And the good news is that some of them are much smaller, quieter and more intimate than the madness that is the main Manchester Christmas Markets.
Venture outside your usual wooden huts and show your support for all the different Alternative Christmas Markets popping up around the city this December.
Alternative Christmas Markets in Manchester
Manchester Made Market at Deansgate Square
Manchester Made at Deansgate Square is an alternative Christmas Market in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
In the shadows of the Deansgate Square skyscrapers, a cosy and magical Christmas night market will take shape, filled with twinkling Christmas trees, food, drink, live music, and even a grotto.
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More than 40 artisanal traders and small businesses will take part over the three-day event, selling food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Highlights include a 20-piece choir, Gooey sweet treats, a Wild Grill experience plus German sausages from Millington Hall Farm, a Christmas tipi, and a Santa’s Grotto.
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4pm to 9pm on Friday 6 December; 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
The Night Market UK at Fairfield Social Club
People gathering to celebrate the festive season at Fairfield Social Club.Some of the stalls you can expect to see at The Night Market UK.Credit: Joel Chester via supplied
Bordering on Angel Meadows Park and only a short stroll from Manchester Victoria, Fairfield Social Club are hosting a dusk to nighttime event that is the gift that keeps on giving.
‘Shopping chores’ are about to become ‘shopping cheers’ as 50 local makers, bakers and shakers are about to tempt you with their irresistible treats.
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There’s standouts like Killa Carbs and FSC Garden Kitchen for your mind and body, with live music from DJs for your soul.
4pm to 11pm on Saturday 7 December | Tickets are £4 or there’s a two-ticket deal for £7 HERE.
This one’s less about shopping and more about Christmas Markets vibes – St John’s tennis court venue has been transformed into a winter wonderland, swapping green lawns for an ice blue rink.
There’s marshmallow roasting, a street-food truck and an open-air cinema where you can watch festive faves like ‘The Grinch’.
While taking in all your surroundings why not sip on a luxury hot chocolate with flavours spanning from honeycomb to chocolate orange.
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8am til late Monday to Friday throughout December; 12pm til late Saturday and Sunday | No tickets required.
Makers Market (across various locations)
An insight into the stalls on the day at Makers Market.Smiles all around at the Northern Quarter pop-up.One of the many intricate gifts you can buy at Makers Market.Credit: Supplied
The Makers Market is a staple in Northern Quarter with a recurring visit the second Sunday of each month, and December is no different.
These independent artisan creators are working just as hard as Santa’s Elves to bring the best handcrafted gifts to West Didsbury, Sale and Quayside.
Not limited to Manchester, for those wanting to have a mini Christmas excursion, there’s stalls running every weekend up until the big day in Chester too.
11am to 5pm on Sunday 8 December (Northern Quarter) | No tickets required, more locations HERE.
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Victorian Christmas Market in Stockport
Nutella Cafe at Merseyway, ran by the same company.That cheeky Elf on the Shelf is even making an appearance.Credit: Matthew Nichol via supplied / Supplied
Live your Dickens dream this winter as Stockport are putting a Victorian twist on the usual Christmas Market experience to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Enjoy fairground rides and food as well as a live choir to soundtrack and enhance your journey through these vintage huts.
Show off to all your friends about your time here with the on-site family Christmas picture area and enjoy some nutella covered treats. The chocolatey goodness may not have been around back then, but we can’t go a day without that gorgeous spread.
9am to 4pm Saturday 7 December | No tickets required.
Melanin Markets: Winter Wonders at The Royal Exchange
Those ever-so-cute Mélange Dolls at Melanin Markets in Manchester.Black creatives will be setting up stalls selling a variety of products including artwork like this.
This annual event is the largest festive celebration of Black-owned businesses and this time it’s residing at The Royal Exchange with a variation of vendors on hand to help you find your next cherished item.
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The name of this event may be frosty, but you’ll be nothing but warm as you soak up the live music covering everything from blues to reggae.
Esteemed traders Mélange Dolls will be selling toys that reflect the diversity of mixed-race and ethnic heritage children and CalyxDrinks will be selling some thirst-quenching Vegan beverages.
12pm to 5pm on Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
Winterhood at Diecast
This 250,000 square foot site has had a full Christmas transformation with the Tinsel Town Trailer Park, Club Leno and Brooklyn Beer Hall.
Mulled wine has some competition from the new festive spirit champ, mulled negroni, but there’s also cookie crumble hot chocolates on offer too, yum!
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There’s karaoke parties, fire pits, clubbing, steins and lots lots more, as Diecast has really decked the halls this year.
13 November to 31 December | Walk-ins welcome however book in advance to guarentee your table HERE.
FREE Santa’s Grotto at Bury The Rock
Christmas can be a costly feat however, Bury has got you covered with their free Santa’s Grotto running throughout December and everyday from 16 December til the lead up to Christmas.
Kids who visit the Grotto get to meet the big fat man with the long white beard when he stays in town for the month.
Although the Grotto is free, there are a handful of stalls surrounding this cosy cabin selling various sweet treats and kid-friendly attractions.
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Every weekend leading up to Christmas, everyday from 16 December to 24 December | No tickets required, opening times vary HERE.
These Christmas super fans started their celebrations off all the way back in November , so it’s no surprise they find themselves featured in this Alternative Christmas Market rundown.
From their giant-sized tree to their fairground attractions like the helter-skelter, Cheshire Oaks is flying the Christmas flag high for the North West.
Manchester’s iconic Bridgewater Hall to host FIVE Christmas events this year
Daisy Jackson
The Bridgewater Hall, one of Manchester’s finest music venues and concert halls, has announced a busy programme of Christmas events this year.
