Christmas advert season has officially arrived, with the likes of Asda, Boots, M&S and more all having revealed their offerings this year. However, we might just have a new favourite thanks to Aldi.
Released on Mon 7 November, the 2022 Aldi Christmas advert revolves around this year’s Qatar World Cup, as the tournament will obviously be played throughout the festive period, with the final set for 18 December.
It’s fair to say that the holidays and the rare winter World Cup are almost going hand in hand this year and despite the controversy surrounding the tournament itself, the supermarket chain couldn’t ignore how central it’s going to be the seasonal celebrations.
Without further ado, here is the new Aldi Christmas advert, ‘Feast of Football’, in all its glory:
As you can see, Aldi have managed to squeeze in a number of famous players and their punny grocery equivalents into 50-seconds of fast-paced festive and footballing fun.
ADVERTISEMENT
Complete with the first-class commentary from the one and only Peter Drury, the advert features the likes of Ronaldi, Messy, MmmBap and Bean (we sincerely hope this was supposed to be Roy Keane); Macarooney, Beth Swead, Marrowdona and, finally, the return of Kevin the Carrot.
There’s even a Cuthbert the Caterpillar cameo – did you spot it?
Our only complaint is that we didn’t see an appearance from Manchester’s very own Marcus Radishford like we did in last year’s Aldi Christmas ad, which we’d argue is in the all-time top 10.
We’ll let them off this time. Christmas spirit and all that.
Seeing Buddy from Elf pop in the Asda Xmas ad was pretty cool but who doesn’t love Kevin? The jury is still out until the John Lewis Christmas advert is out but we’ll admit, this one gave us a little chuckle.
A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.
This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.
Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.
Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.
‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.
Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.
Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.
Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.
And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.
Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.
Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.
“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“
Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 – dates, locations, and essential information
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 are upon us, bringing festive cheer, seasonal shopping and winter warmer food and drink to the city centre.
The massive annual event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city, with the streets filled with wooden sheds and glittering lights.
Alongside all the food, drink and shopping that the event brings, there’s an ice rink over at Cathedral Gardens and a brand-new big wheel with views of the Manchester Town Hall.
The light installations will also be returning to St Peter’s Square this year.
The Manchester Christmas Markets will return to Albert Square for its 2025 instalment, for the first time in six years.
There’ll be more than 200 stalls to explore across the city centre selling everything from traditional bratwurst and gluhwein to more local and viral treats from familiar independent businesses.
Read on for your essential information for the 2025 Manchester Christmas Markets.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 dates
This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place from Friday 7 November to Monday 22 December 2025.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets will open at ten locations across the city on Friday 7 November and close on Monday 22 December, except for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will remain open throughout the Christmas period until 4 January 2026.
Christmas in Manchester will also see the Skate Manchester Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens open for Christmas skaters from Friday 7 November until Sunday 4 January, and the magical Manchester Christmas Parade which will take place on Sunday 7 December.
The Manchester Christmas Markets will finally return to their home at Albert Square this winter, but it’ll look a little different to in previous years.
‘A Taste of Christmas’ will include a 50-metre-high Ferris wheel, as well as a bespoke market with twinkling lights and covered seating.
There’ll be traditional food and drink like a German swing grill, German beers, waffles and pancakes, as well as loaded hash browns from Wrap Up, and stalls selling a range of crafts, including jewellery, clothing and handmade decorations.
Piccadilly Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens will again be the main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets, transforming into the Winter Gardens.
There’ll be global flavours from the traders here, like Greek gyros, British comfort food, Brazilian street food and Korean hot dogs.
And Crimble Crumbles will be back again with their famous fruit crumble desserts, served with lashings of custard.
There’ll be covered seating areas, as well as karaoke huts from Bar Hutte.
Market Street
Manchester’s bustling main shopping street will be filled with more than 40 different stalls selling bespoke crafts, gifts and produce, like crowd favourites of freshly baked coconut macaroons and cheese truckles.
