It’s starting to feel very wintery in Manchester now and Christmas is hurtling toward us. Where oh where has the year gone?
Before you know it you’ll be knee-deep in mince pies and wrapping paper, getting your most ridiculous festive jumpers out of the wardrobe and feigning interest in that one uncle’s story you’ve already heard a hundred times over. Oh yeah, we’re getting in the mood now.
With that in mind, this year’s Christmas light switch-on might be cancelled but you’ll be pleased to know that the Manchester Christmas Markets are back for their 24th year.
When do Manchester’s Christmas markets start?
This year’s Manchester Christmas Market dates seem to have arrived earlier than ever this year, so there’s no excuse for you not to get swept up in the festive spirit in time for the holidays.
Credit: Manchester Christmas Markets (via Twitter)
As confirmed earlier this month, the 2022 markets will start Thursday, 10 November (oh hell yes, with the majority of its 220 stalls, food vendors and bars opening every day from 10am to 9pm.
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And if you’re wondering ‘when do the Manchester Christmas Markets finish?’, you’ll be pleased to know that this year’s stalls won’t shut up shop until 22 December, meaning you can soak up the city centre celebrations pretty much right up until the day itself.
Manchester Christmas Markets Location
With Albert Square and the Town Hall still under renovation, the heart of the Manchester Christmas Markets will once again be Piccadilly Gardens as the Winter Gardens hub makes its return, bigger than ever, for 2022.
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Serving up Korean hotdogs, Parmos, pancakes, churros, and an array of winter tipples, it will be at the very center of Manchester’s festive action this Christmas – boasting a brand new, heated giant Nordic-themed double tipi bar for over-18s.
This year Winter Gardens will also be home to the iconic Manchester Windmill, coming in at a whopping 4 metres high, as well as hosting entertainment throughout the week – including live music and DJs.
Credit: Google Maps
Elsewhere, there will be a variety of festive markets spread around the city, from busy hubs at Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, St Ann’s Square and Cathedral Gardens, to trails of stalls leading down King Street, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street and Market Street.
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What food is there this year?
If you’re anything like us, Manchester Christmas Market food is the main event – a treat you look forward to all year and pretty much the main reason people go (besides the Bavarian beer, cosy cups of mulled wine and general festive vibes). Basically, we’re all about the stuff we can consume.
Expect all the classics from the Bavarian Bratwurst, beer and Glühwein stalls, to the crepes and mini-pancake stalls to be there as usual.
Old favourites the Pig and Barrel will be making a welcome return to the Winter Gardens offering up their delicious pork barms and cosy seating area with entertainment on most nights, whilst on King Street Habas, part of the El Gato Negro group, will bring its Middle eastern-inspired menu out into the streets.
Market newcomers Parmageddon will join a mouth-watering line-up of food and drink that also includes vegan bratwursts from Panc, plus cookie dough, Amsterdam Frites, and two bars serving a selection of international ales.
There’ll also be appearances from the likes of Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, Great North Pie Co., and Porky Pig — a.k.a. the home of the famous Yorkshire pudding wrap.
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Winter Gardens will welcome a brand new, giant Nordic-themed double tipi bar, equipped with a roaring fire pit and cosy fake furs to snuggle up in, and Exchange Square’s iconic Mill Bar will be serving up its Mancunian mulled wine, made especially on-site
This year, the markets will also be hosting dedicated weekly trial spots for new local traders to step into winter trading and try out their wares on the Christmas market crowds – so keep your eye out for newcomers popping up across the city.
How about other independent Manc traders?
There are only so many hot dogs and mugs of mulled wine a person can drink, and you might want to have something to show for your hard-earned pennies besides a full belly – especially when it comes down to exchanging presents.
The Christmas Markets have long been home to some of the best independent traders in Greater Manchester and you’ll find some of the coolest local prints, handcrafted homewares and outdoor furniture; hand soap, sculptures, personalised trinkets and more.
From various luxury leather accessory stalls and the highly unique Metal Art Productions, who created incredible metal sculptures from recycled materials, to the Forever Manchester foundation charity shop, you’re sure to find a hidden gem at one of the countless craft stalls.
