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Manchester Christmas Markets: Everything you need to know as full details released
The markets are billed to be ‘bigger and better’ than ever before…
As the opening date for the Manchester Christmas Markets looms ever closer, Manchester City Council has unveiled the full list of traders and locations for this year’s festivities.
From November 10th, the Christmas Markets will once again be transforming Piccadilly Gardens into the Winter Gardens, with over 220 stalls confirmed to be opening at the usual locations of Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street.
The council has also confirmed the return of the magical Manchester Christmas lights trail, which will illuminate the city centre throughout the festive season with its walk-through giant baubles, light arches and a Manchester bee.
And the iconic Big Santa will be making a return to the Central Library at St. Peter’s Square, where he will be keeping an eye on all things Christmas in Manchester from his perch atop of the library.
Here’s the full rundown of what to expect at this year’s Christmas markets:
Winter Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens will once again be transformed into the Winter Gardens, which the council has promised to be ‘bigger and better’ than ever before.
On the food and drink side of things, the Winter Gardens will serve up the likes of pancakes, churros, cookie dough, vegan bratwursts, Korean hotdogs, pork barms, and Amsterdam Frites. There will also be an array of winter tipples and a selection of continental and foreign ales.
There will also be dedicated weekly trial spots for new local traders as they step into winter trading and try out their wares on the Christmas market crowds.
And brand new for this year, the Winter Gardens will host a giant Nordic-themed double tipi bar, which will be fully heated, and festooned with ambient lighting, wooden benches, fake furs, and a roaring fire pit.
There will be live music and entertainment within the tipi bar most nights, making it the perfect spot to spread some Christmas cheer throughout the whole week.
St. Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
St. Ann’s Square – which is actually the original site for Manchester’s Christmas markets – will be returning with its large undercover bar providing German beers and warm cherry Gluhwein, all of which will keep Christmas revellers warm and merry throughout the winter season.
St. Ann’s Square and Exchange Street will also host a number of local traders, including Yard and Coop with their salt and pepper chicken fries and Manc and Proud, who will be serving up Mancunian themed treats, plus continental chocolates, English cheeses, and art emporiums.
Market Street
A firm favourite with Christmas shoppers, Market Street will be home to stalls selling a wide range of gifts from a whole host of amazing crafters and producers. Customers will be able to get everything from tweed hats, spiced rum and Christmas decorations, to candles, jewellery, and gift sets of cheese truckles.
King Street
Home to some of the best food in Manchester, the Christmas deli stalls on King Street will once again take foodies on a world tour of some of the best loved dishes on the planet, ranging from Italian cannelloni and arancini, Greek gyros, halloumi fries, French garlic mushrooms and even Salford Rum.
And new for 2022, middle eastern restaurant Habas will be bringing their middle eastern menu and seating area to King Street- great for those wanting to eat their way round the world!
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral Street will boast a range of stalls selling high-end gifts including fine-cast ornaments, old fashioned liquorice, handmade cocktails for home, and light up Christmas decorations.
There will also be a number of tasty food stalls offering everything ranging from vegan five bean chilli to New York Bagels. These can then be washed down by one of cosmopolitan Bar 3’s famous smoking cocktails.
Additionally, the famous Witch House will be making its grand return to New Cathedral Street armed with its traditional steins and mouth-watering currywursts.
Exchange Square
Market-goers will be able to warm up at the beloved Mill Exchange bar, who will be bringing back their special Mancunian mulled wine.
2022 also sees the return of the famous Porky Pig’s Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, alongside stalls selling hot curries, German kebabs, gourmet Italian pizza mini pancakes and fresh fudge.
The Corn Exchange
Nestled between Manchester’s historic Corn Exchange building and Shambles Square, visitors can expect to find unique fairtrade hats and jackets, character themed hats and belts, as well as handmade pies, cupcakes and soaps.
Cathedral Gardens
The much-loved undercover ice rink Skate MCR has opened just in time for the half term and Halloween. There is live entertainement on from Thursday to Sunday each week, all the way through to New Year’s Eve.
Next to the ice rink, hot food, warm drinks, pancakes and tipples will be on offer from nearby market stalls to help warm up cold hands and feet after a skate on the ice.
Councillor Pat Karney, lead councillor for Christmas at Manchester City Council, said: “Christmas is looking better than ever this year in Manchester with our world-beating Christmas markets set to open in four weeks’ time, and a whole host of other unmissable free festive treats also coming our way.
“Everyone knows that Manchester does Christmas better than anywhere else and I’ve been counting down the days to the opening of our Christmas markets again since the day they closed last year.
“We’ve got some fantastic new festive additions to the markets this year, as well as some other soon-to-be announced unmissable festive surprises which are set to get everyone in Manchester smiling in the run-up to Christmas. More announcements on this very soon – I can’t wait!”
The Christmas markets will open on Thursday 10 November and will close on Thursday 22 December.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
Boom Battle Bar has got it all!
If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot.
Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).
Manchester’s Finest Group
They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.
There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.
Get yourself booked in HERE.
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The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out
Everything you need for an incredible day out
Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.
The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up.
From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.
Manchester’s Finest Group
They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season.
‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.
In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication.
Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.
Manchester’s Finest Group
Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded.
They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out.
Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.
What's On
MTV to take over Manchester for 2024 EMAs with week of events
The MTV EMAs are coming to Manchester for the first time ever
MTV Music Week is coming to Manchester later this year, to showcase the best of our emerging artists and favourite venues.
