Manchester's famous Christmas Markets are returning to the city centre shortly - taking over NINE sites and spreading festive cheer with a host of food, drink and gift stalls this November and December.
The trademark wooden huts will spring up across the nine main locations for 2024, while the main festive hub will be Winter Gardens, which will take over an expanded site at Piccadilly Gardens this year.
Other sites which will feature the festive stalls include Market Street, Exchange Square, St Ann's Square, King Street and New Cathedral Street. Cathedral Gardens will be the more family-oriented area, featuring the covered ice rink once again for 2024.
READ MORE: The full list of traders at Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
The markets will open this year on Friday November 8 and then run through until Sunday December 22. The way the dates fall this year mean there will also be SEVEN weekends for festive fun rather than the usual six.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "Only three weeks to go now until the opening of our world-famous Christmas Markets and it's suddenly beginning to feel a lot like my absolute favourite tinsel-y time of year.
"The markets sound incredible. We've got stalls selling everything from hand-made wrist watches, leather goods and jewellery, to fine art prints, designer hats, cheeses and chutneys, Christmas tree decorations and chocolate kisses - as well as mouth-watering treats and hot drinks at every turn.
They're going to be amazing, and we're all set for Manchester's best Christmas ever!"
Trail map for Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
This is the new trail map showing the different locations in the city centre that will be hosting Manchester Christmas Markets stalls.
The map also shows where to find Big Santa and a stunning light trail, back at St Peter's Square this year.
It also handily marks out places you can find toilets around the markets, as well as the nearest spots to catch a tram along the different zones - including Victoria Station, Exchange Square, Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter's Square.
All the locations for 2024
Market Street
Organisers say you can get your Christmas shopping all wrapped up on Market Street - with even more stalls lined up there for this year.
Expect a Santa's sack full of goods on offer from stalls offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce – from tweed hats to spiced rum, Christmas decorations to candles, freshly baked coconut macaroons and jewellery, to gift sets of cheese truckles, and much more.
The Winter Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens will be transformed into a "bigger and better Winter Gardens" this year with two twinkling light filled marquees providing more under-cover space for Christmas shoppers.
All the festive food and drink favourites are back for 2024 – expect pancakes, bratwursts, hot chocolates, churros, and more, with bars serving continental and foreign ales. Plus, the much-loved Piccadilly Street Food Market will also stay open until 9pm each night, serving up flavours from across the globe.
Winter Gardens will offer live entertainment and music everyday beneath the shelter of marquees and under-cover seating areas.
Cathedral Gardens
Traditionally the more family-focussed area of the markets, there will be much for the youngest visitors to enjoy at Cathedral Gardens.
Experience Skate Manchester’s huge, covered ice rink (open daily) and free live entertainment hosted every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve. Plus, warm up with authentic crepes, Yorkshire pudding wraps, gourmet hotdogs and hot chocolate.
St Ann's Square and Exchange Street
St Ann's Square was the original site of Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Market. This year it will be back with some of their longest-standing traders including the German beers, cherry gluhwein and bratwurst stalls.
Also back will be the fried chicken treats from Northern Quarter favourite, Yard and Coop, and new this year hot chocolate cones poured right from the chocolate taps and chocolate shots.
New Cathedral Street
New Cathedral Street is the spot for high end gifts and foodie favourites.
Craft-lovers will be enchanted by the selection of handmade candles, ceramics, local spirits, and keepsakes on offer. This is also the place to savour a cold beer and currywurst from The Witch House or a hearty burrito from Wrap Up.
Exchange Square
One of the largest market locations in the city, Exchange Square is where Christmas shoppers will find a host of seasonal stalls selling everything from clothing, soaps, boutique babywear, local crafts, and handmade gifts.
You can warm up at The Mill Exchange with their Mancunian mulled wine made on site, and enjoy the legends of Manchester artwork adorning their walls. This is also the place to try the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wrap from Porky Pig, as well as everything from birria bowls and hot curries to mini pancakes and fresh fudge.
King Street
Traditionally the continental food market area in the city, King Street will once again offer up a host of treats.
Authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, will be serving up fresh cannelloni and arancini, and El Gato Negro will be back to bring some Mediterranean menu flavours to their seating area. Plus, a range of stalls to browse selling crafts including the always popular French soap stall, personalised tree decorations, handmade wooden furniture and beautifully illustrated bottles from local distillery, Salford Rum.
The Corn Exchange
Situated between Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, you’ll find some of the most unique gifts available from crafters.
Expect handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.
Dates and times for 2024
Manchester's Christmas Markets will be open daily from Friday 8 November to Sunday 22 December.
Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open each day from 10 am - 8 pm, whilst food and drink stalls will be open from 11 am - 9 pm each day.
The markets wrap for Christmas at 6pm on Sunday 22 December, except for the food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will stay open until December 31 alongside the ice rink.
