City Centre
Snappy Runners
AJ Handley-Rowe -
16th June 2022
AJ Handley-Rowe -
16th June 2022 City Centre
Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre, and Manchester
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When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?
This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.
Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.
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Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.
Manchester Christmas Markets locations
There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.
Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.
St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.
The locations are:
- Albert Square
- Lincoln Square
- King Street
- St Ann’s Square
- Corn Exchange
- Exchange Street
- New Cathedral Street
- Market Street
- Exchange Square
- Cathedral Gardens
You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times
The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.
The only exceptions are as follows:
Albert Square
- 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
- 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
- 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
- 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
- 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Cathedral Gardens
- 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
- 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
- 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
- 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
- 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.
The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.
Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.
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Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets
As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.
There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.
Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.
See more on the Bee Network website HERE.
Read more
- M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Greater Manchester with hundreds of jobs available
- Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail
- Full list of locations announced for Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – including NEW places
Featured image: The Manc Group
City Centre
Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Read more:
- Printworks’ Vue cinema is the latest to get a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
- Loads of iconic spooky films are returning to Greater Manchester cinemas this Halloween
- Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People returns to cinemas for its anniversary
Dune: Part Three is coming to Vue Manchester Printworks on 18 December, and you can book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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