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Credit: Metal Art Productions (via Instagram)/Forever Manchester
Oh, and of course, what trip to the world’s greatest Christmas markets would be complete without an official Manchester Christmas Markets mug? This year’s design is delightful as ever and will cost you just cost you a £3 deposit but you can always take it home if you want to add it to your collection.
Deposits for beer and wine glasses also start from £1.50.
With entertainment throughout the week including live music and DJs, some amazing food vendors will make their temporary Christmas home next to the new Winter Garden Nordic Tipi, including vegan foodies Panc, and last year’s smash-hit Korean hotdogs.
Old favourites the Pig and Barrel will make a welcome return, offering up their delicious pork barms and cosy seating area with entertainment on most nights.
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Winter Gardens will also be home this year to the iconic Manchester Windmill which comes in a whopping 4metres high!
Accessible changing facilities, which include an adult weighted change bed, a shower, toilets, and an adult weighted track hoist will also be available in Winter Gardens as well as, priority seating for disabled visitors. St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
St Ann’s Square, the original site for Manchester’s Christmas markets, will return with its large undercover bar providing German beers and warm cherry Gluhwein to keep Christmas revellers warm and merry throughout the winter season.
St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street will also be home to local traders, and Manchester foodie favourites such as Yard and Coop with their salt and pepper chicken fries, plus fresh authentic paella and tapas, as well as Manc and Proud serving up Mancunian-themed everything, plus continental chocolates, English cheeses, and art emporiums.
Market Street
Market Street will be home to stalls selling a wide range of gifts from some amazing crafters and producers selling everything from tweed hats, spiced rum and Christmas decorations, to candles, jewellery and gift sets of cheese truckles.
King Street
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Home to some of the best food in Manchester, the Christmas deli stalls on King Street will take foodies on a world tour of some of the best-loved dishes on the planet. From Italian cannelloni and arancini, Greek gyros and halloumi fries, to French garlic mushrooms and Salford Rum, there’s something for everyone’s tastes.
New for 2022, middle eastern restaurant Habas, part of the El Gato Negro group will bring their middle eastern menu and seating area to King Street- great for those wanting to eat their way around the world. New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral Street starts with high-end gift stalls and stretches down into foodie heaven. Stalls selling fine cast ornaments, old-fashioned liquorice, handmade cocktails for home, and light-up Christmas decorations, lead to food stalls offering everything from vegan five bean chilli, to New York Bagels – swallowed down perhaps by one of cosmopolitan Bar 3’s famous smoking cocktails.
The Witchouse also returns to New Cathedral Street for 2022 with its traditional steins and mouth-watering currywurst.
Exchange Square
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Here you can warm up at the instantly recognisable Mill Exchange bar, with their special Mancunian mulled wine made on-site and its legends of Manchester artwork adorning its walls.
2022 also sees the return of the famous Porky Pig’s Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, alongside stalls selling hot curries, mini pancakes, fresh fudge, hand-carved olivewood decorations, German kebabs, and gourmet Italian pizza. The Corn Exchange
Set between Manchester’s historic Corn Exchange building and Shambles Square, visitors can expect to find unique fairtrade hats and jackets, character-themed hats and belts, as well as handmade pies, cupcakes and soaps. Cathedral Gardens
Opening Saturday 22 October in time for half term and Halloween, the much-loved undercover ice rink Skate MCR is back with entertainment each Thursday to Sunday all the way through to New Year’s Eve.
Next to the ice rink, hot food, warm drinks, pancakes and tipples will be on offer from market stalls to help warm up cold hands and feet after a skate on the ice.
How much does food and drink cost?
With prices everywhere rising amid the cost of living crisis, those who like to complain about the cost of a bite to eat or something to drink at the markets each year are likely to be larger in number than ever.
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So we’ve gone and done a lap of the markets to check out the prices so you can budget for your German sausages, gluhwein and beer at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2022.
In terms of activities, the star of the show is undoubtedly the Skate MCR ice rink, which has already rocked up to its usual spot in Cathedral Gardens for its special Scare Skate Halloween event. Halloween students and key workers can receive up to 30% off from 15 December onwards.
