Manchester’s World-Famous Christmas Market are now OPEN!
The official countdown to Christmas in Manchester has now well and truly begun with the opening today (Friday 7 November) of Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets throughout the city centre – including the return of festive fun to Albert Square for the first time since December 2019 and the closure of the Manchester’s magnificent Grade 1 Listed Victorian Town Hall as it undergoes a massive once-in-a-life-time restoration project to preserve it for future generations.
This year marks an incredible 27 years of Christmas Markets in Manchester, with the very first market in the city taking place back in 1998.
Fast forward to 2025 and this year sees a whopping ten locations across the city centre transformed into Manchester’s very own winter wonderland, with Albert Square also back in the Christmas spirit with ‘A Taste of Christmas’ offering a ‘mini’ Christmas market alongside festive fairground rides – including an amazing 50m Ferris Wheel, the largest mobile wheel anywhere in the UK, and offering a bird’s eye view of the city, along with an enchanting made-for-memories Christmas carousel.
With 274 market stalls right across the city centre – more seasonal stalls than ever – Manchester legendary Christmas markets can also be found at St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, The Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street, and Market Street, as well as Cathedral Gardens overlooking Skate Manchester’s ice rink, and the Winter Gardens at Piccadilly.
The markets will be open daily until Monday 22 December – except at Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square which will remain open until Sunday 4 January alongside the ice rink at Cathedral Gardens and festive fairground attractions at Albert Square.
Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open every day at all locations except Market Street from 10 am – 8 pm, whilst food and drink stalls will be open from 11 am – 9 pm each day.
The opening hours at Market Street will be from 10 pm – 8 pm every day except Sundays when the stalls there will close at 6 pm.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s on offer at each location:
Albert Square
Visit Manchester’s iconic Albert Square for ‘A Taste of Christmas’.
the iconic square with exciting fairground-style attractions. Take a ride on the 50-metre-high Ferris wheel for breath-taking views over the city, or ride in a
Visit the bespoke ‘mini’ market featuring twinkling lights and covered seating. Expect wooden chalets and food trucks serving local food, drink and crafts from our Christmas traders.
Choose from champagne cocktails and locally brewed beers at The Albert Grotto. Or enjoy delicious cocktails and spirits from Bars At Yours.
Foodies will love the tasty waffles and pancakes from The German Pancake House. Wrap Up will be serving a new menu of loaded hash browns. Plus, don’t miss the traditional German swing grill, where you can enjoy freshly cooked bratwursts and German beers on tap.
Browse an eclectic range of crafts, including jewellery, clothing and handmade decorations.
Piccadilly Gardens
Visit the Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens for foodie favourites and flavours from around the globe. Tuck into Greek gyros, Yorkshire pudding and shepherd’s pies. Choose from Chinese dumplings, Brazilian street food, and Korean hot dogs. Crimble Crumbles are also serving their famous crumbles.
Don’t miss the craft and gift stalls selling pottery, jewellery, desserts, cheeses, and more.
Enjoy a beer, spirit, or hot drink. Or get cosy in covered seating areas and sing along to classic tunes in Bar Hutte’s karaoke huts.
Market Street
Get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up on Market Street.
Over forty stalls offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce. Find tweed hats, candles and Christmas decorations and stock up on spiced rum, coconut macaroons, cheese truckles and foodie treats.
Cathedral Gardens
With plenty of activities for all ages at Cathedral Gardens, particularly for our youngest visitors, you’ll definitely want to pay a visit.
Enjoy Skate Manchester’s huge, covered ice rink, open daily. And enjoy free live entertainment every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve.
Plus, warm up with authentic crepes, gourmet hot dogs, hot chocolate, and much more.
St Ann’s Square
Don’t miss the original site of Manchester’s Christmas Market where you can take in the festive atmosphere in music-filled streets and enjoy the sounds of live singers, buskers and community choirs.
Cosy up in the undercover bar to enjoy a selection of German beers and Glühwein.
Exchange Street
Treat your taste buds to loaded hash browns and some of the best street food around, and tuck into sweet treats including everyone’s favourite – chocolate taps.
Explore a range of crafts and gifts, from handmade chocolates to bath bombs.
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral Street is a must-visit destination for Christmas shopping.
The iconic Witch House is once again serving its traditional German bratwurst and a selection of German beers every day until 9pm.
Browse rum, leather goods, and other keepsakes. Choose from festive treats, including bottled cocktails, handmade fudge and gourmet Scotch eggs.
Tuck into steak frites from Artisan Catering, and experience a taste of Mexico with a delicious burrito from Mango Rays. For bratwurst and beer, check out the traditional German bar or, for craft lagers, hot drinks and mead, visit Bar 3.
Exchange Square
One of the largest of the ten market locations – warm up at The Mill Exchange with mulled wine home-made here in Manchester and enjoy artwork on the walls depicting the city’s legends.
Exchange Square is also the place to try the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wrap from Porky Pig, or tuck into Mexican tacos, Indian curries, pancakes, hot chocolates and cocktails too.
Christmas shoppers will also love the festive crafts and treats. Browse soaps, boutique babywear and tweed clothing. And stock up on Italian biscuits, cannoli, Turkish delight and baklava.
King Street
High-end shoppers, foodies and bar-lovers will find all their favourites on King Street.
Meet up with friends at one of two new bars offering an upmarket drinking experience with festive cocktails, German beers and craft ales.
Enjoy a whole range of food stalls serving chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, and more. Try traditional French cuisine, Italian pizza and arancini, Greek gyros, as well as Spanish dishes.
Browse soap, decorations, local spirits, truckle cheeses and chocolate kisses. Or visit the Italian deli for gourmet meats, cheeses and Mediterranean produce.
The Corn Exchange
The place to be for some of the most unique gifts available from our crafters on the Christmas Markets.
Take home festive foodie treats including pork pies, handmade truffles and artisan cheeses. And shop clothing, jewellery, accessories, and more.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “There’s nowhere that does Christmas quite like Manchester – our legendary Christmas markets are without doubt the biggest and absolute best Christmas Markets anywhere in the country.
“We’ve waited five years to bring the magic of Christmas back to Albert Square and it looks simply stunning, and already the public are pouring into the square, loving the stalls, the food, the atmosphere and of course our gigantic festive Ferris wheel.
“And with over 270 stalls across our markets at ten different locations in the city centre visitors to Manchester this festive season really are going to be spoilt for choice.
“The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and the city is looking amazing – come and join us!”
Visitors planning a trip to the Christmas Markets are advised that the best way to travel into and around Manchester is via public transport using the Bee Network.
Trams and buses both run frequently to the city centre and are the easiest, quickest and most affordable way to get around. For all the latest travel information go to: Manchester Christmas Markets | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM
Find out more information about Christmas in Manchester
Find out more information on the ice rink and book tickets
