Manchester Christmas Market – Dates and What’s on. I still remember the first time I visited Manchester Christmas Market. I wandered around all the wooden chalets admiring the twinkling Christmas lights and all the fabulous decorations stalls.
The muddled smells of frying onions and spicy Gluhwein tempting me to linger a little longer and taste their festive delights!
Whether you are just browsing or doing all of your Christmas shopping Manchester Christmas Markets are a perfect place to head to this Christmas.
If you are planning to come to Manchester for a visit, have a look at our list of suggestions for the best hotels near Manchester Christmas Markets.
As always, things are subject to changes so check before you set out!
Dates and Opening Times of Manchester Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets in Manchester
According to Visit Manchester “Piccadilly Gardens will take a star turn this festive season, becoming the hub for Christmas in Manchester – the UK’s one and only capital of Christmas.
This year’s festivities will return with a bang from Saturday the 11th of November 2023 until Friday the 22nd December 2023.
Manchester will showcase the family-friendly Winter Gardens attraction in the heart of the city as Piccadilly Gardens is transformed with yuletide bars offering locally brewed ales, food stalls, craft sellers and – for the first time – a stage with live music and DJs throughout the festive season.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 Locations – To be Updated
The Winter Gardens will be open through until the New Year.
Visitors will be able to warm those long winter evenings with lashings of food and drink, soaking up the Christmas atmosphere from under marquee covered seating (in case Manchester’s weather is true to form), and festoon lighting creating that festival feel.
The Winter Gardens will see some foodie favourites from previous years pop-up in the new festive hub. Dutch Frites, and Greek Gyros will make the Gardens a must for hungry visitors. Finished off with warm cookie dough puddings and washed down with signature cocktails and local ales – a return visit will be a must.
Public Health remains a top priority for the city as limiting the spread of Covid-19 is central to the planning of this year’s event, and the numbers of visitors will be strictly controlled in this area with one-way routes and separate entrances and exits helping people remain socially distanced
Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets will also return across another six city centre squares, offering the festive delights that the city is known for.
St Ann’s Square
Hand pulled pizzas will arrive in St Ann’s for the first time, along with a Christmas Markets stalwart, the Lakeland Burger company. The Northern Quarter’s Yard and Coop will be back with their fried chicken and salt and pepper fries – along with a host of new craft sellers. And Birdie the campervan will return for your free selfie prints in the campervan (cleaned between visits).
Exchange Square
A runaway hit of the Christmas Markets, Pork Pig’s Yorkshire Pudding wraps will be back for, alongside the instantly recognisable Mill Exchange bar – complete with huge chimney. Tikka Kebab kitchen will bring the heat with their curries and spiced shwarma kebabs. Along with gourmet pizza and local produce sellers, happy to be back in the buzz of the city.
New Cathedral Street
The street will welcome high end shoemakers, local vegan skincare products, jewellery and crafted produce, plus the ever-stylish Bar No3 serving smoking cocktails and gins. The Witchouse will also return with their traditional steins and currywurst.
King Street
Returning with a host of French themed stalls with gallic food, beers and wines, plus a warming gin bar with over 100 varieties to choose from. Set aside a mouthwatering italian deli with a selection to beat any deli on any the high street.
Market Street
Offering some of the top makers and traders in the region, Market Street will offer some fantastic options for that Christmas list, on a slightly smaller scale than previous years to make sure people can keep their distance should they want to.
Cathedral Gardens
The Gardens will once again return as the family friendly area with the return of Skate Manchester’s ice rink and a range of food and drinks stalls to help skaters recover from their time on the ice. Plus, entertainment every week from Thursday through to Sunday, including kids shows.
And of course, Manchester’s Giant Santa will take pride of place in the city centre, along with a trail of light sculptures taking visitors on an illuminated trip around the city.”
Also have a look at our post on what Events are on in Manchester this Christmas.
Manchester Christmas Market 2023
The Manchester Christmas Markets will open from the Saturday the 11th of November 2023 until Friday the 22nd December 2023. The Winter Gardens in Piccadilly Gardens will run until the New Year.
There are over 300 fabulous stalls selling everything you might need or want at Christmas such as crafts, clothes, jewellery and toys.
Visit Manchester states that the market ill include “European and local producers offer everything from fine amber jewellery, handcrafted leather bags and top-quality bonsai trees, to handmade Belgian kitchenware, framed photo prints and French soaps.
And as the UK capital of Christmas, Manchester has one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe, with an unrivalled selection of festival events and attractions to keep winter visitors busy.”
Nearby you will also find York Christmas Market and Leeds Christmas Market, and do read our post on what’s on in Yorkshire, Manchester and Chester this Christmas! If you are not too full of Christmas cake and eggnog then check out this post on great places to get brunch in Manchester. Make you check out our list of the best Christmas Events in the UK.