Manchester's Christmas markets open
Sherrie Hewson led the grand opening of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2016, here at St. Ann's Square.
Today saw the opening of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2016, where plenty of festive fun awaits all.
The world-famous markets – brought to you by Manchester City Council – features nearly 350 stalls across ten distinctive sites and is open for the festive season from today until Tuesday, 20 December.
Coronation Street legend Sherrie Hewson was this year's very special guest on opening the Markets ahead of her appearance as the Genie in the Opera House’s panto, Aladdin.
LISTEN: Our reporter Ryan Gerrard finds out about what Sherrie thinks about Christmas in Manchester:
Coronation Street legend Sherrie Hewson will be the very special guest at the opening day of the Christmas Markets ahead of her appearance as the Genie in the Opera House’s panto, Aladdin.
The Albert Square site will close Wednesday, 21 December at 6pm. (Full listings details below)
At 41 days trading (42 in Albert Square), this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will be open longer than ever before giving eager shoppers even more chance to sample the merry delights of the UK’s first festive market.
Welcoming back traders from every corner of Europe, this year’s market will see the addition of traders from across the globe as the street food revolution inspires new stalls across the market.
LISTEN: Stall-holder Anja Manke tells us why she comes back every year:
The UK’s first gourmet grilled cheese restaurant – Northern Soul – will take their award-winning wares to Albert Square for the first time, along with their own “hard shakes”, with an adult twist.
One of last year’s most popular stall, The Greater Northern Pie Company, return selling their handmade pies, and an icon of Albert Square – The Big and Barrel pork sandwich emporium – will return bigger and better than ever.
Continuing the street food theme, King Street welcomes the fresh Turkish tastes of the Zouk Grill, while Exchange Square will become the new home of gourmet hot dog experts Street Dawg Co, and some of the best Indian food this side of the Asian subcontinent in Tikka Kebab Kitchen – with one of the best vegan curries going.
Piccola Eatlia’s stone-baked pizza tops off the inaugural list for Exchange Square cooking up the authentic tastes of the Mediterranean, while the authentic taste of the North is wrapped up with artisan bakers George and Shelley’s Pie Shop at Cathedral Gardens – who also do a warming range of mulled gin.
Festive Cathedral Gardens is building on the success of the family-friendly area last year with a Manchester Christmas Market first – an ice rink.
The Rink at Cathedral Gardens will opened a week ahead of the markets (Friday, 4 November) and is joined with the return of the traditional fun fair – including Ferris Wheel, carousel, Helter Skelter, and a tea cup ride. (www.ticketsource.co.uk/therinkatcathedralgardens)
As the biggest Christmas Market in Europe, Manchester’s Christmas Market attracts a huge range of different stall holders offering a massive array of produce.
From the traditional favourites, such as Bratwurst, hog roast, crepes or macaroons to the more adventurous delights from across the world, such as Paella, Flammkuchen or the British gourmet pie.
Each market site boasts the finest in gift ideas, including jewellery, ceramics, handmade toys, puppets, clocks, glassware, and a market favourite, the limited edition Manchester Christmas Market coffee and Gluhwein mugs.
And of course, the iconic, tweet-happy, six-tonne giant Santa will take his place above Albert Square – so get in touch @MCRsanta and join the festive conversation (#MCRCHRISTMAS).
Launched in 1999, the Manchester Christmas Markets was the first festive market in the UK growing from only a single site in St Ann’s Square in 1999 – each completely free to visitors.
Regularly named one of Europe’s best Christmas Market attractions, nine million people visited last year – along with two million visiting the Albert Square site alone – and is responsible for generating millions of pounds for the city’s economy.
LISTEN: Councillor Pat Karney gets into the festive-spirit:
Be part of the biggest Christmas event in the UK and volunteer at the markets at www.manchester.gov.uk/santaslittlehelpers
And stay up to date on twitter with #MCRCHRISTMAS
By Ryan Gerrard