Christmas

Manchester Christmas Markets voted best in the UK — because of course they are

Even without Albert Square, we're still bossing it.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 25th October 2022

Fellow festive fanatics and Mancs everywhere, rejoice! People have cast their votes as to the best Christmas markets in the UK and there was only ever going to be one winner...

It’s Manchester. Duh.

We have absolutely no problem in tooting our own horn when it comes to having the best Xmas markets in the land and, apparently, neither does everyone else.

That’s right, according to a recent survey carried out by Christmas Tree World, the UK’s best Christmas markets are in Manchester and we couldn’t agree more.

Building a score based on factors such as how long they stay open, value for money; social mentions, monthly search volume, the quality of nearby accommodation and much more, Manchester beat the likes of Nottingham, Leeds and Birmingham with an average score of 7.54 out of 10.

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Credit: @Barrie Leach/Manchester City Council (via Flickr) 

Despite coming to second the much-loved Edinburgh Christmas Markets in terms of the most searched worldwide (the same lot that beat us last year), the MCR Christmas staple is the most-searched-for festive event in the UK, with over 60,000 monthly Google searches and 8,000+ mentions on Instagram.

My Voyage Scotland, claimed that Edinburgh is averaging approximately 87,000 global searches a month to Manchester’s 54,000 but based on UK figures, it would seem most Brits know where their hearts lie come the holiday season.

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Even more impressively, 0161’s selection of food stalls and independent traders was considered the second favourite in Europe back in 2021 – again, inched out only by Edinburgh (yeah, right) – and while we may not technically be in the EU anymore, logic would suggest that we’d be high on that list too.

Who are we to argue with statistics?

You can find out everything you need to know about this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets here:

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Read more:

The 2022 Manchester Christmas Markets run from 12 November to 22 December, so make sure you soak up as much festive cheers as you can!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Andrew Stawarz (via Flickr)

Christmas

Manchester’s iconic Christmas Markets mug designs revealed for 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The time has come… Manchester’s iconic Christmas Markets mug designs for 2024 have been revealed.

It really won’t be long now before those famous little wooden huts are lining Manchester‘s streets once again, and thousands of people will be flocking to our city centre to fill up on fantastic festive treats and to soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

Now in their 26th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for delighting local residents and visiting shoppers alike.

Almost just as well-known as the Markets themselves, though, are the keepsake mugs that visitors’ drinks are served in each year, with adorable new designs traditionally being unveiled in the weeks leading up to grand opening day – and 2024 is no different, as Manchester City Council has now shared sneak peak pictures at the mugs you’ll soon be able to hold in your hands in just over a week’s time.

Following on from the success of last year’s Nutcracker-themed mugs, which sold out in record time, 2024’s edition of the highly-collectible mugs have been designed in-house by the Council’s design studio and take on a classic Nordic style.

This year’s mugs feature a brand-new family of festive characters – Father Christmas, Mother Christmas, and all of their elves.

The collectible souvenir mugs will be available at each of the city centre Market locations from opening day next Friday 8 November, but only while stocks last, so anyone wanting to get their hands on one is advised to visit sooner rather than later.

Manchester’s iconic Christmas Markets mug designs have been revealed for 2024 / Credit: Manchester City Council

As always, the mugs can either be bought outright or ‘rented’ when you purchase a hot drink at one of the stalls.  

You’ll be asked to pay a deposit of £3.50 for a mug when you purchase a hot drink, and then you can either choose to return it to the stall afterwards to get your deposit back, or keep the mug and take it home as a souvenir of your visit to the Markets.

Read more:

Manchester Christmas Markets return for 2024 on Friday 8 November, and will run right through until Sunday 22 December.

Stalls in selected locations will remain open until the new year.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

Christmas

10 of the best and fanciest advent calendars on sale in Selfridges

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 10 of the best and fanciest advent calendars on sale in Selfridges

The rise in luxury advent calendars in the last few years has been remarkable – and nowhere does them better than Selfridges.

Gone are the days where we were happy with cheap chocolate behind a foil door.

Nowadays one of the greatest thrills of the festive season is opening a tiny present every day, whether it’s a makeup product, a flavour of tea, a pair of socks or whatever else has been stuffed into an advent calendar.

Selfridges own beauty advent calendar, which is stuffed with more than £1000 worth of products, has already sold out for this year.

But the department store has plenty more options for you to choose from.

