Manchester Christmas Markets

Love them or loathe them, the Manchester Christmas Markets are back, bringing a hearty dose of festive carnage cheer to the city once again. Now in their 27th year, the markets have grown into one of the biggest Christmas celebrations in the UK, drawing visitors from far and wide to soak up the atmosphere, fill their bellies, and stock up on incredibly expensive gifts.

This year, the wooden chalets will return to their familiar homes across the city, from Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street to Cathedral Gardens, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, and King Street. The Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street will also join the festivities, while the big news for 2025 is the long-awaited return of Albert Square. Back after a five-year break, it will host A Taste of Christmas, a mini-market serving up festive treats and warming drinks right through to the new year.

At the heart of it all is Piccadilly Gardens, where fairy lights do heroic work against the concrete and the general sense of menace. This year it’s complete with family-friendly bars, local brews, artisan food stalls and a maze of craft sellers – all valiantly doing their bit to summon the Christmas spirit. If you want to sip mulled wine from a collectible mug, tuck into hot chocolate and churros, or browse for gifts, this is certainly a place where you can do those things.

Running from Friday 7 November to Monday 22 December, with Albert Square’s offering continuing until 4 January, the markets gather more than 200 stalls of festive excess: handmade crafts, jewellery, fancy cheeses, cured meats, gingerbread, and every permutation of glühwein imaginable.

If you’ve been before, you’ll know weekends can resemble a mild humanitarian crisis, so aim for a midweek wander if you value breathing space. And don’t forget your Christmas jumper – it’s practically the uniform, and camouflage helps.