The Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing, and despite having a new layout this year and a few brilliant new traders, they are kinda the same as always.
So if you’re seeking out something a bit different for your festive day out, Christmas shopping, or even dinner, there are a few alternative markets to try this winter.
From a brand-new event where street food traders centre around a flaming mulled wine bar, to one of the region’s best-loved weekend markets that now has a festive twist, there’s absolutely loads going on.
These spots are a great place to discover new local businesses, buy something from an independent creator, and fill your cup with festive cheer too.
So if you’ve had your fill of Piccadilly Gardens, King Street and Albert Square, get your skates on and try these alternative Christmas markets around Greater Manchester instead.
Down in the St John’s district, beneath a 200-capacity heated stretch tent, you’ll find all sorts of independent food and drink, and even a Christmas tree shop.
Christmas at St John’s is curated and operated by GRUB – and if you love to spend your spare time in a market setting, you’ll already know you couldn’t be in more trustworthy hands than this.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the centre of everything is a Feuerzangenbowle bar, serving flaming mulled wines, with pop-ups from resident favourites like Trading Route and Stables Tavern as well as Good Wines and Verdant brewery.
And as for the food, you’ll find traders like V Goode Pies, Bab Korean, and Spuds Bros.
There’s a brand-new feasting hub on the waterfront at Salford Quays this year, and again, it’s the award-winning GRUB at the helm.
ADVERTISEMENT
GRUB On The Docks: Christmas Takeover is transforming the On The Docks site into a cosy Christmas market, with great food, winter drinks, festive entertainment, community-led experiences, and even a mini Christmas market.
The core trader lineup includes local favourites like CAFF, Above and Beyond, Baby Mayhem, and Wholesome Junkies.
Christmas is here at Circle Square
Circle Square is a great spot to visit for an alternative to the main Manchester Christmas Market. Credit: Studio Vertigo
Over at Circle Square just off Oxford Road, you’ll find a vibrant winter wonderland has overtaken this new neighbourhood, with loads of events going on (and the beauty of this vs the Christmas Markets is that they’re all indoors…).
There’s a festive paint and sip event at Hello Oriental (10 December), Christmas chocolate making with cocktails at North Bar (17 December), and a gingerbread decorating workshop at Tsujiri (13 December).
Then all the businesses that call this area home will have festive specials on, like a festive feast pizza at Taphouse, mince pie danishes at Half Dozen Other, and more from Onda, Meatworks, Detroit Slims, Monkey Trio and Federal.
The North’s largest indoor and outdoor winter festival is now open at @Freight Island ✨ Twilight Tales is a new immersive light and story experience in the garden, and inside, Winter Island has taken over with festive food to enjoy. 🎄 #manchester#christmas#thingstodoinmanchester#christmastime#manc
Winter Island has returned to Freight Island, the enormous street food and events space just near Manchester Piccadilly – and there’s a brand-new light trail here too.
Twilight Tales has taken over the heated courtyard, filling it with a twinkling Christmas tree forest and other glowing installations and promising to be the most financially accessible Christmas experience with tickets from only £5.
Beyond that, you’ll find loads of new food inside Winter Island, including V. Goode Pies.
The Makers Market
The Makers Markets are one of the most long running and popular marketplace events in Greater Manchester, taking place in a different neighbourhood every single weekend.
These beloved markets have naturally taken a festive twist as Christmas draws closer with masses of traders selling all kinds of seasonal gifts, food and drink.
ADVERTISEMENT
Before Christmas actually arrives, you’ll still find some Xmas markets from these guys, including at Quayside, plus less Christmas-focused markets in areas like the Northern Quarter, Prestwich, Sale, Chorlton and West Didsbury.
Why should your dog miss out on all the festive action, when there’s an alternative Christmas Market created especially for them?
Bruce’s Doggy Day Care in Lymm is bringing the ultimate Christmas market to Cheshire, in support of Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home.
You’ll find a Santa Paws the Grotto where dogs can meet Santa and get a treat, explore Bruce’s Elf Trail, and check out a series of arts, craft and gift opportunities including artisan gifts for dog parents.
ADVERTISEMENT
And both you and four-legged friend can warm up afterwards with puppacinos and mulled wine.
New survey reveals Britain’s ULTIMATE Christmas dinner combo – including ‘surprising’ sides
Emily Sergeant
A new survey of the British public has revealed what our ultimate Christmas dinner combination is, including some very surprising sides.
With December now well underway and the festive feasting season already thriving, it won’t be long until the big day is here and lots of Brits sit down to tuck into the heartiest meal they’ll likely have all year – their Christmas dinner, of course.
But do we all like to eat the same things? Apparently not.
You may remember that a survey conducted a couple of years back found that a good chunk of Brits would prefer to eat a curry over a traditional Christmas dinner, but now, a big new survey by YouGov has revealed what the nation’s ultimate Christmas dinner combination would be in the year 2025 – all the way from mains, to sides, to dessert.
A new survey has revealed Britain’s ultimate Christmas dinner combo / Credit: PickPic | Pxhere
When it comes to mains, it’s no surprise (or maybe it is?) that turkey still rules the roost at the Christmas dinner table, with 57% of Brits having it as part of their main meal.
On the other hand though, chicken or beef are not uncommon, with just under a quarter (24%) having either as part of their Christmas dinner, while one in seven(15%) tuck into some Christmas ham, and 10% of festive dinner tables feature other joints of pork.
Vegetarian or vegan alternatives, such as the ever-popular nut roasts, were found to feature on the Christmas dinner table for 13% of Brits.
When it comes to sides, it really is no surprise this time that roast potatoes and gravy take the crown, with around eight in 10 Brits (79-81%) accompanying their roasts with the duo.
Everything from mains, to sides, to desserts are on the menu / Credit: Realmac Software (via Unsplash)
Carrots will be on the table at 76% of Christmas dinners, while just over two thirds (70%) will feature stuffing, pigs in blankets, or Brussels sprouts, 62% typically have parsnips, and half (49%) add Yorkshire puddings to their plate.
Roughly four in 10 (40-42%) include cranberry sauce or broccoli, and 51% of us lot in the North will include mashed potatoes in the mix too.
Surprisingly, 16% add bread sauce to their plate, and 5% even opt for potato dauphinoise.
Ready to chat sweet treats? When it comes to dessert to finish things off, traditional classics like Christmas pudding (41%) and mince pies (31%) come out on top, but a little lower down the list you’ll also find trifle (18%), sticky toffee pudding (9%), and even stollen (5%).
On the flip side though, the survey also found that a traditional roast dinner doesn’t feature in everyone’s festive seasons, with 7% of Brits saying they have something else as their main meal on Christmas Day.
Featured Image – Nicole Michalou (via Pexels)
Christmas
Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho
Danny Jones
Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.
Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.
Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)
MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info
When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?
For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.
MCR Xmas Parade route
As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.
It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.
There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).
You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.
Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)
8am-5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am-3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)
11am-6pm
St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)
As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.
It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.
There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.
With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.
Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.
Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.
Credit: Supplied)
We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.
Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.
Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.
“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.
“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…
Daisy Jackson -
4th December 2025 