Read on to find 10 of the fanciest, most luxurious, most exciting advent calendars on sale this winter.

Mince pies

A mince pie advent calendar in Selfridges. Credit: The Manc Group
A mince pie advent calendar in Selfridges. Credit: The Manc Group

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without mince pies, and if you love to start stuffing your face with them as soon as the calendar hits December, then this calendar is the one for you.

The Selfridges exclusive advent calendar has loads of different flavoured mince pies hiding behind every door, including classic, citrus, almond and chocolate.

Then there’s a mini Meg Rivers Christmas cake waiting behind door number 25.

It’s £39.99 and available HERE.

Penhaligons

Penhaligons fragrance advent calendar
Penhaligons fragrance advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group

This beautiful advent calendar from proudly British fragrance brand Penhaligon’s is another Selfridges exclusive.

Inside you’ll find a mix of their products, including a Christmas-scented candle, eau de parfums, body lotions, body wash, and hand cream.

And it’s all presented in a beautiful bakery-style stack of boxes.

It’s £425 and available HERE.

Missoma

Jewellery brand Missoma has an advent calendar in Selfridges. Credit: The Manc Group
Jewellery brand Missoma has an advent calendar in Selfridges. Credit: The Manc Group

One of the world’s coolest jewellery brands is on the advent calendar train this year.

Missoma’s offering is presented in a gorgeous blue jewellery box, and contains £827-worth of its popular gold jewellery.

That includes hoop earrings, stud earrings, ear cuffs, bracelets, and necklaces.

This one is £395 and on sale HERE.

Lego

One for the big kids (or the actual kids) now – an advent calendar full of Lego. How cute!

There are a few different themes to choose from, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Spider Man, with a different minifigure to open every single day.

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It’s just £30 and available HERE.

MAC

MAC's Selfridges exclusive advent calendar has loads of hit products in it. Credit: The Manc Group
MAC’s Selfridges exclusive advent calendar has loads of hit products in it. Credit: The Manc Group

Cult make-up brand MAC has picked Selfridges as an exclusive stockist for its Gift of Gold 2024 advent calendar.

Products inside this giant festive box include some of their most celebrated products, including the Fix+ Original setting spray, matte and sheer-shine lipsticks in a range of shades, lip gloss, skincare, eye shadows and brow products.

It’s £180 but you get an unbelievable £445-worth of stuff for that. Grab yours HERE.

Diptyque

Diptyque has a 2024 advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group
Diptyque has a 2024 advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group

Another very fancy advent calendar is this one from Diptyque, with 25 days of scents to discover. Scentsational, you might say.

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Candles make up the bulk of this advent calendar, including their seasonal specials like pine tree, berries and wood fire.

But you’ll also get refillable solid perfumes, eau de parfums, soaps, body lotions and even a set of decorations.

It’s £390 and on sale HERE.

Bonne Maman Jam

The Bonne Maman Jam advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group
The Bonne Maman Jam advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group

What could possibly be more wholesome than starting every day of December with a different jam or spread?!

Bonne Maman – that brand with the iconic red checkered lids – has an advent calendar that will do just that.

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It’ll also look super charming on display in your house.

This one’s £34.99 and you can shop it HERE.

Posh malt balls

Selfridges' own malt ball advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group
Selfridges’ own malt ball advent calendar. Credit: The Manc Group

Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic chocolate-filled advent calendar, and Selfridges has their own that should hit the spot.

This pretty green polka-dot box is filled with different flavours of malt chocolate balls, including blonde, salted caramel, orange, and cookies and cream.

It’s £14.99 HERE.

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Gin

A gin advent calendar for 2024. Credit: The Manc Group
A gin advent calendar for 2024. Credit: The Manc Group

A grown-up one from the Selfridges advent calendars now – this Drinks By The Dram one is packed full of gin. Fun!

You’ll get a different wax-sealed dram of different flavoured gin for every day that you open your advent calendar.

It’s £89.99 HERE.

Books

Credit: The Manc Group

The most wholesome advent calendar on the whole list is this one – the Little People Big Dreams calendar, where each day unlocks a new mini book.

Inside each envelope, children will find stories about inspirational people from across the world, from groundbreaking musician Elton John and eco hero Steve Irwin, to freedom-fighter Martin Luther King and visionary artist Frida Kahlo.

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How sweet?!

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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