Manchester’s Christmas Market is now open featuring nearly 350 stalls across 10 sites in the city centre.
The markets brought to you by Manchester City Council will be open for the festive season until Tuesday, 20 December, while the Albert Square site will close on Wednesday, 21 December at 6pm.
Welcoming back traders from every corner of Europe, this year’s market will see the addition of traders from across the globe as the street food revolution inspires new stalls across the market.
The UK’s first gourmet grilled cheese restaurant – Northern Soul – will bring their award-winning wares to Albert Square for the first time.
One of last year’s most popular stall, The Greater Northern Pie Company, return selling their handmade pies, and an icon of Albert Square – The Big and Barrel pork sandwich emporium – will return bigger and better than ever.
Continuing the street food theme, King Street welcomes the fresh Turkish tastes of the Zouk Grill, while Exchange Square will become the new home of gourmet hot dog experts Street Dawg Co, and some of the best Indian food this side of the Asian subcontinent in Tikka Kebab Kitchen – with one of the best vegan curries going.
Piccola Eatlia’s stone-baked pizza tops off the inaugural list for Exchange Square cooking up the authentic tastes of the Mediterranean, while the authentic taste of the North is wrapped up with artisan bakers George and Shelley’s Pie Shop at Cathedral Gardens – who also do a warming range of mulled gin.
Festive Cathedral Gardens is building on the success of the family-friendly area last year with a Manchester Christmas Market first – an ice rink.
The Rink at Cathedral Gardens opened a week ahead of the markets and is joined with the return of the traditional fun fair – including Ferris Wheel, carousel, helter-skelter, and a tea cup ride.
Biggest in Europe
As the biggest Christmas Market in Europe, Manchester’s Christmas Market attracts a huge range of different stall holders offering a massive array of produce.
From the traditional favourites, such as Bratwurst, hog roast, crepes or macaroons to the more adventurous delights from across the world, such as paella, Flammkuchen or the British gourmet pie.
Each market site boasts the finest in gift ideas, including jewellery, ceramics, handmade toys, puppets, clocks, glassware, and a market favourite, the limited edition Manchester Christmas Market coffee and Gluhwein mugs.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “It really is the most wonderful time of the year and my Christmas dreams have come true now the markets are open for longer than ever before.
“I’d have them open from September if I had my way – I love the transformation of the city during the Christmas Market season, when the dark nights are bathed in a warm festive glow.”
Manchester Christmas Markets details
Thursday 10 November – Tuesday 20 December.
ALBERT SQUARE
European Christmas Market, Albert Square (Open until Wednesday, 21 December)
10.00am-9.00pm daily
ALL OTHER MARKET SITES
(Brazennose Street; St Ann’s Square; King Street; Exchange Street; Exchange Square; New Cathedral Street; the Corn Exchange; Market Street; and Cathedral Gardens)
In November 10.00am-7.30pm
In December 10.00am -8.00pm
ALL BAR AND FOOD AREAS OPEN UNTIL 9.00pm
