‘Tis the Season: Opening dates confirmed for this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets

Featuring over 225 stalls, bars and attractions spread across nine sites throughout the city centre, as well as a breathtaking light trail and another enchanting festive parade, Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets return to town on Fri 10 Nov, marking an incredible 25th year of seasonal magic.

From Exchange Square to King Street, the North West’s capital of Christmas is set to transform into a mesmerising winter wonderland full of alpine boulevards lined with the iconic ski chalet stalls, alongside a joyous programme of yuletide entertainment for children and grown-ups alike and a dizzying selection of hot food, from authentic bratwurst and paella to street cuisine from local favourites like Yard & Coop and El Gato Negro.

Promising Manchester’s biggest and best Christmas carnival so far, the markets will also take over Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, The Corn Exchange and St. Ann’s Square with an endless variety of traders, while Piccadilly Gardens is once again reimagined as the Winter Gardens centrepiece.

Returning for a second year on Sun 3 Dec, the Manchester Christmas Parade brings ‘the heart-warming event of the season’ to the city streets, with thousands of visitors set to enjoy a magical procession, while Festive Sundays are back with family-friendly entertainment pop-ups on 26 Nov, 10 Dec and 17 Dec.

Featuring giant walk-through baubles, a Manchester Bee and Santa Claus himself overseeing the merriment from his perch atop Central Library, the Manchester Christmas lights trail also returns with an illuminated and endlessly Instagrammable route through the city centre.

Opening on Fri 27 Oct with a special Halloween event, Skate Manchester’s covered ice rink returns to Cathedral Gardens for the festive season with daily sessions set to classic seasonal music and a twinkling Christmas tree at its centre.

Manchester’s Christmas markets open on Fri 10 Nov and close on Thu 21 Dec, and are open to visit daily during the following times:

All craft stalls: 10am-8pm
All bars and food stalls: 11am-9pm

The Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens will be open for Christmas skate sessions from Thu 2 Nov – Tue 2 Jan following the Scare Skate schedule (Fri 27 Oct – Tue 31 Oct). The food and drink stalls in Cathedral Gardens alongside the skate rink will remain open until New Year’s Eve.

For more information, click here.