Here’s everything we know so far about this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets, as the city prepares for winter festivities.
Like it or not the countdown is now on for currywurst, glühwein and strudels at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2023.
The popular European food, drink and crafts stalls, housed in wooden alpine-style huts and dotted around the city centre, will be making their big return on Friday, November 10th from 10am.
It won’t be long until most of the city will be huddled together on chilly evenings hugging a mug full of hot mulled wine with frozen fingertips, while getting into the spirit of the build up to the big day.
The trusty markets will be sure to get you in the mood and fuel you while you shop for presents, until they shut up shop for another year on Thursday, December 21st.
Among some of the biggest in Europe, Manchester’s festive markets boasted some 220 stalls last year and were voted the best in the entire UK last year, attracting visitors from across the country.
The exact locations of the markets haven’t been confirmed as of yet but there’s talk that Piccadilly Gardens will not be the main hub, after the weather combined with footfall destroyed the grass beneath the plastic walkways last year, leaving it looking like a mud bath.
Council bosses have been urgently looking for other options to use as the main hub of the markets with St Peter’s Square being suggested as a possible contender for 2023.
Originally, Albert Square was the main location for the markets, but due to restoration work taking place on the Town Hall this has not been possible for some years. Although, it is hoped works may be completed in time for it to be ready for this year’s winter markets extravaganza.
The council has said it will be confirming the exact whereabouts of the festive markets along with further details later this month.
One thing we are certain of is that the ice rink will be returning to Cathedral Gardens along with a range of wooden festive stalls. The ice rink will run a little while longer than the markets, all the way up until December 31st – though it will be closed on Christmas Day.
The markets will also be returning to Exchange Square along with popular stall Porky Pig’s Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, where visitors can get themselves a Yorkshire pudding wrap filled with a mini Christmas dinner, while waiting in queues as long as your arm.
The markets are also set to spread out across New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street and Market Street.
The Christmas Parade, a huge hit with families, will be back again for one weekend this December, but the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “With the last rays of summer sun now fading fast, it’s time to track down the tinsel and get ready for Manchester’s favourite time of the year.
“And with only eight weeks to go until the opening of Manchester’s world-famous Christmas markets it will be glühwein and bratwurst time before we know it. Mark it on your calendar – November 10th – Christmas starts here!”
The Christmas Markets will be open daily from 10am until 9pm on Friday, November 10th until Thursday, December 21st. Entry is free and no ticket is required.
The Cathedral Gardens festive ice rink will open on Thursday, October 26th and will stay throughout the festive season until December 31st. The ice rink will be closed for Christmas Day.
More updates on locations of markets and details of the Christmas parade are to follow when confirmed.
Manchester is launching The Super Duper Family Festival in February, a new free un-ticketed family event spread over four days. There’ll be various activities that will transform the city into a giant, interactive playground from Saturday February 15th to Tuesday February 18th 2025. Families can explore unique play zones scattered across Manchester, with everything from giant mazes and steam-powered carousels to retro video games and family raves. The family festival will feature six key zones across the city, including The Garden in Exchange Square, featuring an 18m x 18m real hedge maze reaching two metres high.
Then there’s The Carnival in St Ann’s Square, a steampunk spectacle of old-school carnival games, including a traditional Victorian Carousel, a mind-bending Hall of Mirrors, and Test of Strength stand.
Other zones include The Playground with Waterloo Road, where popular schoolyard games come to life on New Cathedral Street in collaboration with BBC’s Waterloo Road, gaming at The Arcade in the Printworks, The Sports Hall at Great Northern Warehouse, and The Party at Aviva Studios. Then there’s The Rave, bringing family raves and parties featuring a world-class sound system and dazzling lighting displays to the Great Northern Warehouse.
Venues like the National Football Museum, Stoller Hall, People’s History Museum and Castlefield Viaduct are also set to host their own exciting activities. And families can experience the launch of CBBC’s Operation Ouch: Brains, Bogeys and You at the Science and Industry Museum.
Supported by the city’s hoteliers, Manchester Accommodation BID, the festival has been created in partnership with Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, Aviva Studio, Great Northern Warehouse and Printworks. Manchester Accommodation BID Chairman, Kumar Mishra said, “This festival is a fantastic opportunity to draw families into the heart of Manchester, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture, creativity, and its status as a world-class destination. “With iconic attractions like the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, and the breathtaking Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester offers an unparalleled mix of history, innovation, and entertainment. “By transforming the city into a playground of creative experiences and offering free fun for children of all ages, we’re not only celebrating the best of Manchester, but also inspiring families to explore, stay, and create lasting memories in one of the UK’s most dynamic and exciting cities.”
The festival is a free un-ticketed event, find out more HERE.
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region. Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas. There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats. The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement. Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.” Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.