The Winter Makers Market returns to the People's History Museum in Manchester for one weekend in November, bringing together independent makers, live music, and festive food and drink in the museum's Edwardian Engine Hall.
The market takes place on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, and is completely free to visit. It will feature a curated selection of regional makers selling unique gifts, set against the backdrop of the Engine Hall, which will be transformed with festoon lighting into a cosy festive setting.
New traders and unique gifts
Among this year's new traders are Abi Prints, which specialises in neon-drenched artwork; Distort Design, selling textiles printed with cityscapes and urban designs; and Amai Studio, which creates delicate crochet work. Other stalls include Artley Yarn, which turns colourful knitted wire into striking creations; Lucy Ridges, who specialises in miniature artworks; and HOMEWORK, which creates characterful papier-mâché figures.
The market is part of Manchester's wider Christmas markets, which officially open on November 6 and feature more than 200 stalls across 10 locations in the city centre. Albert Square returns as the centre hub, hosting the city's giant zippy Santa for the first time since 2017.
Live music, food and events
Live music will be provided by the Hallé Choir on Saturday and the Magic Voices Choir on Sunday. Shoppers can enjoy festive treats at the museum's cafe Gather, which will have currywurst and fries, and Christmas dinner sandwiches on the menu.
A series of events will run alongside the market. On Saturday, November 21, there will be Spirited Women, a historical cocktail tasting experience led by historian Simon Sharp, which explores female pioneers in the invention of the pub, modern beer, distillation and champagne, with a cocktail inspired by their actions (from £20). On both days, a Christmas lino printing workshop hosted by Halina Isherwood will teach visitors to make their own lino stamp for cards and gift tags (from £20).
Preview evening
On Friday, November 20, a preview evening will run from 5pm to 8pm, featuring live music, a glass of mulled wine and candlemaking demonstrations from Recycled Wax, which collects pre-loved candles to turn them into something new. Shoppers can take home a beautifully wrapped Christmas tree candle (from £10).
For more details and to buy tickets for the events, visit the People's History Museum website.
