Construction of Manchester's Big Wheel is underway in Albert Square this week, marking one of the first signs that the festive season is approaching. The 50-metre attraction will return outside the Town Hall for the second year running after its comeback during last year's Christmas Markets celebrations.
Made in the Netherlands by Lamberink Wheels, known for their Ferris wheels, workers have been carefully installing the popular attraction ahead of the markets' return in two weeks. On Thursday lunchtime, workers were adding the last remaining carousels and testing the system's rotation.
Christmas Markets 2026 Details
This year's Christmas Markets will officially begin on November 6 and feature 274 stalls across ten city centre sites, offering food, drink and crafts. The markets will run until December 22.
The 2026 event will also see Manchester's giant zippy Santa return to Albert Square for the first time in nearly ten years. The Albert Square set-up will feature a vintage helter-skelter, a new pop-up pub, a live artisan pastry-baking hut, and a selfie sleigh inside a Christmas tree.
New Year's Eve and Extended Opening
Following the markets, Albert Square will serve as the main hub for Manchester's New Year's Eve celebrations, open until midnight for the annual fireworks display to ring in 2027.
The markets will also take over St Ann's Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens and Market Street, with Lincoln Square as a new addition. Last year, the Big Wheel remained open until the first week of January; this time it is set to remain open until January 4.
Attractions and Traders
The full list of traders was unveiled last week, featuring new additions and familiar names such as Porky Pig, Great North Pie Co, Little Piece of Bahia, and last year's viral hits Misu Tiramisu and Hong Kong French Toast.
The ice skate rink will return to Cathedral Gardens, along with collectable mugs priced at £3.50 each, which can be kept or returned as part of a deposit scheme. The festive set-ups at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens will stay open until January 4.
