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Manchester's world-famous Christmas Markets are now open until Thursday 22nd December.
Skip to: Winter Gardens | St Ann's Square | Market Street | King Street | New Cathedral Street | Exchange Square | Cathedral Gardens | Prices | Opening times | Parking | Map
With over 220 stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre, this year's Christmas Markets are set to bring some much-needed festive cheer to the city's streets and squares in the run-up to Christmas.
24 years on from the first ever Manchester Christmas Markets in 1998, the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors alike to the city in their thousands to fill up on the fantastic festive treats on offer.
This year will see the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens - once again set to be transformed into the Winter Gardens - Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street.
Making sure the city looks its sparkly best in the run-up to Christmas is of course just as important and this year sees the return of the magical Manchester Christmas lights trail, illuminating the city centre throughout the festive season with its walk-through giant baubles, a Manchester bee, and of course Santa Claus himself - who will be keeping an eye on all things Christmas in Manchester from his perch on high in front of Central Library on St Peter's Square.
For those who look forward to a seasonal skate, Skate Manchester's family-friendly covered ice rink will once again take up its usual spot in Cathedral Gardens where skaters can skate around a beautiful Christmas tree and enjoy twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread, and Christmas songs on repeat.
New for 2022, Festive Sundays will see the city's streets and squares filled with some extra special not-to-be-missed Manchester Christmas magic as roaming puppets, supersized penguins and illuminated bands take to the city’s main shopping streets, every Sunday from 13 November - 18 December.
In the meantime, here's the full rundown of what to expect at Manchester's Christmas Markets this year:
Winter Gardens
Bigger and better than ever this year, Piccadilly Gardens will once again be transformed into Winter Gardens for the festive season.
Serving up pancakes, churros, and an array of winter tipples it will be at the heart of Manchester's festive action.
Newcomers Parmageddon will join a mouth-watering line-up of food and drink that also includes vegan bratwursts, cookie dough, Amsterdam Frites, and two bars serving continental and foreign ales.
There will also be dedicated weekly trial spots for new local traders as they step into winter trading and try out their wares on the Christmas market crowds.
Brand new for this year in Winter Gardens will be a giant Nordic-themed double tipi bar for over 18s. Fully heated, and festooned with ambient lighting, wooden benches, fake furs, and a fire pit, the new tipi promises to be a perfect meeting place for those seeking a cosy Christmas atmosphere full of festive cheer.
With entertainment throughout the week including live music and DJs, some amazing food vendors will make their temporary Christmas home next to the tipi including vegan foodies Panc, and last year's smash hit, Korean hotdogs.
Old favourites the Pig and Barrel will be making a welcome return to the Winter Gardens offering up their delicious pork barms and cosy seating area with entertainment on most nights.
Winter Gardens will also be home this year to the iconic Manchester Windmill which comes in a whopping 4metres high!
Accessible changing facilities, which includes an adult weighted change bed, a shower, toilet, and an adult weighted track hoist will also be available in Winter Gardens as well as, priority seating for disabled visitors.
St Ann's Square and Exchange Street
St Ann’s Square- the original site for Manchester's Christmas markets- will return with its large undercover bar providing German beers and warm cherry Gluhwein to keep Christmas revellers warm and merry throughout the winter season. St Ann's Square and Exchange Street will also be home to local traders, and Manchester foodie favourites such as Yard and Coop with their salt and pepper chicken fries, plus fresh authentic paella and tapas, as well as Manc and Proud serving up Mancunian themed everything, plus continental chocolates, English cheeses, and art emporiums.
Market Street
A firm favourite with Christmas shoppers, Market Street will be home to stalls selling a wide range of gifts from some amazing crafters and producers selling everything from tweed hats, spiced rum and Christmas decorations, to candles, jewellery, and gift sets of cheese truckles.
King Street
Home to some of the best food in Manchester, the Christmas deli stalls on King Street will take foodies on a world tour of some of the best loved dishes on the planet. From Italian cannelloni and arancini, Greek gyros and halloumi fries, to French garlic mushrooms and Salford Rum, there’s something for everyone’s tastes.
New for 2022, middle eastern restaurant Habas, part of the El Gato Negro group will bring their middle eastern menu and seating area to King Street- great for those wanting to eat their way round the world!
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral Street starts with high-end gift stalls and stretches down into foodie heaven. Stalls selling fine cast ornaments, old fashioned liquorice, handmade cocktails for home, and light up Christmas decorations, lead to food stalls offering everything from vegan 5 bean chilli, to New York Bagels - swallowed down perhaps by one of cosmopolitan Bar 3's famous Instagram-worthy smoking cocktails.
The Witchouse also returns to New Cathedral Street with its traditional steins and mouth-watering currywurst.
Exchange Square
Warm up at the instantly recognisable Mill Exchange bar, with their special Mancunian mulled wine made on-site and its legends of Manchester artwork adorning its walls.
2022 also sees the return of the famous Porky Pig's Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, alongside stalls selling hot curries, mini pancakes, fresh fudge, hand-carved olivewood decorations, German kebabs, and gourmet Italian pizza.
The Corn Exchange
Set between the Manchester's historic Corn Exchange building and Shambles Square, visitors can expect to find unique fairtrade hats and jackets, character themed hats and belts, as well as handmade pies, cupcakes and soaps.
Cathedral Gardens
Opening Saturday 22 October in time for half term and Halloween, the much-loved undercover ice rink Skate MCR is back with entertainment each Thursday to Sunday all the way through to New Year’s Eve. Next to the ice rink, hot food, warm drinks, pancakes and tipples will be on offer from nearby market stalls to help warm up cold hands and feet after a skate on the ice.
Guide to Manchester Christmas Markets
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 will run from Thursday 10th November until Thursday 22nd December.
Manchester Christmas Market Prices
The Manchester Christmas Markets are free to visit
Manchester Christmas Market Opening Times
Food and drink stalls across all the Christmas market locations open at 11 am and close at 9 pm every day, Monday to Sunday.
Craft stalls across all the Christmas market locations open at 10 am and close at 8 pm every day, Monday to Sunday.
Stalls at all Christmas market locations except Cathedral Gardens end at 6pm on Thursday 22 December.
The food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens will continue to trade until 31 December to complement the ice rink which is also open until then.
Manchester Christmas Market Parking
There are lots of car parks within walking distance with the nearest being Piccadilly Plaza and Chorlton Street. If you don't want to drive in the city centre, why not use one of the Park and Ride locations with over 30 of them across Greater Manchester. We'd always recommend using public transport as the Manchester Christmas Markets are very close to Piccadilly Gardens bus station and several Metrolink tram stops.
Manchester Christmas Markets Map
View our map of the Manchester Christmas Markets to see all the locations across the city centre.
Manchester Christmas Market Applications
To apply to be a trade at the Manchester Christmas Markets contact Manchester City Council.
Can't wait to visit Christmas Markets this year? Why not make a weekend out of it and enjoy some festive events in Manchester?
Musicals
The Lion King
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
Claus – The Musical
Family Friendly
Christmas Bricktacular
A Very Merry Octonauts Christmas
The Hallé - The Snowman
Snow Storm 2 - Ice Kingdom
Santa Special
Illuminated Trails
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Lightopia
The Lanterns at Chester Zoo
Christmas Light Trail at Dunham Massey
Glow 2022 RHS Garden Bridgewater
Christmas at Delamere Forest
Image Credit: Manchester City Council and Mark Waugh
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