Along with festive pop-ups, Candlelight Christmas concerts, and twinkling lights, the highly-anticipated Manchester Christmas Markets have finally returned for 2024 with hundreds of stalls across the city for the festive season. Open from November 8 at multiple locations across Manchester, visitors can enjoy the event at full scale, with tons of food traders, gift stalls and pop-up bars back for the occasion.
But as the town hall continues to undergo renovations, the market has needed to seek a new home once again and therefore take place at a number of Manchester city centre locations. Manchester City Council confirmed that there will be stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre, and this year’s Christmas markets sees the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens – once again transformed into the Winter Gardens – as well as Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street, like other years.
When does Manchester Christmas Markets take place?
Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 will take place between November 8 and December 22. However, the market stalls at Cathedral Gardens have previously opened earlier (from October 26 last year) and will remain open alongside the ice rink in the run-up to Christmas and again after Christmas until New Year’s Eve (December 31).
The stalls are open daily throughout the six-week run – which this year due to the way dates fall, includes seven weekends instead of the usual six. Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open each day from 10am-8pm, whilst food and drink stalls will be open from 11am-9pm each day.
Where will Manchester Christmas Markets take place?
The main hub is at Piccadilly Gardens, however, you’ll find stalls across the city at locations such as:
Piccadilly Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens has been transformed into a bigger and better Winter Gardens this year with two twinkling light filled marquees providing more under-cover space for Christmas shoppers.
All the festive food and drink favourites are back for 2024 – expect pancakes, bratwursts, churros, and more, with bars serving continental and foreign ales.
Plus, the much-loved Piccadilly Street Food Market will also stay open until 9pm each night, serving up flavours from across the globe. Winter Gardens will offer live entertainment and music everyday beneath the shelter of marquees and under-cover seating areas – perfect for taking the weight off your feet and cosying up with family and friends.
The council has also confirmed their will be measures in place to ensure the space at Piccadilly Gardens is restored and brought back into use as quickly as possible once the Christmas Markets end.
Exchange Square
One of the largest market locations in the city, Exchange Square is where Christmas shoppers can find a host of seasonal stalls selling everything from clothing, soaps, boutique babywear, local crafts, and handmade gifts. Feeling chilly? Warm up at The Mill Exchange with their Mancunian mulled wine made on site and enjoy the legends of Manchester artwork adorning their walls. This is also the place to try the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wrap from Porky Pig, as well as everything from birria bowls and hot curries to mini pancakes and fresh fudge.
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral is your go-to spot for high end gifts and foodie favourites. Craft-lovers will be enchanted by the selection of handmade candles, ceramics, local spirits, and thoughtful keepsakes on offer – a must-visit destination for Christmas shopping. And when your shopping’s all done, savour a cold beer and currywurst from The Witch House or a hearty burrito from Wrap Up.
King Street
King Street is a must-visit for foodies and shoppers alike. Authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, is serving up fresh cannelloni and arancini, and El Gato Negro is bringing some Mediterranean menu flavours to their seating area. Plus, a range of stalls to browse selling crafts including the always popular French soap stall, personalised tree decorations, handmade wooden furniture and beautifully illustrated bottles from local distillery, Salford Rum.
St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
St Ann’s Square was the original site of Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Market. Take in the atmosphere, cosy up for a drink in the undercover bar and enjoy a selection of authentic German goods from some of our longest-standing traders. Think German beers and cherry glühwein, bratwurst, salt and pepper chicken from Northern Quarter favourite, Yard and Coop, or hot chocolate cones poured right from the chocolate taps.
Market Street
Get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up on Market Street with even more stalls lined up there for this year. Expect a Santa’s sack full of goods on offer from stalls offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce – from tweed hats to spiced rum, Christmas decorations to candles, freshly baked coconut macaroons and jewellery, to gift sets of cheese truckles, and much more.
The Corn Exchange
Situated between Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, you’ll find some of the most unique gifts available from crafters. Expect handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.
Cathedral Gardens
Families will find there’s plenty for all ages – particularly our youngest visitors – to enjoy at Cathedral Gardens. Experience Skate Manchester‘s huge, covered ice rink (open daily) and free live entertainment hosted every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve. Plus, warm up with authentic crepes, gourmet hotdogs, hot chocolate, and much more.
How to get to Manchester Christmas Markets
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has urged people to use public transport wherever possible to travel in and out of the city centre for the Manchester Christmas Markets. But the markets are just the start of the festive period, with the city centre seeing events galore over the six weeks that the markets are on, including Black Friday and Christmas shopping, sports matches and work Christmas parties on the horizon.
The nearest train stations are Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria and Deansgate Castlefield. The closest tram stops to Manchester Christmas Markets are Victoria, Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly, Exchange Square, St Peter’s Square and Deansgate Castlefield. There is also the free city centre bus which you can hop on and off of.
Which traders will be at Manchester Christmas Markets 2024?
Manchester City Council has announced a long list of traders, all of which are dotted across the Christmas Markets locations including well known names in Manchester like Yard & Coop, Porky Pig, The Great North Pie Company, The Flat Baker, El Gato Negro, Oi Dumplings and The Hip Hop Chip Shop.
No time to check out the markets this year? No worries – you can always treat that special someone to one of Fever’s experience-driven gift cards. They can be used on a range of plans and events in Manchester that take place all year round.