Manchester Christmas Markets officially confirmed to return this year

It has just been confirmed that Manchester Christmas Markets will be returning to the city centre this year.

Manchester City Council confirmed the return of the iconic event – which spreads festive cheer right across the city centre, and draws in visitors from all across the globe each year – exclusively to Hits Radio Manchester this evening.

Manchester Christmas Markets were sadly cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Hits Radio Manchester, the full plans are still being finalised, but it has been revealed that the markets will open to the public from Friday 12 November – Wednesday 22 December 2021.

Markets will be set up on nine different sites across the city.

The ice rink will be back on Cathedral Gardens in late October, and a new Winter Wonderland is being created in Piccadilly Gardens too, with the being fountain covered over especially.

Speaking on the return of the markets this year, Councillor Pat Karney – Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson – said: “I’m really really excited. It’s incredibly important that Manchester’s Christmas economy has this boost because tens of thousands of jobs are dependent on Manchester having a great Christmas.

“People will just want to get together in a safe way. We’ll make sure that it’s safe – and just enjoy being human again and enjoying Christmas.

“It’s very important for all the young people in the city that they have a Christmas to remember.

“The pictures that we’ve had of Albert Square over the years where people have been standing on top of each other – that’s a million miles from what we’ll be doing this year.

“Each site will have very very clear entry and exit arrangements so that we don’t take any public health issues with crowds.”

Councillor Karney also teased what the plans are for the Christmas Lights Switch On.

He told Hits Radio Manchester that plans are still under review as council teams check with government advice on crowd numbers and COVID passes.

“The government keeps changing it’s mind on COVID passports and crowds, and we haven’t come to a separate decision on a big switch-on and a New Year celebration – but we’ll come back to that in a couple of weeks.”

Featured Image – Geograph (David Dixon)