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Christmas

In photos – the Manchester Christmas Markets open for 2024

In the words of Mariah Carey - it's tiiiiiiime!

Daisy Jackson - 8th November 2024

The Manchester Christmas Markets have sprung open for another year, and I know what you’re thinking – it’s only November!

But it’s never too early to cram in among the wooden huts and sip on a mulled wine, in our opinion, so we’ve been out in the thick of it all day today.

The huge festive celebration runs from 8 November until Sunday 22 December, which means a whole weekend of markets than we normally have.

For another year, Albert Square is sadly out of action, but the main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets has shifted across to Piccadilly Gardens again, transforming them into the Winter Gardens.

Dotted all around the city you’ll find food, booze, music, gifts, and all sorts of other delightfully fun festive things to sink your teeth into.

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Click or swipe through the gallery below to see more photos from the first day of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024.

Garlic potatoes

Garlic potatoes

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Christmas

You can be a part of Christmas movie history by travelling on The Polar Express near Manchester

A stream train experience inspired by one of the biggest Christmas films of all time is happening just outside of Manchester.

Released back in 2004, The Polar Express is the seventh highest-grossing Christmas film of all time, and is packed with a star-studded cast, including Tom Hanks voicing multiple characters, and the Elf Lieutenant and Elf Singer both fronted by Aerosmith lead singer, Steven Tyler.

The love for the film has only grown stronger over the years, amassing worldwide acclaim – with train rides inspired by the film taking place in Canada, Grand Canyon in the US, and now, not too far from Manchester.

You can be a part of Christmas movie history by travelling on The Polar Express near Manchester / Credit: Publicity Picture

You can be a part of Christmas movie history by travelling on The Polar Express near Manchester / Credit: Publicity Picture

Churnet Valley Railway is clearly as big of a fan of the film as the rest of the world, and is bringing the steam train ride to children and adults alike, offering both a standard and premium class tickets.

Passengers who purchase standard tickets receive a free hot chocolate, a freshly-baked cookie, and a silver sleigh bell.

Guests who are considering the premium ticket are treated to an exclusive souvenir ceramic mug, while groups will get a train ride goodie bag to share, as well as hot chocolate, cookie, and silver bell.

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This steam railway might just win the award for biggest the Polar Express fans ever, as they have an online blog dedicated to fun little quotes from the characters, biographies on the main cast, and breaking down key scenes directly from the film.

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There’s even an article dedicated to pyjama etiquette and it encourages guests to wear their bedtime gowns too, So go on, put your best comfies on and hop on this old-school steam train.

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Tickets for The Polar Express Train Ride taking place at Churnet Valley Railway are already onsale, and you can grab them here.

Featured Image – Publicity Picture

Christmas

This little hidden Manchester cinema is screening loads of classic Christmas films this festive season

Elf, Love Actually, and Home Alone are just some of the classic Christmas films soon hitting the big screen at a hidden cinema in Manchester.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans and families looking for some wholesome festive fun are being invited to get themselves down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels in the lead-up to the big day itself.

King Street Townhouse‘s very-own exclusive cinema will be screening a jam-packed lineup of fan-favourite festive films over the next two months to celebrate Christmas in style.

The Christmas screenings will be taking over the little cinema from this Saturday (16 November), right through to Christmas Eve.

This little hidden Manchester cinema is screening loads of classic Christmas films this festive season / Credit: KSTH

With a marathon of three films set to be screened on each day of the event, the Christmas screenings schedule kicks off on Saturday 9 December at 2pm with the absolute cult-classic that is Elf, all before you can sit down to watch Love Actually, and Home Alone on the same day.

Other festive favourites on the lineup across other weekends include It’s a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, The Muppet Christmas Carol, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Die Hard.

Tickets to each of the Christmas screenings are now on sale, and start at just £16.50 each.

You can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats beforehand too, if you’d like.

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Grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – KSTH