What is there at Manchester's Christmas Market this year?

Piccadilly Gardens has been transformed into Winter Gardens for the first time

Author: Alex UsherPublished 12th Nov 2021
Last updated 12th Nov 2021

Christmas in Manchester officially starts today (12 November) as Piccadilly Gardens transforms into Winter Gardens.

Last year the Christmas Markets were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions but the world-famous festive attraction has returned, along with the first ever Winter Gardens (Piccadilly Gardens) attraction.

The gardens are filled with festive bars offering locally brewed ales, food stalls, craft sellers and – for the first time – a stage with live music and DJs throughout the festive season.

The Winter Gardens will see some foodie favourites from previous years pop-up in the new festive hub. Dutch Frites, and Greek Gyros will make the Gardens a must for hungry visitors.

Finished off with warm cookie dough puddings and washed down with signature cocktails and local ales – a return visit will be a must.

The Winter Gardens will be open through until the New Year – Monday 3 January 2022, but the wider Christmas Markets will close on 22 December.

Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets will also return across another six city centre squares, offering the festive delights that the city is known for.

What is at this years market?

The Christmas Markets will open the same day as the Winter Gardens in Piccadilly Gardens (12 December) and trade through until Wednesday 22 December.

St Ann’s Square

Hand pulled pizzas will arrive in St Ann’s for the first time, along with a Christmas Markets stalwart, the Lakeland Burger company.

The Northern Quarter’s Yard and Coop will be back with their fried chicken and salt and pepper fries – along with a host of new craft sellers.

Birdie the campervan will return for your free selfie prints in the campervan (cleaned between visits).

Exchange Square

A runaway hit of the Christmas Markets, Pork Pig’s Yorkshire Pudding wraps will be back for 2021, alongside the instantly recognisable Mill Exchange bar – complete with huge chimney.

Tikka Kebab kitchen will bring the heat with their curries and spiced shwarma kebabs.

Gourmet pizza and local produce sellers can also be found here, happy to be back in the buzz of the city.

New Cathedral Street

The street will welcome high end shoemakers, local vegan skincare products, jewellery and crafted produce, plus the ever-stylish Bar No3 serving smoking cocktails and gins.

The Witchouse will also return with their traditional steins and currywurst.

King Street

Returning with a host of French themed stalls with gallic food, beers and wines, plus a warming gin bar with over 100 varieties to choose from.

Set aside a mouthwatering Italian deli with a selection to beat any deli on any the high street.

Market Street

Offering some of the top makers and traders in the region, Market Street will offer some fantastic options for that Christmas list, on a slightly smaller scale than previous years to make sure people can keep their distance should they want to.

Cathedral Gardens

The Gardens will once again return as the family friendly area with the return of Skate Manchester’s ice rink and a range of food and drinks stalls to help skaters recover from their time on the ice.

Plus, entertainment every week from Thursday through to Sunday, including kids shows.

Tickets are already on sale.

All inclusive event putting public safety first

Winter Gardens will have one-way routes around the market with a controlled number of visitors and separate entrances and exits are helping people remain socially distanced while they get in the festive spirit.

A fully accessible toilet is available at Winter Gardens, which allows those people with disabilities – along with their families and carers – to enjoy the festive attractions for longer, knowing they have a comfortable, clean and well-appointed facility, should they need it.

And of course, Manchester’s Giant Santa will take pride of place in the city centre, along with a trail of light sculptures taking visitors on an illuminated trip around the city. More details to follow.

"Manchester has been the capital of Christmas for 22 years"

Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: "It’s wonderful to welcome back our world-famous Christmas Markets and the addition of the Winter Gardens for the very first time.

“Manchester has been the capital of Christmas for 22 years since the very first Christmas Market arrived in the UK in 1999 and we know it was a huge disappointment that we had to scale back our celebrations last year.

“We’re making up for lost time this year and I can’t wait to see the transformation in the city centre into the festive wonderland we know and love.

“Of course, all of our attractions have public health at their heart and the safety of our visitors will be paramount. Covid remains a real concern and we will have strict maximum numbers in some areas like the Winter Gardens to make sure people can maintain their distance – and security will be helping us manage crowds.

“Only a few weeks to wait until the most wonderful time of the year begins in Manchester – Santa's favourite city, of course.”

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