The Manchester Christmas Markets have officially opened for 2026, spanning ten locations with more than 200 stalls. Visitors can now see the prices for mulled wine and Glühwein across the city, with a mug costing between £5.50 and £9.50 depending on the stall and size.
Festive Hub Returns to Albert Square
This year's festivities see the return of the famous wooden chalets to Albert Square for a second year, as the square outside the Town Hall becomes the festive hub. Attractions include the large wheel, Helter Skelter, a baking hut, and the return of the city's giant zippy Santa.
Other market locations include King Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street. Piccadilly Gardens is out of action, while Lincoln Square off Albert Square will host stalls selling food and drink, representing a major change for 2026.
Opening Hours and Dates
Markets across the city are open daily from Friday, November 6, to Tuesday, December 22, except at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens which remain open until Sunday, January 3 2027. Opening hours at all locations except Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens are from 10am until 9pm, with stalls closing at 6pm on the final day of trading December 22.
At Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, stalls open from 10am until 9pm each day, closing at 5pm on Christmas Eve and reopening on December 26 until January 3 from 10am until 6pm each day. On New Year's Eve, Cathedral Gardens will close at 6pm, while Albert Square remains open until just after midnight.
Mulled Wine Prices by Location
At Albert Square, Bratwurst King sells German Gluhwein for £6, while No 10 North Pole Pub offers mulled wines at £7. The Manc Wine Barrell charges £7.50 for Gluhwein and £7 for a pint of beer or £4 for a half pint. Off Piste offers Nordic glogg at £8.50, Canadian mulled wine at £9, and mulled wine at £5.50 small or £7 large. The Falalalala Bar sells mulled wine in a range of flavours for £7 small and £8.50 large.
At Lincoln Square, Craft Bar sells mulled wine and mulled cider for £6.50 each. On King Street, Float Craft Company charges £6.50 for mulled wine and £6.50 for whisky cider, while The Grumpy Moose Gin Bar sells mulled wine at £6.50, mulled wine with brandy or amaretto at £9.50, and mulled cider at £6.50.
In St Ann's Square, Big Bar charges £7.50 for Gluhwein, £10.40 for Gluhwein specials, and £5 for alcohol-free Gluhwein. The Guinness Bar sells Gluhwein 200ml for £8.50, along with hot caramel rum and hot toffee cider. At New Cathedral Street, Three Bar offers mulled wine at £5.50 and mulled wine with extras at £9.
At Exchange Square, The Mill Exchange sells mulled wine at £7 small and £8.50 large, available in flavours including classic, Raspberry liquour, blackberry and apple, gin and cherry, brandy and mince pie, spiced rum pumpkin, cointreau and passion fruit, Cointreau mulled cider, and non-alcoholic. Smoked XL Sausage offers Christmas punch at £6, Gluhwein at £6, and Kinder punch at £2.50.
Throughout the markets, visitors can pick handcrafted Christmas gifts and sample food and drink from across the globe, including Bratwurst with ketchup, mustard and extra toppings, Brazilian specialities, deep-fried mince pies, crumble covered in custard, and boozy tipples. At Cathedral Gardens, Skate MCR transforms the gardens into a family friendly winter destination with market stalls alongside an undercover ice rink, open through the festive season until the new year.
