Markets in Manchester

Chris Horkan

From trendy makers markets to one of the region’s oldest traditional markets, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your hard-earned cash on that unique hand-crafted item or local delicacy in and around Manchester. We delve into this market scene to pick out our favourite spots.

Our top picks

Northern Quarter Makers Market

Northern Quarter Makers Market, Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DB - Visit now

Featuring artists, designers, upcyclers and a host of food and drink vendors, the compact Northern Quarter Makers Market takes over Stevenson Square the second Sunday of each month bringing the best makers, bakers and creators to the heart of the city’s alternative centre.

Image courtesy of The Makers Market

Altrincham Market

Altrincham Market, Greenwood Street, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 1SA - Visit now

Boasting in its Market House an award-winning eatery so good it has spawned a second outlet (the Northern Quarter’s Mackie Mayor), it’s worth pointing out that there’s more to Altrincham Market than just food and drink. On Sundays, the outdoor market rotates each week between design, food, craft and vintage – while Saturdays are its ‘Trad-Mod’ Market, featuring crafters, jewellers, makers and, of course, plenty of food. Weekdays are big on locals produce (Tuesdays and Fridays) as well as thrift, antiques and fish (the classic combo – every Thursday) – and you can retreat into the Market House any day of the week for a post-shopping treat.

Altrincham Market
Image courtesy of Altrincham Market

Levenshulme Market

Levenshulme Market, Stockport Road (junction with Albert Rd), Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3AB

Levy Market has become something of a rallying point for this surrounding community since launching in 2013. Initially a monthly market, its success prompted organisers to go weekly each Saturday in 2014 – and, more recently, to start up a popular monthly Friday night market. With a rotating cast of 40 stall-holders, you can find plants, clothing, homeware and artisanal food and drink at Levy Market. With this social enterprise using its profits to supply grants to local start-ups, it’s no wondering it was shortlisted for a BBC Food & Farming Award in 2015.

Image courtesy of Levenshulme Market

Makers Markets

Makers Markets, Visit now

The Makers Markets can be found all over the North West region, from Chorlton to Cheshire they give great local producers, bakers and artists a platform for selling within their communities.

Image courtesy of The Makers Market

Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale, Market Street , Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3AQ - Visit now

Nothing says ‘generic’ like an Arndale – but Manchester’s city centre shopping mall has undergone a major overhaul since the 1996 bomb. The Arndale’s market now features good-quality fresh fish, meat and fruit and veg, while the food hall boasts lunchtime institutions such as Panchos Burrito and Viet Shack – plus the tiny MicroBar, which has plenty of regulars despite its early last orders. And with the South Side market – traditionally reserved for mobile phone repairs, nail bars and e-cig liquids – recently getting in on the street food zeitgeist too, thanks interesting Thai and Spanish additions, Manchester Arndale continues to make great strides.

BW

Bury Market

Bury Market, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 0BJ - Visit now

Bury Market is a great reminder of how important local markets can be. The market, which dates back 500 years, dominates the town’s centre – with its centrepiece, the Fish & Meat Hall, a great focal point as competing stall-holders vie for your attention and money. Elsewhere, the market has been home to the original Katsouris Delicatessen for over 40 years, while the Bury Black Pudding Company has traded on the market for even longer. With hundreds of stalls selling practical items such clothing, homeware and more, Bury Market justifies its four ‘Market Attraction of the Year’ awards to date.

bury market
Image courtesy of Bury Market

Where to go in Manchester

Image of Afflecks Palace in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Shopping Centre
Afflecks Palace Online

Afflecks in Manchester, formerly (and still affectionately) known as Affleck’s Palace, is a hub of independent sellers whose stock is now readily available online, just in time for the chaos of Christmas Shopping.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Longsight Market

Sick of overpriced “vintage” markets? Try Longsight’s bustling neighbourhood market which, every Tuesday, lays on a thriving flea market that’s a miniature (albeit slightly less glamorous) version of the famous Les Puces in Paris.

Altrincham Market
Manchester
Shopping Centre
Altrincham Market

Altrincham Market is a market for modern times – and for eats, treats and weekend fun. We take a look around one of our favourite places.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Smithfield Market

The neo-Romanesque arches of this former wholesale food market still stand as a reminder to the Northern Quarter’s mercantile past.

Image of Afflecks Palace in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Shopping Centre
Afflecks

Afflecks in Manchester, formerly (and still affectionately) known as Affleck’s Palace, is a mind-bogglingly diverse vintage shopping emporium.

Levenshulme
Shopping Centre
Levenshulme Market

One of the best in the city, Levenshulme Market brings new businesses, arts and lots of delicious food to a carpark in Levenshulme on a weekly basis.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester Visitor Guides

People enjoying drinking in Altrincham
Things to Do in Altrincham

Plan a day out down Altrincham way, and you’ll soon find that one day isn’t nearly enough. Getting there is easy on the tram, or how about cycling along the...

Bars in Manchester

The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.

Tasting Menus in The North

Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.

Photo of the Halle orchestra at Bridgewater
Music Venues in Manchester

Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.

Federal Cafe Bar
Breakfast in Manchester

Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned. Here’s our pick of the city’s morning glories.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.