The UK’s largest heated outdoor winter market is returning to Manchester

The UK’s biggest heated winter festival with a magical rooftop ice rink is set to return to Manchester for the festive season. 

Throughout November and December, Escape to Freight Island will be transformed into Winter Island, a magical winter wonderland featuring a Christmas tree forest, festive traders and pop-up markets, as well as curated Christmas workshops and the very best entertainment the city has to offer.

Freight Island’s beloved vendors will be on hand across the festival to serve up a selection of tasty plates, including award-winning burgers from Burgerism, roasted meat from Carnival, epic slices from Voodoo Ray’s, and Michelin star kebabs from One Star Döner Bar.

There will also be additional offers from some of Manchester’s most beloved restaurants, including Northern Soul, the Great North Pie Co, and chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana.

Escape to Freight Island

On the drinks front, there will be a Mulled Wine Barrell Bar serving all the classic festive beverages, alongside a special Vimto mulled wine.

An Après Bar from Grey Goose will also be available for guests to enjoy, plus a brand-new pub-inspired Freight Tap Room serving draft and craft beers.

And in true Escape to Freight Island fashion, guests will be able to enjoy exclusive entertainment and programming, from DJs to live performances and everything in between

Live performances will see spectacular rosters from Massaoke, Hip Hop Karaoke, The House and Garage Orchestra, AMC Gospel Choir, The Incredible 11 and Finesse.

Over in the outdoor winter market will be Gra-Design, who specialises in handcrafted and minimalistic contemporary homewares and ceramics. There will also be MissPrint for exceptional stationary, gift wraps and cards, Rare Finds Flea Market for vintage and handmade pieces and Zara Cakes for tasty treats.

Escape to Freight Island

And for those who want to get creative and create their own masterpieces, Winter Island has teamed up with various workshop organisers including Wonderhaus for craft jewellery, Cork and Canvas for painting workshops and Cork and Clay for art classes.

Families will be able to enjoy a series of fun activities in the Family Zone, which will host the likes of Santa’s Grotto, pop up pantomimes, cinema club and more, as well as hosted events with Teach Rex, Our Kids Social, Circus House.

Winter Island will open on Saturday November 12th, and will operate from Wednesdays to Sundays until Wednesday December 7th. It will then be open seven days a week from then until Friday December 30th.

Opening hours are 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 1am Friday, 12pm to 1am Saturday, 12pm to 10pm Sunday. 

While walk-ins will be available, bookings are recommended to secure preferred dates and times for a table. Get booked here.