Best Christmas Markets in Manchester

It’s official – Manchester has perfected the art of the Christmas market.

A city-wide event instead of dozens of different ones, the market is spread across Manchester’s most popular streets, with the main hub in the heart of town in Albert Square. There’ll be plenty going on at Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street, less than ten minutes’ walk from Native Manchester.

Open seven days a week until Sunday 22 December, the market includes over 300 traders, family-friendly festivities, an ice skating rink and much more.

The food

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A post shared by TransportforGreaterManchester (@officialtfgm) on Dec 9, 2019 at 7:32am PST

Let’s be honest, it’s the main reason we seek out Christmas markets every year. But Manchester isn’t content with grilled bratwursts and glühwein.

Mancunians know their food, so they’ll be heading to Yard & Coop for on-the-spot fried chicken, Mango Rays for brilliant burritos or Little Spain for paella, chorizo rolls, patatas bravas and hot sangria. If you’re a little worse for wear after last night’s Christmas party, you’ll want to make a beeline for Northern Soul Manchester for a grilled cheese sandwich that’ll cure all ills.

The Ice Village

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The Ice Village in Cathedral Gardens is home to Manchester’s outdoor ice rink, as well as enormous and beautiful ice sculptures, Santa’s grotto, a mini ice slide for little ones and an Ice Tiki bar for the grown ups.

The rink is covered with a clear roof, so you’ll never have to worry about the weather, and you can book your skating slot now.

The stalls

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If you’ve exhausted the Arndale Centre and still have Christmas gifts to buy, the market is your friend. You can pick up things you wouldn’t find anywhere else, like bitter rose liqueur and roasted apple liqueur from O’Donnell Moonshine, handmade organic and vegan beauty products from The Buddha Beauty Company or a one-of-a-kind puppet from Artichoke Wooden Toy, to name but a few.