Manchester Christmas Markets

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

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Manchester Christmas Markets

Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester Albert Square, City Centre
8 November-22 December 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2021
Christmas Markets
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The Manchester Christmas Markets are back! This festive season marks twenty-six years since the markets first came to Manchester. Haven’t they come a long way?

This year will see the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street.

Piccadilly Gardens takes pride of place this year again, as the hub of all things Christmas and markety. Expect a family-friendly vibe, right in the heart of the city, while the gardens have been transformed into a labyrinth of yuletide bars selling locally-brewed ales, plus food stalls and craft sellers.

This winter, you can joyfully stumble around wooden huts with mulled wine, sip from festive mugs, scoff hot chocolates, and, of course, navigate the bustling crowds all full of Christmas cheer.

And if you’re looking for Christmas gifts, here’s your one-stop shop for everything you need – fancy cheeses, high-end spirits, jewellery, fridge magnets, cute trinkets, as well as a wealth of cured meats and gingerbread bread houses.

If you’ve been before, you’ll know the weekends are the busiest times so stick to midweek trips if you want to avoid the crowds. But more than anything, make sure you don your favourite wacky Christmas jumper. They’re a must for all you chilled-out entertainers out there.

What's on at Piccadilly Gardens

Rock and Goal
Until
ActivityManchester
Rock and Goal Tour

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

From £9.99

Where to go near Manchester Christmas Markets

ABode Manchester
Manchester
Hotel
ABode Manchester

ABode Manchester is a boutique hotel. With a signature restaurant and bar. Conveniently situated Near Piccadilly Station.

Manchester
Restaurant
Niwa Yakitori

Charcoal grill yakitori supper club held in a beautiful Tokyo-style backstreet cafe in the North Quarter.

Brownsfield Mill building in Manchester
Manchester
Tourist Attraction
Brownsfield Mill

Now a Grade-II listed building, Brownsfield Mill in Manchester was constructed in 1825 as a power mill, and later housed the A.V. Roe and Company aviation factory. The former mill forms part of the Piccadilly Basin and is to undergo refurbishment for potential use as flats or office space.

Roby 1844
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Roby 1844

Roby 1844 is a new canalside terrace bar and restaurant based on Aytoun Street in the heart of Manchester.

Bundobust Manchester
Manchester
Restaurant
Bundobust Manchester

Head to Bundobust Manchester for fantastic and endlessly original Indian street food, all vegetarian (and often vegan).

Manchester
Restaurant
Tariff & Dale

Tariff & Dale is a bar and kitchen in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, taking its name from its location on the corners of both Tariff Street and Dale Street.

Beatnikz Republic
Manchester
Restaurant
Beatnikz Republic

Beatnikz Republic Brewing Company is a microbrewery based in Manchester which has focused on innovative and high-quality beer since 2017.

Takk cafe in Manchester.
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
TAKK

An Icelandic coffee bar on the edge of the Northern Quarter

Manchester
Restaurant
Store Street Exchange

Large open plan restaurant on the ground floor of DoubleTree by Hilton, near Manchester Piccadilly. The food is high quality, with a variety of menus, including a la carte and afternoon tea.

What's on: Families

Free Activity at Aviva Studios
Until
ComedyManchester
Free Activity at Aviva Studios

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of events this spring – the best thing, it’s all free.

Free entry

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