As well as the ice rink staying open until 3 January, there will also be an illuminated trail of light sculptures around the city for you to trace with the family, not to mention a variety of live entertainment across the various zones of the markets, including regular kids shows to keep the little ones busy.
Last but not least, don’t forget to pay Santa a visit — it’s a Manchester Christmas Markets tradition. It is rumoured that he will be setting up on St Peter’s Square for 2022, and we can already picture him sitting proudly atop the library.
Once again, the 2022 Manchester Christmas Markets will be here in just over three weeks’ time and we are absolutely buzzing for the city to get back into the swing of Christmas. Last year was a soft re-launch – this year we’re getting back to our fighting best.
Lastly, make sure to follow the markets on Twitter to keep up to date with all the upcoming announcements as launch day arrives and throughout its six-week run.
The best picky bits and Christmas party food in M&S this year
Daisy Jackson
Can some scientist please explain why us Brits have such a compulsion to roll out the picky bits and party food (ESPECIALLY if it comes from M&S) as soon as there’s a vague sense of occasion?
Birthday party? Picky bits. BBQ season? Picky bits. Had a long day at work and can’t decide what to have for tea but definitely don’t want a Pot Noodle? Picky bits.
And when Christmas or New Year’s Eve rolls around, the urge to consume random little morsels of food intensifies.
Whether it’s British classics squashed down into tiny portions and jammed on a buffet table or fancy little appetisers you hand around a party, we just can’t get enough.
Which is why we’ve raided the shelves at M&S once again to bring you all the best picky bits and party food available for Christmas 2024.
As for prices, the more premium M&S Collection party food items are generally priced at £7.50, with the more standard range coming in at £5.50 each, and all available on a four-for-three offer.
And yes, you might end up spending an obscene amount of money on miniature food items that won’t do a single thing to quell an appetite, but my gosh, won’t you feel like a prim and proper princess when you slide those teeny weeny fish and chips in front of your guests.
Let’s begin.
Brits abroad
M&S party food 2024 – chicken shawarma and Middle Eastern flatbreadsM&S party food 2024 – patatas bravas stacks
M&S might be the most staunchly British institution of modern times, but us Brits also love nothing more than to lift the culinary expertise of other countries onto our own plates.
And this year is no exception – M&S has whipped up a whole host of party food inspired by international favourites.
From little potato stacks that pay homage to everyone’s favourite tapas dish, patatas bravas, to tiny chicken shawarma kebabs to Middle Eastern Flatbreads, if you want a little spice on your Christmas buffet, they’ve got it.
Well aren’t you a fancy pants?!
‘Ooooh, someone’s doing well’ comes the chorus of praise as you hand around your mini prawn thermidor (these tiny gold trays even have a cheddar cheese crumb on top).
‘Wow, that must’ve been a good Christmas bonus’ they say as they accept a mini coquille St Jacques, complete with extra-small shell.
If upper middle class was a nibble, it would probably look like these guys.
Little Britain
Mini scampi and chips, and miniature pies at M&SMini Yorkshire puddings and cheese and ham scones from M&S party food range
Imagine all your classic British dishes, pub food, Sunday dinners, comfort meals cooked by your mum – you picturing them? Okay, now imagine them again but really, really small.
Now you’ve got a good idea of the items in our next M&S party food category.
There are mini Yorkshire puddings filled with slow-cooked beef, red wine and mushroom jus, and a garlic and herb crumb.
There are neat little cheddar and ham scones, miniature pies filled with beef and ale or chicken and leek, and even picky bit-sized scampi and chips portions, complete with newspaper wrapping. Cute!
The classics
M&S prawn selectionM&S pigs in blankets and halloumi in blanketsM&S Smoked salmon appetisers
These are not just buffet food items, these are M&S buffet food items, and that means they come with a bit of pizzazz.
Yes, there are pigs in blankets, but there are also halloumi pigs in blankets (which they weirdly haven’t made vegetarian) served with a hot honey drizzle.
We love a battered prawn on a party food selection and M&S has done a selection of tiger prawn nibbles – prawn baguette toasts, prawn and coconut bites, and prawn and potato lattice balls. The word prawn is starting to look weird.
