Countdown to Christmas in Manchester
Christmas Markets return on Friday November 9th until Saturday December 22nd
Manchester’s transformation in to the UK’s Christmas capital is almost upon us as traders from across the North West and Europe ready themselves for the Christmas Market's return.
Each year millions of visitors flock to the city for the festive attraction that spreads across the city centre squares with hundreds of market stalls selling food, drink and gifts.
Albert Square is traditional hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets.
St Anne’s Square welcomes the Birdie photo booth – a vintage VW Campervan where visitors can get free print outs of their snaps, which will also be automatically shared to Twitter using #MCRChristmas.
Last year, Manchester was the most Instagrammed Christmas Market in Europe and this is your chance to be part of the celebration.
Cathedral Gardens will be completely reimagined this year as the UK’s first dedicated ice attraction comes to Manchester.
The Ice Village Manchester is a breath-taking snowy experience, complete with Ice Cavern, ice sculptures and frozen ice bar – all carved using 250 tonnes of solid ice.
The limited edition Christmas Market mugs are back with a brand new design and the undisputed king of Christmas in Manchester – the giant Santa – will take up his usual perch in front of town hall.
As always the Giant Santa will be taking to twitter to provide his sometimes peculiar take on the city’s festivities. Follow him @MCRSanta.
And find out more: www.manchester.gov.uk/christmasmarkets
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “After nearly twenty years our famous Christmas Market, they remain the biggest and most popular in the UK. Little wonder we remain Santa’s favourite city.
“We love exploring the new stalls each year while reminding ourselves of some of the long-running favourites – there’s no better way of getting into the Christmas spirit than a wander through Manchester city centre during the festive season.
“Only a few weeks to wait before the markets arrive following the huge Christmas Lights Switch-on event. I can hear the sleigh bells already. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.”
Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “Manchester is a key time of year for retail in the city centre and we love how our markets create a wonderful Christmas atmosphere for visitors to Manchester. The markets are one of the biggest attractions in the country and help to complement the high street retailers, giving shoppers a real choice.”