The Manchester Christmas Markets will return across the city centre on Friday, November 6, running until Tuesday, December 22, except at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open until Sunday, January 3, 2027.
As part of the celebrations, the city's giant zippy Santa has moved back to Albert Square for the first time since 2017, as the multi-million pound refurbishment works approach their end. The square will be the main hub for the first time in years, hosting the Big Wheel again, a new pop-up pub, and a host of food and retail stalls. There will also be a new live artisan pastry baking hut and a selfie sleigh inside a Christmas tree.
Market Locations and Attractions
Other Christmas Market locations across the city include King Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street. While Piccadilly Gardens is out of action, Lincoln Square off Albert Square will have a host of stalls. Over at Cathedral Gardens, Skate MCR is back, transforming the gardens into a winter destination with market stalls alongside an undercover ice rink that will remain open through the festive season until the new year.
A handy map showing each of the ten market locations has been published to help visitors find their way around. The map points visitors in the right direction for food and drink, live entertainment, and toilet stops, as well as the locations of festive attractions including Skate Manchester's Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens and Manchester's iconic giant 50m festive Ferris Wheel on Albert Square.
Mug Deposit Scheme and Souvenir Prices
The design for the mugs was revealed earlier this week, boasting a retro style depicting Manchester's giant Santa surrounded by gift-wrapped presents and fir trees. There are two different souvenir mugs to collect: a taller narrower mug with the design against a white backdrop for hot chocolate, and a shorter rounder mug with a green colourway for Glühwein.
The price of the mugs is the same as last year, with customers asked to pay a deposit of £3.50 for their mug when they buy a hot chocolate or Glühwein. They can either return their mug to the stall afterwards and get their deposit back, or keep the mug and take it home. The mugs will be available, while stocks last, at each of the ten market locations from the opening day.
What to Expect at Each Location
Albert Square will host a packed programme of festive experiences including the 50-metre Ferris wheel, a vintage Helter Skelter, and the return of giant zippy Santa. New for this year is the chance to pull up a seat at the festive pop-up pub for drinks and live entertainment, or relax in heated covered seating areas. Visitors can also watch pastries being baked with free live baking demonstrations, with donations made to local charities for the number of pastries sold.
Lincoln Square is a brand-new Christmas market location for 2026 for foodies, just a step away from Albert Square. Visitors can enjoy festive refreshments, seasonal treats, and warming drinks from local and international traders, with jerk chicken, homestyle lasagne and pasta, Korean corn dogs, and more. There will also be a cosy heated marquee with drinks like a seasonal special alcoholic hot chocolate or a festive spritzer from truck bars.
King Street will see favourites returning, including soaps, decorations, local spirits, truckle cheeses, and chocolate kisses, while the Italian deli will be back for gourmet meats, cheeses, and Mediterranean produce. St Ann's Square, the original home of the markets, has been given a makeover for 2026 with a major new layout, featuring singers, buskers, community choirs, a giant Christmas tree, and a dedicated Guinness cart.
Exchange Square is one of the largest Christmas Market locations, with festive food, drinks, gifts, and crafts. It is famously the spot to grab a Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding wrap, as well as a traditional bratwurst from the swing grill. The Corn Exchange area is retail only, with no hot food or drink, offering pork pies, handmade truffles, artisan cheeses, clothing, jewellery, and quirky accessories.
Exchange Street is back with many favourite stalls including loaded hash browns and decadent hot chocolates, plus hot chocolate taps. New Cathedral Street offers similar attractions. Market Street will be "bigger than ever" this year, with even more craft and gift stalls, including tweed hats, scented candles, Christmas ornaments, spiced rum, and carnival-style games including darts and hook-a-duck.
Cathedral Gardens, traditionally the family-friendly zone, is the home of Skate Manchester's huge, covered ice rink. Visitors can enjoy mini-fairground games, free live entertainment, and family fun, plus cheese fondue served in hot bread bowls, salt and pepper-style chicken fries, authentic crêpes, gourmet hot dogs, and hot chocolate.
Getting There and Opening Times
Visitors are strongly advised to use public transport where possible, with each market location well served by public transport links. Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "By far the best way to get to our world-beating Christmas Markets is to travel in by public transport or to come in by bike."
Markets across the city will be open daily from Friday, November 6, to Tuesday, December 22, except at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open until Sunday, January 3, 2027. Opening hours at all market locations (except Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens) are from 10am until 9pm, except on the final day of trading December 22 when stalls will close at 6pm. On Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, stalls will open from 10am until 9pm each day, before closing earlier at 5pm on Christmas Eve and reopening on December 26 until January 3 from 10am until 6pm each day, except for New Year's Eve, when Cathedral Gardens will close at 6pm, whilst Albert Square will remain open until just after midnight.
