Manchester Christmas Markets

19/11/2025

A NEW INDEPENDENT CHRISTMAS MARKET HAS OPENED AT ST. JOHN’S WITH SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST STREET FOOD TRADERS

The good people at Grub have created a new market in St. John’s, and it is quite literally foodie Christmas.

From Thursday 20 November, right up to Sunday 21 December, they’ve got a rotating selection of some of the city’s best independent food traders, starting off with the likes of Knight's BBQ, Another Hand, BAB, , Spud Bros and newcomer Valerie Goode Pies, with plenty more to come.

There’s loads of Christmas trees, heaters and all-round festive cheer. The Stables Tavern are pouring the beers, as well as running the pretty spectacular Feuerzangenbowle flaming mulled wine bar. If that doesn’t warm you up, we don’t know what will.

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⏰ Weds - Sun until Sunday 21 December 2025
📍 Grape Street, Manchester M60 9EB
💰 Free to attend, food and drink various prices

15/11/2025

With the Christmas markets now in full flow, we thought we’d take a look at how Christmas in Manchester has changed over the years…

📸: Images courtesy of Manchester Libraries

14/11/2025

IGNITE FIRE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ROCHDALE

Three nights of fire, light and live performance are set to take over Rochdale town centre from 21–23 November, as the Ignite Fire Festival lights up the newly restored Broadfield Slopes and Town Hall Square.

Expect blazing sculptures, illuminated trails and a brand-new ice rink opening for the season, plus a festive market, torchlight parade and the official Christmas lights switch-on on Sunday night.

Created by outdoor arts legends Walk the Plank, the festival features the world premiere of Bubbles of Love by Felix Rowberry, Paka’s Fire Dragon, live drummers and fire performances from local talent.
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⏰ Friday 21 – Sunday 23 November
📍 Rochdale Town Centre
💰 Free

14/11/2025

NEW FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST YORKSHIRE PUDDING WRAPS LAUNCH AT THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS

The Christmas markets wouldn’t be the same without the much-loved Yorkshire pudding wraps, served up by the good people at Porky Pig.

And this year, there’s a brand new addition to the menu: introducing the full English breakfast Yorkie wrap.

As you might have guessed from the name, it’s a Yorkshire pudding filled with beans, melted cheese, bacon, sausage and egg - and you can even throw in a massive pig in blanket if you fancy it.

You’ll find Porky Pig in their usual spot in Exchange Square. They’re only about once a year, so make sure you don’t miss out.

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⏰ Monday to Sunday 10am-9pm
📍 Christmas Markets, Exchange Square
💰 £10

07/11/2025

THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE OPEN… AND BACK AT ALBERT SQUARE

It’s been six years, but now the Christmas Markets are officially open once again on Albert Square.

The big wheel is turning, the bratwurst are sizzling and the gluhwein is already flowing as the Manchester Christmas Markets kick off for the 2025 festive season.

As ever, the markets will take over the whole city, with its famous spots on Piccadilly Gardens, King Street, Cathedral Gardens and St Ann’s Square, not to mention the whole length of Market Street.

So go grab yourself a hot chocolate, a sausage and throw yourself into the festive spirit.

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⏰ 10am-9pm daily
📍 Various locations

11/12/2024

FESTIVE MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA COMING TO CO-OP LIVE THIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas is coming to Co-op Live, with Manchester at the Musicals happening on Friday December 20th 2024.

You can enjoy some of the biggest hits from the West End stage, all performed by the brightest stars in theatre with a festive twist.

There’ll be songs from Wicked, Frozen, Les Misérables, Hairspray and more, plus seasonal classics like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’.

The very special party is perfect for theatre lovers, Christmas fanatics, and those looking for a unique night out with friends and family.

Manchester at the Musicals will star Sheridan Smith, Alfie Boe, and Samantha Barks (Disney's Frozen, Les Misérables).

West End favourite John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera), star of Wicked Alice Fearn, and Elesha Paul Moses (Tina Turner the Musical) will also be there.

The magical event will be accompanied by the Manchester Camerata orchestra.

Get your tickets here:

Join us for the ultimate festive celebration, with a twist! Sheridan Smith invites you to get up and party to festive and theatre favourites as she is joined by a stellar line-up of famous friends at …

05/12/2024

HUGE FESTIVE LIGHT TRAIL WITH FIRE JUGGLERS AND PUPPETS OPEN AT TATTON PARK

The gardens at Tatton Park have been transformed into a stunning light installation this festive season.

The Glittering Trail winds through the gardens after dark, with performers, puppets and dozens of dazzling light sculptures to keep you entertained - recreating characters and creatures from folklore.

