The Manchester Christmas Markets are now well underway after a busy opening weekend, with thousands of visitors flocking to the city centre's festive stalls. Among the crowds were several famous faces, including TV comedy star Leigh Francis, content creator Mattie "Good Vibes" Berry, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, and TV writer Russell T Davies.
The city centre's shopping streets are packed with the signature wooden huts across ten different zones, as the familiar sights, sounds and smells of sizzling sausages and gluhwein have returned for the festive run-in. Local artisan traders are showcasing their wares on gift stalls dotted across the city centre, with the markets at ten locations including Albert Square, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, King Street, Lincoln Square and Market Street.
Celebrity Stall Visits
Artist Su Mace, who runs her own "northern art" stall with wall art, coasters and cards on Exchange Street, was stunned to get a visit from Leigh Francis and Mattie Berry. Sharing a selfie with the two, she captioned it "WELL, THIS WASN'T ON MY CHRISTMAS MARKET BINGO CARD!" She added: "Look who rocked up at my little Christmas market cabin today. Thanks for popping by guys and making my day! Legends!"
Through the Keyhole star Leigh reshared the picture with Su on his Instagram stories, as well as some of his other adventures in Manchester over the weekend at the Good Clothes Show at Manchester Central. The weekend expo celebrated upcycling fashion with a host of makers and designers showcasing their wares. Leigh showed off an outfit entirely created by himself at the show, and also walked the catwalk at the event. He was joined by Mattie at the event, as well as his old comedy partner Paddy McGuinness, who also shared videos from the event.
More Famous Faces on Albert Square
Happy Mondays dancer Bez was also spotted on the opening day checking out the stalls. The Madchester icon was pictured on Albert Square with wife Firouzeh at The Manchester Shop. The stall features a host of gifts and souvenirs celebrating the city, as well as the new range of Christmas Markets merchandise that have the image of the big zippy Santa emblazoned across them.
Bez was not alone on Albert Square, as also an early morning visitor on the opening day was Queer as Folk creator Russell T Davies, who shared a photo with the giant Santa who has returned to sit outside Manchester Town Hall for the first time in 8 years. The glittering Santa sits on top of a huge green cracker this year, that also doubles as a light-festooned tunnel that you can walk through while it plays Christmas songs on repeat all day.
The Christmas Markets are now open daily across the city from 10am to 9pm, right up until December 22 at eight of the locations, while Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square will reopen after Christmas Day through to January 3, 2027.
