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Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 details and locations announced
They’re almost here!
As the beloved wooden Alpine huts start popping up around town, this year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Passing Mancunians will have already spotted them being built around several locations in the city centre, and now Manchester Council have confirmed everything we can expect from this year’s festive favourite.
The official opening date for the Christmas Markets is November 10th with the stalls opening daily until December 21st – featuring nine different zones around the city.
Once again, while the Town Hall is still undergoing restoration works at Albert Square, Piccadilly Gardens will be the main hub – even though after last year’s mud-fest, councillors said it would not be used again.
Last year once the festivities were over, because of wet weather conditions, Piccadilly Gardens saw its turfed areas left in a bit of a ‘state’ and had to be replaced.
But with no viable alternative, the winter wonderland will return to the grounds as the council have assured the public that extra steps will be taken to protect the grassy areas of Piccadilly Gardens this time round.
This Christmas is a special one for the markets as it marks their 25th year of featuring in the city, and has now become a seasonal staple for all to enjoy in the run up to the big day.
The very first Christmas Markets launched in 1998, attracting Mancunians and visitors from further afield to fill their stockings with all the festive treats on offer.
This year, over 225 stalls will spread across nine different zones which include Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Anne’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street.
Manchester’s iconic huge Santa will peer down over the streets from his home at Central Library in St Peter’s Square. What would a Mancunian Christmas be without him?
Skate Manchester will be bringing its ice rink back for those who enjoy a seasonal skate under twinkling fairy lights, with the festive ice rink situated at Cathedral Gardens.
The Christmas Parade is set to take place on Sunday, December 3rd and promises to be even bigger and better than the first-ever Christmas Parade last year. Families are expected to line the streets again to enjoy its spectacular performances.
Also featured as part of Christmas in the city will be the return of Festive Sundays. These family-friendly pop-ups – delivered in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District – will bring joy to many.
Festive Sundays will run on the dates of November 26th, December 10th and December 17th.
And of course, the Manchester Christmas Lights trail will illuminate the dark wintery skies with giant walk-through baubles, a Manchester Bee and Santa Claus himself.
Councillor Pat Karney said: “Christmas is looking even better than ever in Manchester this year, with the opening of our world-famous Christmas markets now only three weeks away and a stocking rammed full of things for all the family to see and enjoy over the festive season, including our magical Manchester Christmas Parade.
“And what a special year for our world-beating markets! Hard to believe it was exactly 25 Christmases ago that Manchester’s first-ever Christmas market took place.
“A quarter of a century later and the markets bring visitors from quite literally all over the world to fill upon the fantastic festive treats on offer. Everyone knows Manchester is the city that Santa loves best and we just can’t wait to share all the Christmas fun and festivities with everyone.”
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
