The Manchester Christmas Markets have moved to a new location at Piccadilly Gardens this year, but what to Mancs really think about the festivities being centred in this troubled part of the city centre?
When the news was announced that the Christmas Markets’ main hub would have to relocate this year – ongoing renovation works on the Town Hall have meant that Albert Square is off-limits – the reaction was pretty predictable.
But that was before the markets were actually open, totally transforming the infamous part of the city centre into the ‘Winter Gardens’ and a hub of hive of live music, street food and market stalls.
The ‘Winter Gardens’, the new main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
Two huge wooden platforms have been built at Piccadilly Gardens, each surrounded by huts selling food and drink.
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There’s a live music stage for the first time, furniture made from repurposed wooden pallets, and walls filled with plants.
A large part of the new site is under cover too, making it far more weather-proof than previous Christmas Markets.
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The Off-Piste Bar at Piccadilly Gardens / Credit: The Manc Group
The festive light trail has even parked up here, including a giant glowing ‘MCR’ sign and an arch of shooting stars you can walk through.
For the most part, local people seem to be pleasantly surprised, with thousands flooding to the comments of The Manc‘s live tour.
John Paul wrote: “Massive improvement on the area. It’s been Manchester City centres let down for decades. Can they stay until Easter.”
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Nancy Morris said: “That’s the best that Piccadilly Gardens has looked since the actual Gardens were concreted over. Well done”
Sue Taylor posted: “I like the idea of using all recycled materials, well done, looks good”
The Winter Gardens the night before they officially opened / Credit: The Manc Group
One person couldn’t believe their eyes, commenting: “Oh my god is that Piccadilly gardens????”
However, many were disappointed at the lack of Christmas spirit, with one person saying it’s “Just a food and drink market.”
Most of the traders at Piccadilly Gardens are serving only food or drink, though there are a few gift stalls too.
The bulk of the shopping markets have been moved to the other sites along Market Street, Exchange Square and St Ann’s Square.
One person wrote: “Weres all the gift stalls , and weres the Christmas decor just looks like a giant pallet yard p*ss up ,”
Ali Humphries posted: “Awful. Nothing like the original markets, just a food and drink market”
Featured Image: The Manc Group
City Centre
Five places to watch The Traitors finale live on the big screen in and around Manchester
Danny Jones
With this year’s The Traitors finale just around the corner, Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK are preparing for one very big United Kingdom watchalong, including live viewing parties on the big screen.
Some places showed the grand finale last time around, and with the conclusion of series four fast approaching, even more have organised their own Traitors screenings in central Manchester and further afield, too.
We know plenty of you will be more than happy watching it at home, but there’s something about the idea of watching it in a room with a load of excited people over a few pints that just gets us buzzing.
All that being said, here are some places in town and beyond that are hosting screenings of The Traitors’ grand final this coming Friday, 23 January.
Live screening of The Traitors finale in Greater Manchester
1. Nell’s – Northern Quarter
First up on our list is the pizza palace that is Nell’s, specifically the one located inside beloved neighbourhood bar Common in NQ.
The place will be filling up from 8pm, ahead of the show starting half an hour later, and the full food and drinks menu will be available as normal. It’s selling out fast, so book your spot at ‘the roundtable’ now, whilst you still can.
Heading across the city centre to Gay Village, just a road over from the main throughfare of Canal Street, Richmond St’s Cockatoo Club is also holding a Traitors watch party.
Not only being played on the large projector, but also being hosted by cult favourite drag queen, Annabelle Hecter, this one should be a hoot and a half.
3. Fairfield Social Club – Greengate
Next up is one of the first ones not only to announce this year, but hop on the bandwagon of The Traitors watchalongs to begin with.
Fairfield Social Club (also the home of GRUB) are one of the experts when it comes to events like these, and it’s no surprise tickets are also disappearing rapidly. Find out more down below.
There are freebies for quiz winners, as well as the best fancy dress and Claudia Winkleman doubles.
4. Cultplex – Cheetham Hill
Our penultimate spot on the list is fellow royalty when it comes to grassroots events and championing alternative entertainment – they also happen to be the toast of Red Bank.
The Cultplex cinema team are used to smaller screenings, and if anything, this might pull in one of the most mainstream crowds all year, but they always deliver no matter what’s on the box. You can reserve your seats HERE.
5. The Light – Stockport
Last but not least, if you want to see how this season’s drama ends on a REALLY big telly, then you can always book yourself in for a trip to your nearest Light cinema location.
The Stockport branch has great food and drink, comfy recliner seats, plus plenty more – and if you’ve never done one of these live screening events before, this is a great place to start.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/BBC
City Centre
Manchester’s biggest live yoga class with a string quartet playing calming music is back for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s biggest live yoga class is back for 2026 to celebrate International Women’s Day.
After the first event sold out in days, Yoga Social Club has now announced an additional morning date for its highly anticipated International Women’s Day Yoga + String Quartet celebration, giving even more women the chance to take part in the unique yoga and live music experience right here in Manchester.
Taking place the day before International Women’s Day 2026, the second session has now been released following ‘overwhelming demand’ from the local community.
The two-hour immersive experience combines 50-minutes of breathwork and yoga set to live music from the Manchester String Quartet, performing works by female composers and artists like Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and plenty other iconic female music artists.
It’s then followed by an hour of ‘relaxed’ networking with refreshments.
The session – led by Yoga Social Club, Christina Whittingham – is designed to bring people together through movement, music, and meaningful connection.
“This event isn’t just about yoga,” Christina commented. “It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, connect and celebrate women in a really uplifting and joyful way, all while being surrounded by beautiful live music.
“Whether you come with friends or on your own, you’ll leave feeling connected, energised and part of something really special.”
Manchester’s biggest live yoga class with a string quartet is back for 2026 / Credit: Supplied
Yoga Social Club has gone from strength to strength since first launching.
What started as a small community-focused concept has expanded into a much wider network of classes and events led by trained community leaders – with sessions now running across more than 30 areas throughout Manchester, the North West, and the UK.
The International Women’s Day Yoga + String Quartet experience is taking place on Saturday 7 March from 9:30-11:30am at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats, and participants of all abilities and yoga experience levels are welcome.
Daisy Jackson -
12th November 2021 