The beautiful Cathedral Gardens is home to Skate Manchester again, a huge ice rink where you can whizz around beneath a towering Christmas tree.
This is the most family-friendly corner of the Manchester Christmas Markets, with plenty of activities to entertain little ones all the way into the New Year.
ADVERTISEMENT
This part of the markets also stays open until 4 January 2026, and there’s a hub of authentic food and drink.
St Ann’s Square
St Ann’s Square is the original home of the Manchester Christmas Markets, and it still keeps that traditional atmosphere alive and well.
There’ll be music from singers and community choirs, and an undercover bar where you can fill up on German beers and gluhwein.
Exchange Street
Last year’s viral melted chocolate taps will be back this year on Exchange Street, free-poured over strawberries, brownies, or straight into miniature chocolate cups.
There’ll also be new loaded hash browns, and stalls selling lovely festive gifts too.
ADVERTISEMENT
New Cathedral Street
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025The Flat Baker will return to the Manchester Christmas Markets 2025
Nothing signals the start of the Manchester Christmas Markets quite like the arrival of the giant sausage statue on New Cathedral Street, which will be back for 2025 at the iconic Witch House.
As well as those traditional German bratwurst and beers, you can buy rum, leather goods and other keepsakes all the way down the row of huts.
There’ll also be steak frites, burittos from Mango Rays, and craft drinks at Bar 3.
Exchange Square
Exchange Square is one of the largest sites in the city, home to the legendary The Mill Exchange bar with a whole host of homemade mulled wine flavours.
This is also where you’ll find the always-popular Porky Pig and their Yorkshire pudding wraps, as well as loads and loads of other food and drink.
ADVERTISEMENT
And as for the shopping, expect everything from soaps to Turkish delight.
King Street
This is always one of the cosiest and most traditional corners of the Manchester Christmas Markets, a row of wooden huts tucked in between the high-end shops and restaurants of King Street.
There are two new bars this year offering an upmarket drinking experience, plus food stalls selling chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, Greek gyros and plenty more.
And this is the home of picky bits, with an Italian deli selling gourmet meats and cheeses.
The Corn Exchange
Last but not least will be a huddle of craft stalls between the Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, where you can purchase pork pies, artisan cheeses, and handmade truffles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 opening and closing times
Albert Square
7 November to 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): closed
26 to 30 December: 10am to 6pm
31 December (New Year’s Eve): 10–12.30am
1 to 4 January: 10am to 6pm
Cathedral Gardens
24 October to 6 November: 10am to 8pm
7 November to 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): closed
26 December to 4 January: 10am to 5pm
Other locations
Piccadilly Gardens – 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December
Market Street – 10am to 9pm every day except Sundays, when the market will close at 6pm
St Ann’s Square – every day between 10am and 9pm
Exchange Street – 10am to 9pm daily
New Cathedral Street – 10am to 8pm daily
Exchange Square – daily from 10am to 9pm
King Street – every day 10am to 9pm
Corn Exchange – open daily from 10am to 8pm
Manchester Christmas Markets mug design and price
The design and price for the Manchester Christmas Markets mugs 2025 has been revealed. Credit: Manchester City Council
Festive, collectible, colourful mugs are a huge staple of the Manchester Christmas Markets – and the designs for 2025 are a true Mancunian affair, capturing several festive landmarks in the style of a colourful toy town.
That includes illustrations of the iconic windmill bar, a huge Christmas tree, and a neat row of Christmas Markets huts, complete with traders and (of course) a gigantic bratwurst statue.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Manchester Christmas Markets mugs deposit remains at £3.50 for 2025, which you can sacrifice to take your mug home as a keepsake or have refunded when you return your mug to the bar.
The mugs will be available at all 10 market locations from opening day on Friday 7 November, while stocks last (and they have sold out in the previous three years).
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.
Danny Jones -
7th November 2022 
