Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 details and locations announced

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.”