It can be tempting at the Manchester Christmas Markets to find one spot and stay in it, happily getting merry on beers and mulled wine – but you’ll be missing out on some of the amazing bars dotted around this year.
This year’s huge festive event has loads of great bars slotted in with the wooden huts selling gifts and festive food.
There are slushy cocktails, shimmering gins, and refreshing spritzes, as well as the usual Christmas drinks like mulled wine and Bailey’s hot chocolates.
The beauty of the markets too is that although they cover a massive chunk of the city centre, everything is within walking distance of each other.
So clear an afternoon in your diary, wrap up warm, and hit the Manchester Christmas Markets for the ultimate booze tour.
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The Windmill Bar, Winter Gardens
The Windmill Bar, Winter Gardens at the Manchester Christmas MarketsThe Windmill Bar, Winter Gardens at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Starting off strong with one of the Manchester Christmas Markets’ most iconic bars – the Windmill Bar.
This festive landmark is dominating Piccadilly Gardens (aka the Winter Gardens) this year.
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Grab yourself a pint of sweet cherry beer, or a classic mulled wine, to warm your cockles. It’s even got undercover, heated seating.
The Manchester Gin Bar, Winter Gardens
Gin fans unite – there’s a whole bar specialising in different flavours and perfect serves of the world’s best spirit.
The Manchester Gin Bar has sparkling Christmas cocktails like a Cranberry Fizz with prosecco and raspberry, and a whole menu of spritzes (because Aperol isn’t just for summer).
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Other flavours here include Parma Violet, blood orange, and plum vanilla.
Bar 3, New Cathedral Street
Bar 3 at the Manchester Christmas MarketsBar 3 at the Manchester Christmas Markets
This might be our favourite bar on the whole Manchester Christmas Markets, with great people-watching from all the shoppers walking along New Cathedral Street.
You can sip on shimmering pink prosecco cocktails with a view of the Corn Exchange.
And Bar 3’s fruity raspberry cider is an absolute must for everyone having gluhwein fatigue.
The Winter Bar, Cathedral Gardens
The Winter Bar at Cathedral Gardens at the Manchester Christmas MarketsThe Winter Bar at Cathedral Gardens at the Manchester Christmas Markets
The Cathedral Gardens site of the Manchester Christmas Markets may be the most family-friendly bit, thanks to its ice rink, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a cracking bar here.
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The Winter Bar has loads of themed Christmas cocktails, including a fruity The Grinch and a creamy festive The Snowflake.
You’ll be surrounded by pretty twinkling lights and the sounds of happy shrieks from the ice rink here too – it’s like a cheesy Christmas film in the best way possible.
King Street Craft Bar, King Street
King Street Craft Bar
King Street is definitely one of the best spots on the Manchester Christmas Markets, home to some of the best food traders and loads of places to sit and take the weight off.
As well as loads of beers and wines at the King Street Craft Bar, you can dive in on surprisingly festive slushy cocktails.
Flavours include ‘The Grinch’ (made with vanilla vodka and a lemon-lime slush), ‘Mad Santa’ (pink gin and strawberry) and ‘Yellow Snow’ (limoncello, vanilla vodka, and lemon slush).
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The Grumpy Moose, King Street
The Grumpy Moose bar at the Manchester Christmas MarketsThe Grumpy Moose bar at the Manchester Christmas Markets
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a Baileys, and The Grumpy Moose on King Street has the most delicious boozy hot chocolates in town.
You can also get yourself a delicious gin cocktail, or an espresso martini to give you that final burst of energy to get back home again.
Where to eat on your way around the Manchester Christmas Markets
You do not want to tackle this brilliant booze tour without stopping for fuel on your way around.
So head to the Dirty Chicken Co on Piccadilly Gardens for some absolutely delicious loaded fries.
