Christmas in Manchester 2024: 5 alternative events for people who want to avoid the markets

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Halloween is over. It’s time to start thinking about Christmas.

In Manchester, the markets are the biggest events in the city centre calendar, attracting thousands of visitors from near and far, and millions of pounds to the local economy each year. 

But they’re not for everyone. Stalls now take up almost every public square in Manchester, making an already busy city even busier. Anyone who has ever walked down Market Street in December will understand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They’re also expensive. Last year, the price of the famous Christmas markets bratwursts rose to £8 from £7 and a mulled wine was £6 for a small. This is fine for a quick treat, but it soon adds up if you’re spending an afternoon there – especially for families.

Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to the Christmas markets in and around the city centre, if you’re looking for something quieter.  

LTV

Trafford Centre Christmas Trail

As always, the Trafford Centre is going all out for the festive season. There’s the Christmas Live show taking place on Saturday 16 November, which is also the opening say for the Santa’s Grotto, open until Christmas Eve. From 22 November to 5 December, the Tinsel Town fairground will be open, featuring plenty of rides, festive refreshments and an ice rink. From 6 December to 5 January, Gandey’s Snowstorm Firebird show will be in town, wowing crowds with world-class ice skating and circus acts. Finally, a new light trail is opening in the nearby Wilderpool Woods – there will be installations, music and food pop-ups from Freight Island.  More information about all these events, including dates and ticket prices, can be found on the Trafford Centre website.

Victoria Baths Winter Fair

Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s finest buildings and its events are fantastic opportunities to step back in time and admire the historic former swimming pool. On 13-November, they will be opening their doors again for the annual Winter Fair, where you can peruse the stalls selling handmade artwork, jewellery, ceramics and food. It has also a tea room, gift shop and guided tours of the buildings – including the places that are not normally open to the public. More information, including how to book your place, can be found on the Victoria Baths website.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stockport Victorian Christmas Market

On 6-7 December, Stockport’s Market Hall will be travelling back in time to when the building was first built. Open 9am-4pm, the free to enter market will host stalls, as well as live choirs and bands, fairground rides, Santa meet and greet and more. More information can be found on the Stockport Market Facebook page. 

Bolton's Put Big Light On festivalBolton's Put Big Light On festival
Bolton's Put Big Light On festival | LDRS

Put Big Light On Festival 2024

By the far the best-named festive event in Greater Manchester, the Bolton Put Big Light On Festival returns for 2024, with a series of creative installations from a diverse range of artists. It will take place 5-8 December in the town centre. More information about the free event can be found on the festival’s Facebook page.

Altrincham - Light Switch-On and Lantern Parade

Another exciting place to be this festive season is Altrincham, starting with the town’s lights switch-on on November 23. The fun continues with the Lantern Parade on 7 December, the Nativity Journey on Saturday 14 December and the Carols from Kings Court on 18 December. More information can be found on the Visit Altrincham website.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice