Manchester Council has confirmed that Christmas celebrations will finally return to Albert Square this year.
As work continues to restore the city’s historic Grade I Listed Town Hall, work to transform and enlarge the surrounding Albert Square has also been underway, with bosses saying they want to create a civic square that can rival the very best in Europe.
Progress on Albert Square now means that Manchester’s famous Christmas markets will once again be able to host a portion of the city’s Christmas festivities, with around two-thirds of the space expected to open in time.
A Taste of Christmas will open on Albert Square from Fri 7 Nov – Sun 4 Jan, bringing the space back into the heart of the city’s countdown to Christmas and staying open throughout the season for families to enjoy into the new year.
Complementing the city-wide festive markets that will again take over Manchester’s streets and squares as the city heads towards Christmas, Albert Square will be filled with family-friendly attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Central to the plans will be an enormous 50-metre-high Ferris wheel giving a stunning view of the ongoing work to restore the city’s Alfred Waterhouse-designed Town Hall, as well a vintage Carousel and other Christmas fairground-style attractions.
Albert Square will also host its own Christmas mini market, with a handful of familiar wooden chalets selling crafts and gifts, alongside independent food and drink outlets offering on-the-go bites and undercover seating areas.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “We’re going all out this year to make sure that Manchester is the world’s number one city for Christmas, not just in the UK, but in the world.
“It’s going to be brilliant to be able to celebrate the season in Albert Square once again and I personally can’t wait to get on the big wheel and eyeball the town hall clock as we countdown to Christmas in Santa’s favourite city.
“We all know that Manchester does Christmas best and we’ve got a few more Santa surprises up our sleeves still to come that we’re just putting the finishing touches to and will be sharing with you in the coming weeks. Until then, my lips are sealed..
“In the meantime, dust off your baubles, un-twirl your tinsel and get ready – Albert’s back!”
Now in their 27th year, Manchester’s world-renowned Christmas markets attract millions of visitors each year to the city, bringing with them a huge boost to the city’s economy.
With confirmed market locations for this year, including St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange and Cathedral Gardens, Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens, as well as A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square, the city is expecting a bumper Christmas season.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets will open across the city on Fri 7 Nov and close on Mon 22 Dec, except for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open throughout the Christmas period until Sun 4 Jan.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Thu 28 Aug 2025
