As winter draws in, Manchester’s streets can get somewhat chaotic with the Christmas Markets, festive shoppers and rogue ice skaters coming from every angle. That’s why throughout the festive season it can be helpful to have boltholes in the city to decompress and enjoy some cosy seasonal cheer, which is exactly what Waterstones Deansgate offers.
A sanctuary inside the North’s biggest book shop, Waterstones is a true landmark, boasting over 80,000 titles and three expansive floors of fiction, non-fiction, gifts, and stationery. What’s more, this Christmas you can shelter from the elements with a hot chocolate or mulled wine, enjoying the fruits of the annual Christmas Customer Evening, with after-hours access, seasonal hospitality, and plenty of perks.
What to expect at the Waterstones Deansgate Christmas Customer Evening
Ambient lighting, acoustic seasonal music and carol performances, and booksellers circulating with complimentary glasses of prosecco, mulled wine, and warm mince pies welcome customers through the doors this Tuesday 1 December, encouraging festive cheer and mingling amongst a vast collection of literature.
Interactive elements include:
- Curated tables: ‘Staff Picks of 2026‘ featuring signed editions and indie press selections.
- Complimentary Christmas gift-wrapping stations run by local stationers & booksellers.
- Spot author signings and meet-and-greets stationed across the ground and mezzanine levels.
Exclusive perks, discounts, and loyalty rewards
Alongside the festive vibes all round, there will be plenty of perks along the way. From double points for loyalty card holders during the event, to book totes and discounts on cafe treats from early birds, there’s lots to get your hands on.
The store will also be functioning as it usually would in the daytime, so customers are encouraged to use this less chaotic time to hunt for Christmas presents – whether for loved ones or just yourself.
Meet your favourite authors
What’s more, there’ll also be the chance to meet some of your favourite authors and grab signed copies of their books. Authors announced so far include:
- A. F. Steadman signing The First Unicorn Rider
- Amelia Tait signing Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller
- Chloe Michelle Howarth signing Heap Earth Upon It
- Chris Frost signing The Christmas Carol Killer
- Clare Hooper signing A Crafty Little Christmas
- Clint Boon signing The Manchester Chronicles
- Joanna Miller signing The Eights
- Katherine Woodfine signing The Christmas Book
- Mike Pickering signing Manchester Must Dance
- Stephen Bunting signing Bulletproof: From Pub to Palace, My Life in Darts
- Terry Deary signing History of the World in 10 Wars
- Will Maclean signing Solace House
Dates, timings, and how to attend
The Waterstones Christmas Customer Evening will take place on Tuesday 1 December between 6pm-9pm, with free entry.
📍Waterstones, 91 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BW.
