Jingle bells at the ready! The countdown to Christmas in Manchester has officially begun, with the opening this morning of Manchester’s world-beating Christmas Markets.
With over 200 stalls in ten different locations across the city centre, Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets attract thousands upon thousands of visitors every day, pouring into the city from far and wide.
Expect swing grills, gifts, Glühwein, steaming hot chocolate in iconic mugs, artisan pastries, a legendary giant Santa, illuminated walk-through musical cracker, plus brand-new for this year – an exclusive limited-edition range of festive Manchester winter woollies!
Named only weeks ago as the best Christmas Markets in the UK, and second-best Christmas Markets in the whole wide WORLD, Manchester Christmas Markets are back for another six-week run, helping the city and its visitors to celebrate the season.
Albert Square is once again at the centre of the city’s Christmas-is-coming festivities with several new features and stalls this year – including live artisan pastry baking, a pop-up festive pub that is sure to be everyone’s favourite local by the time the markets are done, plus the return of the almighty giant Ferris Wheel with its stunning views from the top over the city, and a brand-new selfie sleigh nestled inside a mini forest of snow-covered fir trees, reached through an ornate gateway.
Also back on Albert Square for the first time in nearly a decade is everyone’s favourite giant Santa, taking pride of place in front of the city’s magnificent Grade I Listed Victorian Town Hall. And this year he’s got a cracker of a brand-new feature which is already proving to be a massive hit with market visitors!
Gone is the huge, gift-wrapped present he has sat aloft in the past, this year sees the city’s much-loved giant Santa sitting on top of an enormous walk-through green Christmas Cracker with golden bows at each end.
Festooned with fairy lights inside, visitors are invited to walk through the cracker with its colour-changing twinkling lights, underneath Santa, serenaded as they go by a musical playlist of Christmas classics.
Sure to be the selfie sensation of the season, expect a track-list with something for everyone from Dean Martin and the Darkness to Mariah Carey and more.
Just around the corner from Albert Square, this year’s Christmas Markets also see the addition of a brand-new market location, with Lincoln Square off Brazennose Street transformed into a festive foodie delight with over a dozen market stalls and trucks, offering a mouth-watering selection of food and drinks, plus cosy undercover seating.
Other Christmas Market locations across the city for 2026 include King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.
Christmas Market regulars who visit St Ann’s Square this year will see a big difference on the square which is one of the longest-running of the city’s Christmas market locations – with even more craft, food, and drink stalls on offer in a brand-new layout providing more choice and even better browsing opportunities around the stalls.
And over at Cathedral Gardens Skate MCR is back, transforming the gardens into the ultimate winter destination with a range of market stalls alongside an undercover ice rink – perfect for a seasonal skate whatever the weather – that will remain open through the festive season until the new year.
Visitors to Manchester’s world-beating Christmas Markets this year will also be first in line to get their hands on an exclusive limited-edition range of Winter woollies.
The exclusive range with its colourful fun retro design includes jumpers, hats, scarves and tote bags – all featuring none other than Manchester’s much-loved iconic giant Santa and available exclusively – while stocks last – in Albert Square at The Manchester Shop stall.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets were officially opened this morning by Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, supported by traders from across the markets and former Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Carl Austin-Behan.
This year’s Christmas Markets in the city will be the first without Councillor Pat Karney at the helm who had been the face of Christmas in Manchester since the very first Manchester Christmas Market took place in 1998.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “I think it’s probably fair to say that Pat loved Christmas more than Father Christmas himself and it feels very strange not to have him once again celebrating the opening of our legendary Christmas Markets with us.
“We owe it to him and the city to make sure therefore that Christmas this year in Manchester is the very best yet, and we’re going all out to make sure it is.
“The markets look incredible – and with lots of new features and things to see and enjoy this year, we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Manchester to celebrate the festive season with us as we count down to a massive Christmas in the city!”
Markets across the city will be open daily from today (Friday 6 November) until Tuesday 22 December, except at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens which will remain open throughout the festive season until Sunday 3 January 2027.
Families with young children will also want to put a date in their diary this festive season for the magical Manchester Christmas Parade, which this year takes place on Sunday 6 December – the feel-good festive treat for all the family.
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.
For more information about Christmas in Manchester visit manchester.gov.uk/christmas
For more information about getting into and around the city using public transport visit tfgm.com/manchester-christmas-markets
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