Manchester’s Christmas Markets return with a new attraction: Winter Gardens and one trader who has been coming to the city since 1999 is delighted to be back.

It’s feeling very festive in the city with the return of the famous Manchester’s Christmas markets.

Eager to make up for missed celebrations, this year a new family-friendly Winter Gardens attraction is in the heart of the city as Piccadilly Gardens has been transformed.

After being cancelled last year due to coronavirus restrictions, the annual festive markets have made their long-awaited return and will be running from today through to Wednesday 22 December. However, The Winter Gardens will be open through until the New Year – Monday 3 January 2022.

Anja Manke runs the German Christmas Market stalls in St Ann’s Square. She has been coming to Manchester since the markets first started in 1999 and is over the moon that they are back this year.

As well as the new Winter Gardens attraction, the Christmas Markets also return across another six city centre squares: see our full guide to locations here.

‘German traders love Manchester - we’re so happy to be back at the Christmas Markets’