Part of Tatton’s Yuletide Adventure, there’ll be fire jugglers, folk music, traditional storytelling and festive folktales, as well as marshmallow toasting and mugs of hot chocolate

Created by nonprofit organisation Wild Rumpus, The Glittering Trail is suitable for all ages, and you can grab tickets here: https://bit.ly/4injnj2

03/12/2024

One of the biggest Christmas attractions in the UK is heading to the north.

has proved a huge hit at its original site in Berkshire, with over 170,000 visitors every year and tickets selling out in minutes.

Now they’re planning a second site in the grounds of the magnificent Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire, which will arrive in time for the 2025 Christmas festivities.

The family-owned company employ a cast and crew of over 1000 people to transform parkland into a winter wonderland with fake snow and realistic sets, to get visitors into the holiday spirit.

We can’t wait for this 🎄

02/12/2024

A SERIES OF MAGICAL MUSICAL EVENTS ARE COMING TO THE BRIDGEWATER HALL THIS CHRISTMAS

The Bridgewater Hall have released their festive programme of events, which includes the music of cinematic legends like Hans Zimmer and John Willams, alongside nostalgic singalongs and magical ballets.

Kicking things off on 17 December is The Big Christmas Party, as four headline singers and an ensemble band lead a performance of your favourite festive tunes past and present. Then, Christmas Eve is all about the family-friendly wholesomeness, with a Christmas Carol singalong.

Bringing some musical cheer to the period between Christmas and New Year, there’s The Music of Zimmer Vs Williams on Friday 27. The Manchester Concert Orchestra perform epic scores from the likes of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Pirates Of The Caribbean, E.T., Batman, The Dark Knight and more.

Saturday 28 December is all about the UK’s most renowned big band, the Genn Miller Band, as they play Miller’s own arrangements of hits from the forties like It’s Almost Like Being In Love and Moonlight Serenade. It’s set to be a moving, memorable night.

The festivities continue into the new year too. Thursday 2 and Friday 3 January see the Varma Ballet’s unmissable renditions of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Simply put, there's more festive delights than you can shake a tinsel-covered stick at.

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⏰ From 17th December - Friday 3rd January
📍 Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS
💰 Tickets from £23.25

26/11/2024

HARVEY NICS LAUNCHES FESTIVE MENU WITH CHRISTMAS BUTTIES, PANETTONE AND BOOZY HOT CHOCOLATES

Harvey Nichols Second Floor Deli Bar has launched a new winter menu, featuring winter classics like pigs in blankets, camembert bites and festive sandwiches.

You’ll also find festive sandwiches, winter salads and classic festive small plates, as well as slices of panettone.

Sample the Festive Sandwich, made with brie, cranberry, mustard and turkey for the perfect Christmas taste, or the Tuna and Wasabi butty.

Then there’s festive classics like Pigs in Blankets, as well as melty Camembert bites alongside a fig and port jam.

If you’re thirsty there’s also a range of festive cocktails from Forest Distillery, including the Festive Forest with gin and cranberry, and the Winter Forest with gin and spiced hot mulled tea.

If you fancy something extra festive, try the Forest Spiced Orange, made with whisky and orange, and a luxurious boozy Forest Hot Chocolate.

The Second Floor Deli Bar at Harvey Nics is open Tuesday to Sunday and has the same opening hours as the store. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4i34jqq

21/11/2024

CIAOOO ARE BAKING A WHOLE CAMEMBERT INTO A GARLIC BREAD FOR CHRISTMAS

Nothing quite says Christmas like eating far too much cheese. And with that in mind, the folk at Ciaooo Pizza Mcr have decided to bake a whole camembert into a garlic bread.

This oozy madness is part of their new winter menu, which also includes a whole new range of tiramisu from owner Lory's Tiramisu.

Bringing the festive vibes, there’s a cinnamon apple crumble tiramisu, a Kinder Bueno-inspired number and pistachio, made with homemade pistachio cream, all of which go great with a mug of mulled wine.

Also on the menu for the winter months is the Mortaccio pizza - San marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, mortadella ham, nduja, sundried tomatoes, burrata and pistachio - and the Ligure, featuring a pesto base, fiordilatte mozzarella, calabrese, spicy chicken and burrata.

Get booked in here: https://bit.ly/3utjgvM

19/11/2024

If you fancy a change from the main Christmas Markets, this is the perfect alternative 🎅

Find out more: https://propermanchester.com/whats-on/the-new-free-christmas-night-market-with-over-40-traders-from-across-our-region/