And if you can walk past the smell of toasted coconut wafting from Macaroons on Market Street without buying a whole tray, you’re a stronger person than we are…
Dazzling Christmas light trail to return to Chester Zoo with new installations this winter
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that it’s dazzling Christmas light trail will be returning this winter with some new installations.
Still think it’s a bit too early to mention the ‘C’ word? Well you’ll have to start getting used to it soon, because Chester Zoo‘s massively-popular Christmas lights trail is set to return very soon and organisers are promising this year’s trail will be its ‘brightest ever’ – with a whole raft of new additions.
The zoo has, once again, teamed up with entertainment giants Sony Music to deliver this year’s Lanterns and Light spectacle.
Over the past couple of years, Lanterns and Light has proved to be such a success that it’s developed into one of the North West’s biggest and longest-running festive light trails, and all profits from the event support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.
A dazzling Christmas light trail will be returning to Chester Zoo with new installations this winter / Credit: Chester Zoo
All profits from the event, which will run on selected nights from 14 November 2025 until 3 January 2026, will support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.
This year’s trail will see the zoo transform into a spectacular winter wonderland with colour-changing forests, glowing animals, show-stopping puppets and, brand-new for this year, a host of new immersive installations.
Among the exciting new highlights for 2025 is The Airquarium, which is a dreamlike world filled with floating, glowing sea creatures, and the Bubble Walk which will bring a joyful explosion of light and colour.
All profits support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction / Credit: Chester Zoo
Also debuting this year is Submergence – an awe-inspiring walk-through tunnel of light that fully immerses guests in a dazzling, interactive display.
Dozens of life-sized animal puppets, animated by expert performers, will also line the trail.
Alongside all these new additions will be a bunch of returning favourite attractions like giant festive baubles, neon-lit walkways, marshmallow toasting stations, fairground rides, and an enchanting fire garden, as well as a chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas hard at work in his toy workshop with his busy team of elves.
“We’re bringing something new and spectacular to Lanterns and Light in 2025, and it’s planned to be our brightest Christmas trail ever,” commented Gemma Wright, who is the Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo.
“What makes Lanterns and Light so special is that it’s not only an unforgettable festive experience, but also one with real purpose behind it.
“Every ticket purchased helps to fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work right here at the zoo, where we care for and breed some of the world’s most threatened species, and in more than 20 countries globally where we’re working with partners to prevent extinction.
“By joining us for this magical evening, visitors are also helping to secure a brighter future for wildlife globally.”
Lanterns and Light will return to Chester Zoo from Friday 14 November 2025 and will run on selected evenings right through to 3 January 2026 – with tickets now on sale, priced at £19 for adults, £12 for children, £2.50 for toddlers, and free for babies.
The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
The Oast House has confirmed that its popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is set to return for the festive season.
By summer, the central Spinningfields venue is a proper sun-trap, but once winter rolls around, the teepee brings the festive spirit to Manchester just like it has done for the past 13 years, so it’s fair to say that it’s become something of an institution.
And now, with the air getting nippier by the day, The Oast House has given Mancs the news they’ve been waiting for.
That’s right, The Teepee – which is famed for its free live music, house-cooked food, and welcoming atmosphere – is back once again for another year, and it’s set to open for the festive season in just a couple of weeks time.
Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.
It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.
Following a huge summer of festivals in the courtyard, rounding off with the Seed Sounds Weekender last week, The Oast House is set to reopen The Teepee on Monday 13 October, and it’ll then be staying open to festive revellers every day of the week throughout the winter.
The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas / Credit: The Manc Group
Inside the new lodge, guests can expect to enjoy winter cocktails, mulled wine, and heart-warming food, just in time for the chilly weather.
Favourites from The Oast House’s street food-style menu set to be served up include katsu chicken fries, Korean fried chicken, chicken or plant-based gyros, and burgers stacked high.
The Teepee will reopen on Monday 13 October, and will then be open every day from 11am until late throughout the winter.
Daisy Jackson -
13th December 2023 
