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Manchester Christmas Markets named best festive markets in Europe
The Manchester Christmas Markets is the place to be
As the festive season is underway, it’s good to know that we have Europe’s favourite Christmas market experiences right on our doorstep.
As you’ve probably already seen the wooden Alpine huts popping up in several areas in town, the Christmas Markets will officially open on Friday, November 10th, to kick off the season’s festivities.
The festive extravaganza has been named as Europe’s best Yuletide markets, according to a new study conducted by security expert Heald LTD.
The Mancunian markets took the top spot ahead of Vienna, Austria, which came in second place.
This Austrian Christmas market attracts around 3 million visitors per year. Open for 45 days, it features 150 stalls and boasts a Tripadvisor rating of 4.5. With over 8,000 monthly searches and 1.5 million TikTok views, Vienna’s market is a magical winter wonderland.
Paris ranked fourth in the new study, with its markets drawing in around 15 million visitors. With 200 stalls and a Tripadvisor rating of 4.5, it’s Christmas market continues to enchant visitors.
Manchester’s markets boasts 220 stalls, rakes in a whopping 13.2 million TikTok views, and is rated highly on Tripadvisor at 4.5 – not bad, eh? They’re also typed into Google with a monthly search volume of up to 40,500 searches.
A great place to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with colleagues, friends and family, the Manchester Christmas Markets offer plenty of festivities for all to enjoy.
According to Heald’s Christmas market index – based on the average number of visitors and stalls, overall Tripadvisor rating, global search volume, length of opening and TikTok views – the top ten Christmas markets in Europe are:
- 1) Manchester (UK)
- 2) Vienna (Austria)
- 3) Birmingham (UK)
- 4) Paris (France)
- 5) Glasgow (UK), Frankfurt (Germany)
- 6) Cologne (Germany)
- 7) Brussels (Belgium)
- 8) Bruges (Belgium)
- 9) Dresden (Germany)
- 10) Winter Wonderland London (UK), Nuremberg (Germany)
This year marks 25 years of the city’s markets, which first began back in 1998 and has been a prominent feature ever since.
To mark the special quarter of a century anniversary, this year’s markets will boast 225 stalls over nine sites throughout the city, so you won’t have to travel far to stumble across some festive cheer and a hot mulled wine to warm you up.
Also coming back to get you in the Christmas spirit is the popular Manchester Christmas Parade, set to tale place on Sunday, December 3rd. Last year’s parade saw thousands line the streets to watch this wonderful winter celebration.
As the nights draw in, The Christmas Lights Trail is set to illuminate the city again. Features include giant walk-through baubles, a Manchester bee, and a giant Santa Claus watching over St Peter’s Square.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, 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 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.”
Manchester’s Christmas Markets open this Friday, November 10th and close on Thursday, December 21st.
The Christmas Markets are open daily at the following times:
All craft stalls 10 am – 8 pm
All bars and food stalls 11 am – 9 pm
Father Christmas will take up residence in St Peter’s Square after Remembrance Sunday, on November 12th. The Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens will be open from November 2nd – January 2nd.
The food and drink stalls in Cathedral Gardens and skate rink will remain open until December 31st.
What's On
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
It’s taking place later this month!
The legendary Manchester Flower Festival is returning to our city later this month, complete with pop-ups, installations and tributes to some local icons.
Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday, the event will be headlined by its ‘Floral Trail’.
This year’s theme is Manchester Icons, with a host of names past and present being honoured in flower form, including the late comedy legend Caroline Aherne, pop star Sarah Harding and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Collaborating with Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow, floral designer Liv Woodward will create a portrait of Caroline Aherne at the Floral Marquee on New Cathedral Street, using sustainably sourced plants and flowers.
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding will be remembered in a ‘tribute garden’, sponsored by the AO Arena, with visitors able to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal by scanning the QR code at the display.
The homage to Pankhurst has been created by female-led Decordia, featuring an ornate wooden Manchester Town Hall-inspired planter with sashes, posters and colourful icons, alongside a wicker figure of the suffragette herself.
This can be found at the corner of Cross Street and King Street, adorned with purple, green and white plants – the colours of the suffragette movement.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Other local legends will also be honoured with their own installations, including Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta and iconic Manchester brewery Boddingtons .
Fringe events will be taking place too, at locations including Northern Quarter art shop Fred Aldous, The Bridgewater Hall, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct.
Selfridges Exchange Square, El Gato Negro, Tast Catala, Franco Manca, Grand Pacific Manchester and Urban Playground will also be taking part, with alfresco dining, festival-related dishes and cocktails.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Flower Festival, which is put together by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, with live entertainment, workshops, and arts and crafts markets.
It all happens from May 24th to May 27th – head over to the website HERE to find more information.
What's On
Barton Aerodrome announces McFly, JLS and UB40 open-air shows this summer
Make sure you don’t miss these!
Three brand new shows have been announced at Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome this September, adding to the summer gigs already confirmed.
Barton LIVE, a unique concert series set against the backdrop of the aerodrome’s runway, has already confirmed The Jacksons LIVE, 90s Baby Festival and Boogietown North are taking place this summer.
Now McFly, JLS, and UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will take the stage this September, joining the already bumper lineup.
Barton LIVE
McFly, known for their infectious pop-rock anthems and high-energy performances, with hits like ‘Five Colours in Her Hair’, ‘All About You’, and ‘Obviously’, are heading to the aerodrome on Thursday September 12th.
Then on Saturday September 14th JLS will be gracing the stage with chart-topping hits like ‘Beat Again’, ‘Everybody in Love’, and ‘She Makes Me Wanna’.
Finally, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform classics like ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, and ‘Kingston Town’ on Sunday September 15th.
Barton LIVE
New Barton LIVE shows:
- Thursday 12th September – McFly
- Saturday 14th September – JLS
- Sunday 15th September – UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
Tickets will be available this Friday, April 26th, at 9AM – signing up is essential for access to tickets, sign up HERE.
Barton LIVE full summer series:
- Friday 19th July – The Jacksons LIVE
- Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July – 90s Baby Festival
- Saturday 27th July – Boogietown North
- Thursday 12th September – McFly
- Saturday 14th September – JLS
- Sunday 15th September – UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
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