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Everything we know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 so far

They’re returning very soon!

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@mcrchristmasmarkets / Instagram

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.

@mcrchristmasmarkets / Instagram

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.

@mcrchristmasmarkets / Instagram

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.

@mcrchristmasmarkets / Instagram

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.

@mcrchristmasmarkets / Instagram

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!”

@mcrmarkets / Instagram

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.

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Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season

Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!

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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.

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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.

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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party

Boom Battle Bar has got it all!

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Manchester's Finest Group

If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot.

Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).

Manchester’s Finest Group


They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.

There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.

Get yourself booked in HERE.

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The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out

Everything you need for an incredible day out

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Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.

The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up.

From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.

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They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season.

‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.

In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication.

Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.

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Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded.

They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out.

Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.

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