There’s no escaping the Christmas spirit around Manchester these days, with baubles and twinkly lights and tinsel practically bursting out of buildings all over town.
With Christmas right around the corner, local restaurants, shops, bars and hotels have wheeled out their decorations, and they’re taking it very seriously indeed.
Artistic installations are now wrapped around doorways and spilling off windowsills all over the city centre.
From Rosso’s legendary decorations to fairytale characters, there are loads of stunning displays to admire in Manchester this year.
You can watch our video tour here or keep reading for all you need to know.
ADVERTISEMENT
And if you’re feeling festive, you can turn the whole thing into a pub crawl. Because why not.
Selfridges
Selfridges’ Christmas decorations in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSelfridges’ Christmas decorations in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
You really need to see the Selfridges decorations in the flesh to get the full impact of the effort that’s gone in here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Channeling a seriously disco Christmas, they’ve erected a huge gold mirrored wall around the entrance that shifts and shimmers in the wind, as well as a tree made out of felt brussels sprouts.
Grab a drink at…
Sinclair’s Oyster bar, the legendary local boozer still serving some of the cheapest pints in Manchester.
Royal Exchange Arcade
It’s not just a pretty display at the Royal Exchange this year – it’s also got a big social community impact.
ADVERTISEMENT
Local school children and communities were invited to make decorations for the trees that line the arcade, to raise awareness and funds for Manchester’s homeless as part of the Baubles 4 Beds campaign.
Grab a drink at…
Corbieres, an underground wine bar with a great jukebox that’s been a staple of Manchester’s bar scene for as long as we can remember.
Stock Exchange Hotel
Gary Neville’s luxury hotel in the centre of Manchester, regularly voted as one of the best in the world, has a suitably lavish Christmas vibe going on.
Thousands of tiny red berries, plus pine branches sprayed gold and shimmering red baubles, have been installed around its historic entrance.
Grab a drink at…
Sterling, the bar based in a bank vault beneath the hotel. It’s operated by the renowned bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, who are also set to take over the restaurant space next year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hotel Gotham
Five-star Hotel Gotham has easily one of the most creative displays we’ve seen this year, with huge toy soldiers standing watch on either side of the door.
They’re surrounded by pink and gold baubles and tonnes of foliage too.
Grab a drink at…
Blinker, the cocktail bar that’s made it into the UK’s 50 Best just six months after opening. You’ll find an entire menu of old fashioneds and another of martinis.
Rosso
Rosso’s prominent position at the very top of King Street means that there’s a lot of pressure on it to look fabulous and festive.
They’ve nailed it once again this year, covering the entire building in fairy lights and crafting a gigantic tree-shaped installation into the wall. Amazing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Grab a drink at…
Mr Thomas’s Chop House, the historic and very cosy pub on Cross Street which will lead you neatly on to our next stop.
Piccolino
Sometimes a classic colour scheme and a bucket load of baubles can create a serious impact – as per Piccolino’s 2022 efforts.
The baubles are interspersed with sprigs of holly, gold leaves, mistletoe and general glittering decorations.
Grab a drink at…
Salt Dog Slims, the underground dive bar that has a big Christmas secret in store for you…
Albert’s Schloss
Christmas decorations at Albert’s Schloss in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupChristmas decorations at Albert’s Schloss in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
One of Manchester’s most popular bars has a frequently-changing display around its entrance on Peter Street.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Christmas, they’ve opted for a pair of ENORMOUS pine trees, adorned with red ribbons and twinkling lights.
Grab a drink at…
Erm, Albert’s Schloss… Well you’re already at one of the best bars in Manchester, so what’s the point in looking anywhere else?
Get ready for round-the-clock entertainment and a seriously lively atmosphere in this bohemian bier palace.
Richmond Tea Rooms
Richmond Tea Rooms has leant right into its charming Alice in Wonderland theme this Christmas, installing a life-size Alice cut-out reaching into a Christmas tree.
On the other side, you might spot the familiar features of the Cheshire Cat grinning through the branches too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Grab a drink at…
You’re spoilt for choice here with all of Canal Street at your disposal. Or for a more relaxed vibe, walk over to Nell’s New York Pizza bar at Kampus.
San Carlo
This might be our favourite installation of the year. San Carlo heard baubles and said ‘yes please’.
Thousands of rainbow-coloured baubles are bursting out of a giant Christmas cracker above its door and winding around the windows. It’s so creative.
Grab a drink at…
Crazy Pedro’s is a local favourite for a reason – especially if you catch it during happy hour.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Christmas
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening date announced – including new spots
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets are merely months away, and the opening date and important details for 2026’s return have been announced.
It’s official… holidays are coming, and the countdown is on.
Just as we do every year, the Greater Manchester public has been eagerly awaiting news of when the city’s iconic Christmas Markets would be making a comeback for the 2026 festive season. And now, Manchester City Council has announced – initially via the MEN – that the famous wooden huts will be lining the city’s streets once again from the first week in November.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bring thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and to soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event, with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 return date has officially been confirmed / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
And there’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action this year.
There will also be big changes to St Ann’s Square this year, according to the Council, with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.
There’s officially eight weeks to go until the iconic wooden huts line the streets / Credit: Manchester City Council
Promising to be plenty on offer for seasonal shoppers of all ages, it has been confirmed that 2026 will see the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls take over Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.
Of course, everyone’s favourite big red legend, Zippy Santa, will also be back this year, although his location has not been set in stone just yet, so stay tuned.
“There’s nowhere that does Christmas quite like Manchester,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council.
“The return of Christmas festivities last year to Albert Square was a triumph and we’re looking to build on this success with a fantastic festive offer there again this year that is sure to be a hit with everyone who visits.
“Our legendary Christmas markets draw thousands upon thousands of visitors every year from right around the world and this year’s markets look set to be the very best yet, with a brand-new location in Lincoln Square just around the corner from Albert Square, and a brand-new look and even more stalls in St Ann’s Square.”
He concluded: “Christmas in Manchester will be absolutely magical this year and we can’t wait to welcome everyone and celebrate the festive season with them.”
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 will officially open across the city on Friday 6 November and close on Tuesday 22 December – with the exception of Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open right through until Sunday 3 January.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Christmas
Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Daisy Jackson -
14th December 2022 
