Not long now until the opening of Manchester’s world-beating Christmas Markets, a handy map showing each of the ten market locations across the city centre has been released to help visitors to the city find their way around.
The map points visitors in the right direction for food and drink, live entertainment, and those all-important toilet stops, as well as the locations of festive attractions including Skate Manchester’s Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens and Manchester’s iconic giant 50m festive Ferris Wheel which is back once again on Albert Square.
As well as highlighting where visitors can find Manchester Christmas Markets’ iconic wooden chalets, selling everything from Christmas gifts and crafts to mouth-watering food and drinks, the market map also highlights transport hubs along with all the toilet stops for a comfort break if needed, as well as the location of Changing Places facilities to help meet the needs of all visitors to the markets.
This year sees ten locations across the city transformed for the festive season with Albert Square in front of the magnificent Manchester Town Hall once again at the heart of the city’s countdown to Christmas celebrations.
Other Christmas Market locations for 2026 include St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, The Corn Exchange, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, and brand new for this year, Lincoln Square – which is just a step away from Albert Square.
The markets will be open daily from 6 November until 22 December – except at Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square which will remain open until 3 January alongside the ice rink in Cathedral Gardens and the festive Ferris Wheel in Albert Square.
Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open every day at all locations except Market Street from 10 am – 9 pm, whilst stalls selling food and drink will be open from 11 am – 9 pm each day.
The opening hours at Market Street will be from 10 am – 9 pm every day except Sundays when the stalls there will close at 6 pm.
Visitors to Manchester’s Christmas Markets are strongly advised to use public transport where possible for their trip with each of the different market locations well served by public transport links.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “By far the best way to get to our world-beating Christmas Markets is to travel in by public transport or to come in by bike.
“With ten different market locations across the city centre – each one of them no more than a few minutes’ walk from either a tram, train, or bus stop, plus plenty of places for cyclists to park and lock up their bikes – this will be by far the easiest and greenest way of getting into Manchester at what is always a really busy time for the city with large numbers of visitors.
“Christmas in Manchester looks set to be even more amazing this year with the city at its sparkly best and we can’t wait to welcome everyone as they join us in celebrating the festive season with a visit to our legendary Christmas Markets.”
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