Once Christmas is over and the hustle and bustle of the festive season has died down, there’s often not a great deal to look forward to in January.
But luckily, Manchester’s very-own GRUB has got you covered.
The now-legendary Winter Beer Festival is back by popular demand for 2024, and tickets are already on sale if you’re keen to kick off your new year with a pint or two.
Unfamiliar with GRUB? It’s a street food market and social hub just outside the city centre at the Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill, and it’s known for hosting a jam-packed lineup of events throughout the year, and for being home to a wide range of rotating food and drink vendor pop-ups that hook Mancs up with some of the best eats from across the globe.
And if you haven’t had the chance to head on down there yet, then next month is perfect excuse to just that, as this year’s Winter Beer Festival will take place across three days.
GRUB’s Winter Beer Festival gives Manchester beer lovers the chance can sip creations from some of the best local breweries.
Running from Thursday 18 – Sunday 20 January 2024, you can expect there to be plenty of local brews to taste test over the course of the three-day festival – with brewery bars coming courtesy of some of the region’s best like Farmyard Brewing Co, Cloudwater Brew Co, Northern Monk, and Sureshot Brewing Co.
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That’s not all either, as there’ll also be over 30 guest taps too.
If you’re not a big beer lover, you can also expect a street food market, a mulling bar, pop-up tasting events, and so much more over the extended weekend.
Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back to kick off 2024 / Credit: GRUB
Fancy it then? Tickets for the GRUB Winter Beer Festival 2024 will set you back just £4 on Thursday, and £5 on Friday and Saturday’s events, with a limited number of tickets available of the door on the days for £6 each.
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Tickets include entry to the festival, access to the full range of beers – including all the brewery bars and guest taps – as well as branded WBF glass to take home with you afterwards.
This year, ticket prices also include FREE optional entry to any of the entertainment events taking place during your session too.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – prices for beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more
Emily Sergeant
It’s timeeeeee… Manchester Christmas Markets are officially open for 2026.
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 the fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year sees an even bigger return of Albert Square, and there’s also some new locations too for 2026. Lincoln Square has joined in on the action, and there’s also some 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’s a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre, but we know there’s one question on everyone’s lips… ‘what’s it gonna cost me?’.
We’ve been running around the markets this morning checking out all the prices on things like beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more, so without further ado, here’s everything you need to know.
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Average food and drink prices at Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Mulled wine – £6.50
Beer – £7
Prosecco – £7
Hot chocolate – £5
Bratwurst – £8
Albert Square
Bratwurst King on Albert SquareThe North Pole pub at Albert Square
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2023 
