Manchester Christmas Markets 2021 opening times and drinks deposits confirmed

Manchester Christmas Markets are returning to the city this Friday, bringing some early Christmas cheer - and a chance to grab a gluhwein, sausage and some early presents.

Manchester City Council has confirmed the markets will be open from 10am to 9pm each day, with bars and food stalls shutting at 9pm and craft stalls at 8pm.

The new Winter Gardens attraction in Piccadilly Gardens will be open from Friday 12 November to Monday 3 January.

And the Christmas Markets across another six city centre locations - St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, King Street, Market Street and Cathedral gardens - will be open from Friday 12 November to 22 December.

A fuller guide to the venues and what to expect at each location is here.

Plus you can find a price guide and map here.

Is there a deposit for glasses and mugs?

The drinks deposit scheme will also be back, with visitors ordering a wine or beer asked to pay £1.50 a glass, and those having hot drinks to pay a £3 deposit for a mug. Visitors can then return the cups for a refund or choose to keep them.

The mugs have become something of a collector’s item over the years and this year’s design doesn’t have a year on it, featuring the slogan ‘Christmas is what you make it’instead.

They’ve already been in use already at the ice skating rink at Cathedral Gardens which opened ahead of Halloween and will remain in place during the Christmas markets.

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesman, said: “Second only to the disappointment of the cancellation of last year’s Christmas Market was the realisation that there would be no Christmas Market mug! We know that some visitors have a complete collection of mugs going back more than 10 years – and we expect those people to be first in line for a warming gluhwein or hot chocolate.

“We can’t wait to see the festive transformation of the city centre after a really difficult year for so many people.”