CONTACT USThere’s no better way to enter into the festive spirit than by visiting the long-awaited Manchester Christmas Markets. Each year - usually from mid-November to late December – over 300 (and counting!) wooden stalls throw open their shutters to serve an eclectic mix of mulled wine, flavoured meats, melt-in-the-mouth cheeses, gifts and good tidings all round.
Stroll through the city centre towards the end of the year and, chances are, you’ll end up wandering into a charming winter wonderland, complete with wooden nutcrackers, snow-dusted Santas and a whole lotta Christmas cheer. But what if this winter is your first time at Manchester Christmas Markets? In this useful guide, we have all the advice you need to kick back, relax, and enjoy the festivities, stress-free.
Manchester Christmas Markets Opening Hours
The Manchester Christmas Markets get bigger each year and span right across the city centre. This means that the opening hours for each group of stalls tends to vary, but the main markets at Albert Square usually run from 10am to 9pm every day.
Manchester Christmas Markets Locations
There are stalls set up all over the city centre. These are the main locations:
Albert Square: This is the main Christmas market in Manchester. Overlooked by a now-iconic giant Santa Clause, this is where you’ll find the most stalls in one place, as well as a variety of large bars and places to grab a bite. If you’re looking for the ultimate Manchester Christmas market experience, this is it.
Cathedral Gardens: No Christmas market would be complete without an ice rink, and the Cathedral Gardens market does not disappoint. Dubbed Manchester’s ‘Ice Village’, Cathedral Gardens also plays host to an ice cavern, Santa’s Grotto, and an ice tiki bar.
Market Street: While not as large as Albert’s Square or Cathedral Gardens, the Market Street Christmas markets are a magical place to pop in for a unique gift if you’re shopping in the Arndale.
Exchange Square / Corn Exchange: If you exit the Arndale Centre at the entrance by Next, you’ll come across the Exchange Square / Corn Exchange markets. These tend to be more craft-based than the others, with stalls selling a range of unique handmade festive gifts (perfect for picking up some stocking fillers).
Exchange Street / New Cathedral Street: Flavoured vodkas, luxury soaps, and magical trinkets are just some of the presents you can buy at the Exchange / New Cathedral Street markets.
King Street: If you’re in the mood to sample some festive food, a visit to the King Street markets is a must. Satisfy your palette with a selection of the finest Italian cheeses, cured meats, mouth-watering macaroons, and more crepes than you can shake a pot of chocolate spread at.
St Anne’s Square: For more foodie fun, head to St Anne’s Square. This eclectic mix of food and gift stalls is perfect for perusing with the whole family.
Brazennose Street: Lesser known than their neighbour, Albert’s Square, the Brazennose Street markets are a great place to enjoy a bite to eat – away from the hustle and bustle of the main event. We recommend trying some of the traditional foods you’ll find here, including goulash and schnitzel.
Tips for visiting the Manchester Christmas Markets
Follow these useful tips to get the most from your visit to the markets:
Get cash out before you arrive. Many of the stalls (especially the lesser-known venders) only accept cash, so it’s best to visit an ATM before you arrive at the markets, as there aren’t any on-site.
Don’t forget you’ll need a deposit for a mug. It’s only a couple of pounds, and you can choose to either take it back to the stall and get your deposit back or keep it as a souvenir.
Try your hand at haggling. Many stalls are open to negotiations on price, and you might even get yourself a bargain! If bargain-hunting is top of your list, we recommend waiting until the last few days before the markets close, as many stalls offer discounts before they close.
Talk to people. The market traders at the Manchester Christmas Markets have travelled from all over the world, selling their wares. Strike up a conversation whilst browsing the stalls and you could hear a plethora of weird and wonderful tales.
Go on a weekday. The markets get super-busy over the weekends, as people travel from far and wide to experience those famous stalls. To avoid the crowds, consider visiting during the week.
Wander through the city. The Manchester Christmas Markets have so much to offer, and you can see so much more if you don’t confide yourself to Albert Square. Take a stroll through the rest of the city centre and discover a different side to the festivities.
Where to go ice skating in Manchester City Centre
Dreaming of donning your skates and heading onto the ice this winter? There are lots of places to go ice skating in Manchester city centre. Aside from the obvious ice village in cathedral gardens, there’s also an ice rink on First Street, complete with seal and penguin skating help for the kids. Happy skating!
Where to stay at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Searching for the perfect place to stay during your visit to the Manchester Christmas Markets? Look no further than The Midland. For over 115 years, The Midland has been an iconic part of the city, and has 312 comfortable guestrooms so you can unwind in style after a long day of festive beer and cheer.