What To Expect At Manchester Christmas Markets 2024

Planning a Christmas market staycation? With more than 200 stalls scattered across nine locations, Manchester Christmas Markets are the perfect choice for  festive city break. Here’s what to know before you go.

A Guide To Manchester Christmas Markets 2024

Returning to England’s second city for their 26th year, Manchester’s Christmas Markets are a magical addition to the festive calendar, transforming the streets into a winter wonderland and attracting millions of visitors every year from mid November up until the big day.

 

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Where Are The Markets?

In 2024, nine Christmas markets will be scattered across Manchester, along with a light trail, ice rink (open 8 November–1 January) and a Christmas parade (from 1pm on Sunday 8 December). The nine markets are:

• King Street West: Boutique stalls specialising in luxury items; think leather goods, skincare and gourmet chocolates, perfect for thoughtful gifting.
• St Ann’s Square: A more traditional Christmas market with artisan gifts spanning hand knitted scarves, silver jewellery and festive homeware.
• Exchange Street: Nearby St Ann’s Square, find plenty of tasty food and warming drinks here.
• New Cathedral Street: The go-to Christmas market for high-end artisan gifts like candles, ceramics and local spirits.
• Exchange Square: The largest and one of the busier markets, with plenty of street food alongside clothing, soaps and handmade crafts.
• Corn Exchange: This is the spot for unique gifts like handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers and artisan chocolates.
• Cathedral Gardens: The most family friendly of Manchester’s Christmas markets, this is where Skate Manchester is located, alongside street food, drinks and gift stalls.
• Market Street: Find plenty more gifts here, with everything from tweed clothing to candles, Christmas decs to cheese on offer.
• Piccadilly Gardens: Two marquees adorned with twinkling lights transform Piccadilly Gardens into Winter Gardens for the festive season, creating a covered space for market-goers to shelter when it gets frosty outside. Here, find live entertainment and music and enjoy festive food options alongside bars serving continental ale.

Which Train Station Is Closest To The Christmas Markets?

Three train stations are located near Manchester’s Christmas Markets: Victoria Station is closest to Cathedral Gardens, which is a great place to start (or conclude) a journey through the markets, with its al fresco ice rink surrounded by cosy chalets serving up hot drinks and sweet treats.

Meanwhile, Piccadilly Station is located to the east of Winter Gardens – the festive transformation of Piccadilly Gardens – which is about halfway through a north-to-south route. Alternatively, Deansgate Station is located southwest of St Peter’s Square, which is the southernmost Christmas market and home to a huge Santa installation – so another great place to start your journey.

Exchange Square, meanwhile, is served by the Metrolink tram, and is one of Manchester’s busiest Christmas markets thanks to its plethora of international cuisine; think German bratwurst hot off the grill, Spanish paella scooped from an enormous pan and fluffy Dutch pancakes topped with powdered sugar.

Find the official map here to plan your route.

Manchester Christmas Markets Dates 2024

This year, the Manchester Christmas Markets will be open everyday from Friday 8 November until Sunday 22 December (except for the food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will stay until 31 December, along with the ice rink). Craft and gift stalls are open from 10am to 8pm, while food and drink stalls serve from 11am to 9pm, except on Sunday 22 December when the markets will close at 6pm.

Where To Stay

The Midland is an elegant hotel in the heart of the city, dating back 120 years. Home to an idyllic spa, a buzzy champagne lounge and two restaurants, it’s an ideal base from which to explore the city – and to luxuriate in upon your return.

Details: Rooms at The Midland (16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS) start at £120 per night, and can be booked at themidlandhotel.co.uk