Manchester Christmas Markets are confirmed to be making a return in 2022, and the long-awaited opening date has now been revealed.
The air may be getting nippier, the mornings a little darker, and the nights drawing in, but at least we know the festive season is right around the corner, and it won’t be long before Manchester Christmas Markets are here once again to spread some cheer right across the city centre.
Manchester City Council has now confirmed the date for the return of the iconic annual event – which draws in visitors from all across the globe each year.
And there’s not long left to wait.
It has been announced that Manchester Christmas Markets will make their grand return for 2022 on Thursday 10 November and be open every day until Thursday 22 December – with the main market hubs in Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Market Street all set to close on that date.
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Other zones, however, are set to open after Christmas Day and run into the New Year.
The opening date for Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 has officially been confirmed / Credit: Flickr
Cathedral Gardens will already be open with food and drink stalls from 21 October to coincide with the launch of the Halloween-themed ice rink for the October half term, which will then become a festive ice rink – with stalls staying open through to 31 December.
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The ice rink itself is taking bookings from 21 October – 3 January 2023.
All stalls in the main Christmas Markets hubs will be open daily from 10 November – with all retail stalls closing at 8pm, and all food and drink stalls with close by 9pm.
Speaking on the return of the beloved Markets, Cllr Pat Karney – Christmas Spokesperson at Manchester City Council – said: “With Christmas Day a mere three months away, that can only mean one thing – Manchester Christmas Markets Day is even sooner.
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The annual event draws in visitors from all across the globe each year / Credit: Credit: Andrew Stawarz (via Flickr)
“In fact, there’s only seven weeks left to go until you can grab a gluhwein and buddy up with a bratwurst whilst checking out the fantastic Christmas gifts and goodies on the best Christmas Market in the land.
“Mark it on your calendars – 10 November – they’re back!”
Full timings for Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 are expected to be confirmed by Manchester City Council this week, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner, new survey reveals
Emily Sergeant
Christmas dinner is one of the key parts of any festive celebration.
No matter whether you choose to tuck into a traditional roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, or you prefer to go for something a little different like a curry or a Chinese instead, your Christmas dinner is a chance to gather round with your loved ones and enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll likely have all year.
However, some shocking new figures have revealed that half of Manchester residents have no clue how to even cook a Christmas dinner.
Through a major study by the UK’s leading electrical retailer, AO.com, it was revealed that the majority of our city’s residents are “losing confidence” in preparing even the simplest of British dishes – with a traditional roast or Christmas dinner being one of them.
A new survey has revealed that half of Mancs don’t know how to cook Christmas dinner / Credit: Freepik | GoodFon
As part of its new campaign to get Brits back into the kitchen, AO found that just 57% of respondents reckon they would be able to make a roast dinner, 52% could whip up a classic shepherd’s pie, 58% could cook bangers and mash, merely 61% could prepare a full English breakfast, and again, only 57% could tackle fish and chips.
Classic desserts are clearly a struggle for us Mancs too, according to the survey, as only 19% of respondents said they’d feel confident cooking a Christmas pudding.
The survey also found that nationwide, it was Gen Z – those between the age of 16 and 27 – that are the least confident in their ability to cook great British classics, while on the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers are the most capable, proving that culinary confidence increases with age.
Our region’s residents are apparently ‘losing confidence’ at cooking simple British classics / Credit: Freepik
Commenting on the results, Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com, said: “Kitchens should be a place of creativity and joy, but our data shows that a lot of people in Manchester are losing confidence in preparing even the simplest of British dishes.
“Based on our findings, many younger people may be opting for convenience foods or takeaways due to their busy schedules and the perception that cooking from scratch is time-consuming or difficult.
“But with simple guidance and the right tools, we believe everyone can rediscover the joy and simplicity of homemade meals.”
Featured Image – gpointstudio (via Freepik)
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New Hairy Bikers documentary to take viewers on ’emotional journey’ in tribute to Dave Myers
Emily Sergeant
A new documentary paying an emotional tribute to late Hairy Biker Dave Myers is set to air on the BBC in the run up to Christmas.
Dave Myers – who was most well-known for being one half of the famous Hairy Bikers duo that starred in the BBC cookery and travel show of the same name, alongside Si King – died earlier this year (28 February 2024) after revealing back in May 2022 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
The final Hairy Bikers episode aired on 19 March following Dave’s passing, and viewers tuned in in their tens of thousands to watch the beloved show that had been entertaining the masses for close to two decades.
🏍️ Si King celebrates the life of fellow Hairy Biker and best friend Dave Myers in a special one-off BBC documentary
Si picks out key moments from the past 25 years of the pair's TV careers in The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone
But despite that being the final episode with Dave involved, there’s still one last chapter left to tell.
Set to air on BBC Two on Monday 23 December, viewers will be invited on an “emotional journey” through the Hairy Bikers story with Si King, as he celebrates the life of his best mate and former TV partner.
The documentary follows Si as he leads a motorcycle convoy to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, while archive material, new interviews, and previously-unseen footage is shown to help celebrate Dave’s life.
A new Hairy Bikers documentary will take viewers on an ’emotional journey’ in tribute to Dave Myers / Credit: BBC / South Shore Productions
You can relive the journey that took Dave around the world while cooking up a storm as one of television’s greatest-ever double acts.
“I’m incredibly proud of the programme because it’s a tribute to my best mate,” Si King said.
“It was an amazing experience, I didn’t quite know what to expect. That was the whole thing, none of us did. We thought at the most we’d get 10,000 bikes, we didn’t dream it would be 46,000 motorcycles and a 30-mile tail, it was just insane. I just felt enormously privileged.”
Emily Sergeant -
26th September 2022 
