Christmas

Alternative Christmas Markets to visit around Greater Manchester in 2025

That's more like it

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th December 2025

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.

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Christmas at St John’s

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.

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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.

GRUB on the docks

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.

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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
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.

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Winter Island at Freight Island

@the.manc

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

♬ original sound – The 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.

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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.

See more HERE.

Bruce’s Doggy Christmas Market

Alternative Christmas Markets around Greater Manchester include one for your dog

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.

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And both you and four-legged friend can warm up afterwards with puppacinos and mulled wine.

Register HERE to attend.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Christmas

Co-op Live appears to tease major Mariah Carey Christmas gig sending fans into a frenzy

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

All we want for Christmas… is Mariah Carey in Manchester.

And maybe, just maybe, our Christmas wish might come true very soon, as Co-op Live has taken to social media today to tease its next gig announcement with its hundreds of thousands of followers, and without jumping to conclusions, it does appear to be hinting at the queen of Christmas herself making an appearance.

Look, we know it’s only July and right in the middle of summer, but even if you think it’s too early to be talking about the festive season, you have to admit that the potential of Mariah Carey coming to Manchester is worth getting excited any time of the year.

The US pop powerhouse last performed in our city nearly a decade ago now when she brought her famous All I Want For Christmas show to the UK for the first time ever, taking to sold-out Manchester Arena stage on 10 December 2017.

Mariah has not performed in Manchester since, but all that could be set to change as Co-op Live has hinted that an announcement is ‘coming soon’.

Taking to its official social media platforms today, Co-op Live posted a very festive-themed AI video of snow falling on the arena as the camera zoomed in and the instrumental of Mariah’s absolutely iconic hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ playing in the background, and the caption hinting at the song’s title too.

Of course, we could be wrong, it might not be Mariah at all, but if the 300+ comments from fans in a frenzy thinking the same as us are anything to go by, it’s looking like we might be right.

“The countdown to Christmas is on,” Co-op Live said in its video, before letting fans know that they would be getting some form of confirmation soon.

Read more:

So, is it Mariah then? What do you think? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.

Featured Image – Picryl

Christmas

Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year

The festive light trail that proved to be a smash hit last winter will make a return to Manchester this year.

Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.

The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland with 14 different installations, plus selfie spots along the route.

And there’ll be a limited Kids Go Free offer on select dates, as well as inclusive evenings with reduced capacity and lower audio levels.

Northern Lights attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its Heaton Park debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board.

This year, A Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.

Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.

Northern Lights is returning to Manchester
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester. Credit: Supplied

Visitors will walk along Candy Cane Lane, admire a giant neon slinky, and ogle at shimmering nutcrackers.

There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops, and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.

Demand is expected to be high for this year’s festivities, with Early Bird tickets just released to get you the best value prices of the year.

Emma St.Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “The response to Northern Lights Manchester last year exceeded all of our expectations.

“The warmth and enthusiasm from visitors made it incredibly special for our team, and we’re delighted to be returning to Heaton Park with something completely new.

“Since January, we’ve been reimagining every part of the experience. A Christmas Time Machine takes visitors on a journey through the festive moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down. Nodding to the traditions we return to year after year, the nostalgia of Christmases gone by, and the excitement of creating new memories together.

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back and share this next chapter of Northern Lights with families, friends and loved ones from across the region.”

Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December. Visitor numbers will be reduced by 75%, with lower audio levels throughout the trail to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.

Northern Lights Manchester tickets

  • Kids Go Free offer – available on selected Off-Peak Early Bird dates until 31 August (or until allocation is exhausted. Use code KIDSLIGHTS before selecting tickets to unlock.
  • Early Bird Pricing
    • Peak tickets – from £17.25 including transaction fee
    • Off-peak tickets – from £13.75 including transaction fee

Book your tickets HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

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