One of Manchester’s best-loved Christmas experiences has returned, and this year Bar Hutte has TWO locations.
The apres-ski-inspired huts have reappeared this week, back at Great Northern as well as a new site at Kampus.
Positively dripping in festive cheer, here you’ll find a twinkling winter wonderland full of fairy lights, fur throws, and plenty of warming tipples.
And arguably the best bit? Each one of the charming wooden huts is kitted out with its own karaoke machine.
Don’t worry if the thought of your own dulcet tones brings you out in a cold sweat – you can swerve the karaoke and listen to professional musicians performing in the courtyard instead.
With its new location at Kampus, Bar Hutte has created a new alpine experience to explore to mark its seventh year in Manchester.
The row of eight Christmas cabins (including a special Bark Hutte for your furry friend) at the canalside neighbourhood surrounds a heated and sheltered courtyard.
Bombardinos, Bark Hutte, and slices from Nell’s at Bar Hutte Kampus. Credit: The Manc Group
Then upstairs in the Bungalow – the neighbourhood’s landmark building on stilts – you’ll find an indoor drinking den with plenty of extra seating, and decor including faux fireplaces, sleds, bells and wreaths.
Drinks on offer include mulled wine, festive cocktails like the Merry Kissmas and the Bauble-ini, legendary ski shots and Bombardinos, a warm alcoholic drink popular on the slopes. There’s even boozy Biscoff hot chocolate and gingerbread Old Fashioneds.
As for food, Bar Hutte customers can order pizza from Nell’s via a QR code on their table, or tuck in to treats from Great North Pie Co and Beeswing.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital&Centric (the developers, along with HBD, of Kampus), said: “Kampus and Bar Hütte is the perfect festive match. People are so used to seeing the lush Kampus garden full of life throughout the summer, so it’s brilliant to see it packed out with the wooden hüttes for winter.
“Whether belting out karaoke in private huts and ordering eats from Kampus’ finest, or soaking up the alpine vibes of our Aprés Ski Bungalow, the neighbourhood takeover will have something for everyone.’
Booking is advised, especially for the private Bar Hutte Kampus cabins, but walk-ins are welcome, particularly for festive drinks in the courtyard.
Across town at Great Northern Square is Bar Hutte’s second location, where once again its cosy Huttes are beneath a heated stretch tent, with entertainment including a schedule of love singers and DJs.
This site has a party lodge for up to 20 people, as well as family-friendly Santa Claus club sessions at the weekends.
Events at both sites include wreath-making sessions, complete with a complimentary glass of prosecco or mulled wine.
Bar Hütte pop-up will wrap up on New Year’s Eve. You can make a booking now at www.barhutte.co.uk.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Christmas
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to Cathedral Gardens once again this festive season.
Skate Manchester has always been a festive staple of our city centre, and there’s also a flurry of other frozen events and activities planned for 2025 too – including the return of the Scare Skate for Halloween.
Following success in previous years, Scare Skate returns this spooky season, and families, friends, and festive fun seekers visiting the rink this season can expect Halloween-themed music, lighting, and themed props to ignite the fright factor.
After Halloween, the magic continues as the rink transforms into a festive wonderland.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season / Credit: Supplied
Skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink.
You’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
The rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions tailored to meet the needs of all visitors, which includes dedicated quiet and toddler sessions designed for a more relaxed environment, along with discounted tickets and weekly events for students.
New this year is the Skate on and Skate off ‘Pit Lane’ available during skating for those needing a break and a hot chocolate or mulled wine, plus a VIP ticket option allowing for a fast-track entry into the rink.
Super early bird tickets are now available to buy / Credit: Supplied
Skate Manchester is also one of the most sustainable events in the UK, thanks to being partially powered by the grid.
“We’re proud to bring one of the top five largest ice rinks in the UK to Manchester once more, as part of our mission to create magical and sustainable winter events that will set the standard for winter attractions globally,” commented Rob Derry, who is the Director at Tamarisk Events, the company that coordinates the event.
“By being partially powered by the grid, Skate Manchester is one of the more environmentally responsible attractions of its kind, allowing visitors to enjoy the magic of skating with a lighter footprint.”
Skate Manchester will be returning to the city on Saturday 25 October and running right up until Sunday 4 January 2026, with super early bird tickets now available to get your hands on, and discounted family tickets and student night tickets also available.
You can find more information and to book tickets here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 opening date announced – including Albert Square return
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets are merely months away, and the opening date and important details for 2025’s return have been announced.
It’s official… holidays are coming, and the countdown is on.
Just as we do every year, the Greater Manchester public has been eagerly awaiting news of when the city’s iconic Christmas Markets would be making a comeback for the 2025 festive season.
But now, Manchester City Council has announced that the famous wooden huts will be lining Manchester‘s streets once again from the first week in November, and for the first time in six years, Markets will also be returning to Albert Square.
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 return date has officially been confirmed / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bring thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and to soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
While restoration work has been carried out on the city’s Grade I-listed Town Hall building, markets have been spread all across the city centre in recent years, instead of the central hub being in Albert Square – but this year, some of the festivities will return to where they belong.
More than 200 stalls will also be spread across nine other sites throughout the city centre.
Markets will take over 10 major locations across the city centre / Credit: Manchester City Council
Promising to be plenty on offer for seasonal shoppers of all ages, 2025 will see the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls take over King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, and Cathedral Gardens, as well as Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens as usual.
Dominating a twinkling seasonal skyline on Albert Square will be an enormous 50-metre-high ferris wheel, as well as an enchanting vintage carousel for children, and other Christmas fairground-style attractions.
The new ‘A Taste of Christmas’ event will be open on Albert Square until Sunday 4 January 2026, bringing the space back into the heart of the city’s countdown to Christmas festivities and staying open throughout the festive season for families to enjoy into the new year.
Councillors are going all out to make Manchester the world’s number one Christmas city / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’re going all out this year to make sure that Manchester is the number one city for Christmas – not just in the UK, but in the world,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council.
Cllr Karney also teased that there are a few other ‘Santa surprises’ to come that we can expect to be announced in the coming weeks.
He concluded: “In the meantime, dust off your baubles, un-twirl your tinsel, and get ready – Albert’s back.”
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 will officially open across the city on Friday 7 November and close on Monday 22 December.
That is except for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square, and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens – which will remain open throughout the Christmas period until 4 January 2026.
Daisy Jackson -
9th November 2023 
