They will launch on Friday 8 November, with more than 200 of the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls across nine locations throughout the city centre.
Open daily for a six-week seasonal take-over of the city centre until Sunday 22 December, this year’s markets will include seven weekends of festive fun for visitors and Christmas shoppers instead of the usual six, due to the way dates fall.
Taking place in the city now for over a quarter of a century, with the city’s very first festive market held in December 1998, Manchester’s annual Christmas markets are known across the globe, each year bringing millions of people into the city centre to spend time with friends and family and fill up on fantastic festive treats.
New for this year is an expanded Winter Gardens at Piccadilly, with more space and stalls to enjoy along with two fabulous festive marquees fit for the Santa season and festooned with twinkling fairy lights, to provide more of the all-important under-cover space for Christmas shoppers to get cosy if the weather turns cold.
Also new this year at the Winter Gardens is an expanded seasonal offer from next-door neighbours Piccadilly Street Food Market, with stalls there also staying open until 9pm each night, serving up their unique flavours from around the world – mouth-watering pictures of which are regularly to be found picking up the likes on social media.
With the Winter Gardens at Piccadilly at the heart of this year’s Christmas Markets, the markets will also see the transformation of Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street into Manchester’s very own magical Christmas wonderland.
Here’s the full lowdown on each of Manchester’s nine Christmas market locations this year and what to expect:
The Winter Gardens at Piccadilly
Piccadilly Gardens will be transformed into a bigger and better Winter Gardens this year with two twinkling light-filled marquees providing more under-cover space for Christmas shoppers.
All the festive food and drink favourites are back for 2024 – expect pancakes, bratwursts, churros, and more, with bars serving continental and foreign ales. Plus, the much-loved Piccadilly Street Food Market will also stay open until 9pm each night, serving up flavours from across the globe.
Winter Gardens will offer live entertainment and music every day beneath the shelter of marquees and under-cover seating areas – perfect for taking the weight off your feet and cosying up with family and friends.
Market Street
Get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up on Market Street with even more stalls lined up there for this year.
Expect a Santa’s sack full of goods on offer from stalls offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce – from tweed hats to spiced rum, Christmas decorations to candles, freshly baked coconut macaroons and jewellery, to gift sets of cheese truckles, and much more.
Cathedral Gardens
Families will find there’s plenty for all ages – particularly our youngest visitors – to enjoy at Cathedral Gardens.
Experience Skate Manchester’s huge, covered ice rink (open daily) and free live entertainment hosted every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve. Plus, warm up with authentic crepes, gourmet hotdogs, hot chocolate, and much more.
St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
St Ann’s Square was the original site of Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Market. Take in the atmosphere, cosy up for a drink in the undercover bar and enjoy a selection of authentic German goods from some of the longest-standing traders.
Think German beers and cherry glühwein, bratwurst, salt and pepper chicken from Northern Quarter favourite, Yard and Coop, or hot chocolate cones poured right from the chocolate taps.
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral is your go-to spot for high end gifts and foodie favourites.
Craft-lovers will be enchanted by the selection of handmade candles, ceramics, local spirits, and thoughtful keepsakes on offer – a must-visit destination for Christmas shopping. And when your shopping’s all done, savour a cold beer and currywurst from The Witch House or a hearty burrito from Wrap Up.
Exchange Square
One of the largest market locations in the city Exchange Square is where Christmas shoppers will find a host of seasonal stalls selling everything from clothing, soaps, boutique babywear, local crafts, and handmade gifts.
Feeling chilly? Warm up at The Mill Exchange with their Mancunian mulled wine made on site and enjoy the legends of Manchester artwork adorning their walls. This is also the place to try the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wrap from Porky Pig, as well as everything from birria bowls and hot curries to mini pancakes and fresh fudge.
King Street
King Street is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike.
Authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, will be serving up fresh cannelloni and arancini, and El Gato Negro will bring some Mediterranean menu flavours to their seating area. Plus, a range of stalls to browse selling crafts including the always popular French soap stall, personalised tree decorations, handmade wooden furniture and beautifully illustrated bottles from local distillery, Salford Rum.
The Corn Exchange
Situated between Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, you’ll find some of the most unique gifts available from crafters.
Expect handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester Christmas Markets are by a million miles the very best in the world and the phenomenal number of festive visitors we get each year flocking into the city centre specially to visit them one hundred per cent proves this.
“2024 looks set to be Manchester’s best-ever Christmas yet ,and with an extra weekend this year to really make the most of our legendary Christmas Markets, I can already smell the cinnamon and churros, and just can’t wait!”