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Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 details and locations announced
They’re almost here!
As the beloved wooden Alpine huts start popping up around town, this year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Passing Mancunians will have already spotted them being built around several locations in the city centre, and now Manchester Council have confirmed everything we can expect from this year’s festive favourite.
The official opening date for the Christmas Markets is November 10th with the stalls opening daily until December 21st – featuring nine different zones around the city.
Once again, while the Town Hall is still undergoing restoration works at Albert Square, Piccadilly Gardens will be the main hub – even though after last year’s mud-fest, councillors said it would not be used again.
Last year once the festivities were over, because of wet weather conditions, Piccadilly Gardens saw its turfed areas left in a bit of a ‘state’ and had to be replaced.
But with no viable alternative, the winter wonderland will return to the grounds as the council have assured the public that extra steps will be taken to protect the grassy areas of Piccadilly Gardens this time round.
This Christmas is a special one for the markets as it marks their 25th year of featuring in the city, and has now become a seasonal staple for all to enjoy in the run up to the big day.
The very first Christmas Markets launched in 1998, attracting Mancunians and visitors from further afield to fill their stockings with all the festive treats on offer.
This year, over 225 stalls will spread across nine different zones which include Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Anne’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street.
Manchester’s iconic huge Santa will peer down over the streets from his home at Central Library in St Peter’s Square. What would a Mancunian Christmas be without him?
Skate Manchester will be bringing its ice rink back for those who enjoy a seasonal skate under twinkling fairy lights, with the festive ice rink situated at Cathedral Gardens.
The Christmas Parade is set to take place on Sunday, December 3rd and promises to be even bigger and better than the first-ever Christmas Parade last year. Families are expected to line the streets again to enjoy its spectacular performances.
Also featured as part of Christmas in the city will be the return of Festive Sundays. These family-friendly pop-ups – delivered in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District – will bring joy to many.
Festive Sundays will run on the dates of November 26th, December 10th and December 17th.
And of course, the Manchester Christmas Lights trail will illuminate the dark wintery skies with giant walk-through baubles, a Manchester Bee and Santa Claus himself.
Councillor Pat Karney said: “Christmas is looking even better than ever in Manchester this year, with the opening of our world-famous Christmas markets now only three weeks away and a stocking rammed full of things for all the family to see and enjoy over the festive season, including our magical Manchester Christmas Parade.
“And what a special year for our world-beating markets! Hard to believe it was exactly 25 Christmases ago that Manchester’s first-ever Christmas market took place.
“A quarter of a century later and the markets bring visitors from quite literally all over the world to fill upon the fantastic festive treats on offer. Everyone knows Manchester is the city that Santa loves best and we just can’t wait to share all the Christmas fun and festivities with everyone.”
The Killers have just announced a huge UK and Ireland tour for next year, including three shows in Manchester.
Ahead of the release of their brand new compilation album, Rebel Diamonds, on December 8th, the band confirmed a celebratory tour for summer 2024.
The Rebel Diamonds Tour will celebrate the band’s 20 years of hits in a series of arena shows, including three nights at Manchester’s very own Co-op Live.
The Killers will be bringing 20 years of hits to Manchester on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th, and Friday 21st June 2024.
Co-op Live
The new dates are the first time The Killers have played arena shows in the UK since 2017’s Wonderful Wonderful tour, and follow the band’s most recent stadium tour, which saw them play to 400,000 fans at sold out shows.
The Rebel Diamonds album and tour will celebrate 20 years of iconic hits including ‘Mr Brightside’, ‘When We Were Young’, ‘Read my Mind’ and ‘The Man’.
It’s the fourth multi-night announcement for Co-op Live’s opening season, following on from Olivia Rodrigo, Take That, and Liam Gallagher.
Co-op Live
Co-op Live – Europe’s most sustainable music-first arena – is edging closer to its official opening in April 2024, when a diverse range of global superstars will head to Manchester.
Expected to be the busiest UK arena opening season ever, Co-op Live will host 25 shows within its first month of opening.
A joint venture between Oak View Group and City Football Group and backed by pop-singer Harry Styles, Co-op Live has been designed to transform the live music experience for both artists and fans and is set to host some of the biggest acts from around the globe.