The beloved landmark has a schedule that includes something for all ages, from family-friendly shows and carol singing to epic orchestral evenings.
Over the course of the festive season, the Bridgewater Hall will host the music of the world’s greatest composers, travel back in time with nostalgic swing nights, and welcome in fans of all ages to get into the festive spirit.
This year’s schedule includes appearances from Sir Karl Jenkins, Horrible Histories, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and loads more.
Have a read below for the five big Christmas events at Bridgewater Hall this year.
Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins
Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins
The Bridgewater Hall will welcome a musical icon this Christmas, with a very special evening with Sir Karl Jenkins.
He’ll be conducting a spell-binding night of carols and festive classics, brought to life by the Manchester Concert Orchestra and presented by John Suchet.
Expect choirs, a full orchestra and a timeless evening of live music to get you into the Christmas spirit.
There’ll be music from Sir Karl’s hit festive albums Joy To The World and Stella Natalis, including Silent Night, Dulci Jubilo, Healing Light and plenty more.
Can you think of a more magical way to ring in Christmas than with traditional carol singing on Christmas Eve? Because we can’t.
The ultimate night of carolling will hit the Bridgewater Hall this winter, led by the inimitable Jonathan Cohen and featuring West End star Louise Dearman.
Belt your heart out to the likes of The Twelve Days of Chrismtas, Winter Wonderland, Frosty The Snowman, and plenty more beloved carols.
The Music of Zimmer vs Williams returns to Bridgewater Hall this Christmas
Composers don’t get much more iconic than Hans Zimmer and John Williams, who between them have crafted the most legendary movie music soundtracks of all time.
The 70-piece Manchester Concert Orchestra will be performing a selection of these in an almighty concert, where you’ll hear live renditions of soundtracks including Star Wars, Interstellar, Harry Potter, The Holiday, Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T., and loads more.
This night will be an epic head-to-head battle between two of the film industry’s composing greats.
The legendary Horrible Histories team will bring Horrible Christmas to the Bridgewater Hall in December, taking audiences on a festive romp through British history.
From Victorian villains to medieval monks, partying Puritans to terrible Tudors, and even a visit from St Nicholas himself.
The show will follow a Christmas that’s under threat from a jolly man in red (clue – it’s Santa), and one brave child’s mission to save the day.
It’ll be a night packed with family-friendly laughs, villains, and seasonal cheer.
Wrapping up the seasonal programme at the Bridgewater Hall is The Glen Miller Orchestra, stepping back in time to relive the music that defined an era.
The UK’s most celebrated big band will perform war-time chart-toppers from the 1940s, harking Manchester back to the golden age of swing.
Special guest Ray McVay will join the orchestra on stage, adding to the concert’s vintage charm.
And for the second half of the show, the band will don the iconic US Army Air Force uniforms of the Second World War for a truly immersive experience.
Manchester’s magical Christmas Parade is back to take over city centre again for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s magical Christmas Parade is returning for 2025, and it’s set to be one of the most heartwarming events of the festive season.
Returning this December and now in its fourth year, the annual parade has been a favourite with Mancs since first taking place in the city in December 2022 – and this year, it’s back once again to delight children, families, and anyone young at heart when it makes its way through the city centre‘s main shopping streets.
Organisers are not just spreading the festive cheer this year, they’re also giving community groups across Greater Manchester a chance to join in and be part of the Christmas magic.
That’s right – you can be a part of the parade in 2025.
A call has gone out to community groups of all kinds to come and be part of the parade and play their part in helping fill the event with Mancunian spirit.
Manchester City Council is hoping to make what is already the UK’s best Christmas Parade even more magical this year.
Manchester Christmas Parade will be making its way through the city centre this festive season / Credit: Manchester City Council
You can expect 2025’s parade day on Sunday 7 December to be filled with music and laughter, as well as the return of Manchester’s very-own Elf Express, complete with VIP passenger Santa hitching a ride on his way to the North Pole, together with his trusty team of elves.
Not only that, but you can also expect also to see Nutcracker-inspired toy soldiers sweeping their way through the parade on segways whilst happy to stop and pose for saluting selfies, a roaming Christmas tree, a pair of gentle giant-sized reindeer, a stunning arctic fox, and Jack Frost himself.
Brand-new for this year will be the fantastic Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle, which stands over three-meters tall and is truly the stuff of fairytales.
Our iconic Manchester Christmas Parade returns. 🎄✨☃️
On Sunday 7 December, enjoy a free day out in the city centre as our streets are filled with festive characters, spectacular performances and magical sights.
And of course it wouldn’t be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the Snow Queen, right? Everyone’s favourite enchanting visitor will mesmerise crowds as she sits in her giant snow globe sliding her way through the city streets.
Live bands and orchestras will be playing classic Christmas tunes, and don’t forget to watch out for plenty of pop-up festive fun around the city on the day.
“There’s nowhere that does Christmas quite like Manchester,” commented Cllr Pat Karney.
“Seeing the joy and wonder on the faces of everyone as they watch the Parade would melt even the hardest of hearts, and this year, we’re going all out to put on an unmissable show that makes memories for children and families that last a lifetime.”
Organisers are encouraging local community groups to apply to join in / Credit: Manchester City Council
This year’s Christmas Parade will follow a route that starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral, taking in many of the city centre’s main shopping streets like Deansgate, Cross Street, Market Street, and more along the way.
Exact timings of the parade will be confirmed nearer the parade date, so keep your eyes peeled.
Community groups interested in taking part are asked to make contact with parade organisers here, with the closing date for expressions of interest being Monday 27 October.
You can find more information about Christmas in Manchester here.
Thomas Melia -
5th December 2024 