There are also smoked salmon appetisers, where smoked salmon strips are rolled around a honey roast salmon mousse. Hope ya like very small fish!
I’d love to be a fly on the wall when the M&S party food is discussed, because I’m pretty sure no one around that boardroom table is telling them ‘No, Arabella, that’s a silly idea’. Arabella does what she wants.
This year, she’s heard all the ‘girl dinner’ trends and gone ‘WE SHOULD MAKE A CHRISTMAS DIP’ – the result is a turkey feast dip topped with shredded turkey and bacon, cranberry sauce, cranberries and a stuffing crumb. WHY, ARABELLA?!
They’ve also brought back the novelty-shaped bao, this year in two festive shapes – penguins and polar bears.
And of course you can still get miniature steak sandwiches and I don’t know why that makes me so uncomfortable, but it does.
A very yeehaw Christmas
M&S Mini beef burgersBuffalo chicken croquettes and New York deli spring rolls at M&S
Giddy up, cowboy, it’s time for the rootin’-tootin’ M&S party food show!
Everyone’s favourite fancy supermarket has gone stateside this year, drawing inspiration from the healthiest of nations… America.
There are Buffalo chicken croquettes, served with an extra Buffalo sauce dip, mini beef burgers (always the hardest thing to eat), and, weirdly, spring rolls inspired by a New York deli?
They’ve shoved salt beef and sauerkraut into a spring roll and then served it with a mustard and gherkin dip. You do you, M&S.
Now you’re just showing off
M&S party food 2024 – the charcuter-tree. Credit: The Manc Group
You’re presenting your charcuterie on a flat board? Peasant.
Real fancy people present their cured meat and cheese selection in the shape of a Christmas tree (obviously) and M&S have got a build-you-own kit available for £25.
An extra shout-out to the security-locked Serrano ham joint, which came with its own block and knife, for another statuesque meat buffet option.
A completely objective ranking of every Quality Street sweet
Gareth Lloyd
It’s Christmas Day and dinner is done.
Dad is sat there snoozing with his mouth ajar, a glass of red wine hanging loosely between his fingers. Mum is tapping away on her phone, probably doing some intel as to how her gifts went down with relatives. An aunt, uncle and or grandparent is propped up in the corner, frowning in confusion at the “rubbish” playing on the television.
The rest of you are eyeing up the purple tub of chocolates sitting on the dining room table. Dad’s spilled drink will wake him up at any moment. Mum has nearly finished finding out if her pressies were a success. And the aunt/uncle/grandparent will soon want a distraction from that “stupid” programme they can’t understand.
Someone is about to lift the lid off the Quality Street, and then it’s game time. With a belly already fit to burst, you need to choose wisely. Not all of these chocolates are created equal, after all.
For 85 years, ranking Quality Street has proven more problematic than naming a round piece of bread (is it a barm, bap, bun, breadcake cob, roll? One problem at a time…), but we reckon we’ve cracked it.
Here’s a definitive list that ought to put you in pole position during the annual Christmas Day race for the best chocolates in the tub.
11. Toffee Penny
Chowing down on a Toffee Penny is like listening to an elderly family member trying to read aloud a long joke from a Christmas cracker.
On and on it goes, getting more tedious and uncomfortable by the second, and just as you think it’s all over, you realise it’s only getting started.
Chewy, sickly and sticky, Toffee Pennies are always among the last choccies remaining in any depleted Quality Street box. And that’s no coincidence.
10. Toffee Finger
Toffee Fingers. Credit: The Manc Group
A little less chewy and a bit more flavoursome than the Penny, the Toffee Finger is a familiar and distinctive Quality Street staple… but it’s still not something to get particularly excited about.
Maybe one is fine when it’s getting late, the layers are thinning out and you’re left staring into that abyss of scrunched-up wrappers, but otherwise, you can do far better.
This is one of the few instances in life where you should not go for gold.
9. Coconut Eclair
Coconut eclairs. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s funny how some flavours have an incredible ability to get people riled up to the point of boiling hot anger. Take coriander, for instance – a herb despised so much that someone actually made a Facebook account titled ‘I Hate Coriander’ that has since grown into a community of a quarter of a million members. The page even sells merch nowadays.