Co-op Presale tickets will go live on Wednesday December 6th, 2023 at 9:30am – exclusively for Co-op members. For Presale tickets, click HERE.
The Killers UK and Ireland tour will visit:
- Friday 14th June: DUBLIN, 3Arena
- Saturday 15th June: DUBLIN, 3Arena
- Tuesday 18th June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Wednesday 19th June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Friday 21st June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Tuesday 25th June: GLASGOW, Ovo Hydro
- Wednesday 26th June: GLASGOW, Ovo Hydro
- Thursday 4th July: LONDON, The O2
- Friday 5th July: LONDON, The O2
- Sunday 7th July: LONDON, The O2
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The UK’s largest vintage pop-up market is coming to Manchester this weekend
Refresh your wardrobe at the Glass Onion vintage pop-up
Fashion lovers can browse a variety of items at a huge pop-up vintage market in Manchester this Sunday.
Glass Onion vintage pop-up is back in town and thrifters can get their hands on all sorts of gorgeous garments and fantastic retro-wear to add to their wardrobe.
The UK’s largest vintage retailer will bring its abundance of vintage clothing and accessories to New Century on Sunday December 3rd.
Shop vintage brands, Y2K, American and European vintage, designer clothes, premium and rare clothing items, including Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Burberry, Diesel and North Face.
Founded in 2004 selling vintage gems from a coal shed in Barnsley, Glass Onion has been sourcing and selling items on market stalls and festival pop-ups, processing up to 20,000kg of second hand clothing every single week.
Now Glass Onion has its own in-house remade factory, where they recycle and transform damaged and unwanted clothing into something wardrobe-worthy, saving items destined for landfill.
It even has its very own premium vintage boutique with exclusive pieces curated especially by GO’s product team.
The vintage retailer has become renowned for its pop-ups, held all over the country attracting hundreds of vintage hunters at every event.
On Sunday, shoppers can expect over 65 rails of unique and diverse clothing, including statement pieces as well as everyday wardrobe staples.
Browse through the deals area with items at £10, £15 and £20 – buy two of the same price and get £5 off, as well as more great offers.
Early access tickets are £5 for those who want to get down first and check out the incredible stock, tickets are then just £1 after the first hour and free for the last hour. For tickets, click HERE.
The vintage pop-up event is on Sunday December 3rd, 11am – 4pm at New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH.
Follow @glassonionvintage on Instagram for some sneak peeks at what’s to come.
What's On
Avril Lavigne announces huge outdoor gig in Manchester next summer
The ‘00s icon is coming to Manchester!
Avril Lavigne is coming to Manchester to perform a huge outdoor gig at Castlefield Bowl next summer.
The Canadian singer-songwriter has announced two outdoor shows in the UK in 2024.
She will be performing at Cardiff Castle on July 2nd before heading to Manchester to play at Castlefield Bowl on July 3rd, as part of the Sounds Of The City series.
The star will be supported by Canadian rock band Simple Plan, best known for their song ‘I’m Just a Kid’.
Lavigne enjoyed success with her pop-punk songs in the noughties, including the hits ‘Sk8er Boi’, ‘Complicated’ and ‘Girlfriend’.
She is best known for her monochrome punk-style, smokey eyes and long blonde hair – something every skater girl wannabe copied.
The punk-pop star shared her latest studio album back in February 2022 under the title ‘Love Sux’. She later released an expanded deluxe version of the LP in November of that year.
She has received eight Grammy Awards nominations, including Best New Artist.
The UK tour will be a celebration of her Love Sux album and will be part of wider touring throughout Europe in 2024, taking place at festivals including I Days in Milan on July 9th, Festival de Nîmes in Nîmes on July 10th, and Festival Cruïlla in Barcelona on July 12th.
The singer is yet to announce any more UK dates as of yet, but the upcoming dates in Manchester and Cardiff won’t be her only shows lined up for next summer.
Tickets to see Avril Lavigne perform next year will go on sale this Friday, December 1st, at 10am and will be available to buy HERE.
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