Manchester Christmas Market Guide 2025 (+ Events, Travel Tips)

Last Updated on 22nd December 2025 by Sophie Nadeau

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So festive is Manchester during the winter that it’s been dubbed the ‘UK’s capital of Christmas‘. Here’s your total 2025 guide to the Manchester Christmas Markets, as well as locations, opening times, and themed markets.

If you find yourself in Northern England and you’re looking for some mulled wine, a chance to shop quirky gifts, and are in search for a Christmas vibe, then you should totally take the time to visit the Christmas Markets in Manchester.

2025 Manchester Christmas Market dates: 8th November – 4th January 2026

The Cathedral Christmas market will remain open until the 31st of December along with the Ice Rink

Market opening times: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 9 pm

Previous years at the Manchester Christmas Market

Award-winning and taking place on an annual basis, this Manchester event sees some three hundred wooden stalls comprising of both local producers and artisans from the rest of Europe. Of particular note is the variety of toys, jewellery, French soaps, Belgian kitchenware, and bags.

While you can buy traditional Christmas market foods like Bratwurst, there’s also something for those with a sweet tooth, as well as vegetarians and vegans. Other Christmas activities of note in Manchester include an Ice Village close to the Cathedral, as well as glittering lights located all around the city (and which are obviously best viewed post dusk).

Christmas Markets in Manchester Locations

Throughout the city, there are numerous Christmas market locations. In each destination, you’ll find a variety of Bavarian style stalls selling decorations, themed gifts, mulled wine, and plenty of food. Here’s the best of locations around the city (find a map of the markets online here): If you only have a short time in the city, be sure to check out this guide to spending one day in Manchester for more itinerary ideas.

Albert Square Christmas Market

In 2025, after the previous years of renovations, the Christmas market will finally return to this iconic landmark of the city. Typically, this festive market was open for longer than all of the other Christmas markets in Manchester locations.

While you could easily spend all day wandering around the Albert Square market, be sure to check out some of the other sites the city has to offer! Some of the must-see stalls at Albert Square include the Amsterdam Frites (there are around thirty sauce flavours for your fries!) and sweets from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Cathedral Gardens Christmas Market

Situated close to the iconic Manchester Cathedral (which is free to visit and open on a daily basis), the Cathedral Gardens Christmas Market can be found just steps away from the Arndale Centre. 2018 saw Britain’s first ever ice village complete with frozen toy factory and Santa’s Grotto!

Exchange Square Christmas Market

Cinnamon pretzels, cheese, gins, and more: the Exchange Square Christmas Market is just as magical as the other locations in Britain’s Christmas capital, a.k.a Manchester. Close to Selfridges, The Arndale Shopping centre, and home to the BBC big screen, dogs on leads are allowed. Here, there’s also the opportunity to buy gold shimmer prosecco, a sparkly must-sample for those who love bubbly!

St Ann’s Square German-style Christmas Market

Home to some of the oldest tombstones in the Manchester area, St Ann’s Square was where the first solitary Manchester Christmas Market launched in 1999. Today, the Bavarian tradition is stronger than ever in the Northern English city. Of particular note in St Ann’s Square is the VV campervan photobooth where you can get a free selfie print.

New Cathedral Street Christmas Market

Home to some rather chic stalls, New Cathedral Street can be found midway between the National Football Museum and St Anne’s Square. Of particular interest for those who enjoy an après-ski atmosphere is Harvey Nichols’ “Bar No3”.

Market Street Christmas Market

As one of the main shopping streets in the city, it should come as no surprise that this road is also home to a Christmas Market. Close to the hipster Northern Quarter, this Christmas market is home to all kinds of stalls ranging from places to buy gifts to eateries.

Corn Exchange Christmas Market

Manchester’s Corn Exchange can be found in the city centre and is well-known as a Grade II listed building which is home to many an eatery. This year, many of the restaurants are joining in the festive fun with Christmas menus. When it comes to festival stalls, of particular note is Pure Indulgence Soaps.

King Street French Christmas Market

If you enjoy more of a French vibe to your Christmas Markets but don’t have the opportunity to visit some of the best Christmas Markets in France, then you should head to King Street.

This is one of the larger Christmas Markets in Manchester and it’s here where you’ll find stalls such as cheese stalls, as well as a stall selling ‘vin chaud’ (the French equivalent to Glühwein).

Exchange Square Arts & Crafts Market

Emerald City Cupcakes serve all kinds of sweet treats (including gluten-free snacks), while a yorkshire pudding wrap restaurant can also be found in the vicinity. Exchange Street itself can be found close to St Ann’s Square and not far from the Arndale.

Best time to visit the Manchester Christmas Markets

As you can imagine, the markets are pretty popular and so can get fairly busy fairly quickly. This is especially true of the evenings and the weekends. As such, if you want to get more of the place to yourself, then be sure to visit earlier in the day and mid-week if possible.

Like many European cities, Manchester is best explored either on foot or via public transportation. And the city’s Christmas Markets are no exception. As such, use public transport to reach the city centre. The closest train stations are Deansgate and Victoria stations.

Food at the Manchester Christmas Market

If there’s one thing Christmas markets across Europe are known for, it’s the delectable smorgasbord of treats on offer, of both the sweet and savoury variety. So if you’re looking for even more drool worthy foodie inspo, be sure to check out our Christmas market food guide, as much of the food listed can be found at the Manchester Christmas market!

Christmas things to do in Manchester (that aren’t the Christmas markets)

Collect a Christmas mug

While technically a Christmas Market activity, one of the most fun things to do in Manchester in winter is to collect a themed Christmas mug. Christmas Market mugs are common in Germany where you typically have to pay a deposit for the use of a mug when you order a hot drink.

You can then choose to keep the mug or return it and get your deposit back. The Manchester Christmas Markets deploy this scheme too. In 2025, a Christmas Market mug is £3.50.

Ice skating

There is a real ice skating rink which is erected just in time for the Manchester Christmas Markets, as part of the Cathedral Gardens Christmas Market. In 2025, the ice skating rink will open from the 25th of October to the 4th of January 2026. The ice skating rink costs from £12 and tickets vary depending on the day of the week you visit.

Manchester’s Giant Santa and Light Sculpture Trail

Fun for all of the family, one of the best free things to do in Manchester at Christmas is to head out on the trail of light sculptures across the city. This includes a nativity scene in St Ann’s Square, a sparkling Manchester Bee (a bee is the symbol of Manchester), and a Giant Santa is St Peter’s Square.

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