Manchester celebrates 20 years of Christmas Markets
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood has officially opened the markets, with millions of people set to visit over the next few weeks.
Manchester’s transformation into a winter wonderland is complete as the city officially marked the return of the Christmas markets.
This year marks 20 years, in that time becoming one of the most popular Christmas cities in the UK.
Every year millions of people visit the city to soak up the atmosphere at the UK’s original Christmas Markets, and this year will be another reason to toast that Gluhwein as the event celebrates a remarkable two decade unbroken run.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood helped officially open this year's festivities. The TV judge favourite is appearing on stage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Manchester Opera House.
The Christmas Market hub in Albert Square will return for a final year before the Our Town Hall transformation - including the refurbishment of the square - means the location will be out of action in the short-term.
The Albert Square old favourites, including the Moose House and Windmill House bar, will be back in all their yuletide glory but the layout will be a little different from previous years, with more than 100 stalls in front of the iconic town hall.
And market sites will once again spread across the city centre squares, including the festival family areas in Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, Market Street, St Ann’s Square and King Street - welcoming more than 300 traders to the city.
New to this year, Piccadilly Gardens will be home to a host of new foodie and crafts stalls, along with a new bar area for the first time.
Exciting new traders will be cutting their teeth this year, complementing your favourite stalls from previous seasons:
Security measures
Council bosses have been working with Greater Manchester Police and counter-terrorism teams to ensure the market has strict measures in place to help protect the public.
For the first time the roads around Albert Square have been closed off.
A no fur policy will be in operation meaning absolutely no fur will be traded on this year’s market. There have always been restrictions about selling fur that meant only by-products of the industry could be sold, but this is the first time a full ban will be in place.
Returning for a second year, the Ice Cavern will be bringing a touch of royalty to Cathedral Gardens with a Mythical Palace theme, all carved by hand from more than 200 tonnes of ice.
And continuing the ice theme, the Skate Manchester ice rink will make its debut in Cathedral Gardens as part of an enchanting winter day out.
Manchester’s much-loved giant Zippy Santa hung up his stocking for the final time last year. But don’t worry, a new Giant Santa will be coming to the city to fill his ginormous buckled boots - watch this space...
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “We don’t call it the most wonderful time of the year for nothing. My favourite season in Santa’s favourite city is something to behold and the Christmas Markets are at the centre of it all.
“There’s lots of new things to look forward to this year, not least a brand new market location in Piccadilly Gardens and much more yet to announce.
“We can count the sleeps in days now, so get those Christmas lists written and get planning for another spectacular Christmas in Manchester.”
Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “The countdown is truly on. Christmas is an important time of year for the city as millions of people come to Manchester through the Christmas season that give a much needed boost to the local economy, supporting thousands of season jobs.