Christmas

Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 – dates, locations, times, map and stalls

Let the festivities begin.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 7th October 2024

The Manchester Christmas Markets will be back in town for their 2024 edition before we know it, filling the streets with people and festive cheer.

From the stalls selling traditional German market-style food like bratwurst and gluhwein, to local operators whipping up festive specials, the food is a big part of the appeal.

There are also shops selling all sorts of gifts and handmade items right across the city centre.

Christmas in Manchester is the most magical time of the year, and the markets are one of the city’s biggest annual attractions.

Tens of thousands of people will head into the city centre for the celebrations, and whether it’s your first time or your 26th we’ve rounded up your essential guide to the Manchester Christmas Markets.

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What dates are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024?

  • Friday 8 November until Sunday 22 December.
  • Food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens will stay open until 31 December.

Due to the ways that the dates fall this year, the Manchester Christmas Markets run actually includes seven weekends in 2024 instead of the usual six.

Map of the 2024 Manchester Christmas Markets

Map of the 2024 Manchester Christmas Markets
Map of the 2024 Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: Supplied

All the locations of the Manchester Christmas Markets in 2024

The Winter Gardens at Piccadilly Gardens

The central hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets once again in 2024, the Winter Gardens will be a hive of festive activity.

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There’ll be traditional food like pancakes, bratwursts, churros, and more, with bars serving continental and foreign ales, and the beloved all-year-round Piccadilly Street Food Market will also stay open until 9pm each night.

Two new twinkling marquees will host live entertainment and music every day.

Market Street

Manchester’s bustling main shopping street will be filled with 45 different stalls selling bespoke crafts, gifts and produce, like crowd favourites of freshly baked coconut macaroons and cheese truckles.

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Cathedral Gardens

In what might be the prettiest corner of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024, the Skate Manchester outdoor ice rink will be back this year.

Beside that there’ll be free live entertainment every Thursday to Sunday until New Year’s Eve, authentic crepes, gourmet hotdogs, hot chocolate, and much more.

St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street

The original site of Manchester Christmas Markets, here you can cosy up in an undercover bar with a boozy beverage, and enjoy a huge selection of authentic German goods from some of the markets’ longest-standing traders.

Expect 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.

New Cathedral Street

Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 - dates, locations, times and stalls confirmed
The Witch House at New Cathedral Street at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024. Credit: The Manc Group

New Cathedral Street is the go-to spot for high end gifts and foodie favourites, like handmade candles, ceramics, local spirits, and thoughtful keepsakes.

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It’s also home to the legendary The Witch House (just look for the giant sausage statue).

Exchange Square

The Mill Exchange will be back serving up a whole menu of Mancunian mulled wine, plus this spot is home to the legendary Yorkshire pudding wraps from Porky Pig.

King Street

Down on King Street you’ll find authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, plus festive twists on the beloved Spanish cooking from El Gato Negro.

The Corn Exchange

Here at The Corn Exchange you can expect handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.

Opening and closing times for Manchester Christmas Markets 2024

The Manchester Christmas Markets will be back for 2024. Credit: The Manc Group
The Manchester Christmas Markets will be back for 2024. Credit: The Manc Group
The Manchester Christmas Markets will be back for 2024. Credit: The Manc Group

Generally across the markets, craft and gift stalls will trade from 10am to 8pm, while food and drink stalls will serve from 11am to 9pm daily.

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On the final day, 22 December, the markets close at 6pm, except for the food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open until 31 December.

  • Piccadilly Gardens – 10am to 9pm (craft stalls until 8pm)
  • Market Street – 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday; 10am to 6pm Sundays
  • Cathedral Gardens – 10am to 9pm daily
  • St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street – 10am to 9pm daily (craft stalls until 8pm)
  • New Cathedral Street – 10am to 9pm daily (craft stalls until 8pm)
  • Exchange Square – 10am to 9pm daily (craft stalls until 8pm)
  • King Street – 10am to 9pm (craft stalls until 8pm)
  • The Corn Exchange – 10am to 9pm (craft stalls until 8pm)

How much is food and drink?

Until the Manchester Christmas Markets officially open, we don’t know how much food and drink will cost for 2024.

But prices have been steadily climbing every single year, with mulled wine up to £5.50 last year (from £5 the year before), and Yorkshire pudding wraps hopping up £2 to a tenner each.

Don’t be surprised to be facing £6 mulled wines in 2024, basically…

Manchester Christmas Market 2024 mug design

Another tradition of the Manchester Christmas Markets are the special yearly mug designs.

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Each year the council debuts new mugs, with previous designs like festive characters and patterns. This year is no different, with cartoon figures depicting Mr and Mrs Claus, plus festive elves.

These are available to use for your wines and hot chocolates across the markets for a £3.50 deposit, or you can take it home with you as a souvenir.

Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets

The city centre gets busy during November and December, so people are urged to use public transport wherever possible to travel in and out of the city centre for the Manchester Christmas Markets.

There are plenty of other events running alongside the festivities, from huge football matches to gigs at the AO Arena to Black Friday sales.

The Bee Network app will help you to plan your journey.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Christmas

London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.

Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.

Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.

This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.

The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.
Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.
Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.
Credit: Justin De Souza

Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.

Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.

We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.

If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.

There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.

Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.
The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.
The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.
Credit: Justin De Souza

New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.

You had us at booze and scran.

Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.

Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Justin De Souza (supplied)

Christmas

Manchester’s Heaton Park to host dazzling new immersive light trail this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Northern Lights

Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails makes its Manchester debut.

Once the sun goes down this winter, visitors will be able step into an immersive world of light and sound as Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot- will be descending on our city’s largest park, and bringing a breathtaking festive experience for all ages along with it.

Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, and in the Welsh capital Cardiff, Northern Lights has captured national attention with its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere. 

The mile-long route will feature up to 12 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.

Winding through Heaton Park’s iconic grounds, visitors will encounter glowing tunnels, enchanted glades, and a stunning illuminated lake scene, all designed to spark wonder as the magical festive season arrives.

“We’re putting together an experience that is completely new and unlike anything seen on the park before,” explained Roxy Robinson, who is the Creative Director at From the Fields, ahead of the trail arriving this November. 

“Our goal is to create a magical evening out that feels joyful, atmospheric, and a little bit extraordinary, and we want people to step into a different world for 90 minutes and leave with huge smiles on their faces.”

Manchester will be hosting a dazzling new immersive light trail this winter / Credit: Supplied

Alongside the trail, there’ll also be a ‘Christmas Village’ serving up mulled wine, hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and street food from Manchester’s finest independent traders, alongside vintage fairground rides, and open fire pits to complete the winter vibes.

Northern Lights is not only one of the UK’s most successful festive light events, but it’s also one of the most accessible, as the Manchester trail will be fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams once it arrives this winter, following hard paths, ramps, and matted areas, with no steps in sight.

On top of this, there’ll also be dedicated quiet sessions for neurodivergent visitors, and the chance to get wristbands allowing queue-jumping for those with additional needs.

Northern Lights
Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder once the sun sets / Credit: Supplied

Northern Lights will arrive at Heaton Park later this year from 20 November – 31 December 2025, with timed entry slots every 15 minutes from 4:15pm up until 8:15pm (times may vary during off-peak days), and tickets going on sale from 3 June – with prices starting at £15 for adults, £5 for children aged three and up, and under threes going free.

‘Early bird’ registration is now open though, meaning you can get 20% off tickets for a limited time only, and even be in with a chance of winning a family pass and £50 spending voucher.

Read more:

Find out more and sign up for tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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