noodles
Nothing says Christmas in Nottingham like... noodles? Well, they're certainly an option at the festive market if you're craving Asian cuisine or something veggie.
The stall, fresh from Goose Fair, has now popped up at Winter Wonderland with steaming hot plain or vegetable noodles for £6 with a choice of curry, sweet 'n' sour or BBQ sauce. Toppings of chicken or falafel balls are a further £4. Chips are a fiver, spring rolls £4 and prawn crackers £2.
Roast chestnuts
The slightly more traditional fare of roast chestnuts are served from a festive-looking wooden hut. Unlike other nuts, these aren't crunchy. When roasted over hot coals they're sweet and soft.
If you didn't know they're actually quite good for you, too. As well as being a good source of antioxidants, chestnuts are high in fibre and low in fat. A pot costs £3 - the same price it's been for the last few years.
Yorkshire pudding wraps
Comfort food at its best, the 'famous' filled Yorkshire pudding stall is back. Every year it seems to be in a different location but it's worth seeking out. This time you'll find it located next to the carousel overlooking Long Row.
The satisfying feed costs £10 - it is very filling. The Christmas special is filled with turkey and cranberry sauce or there's the Best of British with beef and horseradish. Pigs in a Warm Blanket comes with sausages and onion gravy or the Englishman is full of warm ham with a hint of mustard. Other trimmings include stuffing, roast potatoes and carrots.
The Filthy Vegan
A Winter Wonderland regular over the last four years, The Filthy Vegan is back for another festive season after opening two new outlets at McArthur Glen's East Midlands Designer Outlet and the University of Nottingham this year.
Its best-seller, the Festive Vegan Kebab, is soya protein coated in a secret seasoning, served in a hot naan with red cabbage, tomato, and cucumber with a drizzle of siracha and vegan mayo, for £7.50. For the same price, customers can have a Moving Mountains' hotdog or shawarma, a tortilla wrap with soya protein, salad and sweet chilli sauce.
Fudge and pick 'n' mix
There's no missing the bright red double decker bus parked outside the Council House. Sweets, including vegan-friendly confectionary, are on sale along with giant candy cables in flavours such as blackcurrant.
Fudge fans will be spoilt for choice as they ponder all the different flavours. Traditionalists can choose clotted cream, mint and rum & raisin. More unusual options include multi-coloured Skittles, Jack Daniel's and Jammie Dodger. The price is £2.99 per 100g.
Raclette
The smell of warm gooey cheese will pull you to this stall like a magnet. The traditional Swiss dish has really taken off in Nottingham since the Melt & Grill stall first appeared at Winter Wonderland in 2018.
Oozing cheese is scrapped off as it melts and is served over hot potatoes with pickles. The classic box is £7. Raclette Alps, costing £10, also comes with bacon and mushrooms. Monsieur Melt, a grilled cheese and ham sandwich with Dijohn mustard is back, priced £7, as are halloumi fries for £6. New this year are Raclette Fries, which are chips instead of potatoes priced £7.
Chocolate Kisses and other chocolate treats
Chocolate Kisses - not those drunken snogs under the mistletoe but mounds of dreamy marshmallow on a biscuity base covered in Belgian chocolate, either milk, white or dark. Think Tunnock's chocolate tea cakes, only bigger and better.
At £1.50 each they're probably the cheapest item you'll find at the market. The variety of flavours includes Baileys, Toblerone, Pink Gin and After Eight. A box of 12 costs £12.
The same stall also sells toffee apples and chocolate-covered apples from £3.50 to £4 and chocolate-covered strawberries for a fiver.
Drinks
Fancy a few festive tipples to get into the Christmas spirit? Draught beer, wine, bubbles, spirits, cocktails and shots are served at the various Winter Wonderland bars. Sur La Piste is the biggest - the Swiss style chalet has seating inside with cosy benches with cushions and throws plus outside tables for those who don't mind braving the chill.
Halves are £4, while a pint of lager or cider will set you back £7 or Neck Oil IPA £7.50. Wine is £6.95 for a 175ml glass, £8.95 for a large glass. A bottle costs £25.
Cocktails including Pornstar Martini and Candy Cane Mojito are £9.95. For added sparkle, a glass of prosecco costs £9.
Winter warmers of mulled wine, festive apple cider, Winter Pimm's and Baileys hot chocolate are a fiver. Non alcohol alternatives are £3. Spirits are £4.95 for a single measure of £6.95 a double. Soft drinks such as coke, lemonade and orange juice are £2 a half or £3 a pint.
If it's caffeine you're after the Coffee Hut facing the Council House is selling coffee for £3.50 a cup and tea for £2.50. A luxury hot chocolate, topped with cream, marshmallows and a flake is £4.50.
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