Coconut is another ingredient that seems to stir up similar sensations in certain members of the population, and a lot of people find Quality Street’s blue-wrapped choccies borderline offensive as a result (the coconutty Bounty gets the same treatment when the Celebrations come out).
Indeed, in one YouGov poll, the Coconut Eclair ranked as the least popular variety of all.
As coconut fans, we’re actually ok with it, but we appreciate there’s no way to talk anyone into giving the Eclair a second chance. The hostility towards coconut is just too strong. The people who hate it, really hate it.
8. Fudge
Fudge. Credit: The Manc Group
Fudge’s are fine. Absolutely fine. It’s just that over the years, we might have had way too many of them.
Consumer group Which? conducted research into chocolate tubs that found that Fudges are the most common flavour in any typical Quality Street box – with an average of nine appearing amongst the multicoloured rubble.
That’s a lot of fudges. And whilst they might be pretty decent, it’s just like anything else: Too much of the same and it gets a bit… meh.
7. Orange Crunch
Orange Crunch. Credit: The Manc Group
The Orange Crunch boasts a nice blend of textures and to be fair, it’s pretty damn good.
It’s got zest, it’s got bite, and it’s got a few very, very loyal fans – some of whom will shamelessly bat away the hands of others to snap up all the little orange hexagons from the moment the Quality Street is opened.
If there’s one going spare, it’s worth grabbing. Just make sure you don’t have any die-hard Orange Crunch fans in the house. Otherwise, Christmas could get ugly.
6. Milk Choc Block
Milk Choc Block. Credit: The Manc Group
The chocolate box equivalent of a Yorkie bar, the Milk Choc Block requires a bit of effort to actually eat – so it may not be the wisest choice immediately after a gluttonous Christmas dinner. But when things have settled and you’re finally sensing a bit of wiggle room, it’s worth plucking one of these dark green wrappers from the tub and getting stuck in.
These beasty blocks are a cracking accompaniment for your afternoon/evening cuppa, and whilst they can take a while to break down, they won’t lose their flavour.
A perfect option when you’re not feeling too adventurous.
5 & 4. Strawberry Delight / Orange Creme
Strawberry and orange fruit cremes. Credit: The Manc Group
We’re into the upper echelons of the Quality Street rankings now, and whilst some will be loathed to admit it, the fruit cremes definitely belong towards the top end of the table.
Eating Strawberry Delights or Orange Cremes is like sipping a strong, exotic cocktail. The distinct flavour and strange texture takes you by surprise at first, and you can embrace or reject it. We recommend the former. Once you’ve had one or two and you’re on board, there’s no going back. You’ll realise just how good these things are.
We’re cheating here and ranking these two choccies side-by-side. They’re just too tough to set apart.
3. Caramel Swirl
Caramel swirl. Credit: The Manc Group
Caramel Swirls feel like the desserts of the aristocracy. The wrappers have the shimmering, royal quality of a Ferrero Roche – except the choccies have got a gooey, gold, rich, creamy centre to match.
Understandably, the Caramel Swirl can be a bit too much for some. But on a day when you want to indulge – there are few desserts more fitting.
Take a couple and treat yourself. You got through 2024, for God’s sake. You’ve earned it.
2. Green Triangle
The Green Triangle. Credit: The Manc Group
The Green Triangle is the Tom Hanks of box chocolates: It’s been around forever and no matter what the setting, it will never let you down.
It’s reassuring, solid and reliable. It’s easy to love. And it makes ordinary movies more enjoyable than they should be.
Good old Green Triangle. Never change.
1. The Purple One
The Purple One. Credit: The Manc Group
All hail The Purple One. God tier chocolate. The biggest, most beloved, and indisputably the best.
With handsome wrapping and delicious contents of milk chocolate, runny caramel and a crunchy hazelnut at its core, The Purple One appears on top of user polls time and time again. Because class is permanent.
As soon as you open that Quality Street box on Christmas Day, get looking immediately for that purple wrapper. They won’t last long.
Danny Jones -
9th November 2022 
