Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday, November 6, featuring 210 stalls across 10 city centre locations. Most markets will close on Tuesday, December 22, while stalls in Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens will remain open until January 3, closing only on Christmas Day.
Market Locations and New Additions
Albert Square will serve as the main hub of the markets for the first time in years, as town hall refurbishments reach completion. The new Zippy Santa will be installed at Albert Square for the first time since 2017. This main hub will feature the 50-metre-high Ferris wheel, Helter-Skelter and, new for this year, a live artisan pastry baking hut.
Piccadilly Gardens, which has served as the hub for the past few years, will not host any markets. Instead, a new location has been added: Lincoln Square, which will host stalls and food spots. Lincoln and Albert Squares will join the other locations: King Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.
Festive Offerings and Opening Hours
Throughout November and December, the city centre will be filled with festive cheer as the markets set up shop. The stalls will sell everything from handmade gifts and clothes to Korean corn dogs and Hong Kong French Toast, alongside traditional Gluhwein and Bratwurst sausages.
Cathedral Gardens will also be hosting Skate MCR, turning this corner of the city into a winter wonderland. The markets will run from 10am to 9pm daily, except on the final day of trading, December 22, when stalls will close at 6pm.
Extended Trading for Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens
Stalls in Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens will open from 10am to 9pm each day, before closing slightly earlier at 5pm on Christmas Eve and reopening on December 26 until January 3 from 10am to 6pm each day. On New Year's Eve, Cathedral Gardens will close at 6pm, while Albert Square will remain open until just after midnight.