The event will take place across some of Manchester’s most loved venues between November 5th and 9th, and will feature homegrown artists, performances and industry workshops.
It’s all leading up to the 2024 MTV EMAs, which will be taking place at Co-op Live on November 10th.
MTV franchises will take centre stage, including MTV Push Live, Club MTV and YO! MTV Raps.
Dead Pony
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Our music scene in Manchester is the stuff of legend and we’re known the world over for our brilliant musicians and iconic venues.
“MTV Music Week will be a great showcase for our city and the stage is set for an incredible Manchester music takeover.
“A boost for the industry, our economy, and fantastic opportunities for some of our best homegrown artists as well as unforgettable performances for audiences to enjoy. We’re excited, can’t wait.”
The full line-up for MTV Music Week:
Tuesday November 5th
MTV Gonzo on Tour | Rebellion | 7.30pm – 10.30pm
“MTV Music Week kicks off at alternative music venue Rebellion with the epic indie and alternative music show MTV Gonzo on Tour. Bringing together some of UK’s best emerging indie rock bands and artists under one roof, the night will feature a line-up of exciting breakthrough artists including post punk trailblazers Dead Pony.”
Wednesday November 6th
MTV Push Live | Soup | 7pm – 10.30pm
“Ready to introduce fans to the hottest new breakthrough artists across Manchester’s thriving music scene, Wednesday will see MTV Push Live head to the award-winning live music venue, Soup. Featuring a co-curated line-up from Manchester music initiative Beyond the Music, the night will include unmissable performances from LARKINS, Phoebe Hall and more. The event sees the continuation of MTV Push and Beyond the Music’s partnership, which is set to kick-off with a team-up at Beyond the Music’s annual festival in October. At the festival, attendees will enjoy an MTV Push Live stage, plus MTV-curated panels.”
MTV x Ramona Radio Rave | Ramona | 7pm – 12am
“On the same night, Ramona will welcome some of Manchester’s hottest emerging dance music talents, with sets from Chunky, Ms Dee and Sno as part of a Ramona Radio MTV Takeover.”
Phoebe Hall
Wednesday November 6th – Friday 8th
MTV EMA: 30 Years | Aviva Studios, home of Factory International | 10am – 8pm
“For music fans looking to reminisce and take a trip into the MTV EMAs’ legendary history, the MTV EMA: 30 Years exhibition will run at Manchester’s arts and culture venue Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. Featuring images from all past editions of the MTV EMAs, curated from Getty Images’ archive, the exhibition celebrates the artists, performances and pop culture moments that have created a cultural legacy for generations of fans across the globe.”
Thursday November 7th
MTV Push Live | Band On The Wall | 7pm – 11am
“MTV Music Week continues with MTV Push Live at Band On The Wall, hosted by the electrifying Manchester DJ duo Shimrise. Delivering an evening featuring the city’s most exciting breakthrough talent, fans can expect a series of unique performances from alt-pop musician Nxdia, singer-songwriter Nina Cobham and R&B Soul artist Rumbi Tauro.”
MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy | New Century | 7pm – 11pm
“MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy arrives at New Century for a night of uplifting drum and bass, inspired by the UK’s student basement club culture. The pair, who first formed the band during COVID, were last year included in MTV Push’s Top 10 Artists list and made the longlist on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023. Piri & Tommy’s latest track ‘99%’ marks the group’s first release in a year.”
Shimrise
Friday November 8th
Yo! MTV Raps: NQ Rated | Freight Island | 7pm – 11pm
“The show that first gave rap and hip hop a global stage, YO! MTV Raps comes to Freight Island for an exclusive YO! MTV Raps x NQ showcase. A must-see live music experience, the Manchester label behind the acclaimed Northern rap scene has partnered with MTV to host a line-up including headliner Nemzzz, 163Margsand more.”
Saturday November 9th
MTV x Homobloc Brunch Royale | DieCast | 12pm – 3pm
“Those looking for the perfect Homobloc pre-party need look no further, as the storied LGBTQ+ event teams up with MTV for a mega brunch party at DieCast. Expect a spectacular show featuring special guests and led by some of Manchester’s most celebrated Queens Banksie & Lil, and a battle on the catwalk from Ghetto Fabulous presenting Black Peppa, Coco Canell, Shanika Sunrise & Verry Cherry, soundtracked by Gaydio’s Jackie P & Gina Breeze.”
MTV x Homobloc | The Roof Terrace at Depot Mayfield | 4pm-11pm
“Continuing the Homobloc celebrations, MTV is also hosting The Rooftop at Manchester nightlife institution Depot Mayfield featuring stage collaborations with local LGBTQ+ parties Homoelectric and Make Me Feel. Artists appearing across the roof terrace stages include Nicky Siano (Studio 54), Prosumer, ShyOne, Grove b2b Tash LC, Ruby Savage and local favourites Meme Gold and Kath McDermott, plus a fabulous collection of queens.”
Club MTV Presents: salute | Hidden | 10pm – 4am
“A pivotal city in the dance music revolution, Manchester’s cutting-edge dance scene is renowned across the globe, and what better way to close the week-long city takeover than with a night that celebrates one of the city’s most exciting emerging DJs, plus mega headliner salute. Named ‘Best Club’ in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards in 2023, Hidden has become a staple in the Manchester clubbing scene and the premier destination for electronic fans.”
You can grab tickets HERE.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out
