The Christmas Markets in Manchester transform the City with their charming wooden chalets allowing you to get caught up in the Christmas spirit while you browse the bustling stalls, soaking up the atmosphere beneath the twinkling lights.
So, make sure you spare time to visit the markets. As you will see below there are plenty of places to visit!
Brazennose Street - 18th November to 21st December / 10am to 7.30pm (8pm Dec)
The World Market on Brazennose Street is a treasure trove of beaded handbags, Indian jewellery and handmade leather books, knitwear, jumpers, felt goods, home-wear, and fairly traded and leather goods.
For those foodies amongst you there is a fantastic range of consumables to take home including Dutch cheese, bread and sausages, fudge and sweets, Dutch biscuits and toffee waffles.
Of course there will be the ubiquitous Gluhwein (undercover) and beer house and plenty of food to keep up your strength including food chalets selling, sausages, lamb and rice dishes, and pancakes.
St Ann's Square -18th November to 22nd December / 10am to 8pm daily
The original German Christmas Market from Frankfurt returns to St Ann's Square, where Manchester tasted its very first Glühwein! With bratwürst stalls at every corner the market is interspersed with stalls offering authentic wooden toys and handcrafted gifts, including decorative pottery, glassware, jewellery, crafts and unique accessories.
Exchange Street - 18th November to 21st December / 10am to 7.30pm (8pm in Dec) daily
If you are looking for something to give at Christmas, make sure you visit the market at Exchange Street where you will find a select number of craft traders from the North West selling a mix of handcrafted jewellery, designer handbags, original photography, prints and quirky clocks.
New Cathedral Street -18th November to 21st December / 10am to 7.30pm (8pm in Dec) daily
For those eco-conscious, this is THE place to visit to stock up on fairly traded goods, handcrafted, ethnic styles and one-off gift items.
Choose from leather-bound books and boxes, glass and semi-precious stone, pearl and silver jewellery, African crafts, wooden and metal boxes, Moroccan artefacts, money boxes, designer glass blown ornaments, and wooden puzzles. If you are in the mood to pamper yourself or treat a loved one or friend, New Cathedral Street plays host to a range of natural beauty products, including seaweed body lotions.
If you are in need of a pit-stop then there is also a Gluhwein house serving hot German food.
Exchange Square - 18th November to 21st December / 10am to 7.30pm (8pm in Dec) daily
Exchange Square is found in the heart of Manchester's shopping district and will play host to wooden chalets that offer more traditional Olde English-style food including a hog roast, mulled wine bar, and English bubbly, as well as a range of local beers.
The Triangle - 18th November to 21st December / Every Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday of the market. 10am to 7pm
Manchester’s newest location is outside the Triangle shopping centre and features popular arts, crafts and festive gift stalls. A traditional market, whose traders set up their stall each day braving the Manchester elements. This resilient mix of traders changes regularly so it is definitely worth a visit each week.
HAPPY SHOPPING!