Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 locations, dates and opening times - full details of the festivities

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Manchester’s Christmas Markets are here for another year.

Now in their 26th year, the markets have become the biggest event in the Manchester calendar, attracting thousands of visitors and bringing in millions to the local economy each year.

The 2024 markets will be opening on Friday 8 November, taking over the city centre for six weeks. This year, they will also be staying open an extra weekend (seven in total), ending on Sunday 22 December. As always, more than two hundred stalls will be setting up shop in several different locations across the city centre, selling food and drink, handmade gifts and other seasonal treats.

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Manchester's Christmas Markets will be back again in 2024Manchester's Christmas Markets will be back again in 2024
Manchester's Christmas Markets will be back again in 2024 | Manchester City Council

While most of the set-up will be similar to previous years, there are a couple of changes for 2024. Firstly, the Winter Gardens area at Piccadilly Gardens will be expanded, providing more sheltered space for people to sit whatever the weather. The Piccadilly Gardens Street Food Market will also be staying open until 9pm this year, serving up cuisines from around the world.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester Christmas Markets are by a million miles the very best in the world and the phenomenal number of festive visitors we get each year flocking into the city centre specially to visit them one hundred per cent proves this. 2024 looks set to be Manchester's best-ever Christmas yet, and with an extra weekend this year to really make the most of our legendary Christmas Markets, I can already smell the cinnamon and churros, and just can't wait!"

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Here is the full list of Manchester Christmas Market locations, what you can find there and when they will be open.

The Winter Gardens at Piccadilly

There will be two marquees this year at Piccadilly Gardens, with under-cover seating space for visitors and space for live entertainment and music every day. The stalls here will mainly be food stalls, selling items such as pancakes, bratwursts, churros, as well as bars selling a whole range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You will also find the usual Piccadilly Gardens Street Food Market here, open until 9pm.

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Christmas markets on King Street, Manchester.Christmas markets on King Street, Manchester.
Christmas markets on King Street, Manchester. | Manchester World

Market Street

There are going to be even more stalls on Market Street this year. These stall will mainly be selling bespoke gifts and produce. Expect things like tweed hats, spiced rum, Christmas decorations, candles, freshly baked coconut macaroons, jewellery and cheese.

Cathedral Gardens

Back again for 2024, the biggest attraction at Cathedral Gardens will be the Experience Skate ice rink, perfect for all the family. The ice rink stays open for longer than the markets, meaning that you can skate all the way up until the new year. There will also be food and drink offerings, including crepes, hot dogs, hot chocolate and more.

St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street

Long-time Manchester residents will know this area as the original site of the city’s Christmas Markets – how things have changed. This is where you will find the cosy, classic German Market experience with German beers, glühwein and bratwurst. Yard and Coop will also have a stall here, serving up salt and pepper chicken.

The always-popular Christmas Markets on St Ann's Square in 2023. Picture: Manchester City Centre BID.The always-popular Christmas Markets on St Ann's Square in 2023. Picture: Manchester City Centre BID.
The always-popular Christmas Markets on St Ann's Square in 2023. Picture: Manchester City Centre BID. | themancphotographer.co.uk

New Cathedral Street

Just a short walk away from St Ann’s Square, this street is where you will find high-end gifts, as well as more food offerings. Two of the most popular spots on this street are the Witch House beer and bratwurst bar and the Wrap Up burrito stall.

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Exchange Square

This is one of the largest areas of the markets, with stalls selling everything from clothing, soaps, boutique babywear, local crafts, and handmade gifts. There are also plenty of food stalls here, including the Mill Exchange, where you can find Manchester-themed mulled wine. This is also a very popular spot thanks to the Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding wraps which attracts large queues almost every day.

King Street

If you’re looking for a bit of class, this is the place to be. There will be some excellent food offerings, include King Street residents El Gato Negro, who will be bringing their kitchen to the street. You’ll also find Italian deli Ballaro, as well as French stalls and rum from local distillery Salford Rum.

The Corn Exchange

Located among some of the oldest buildings in the city centre, this is where you will find handmade pies, Nepalese woollen jumpers, handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations made from recycled wood, plus photo frames, artisan chocolates and much more.

When will they be open?

Manchester Christmas Markets will be open daily from Friday 8 November to Sunday 22 December. All the craft and seasonal goods stalls will be open 10am-8pm each day, while all the food drink stalls will be open 11am-9pm each day.

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On the last day, Sunday 22 December, the markets will close at 6pm. The food and drink stalls at Cathedral Gardens will stay open until Tuesday 31 December, together with the ice rink. More information can be found on the Manchester City Council website.

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