Greater Manchester’s favourite market is planning to return on Saturday 17th April.
Following the recent announcement of the roadmap out of lockdown, things are looking brighter in Levenshulme as their award-winning market gears up to return.
As Manchester’s go-to for the best of local talent, Levy Market is perhaps one of the county’s most adored and jampacked markets, so its reopening can’t come quick enough.
Levenshulme Market will currently be operating as a ‘Shop & Go’ model, meaning there will be no eating, drinking or socialising at the market.
You’ll still find the same great stalls but we ask that people make their purchases and head home to safely enjoy them rather than sticking around at the market,” says Richard, Levenshulme Market’s manager, when asked about their new strategies.
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Although we’ll happily get on board with this small change to have Levy Market back in our lives, sharing all of the delicious food we’ve bought when back at home will be a struggle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CI5-ASvAFOq/
They will also be operating a socially distanced market with a one-way system, so you can safely travel through without missing anything, and their night markets – which usually take place on the third weekend of every month – are currently on hold as Levy Market’s return is phased.
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Levenshulme Market launched in 2013 in an effort to improve their high street. Who knew that 8 years later, the market would have such a massive impact on the entire county.
“We work hard to offer our customers a balance of stalls selling arts and crafts, street food, general groceries and all the strange and wonderful things in between”, says Richard.
But Levy Market is more than just a shopping opportunity for many, it’s a community of Manchester’s greatest makers and loyal visitors.
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“The secret ingredient in what makes Levy Market what it is, is Levenshulme itself”, comments Richard.
“Our market shares its home with the warmest, kindest, most welcoming community you could hope to find.”
While Levy Market has always been a highlight of our Saturdays, the uncertainty of the past year has cemented it as a rite of passage for Mancunians.
“It became evident last year that Levenshulme Market was even more of a weekly fixture for locals than it had been in pre-Covid days,” says Richard.
“With everyone having so few opportunities to go anywhere or do anything different, having a handful of new shops popping up in the neighbourhood and finding the opportunity to say a quick and safe hello to friends and neighbours took on an additional importance.”
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If April 17th still feels like a lifetime away, you can support their creators online in the meantime with their online directory of food stalls and arts & crafts items.
You can also keep up-to-date with their proposed markets and which traders will be attending on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
What's On
NASA reveals exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ fly over Greater Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
There’s not long left until Santa and his reindeer crew fly over the skies of Manchester to drop off all those presents.
And it seems like Manchester must have been extra nice this year, as Santa is treating us to lots of chances to catch a glimpse of him on his mission to deliver millions of gifts in time for Christmas.
Just like every year, Santa is dusting off his sleigh and polishing his boots to prepare for his biggest night visiting lots of kids and families. The sleigh is being filled with lots of goodies and surprises as we speak… it’s almost like he can smell the milk and cookies from here.
NASA, one of the world’s leading space companies, has been working meticulously to find out Santa’s route for 2025.
The world-renowned space agency has given us an exact time to look up at the stars to spot the main man himself and catch the glimmer of lights from his sleigh.
NASA has reveals the exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ flying over Greater Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Tim Mossholder (via Unsplash)
As a man who has lots of experience globe trotting, it’s safe to say the big man knows how to efficiently cover as many houses as possible all in one night.
Santa’s sleigh will, coincidentally (*wink wink), be present at the same time as the International Space Station (ISS), however anyone looking to see this festive vehicle can notice the lights won’t change direction and will not flash.
This time round, Santa is swooshing round Greater Manchester on Christmas Day a whole hour earlier than last year, meaning that nice list must be the longest it’s ever been.
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Wednesday 24 December
5:21am
Santa’s sleigh lights will be visible for two minutes travelling South East to East, as the man of Christmas weighs up his North West delivery route.
6:54am
There’s a six minute opportunity to catch those bright lights of Santa’s sleigh in the Manchester sky as he travels from West to South East, finalising his map before the big night ahead.
Thursday 25 December
4:35am
It will be visible for less than a minute, no movement, in a static position. Santa will be doing a headcount of all the houses to make sure he’s not missed a single chimney.
6:08am
The sleigh will be seen for four minutes, moving from South West to South East, by now Santa will have finished his Manchester delivery drop and will be heading on over the hill to our friends in Leeds.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Daisy Bradbury -
5th March 2021 
