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.
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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.
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
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.
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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.
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.
Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year
Daisy Jackson
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. 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
Disney On Ice is returning to Manchester this winter on latest UK arena tour
Danny Jones
Whether you’re looking for something to give your children a thrill, or you’re a fully fledged ‘Disney adult’ yourself, you’ll be glad to hear that the smash-hit Disney On Ice show is coming back to Manchester city centre later this year.
Returning globally for its 45th anniversary and celebrating over three and a half decades here in the UK, Disney On Ice is set for its 16th edition here in Manchester this winter.
Bringing iconic characters, storylines and scenes to life with incredible choreographed ice-skating routines, as well as all-singing-all-dancing musical numbers, you won’t find many more spectacular family-friendly live shows than this one.
Well and truly a staple of the annual entertainment calendar around the globe, these performances attract millions every year, and now thousands more will get to watch the latest version at the AO Arena.
As written on the social media post confirming the next batch of dates, the venue wrote: “Follow the quest for Tinker Bell through the dazzling worlds of Coco, Moana, Frozen, and Beauty and the Beast.
“Experience thrilling skating and memorable moments from Aladdin, Toy Story, and The Little Mermaid. Watch Stitch crash the action with mischievous surprises. It’s non-stop fun for the whole family!”
Dubbed ‘Discover The Magic’, this upcoming iteration of the Disney format is said to be all about “celebrating love and bravery”; expect more than 170 dazzling costumes made by over 100 artisans using thousands of yards of fabric, adorned with hundreds of thousands of hand-set Swarovski crystals.
One of the most impressive parts about these performers – besides their obvious gifts for music and movement – is how quickly they change outfits, transforming in under 30 seconds before stepping back out onto the impressively designed stage, which is estimated to weigh in excess of 12,000 pounds.
You can take a glance at the scenes from their most recent spring tour of a similar name down below.
Such an impressive display all-round.
You can find the full list of UK shows here – we’ve highlighted all the Northern ones for you:
Disney On Ice UK tour dates – winter 2026/27
Birmingham bp pulse LIVE: Oct 28 – Nov 8, 2026
Newcastle Utilita Arena: Nov 11 – Nov 15, 2026
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena: Nov 19 – Nov 22, 2026
Aberdeen P&J Live: Nov 26 – Nov 29, 2026
Belfast SSE: Dec 3 – Dec 6, 2026
Sheffield Utilita Arena: Dec 9 – Dec 13, 2026
Manchester AO Arena: Dec 16 – Dec 20, 2026
London The O2: Dec 24 – Jan 3, 2027
With the likes of other big Disney Concerts and the Entertainment group productions coming to Manchester over the next year or so, including the recently announced Worlds Collide UK crossover tour, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in all kinds of classic movie magic.
The pre-sale opens from 10am this Friday, 12 June, which you can prepare for now; as for general admission, tickets will be available from the same time on the last Friday of the month (26 June).
All-new VIP magical passes have also been added for the very first time this year, meaning guests of all ages can enjoy all the glitz and glamour possible.
Whatever package you and/or the kids fancy, you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
For anyone interested in seeing other animated and digital favourites brought to life in the flesh right here in the city centre, this one might interest you, too…
Calling all self-declared otakus, cinephiles and gamers – this one looks right up your street. 🎼
Daisy Jackson -
4th December 2025 
