Christmas markets return to Manchester: 10 locations and November opening dates

The famous Christmas market will be bigger and better than ever before, here’s exactly what you can expect

The countdown to Christmas is in full swing, with Manchester’s renowned Christmas Markets set to take over the city in just three weeks.

This year will mark the comeback of the iconic wooden chalets to Albert Square after a six year hiatus, featuring a “mini market” and festive fairground, complete with a big wheel outside Manchester Town Hall.

Albert Square will be one of TEN city centre locations participating in what promises to be a bumper year for the Manchester Christmas Markets.

Here’s a sneak peek at what each market location has in store, along with a comprehensive list of dates and times for all market sites.

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The main market sites will kick off on Friday, November 7 and continue until Monday, December 22. However, both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, home to this year’s Skate Manchester ice rink, will remain open until January 4.

Here’s everything we know so far about the return of the festive markets, including the daily opening times which vary slightly depending on the location. All the locations – and opening times:

Albert Square

The headline news for 2025 is the return of Albert Square as a host for Christmas market stalls – though we’re advised to brace ourselves for “something a little bit different”. Since the square hasn’t been fully restored yet as part of the ongoing multi-million pound Our Town Hall project, there will be a smaller market instead of a complete comeback.

There will also be “exciting fairground-style attractions” with a 50-metre-high Ferris wheel set to offer some stunning views across Manchester Town Hall. There’ll be a specially designed market featuring sparkling lights and covered seating in timber chalets serving local food, drink and crafts from Christmas vendors.

Food lovers can enjoy the delicious waffles and pancakes from The German Pancake House, Wrap Up will be serving a fresh menu of loaded hash browns, and the beloved Mr Crimble’s Crumble stall will have a new second location here this year. Plus the traditional German swing grill, with freshly prepared bratwursts and German beers on tap, will return to Albert Square.

Opening Times: 7 November to 23 December: 10am to 9pm; 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm; 25 December (Christmas Day): closed; 26 to 30 December: 10am to 6pm; 31 December (New Year’s Eve): 10–12.30am; 1 to 4 January: 10am to 6pm.

The Winter Gardens

Piccadilly Gardens will once again transform into The Winter Gardens for 2025 with an array of hot food and drink stalls from across the globe. You can enjoy Greek gyros, Yorkshire puddings and shepherd’s pies. Visitors can also enjoy from Chinese dumplings, Brazilian street food, and Korean hot dogs. Craft and gift stalls here will feature pottery, jewellery, desserts, cheeses, and more.

Enjoy a pint, spirit, or hot drink. Or snuggle up in covered seating areas and belt out classic tunes in Bar Hutte’s karaoke huts, here in an additional location for 2025. Opening times: from 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December.

Market Street

Market Street is very much the gift hub of the markets. You’ll only find one hot drink stall and no alcohol, so this isn’t the place to go if you’re after a gluhwein, pint or a hot sausage. Expect over forty stalls though offering bespoke crafts, gifts and produce.

There will be candles and Christmas decorations. Plus, you can stock up on spiced rum, coconut macaroons, cheese truckles and foodie treats. Opening times: From 7 November to 22 December, open 10am to 9pm every day except Sundays, when the market will close at 6pm.

Cathedral Gardens

Traditionally the more family-oriented area of the markets, this is where you’ll find Skate Manchester’s massive, covered ice rink (open daily) and free live entertainment hosted every Thursday to Sunday all the way up to New Year’s Eve.

On the food front, you’ll find Yorkshire pudding wraps (not by Porky Pig though – he’s only on Exchange Square), authentic crepes, gourmet hot dogs, hot chocolate, and much more. Skate Manchester officially kicks off in time for the October half term, starting from 24 October and running straight through to 4 January.

St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street are set to be bustling with activity. St Ann’s Square, the original site of Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Market, is back this year with some of the longest-standing traders, including stalls selling German beers, cherry gluhwein and bratwurst.

Exchange Street will welcome back the popular chocolate taps from last year, along with a new addition this year – loaded hash browns. The market will be open daily from 10am to 9pm, from 7 November to 22 December.

New Cathedral Street, known as the spot for high-end gifts and foodie favourites, is sure to delight craft-lovers with offerings such as handmade beeswax candles, ceramics, local spirits, and keepsakes. This is also where you can get your hands on those one litre steins of Bavarian beer and German bratwurst and currywurst from The Witch House – it’s the one with the famous giant sausage above the stall.

You can also indulge in steak frites from Artisan Catering, and experience a taste of Mexico with a delicious burrito from Mango Rays. Craft lagers, hot drinks and mead will be available at Bar 3. Also, keep an eye out for gourmet Scotch eggs on sale. The market will be open daily from 10am to 8pm, from 7 November to 22 December.

Exchange Square is also set to join in the festive fun. Among the city’s largest and frequently most crowded market spots, Exchange Square is renowned as the home of the Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding stall.

The Mill Exchange returns with its selection of flavoured mulled wines, whilst Dutch mini pancakes can also be discovered here. Visitors can indulge in Mexican tacos, Indian curries, hot chocolates and cocktails as well. Festive crafts and treats are also available for browsing, including soaps, boutique babywear and tweed clothing, plus the chance to stock up on Italian biscuits, cannoli, Turkish delight and baklava. Opening times: From 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December.

The Corn Exchange

Located between the Corn Exchange and Shambles Square, shoppers will discover some of the most distinctive gifts on offer at the Christmas Markets from various crafters, and with no hot food and drink stalls present, it creates a more focused shopping area.

Handmade pork pies and pork scratching will be available alongside artisan chocolate truffles and brownies, woollen jumpers and toys, handcrafted jewellery and the sought-after Christmas decorations and name plaques. Opening times: From 10am to 8pm daily from 7 November to 22 December.

King Street

Historically the continental food market district in the city, King Street will introduce two new bars this year providing “an upmarket drinking experience”, featuring festive cocktails, German beers and craft ales. Food stalls at this location will be dishing up chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, alongside traditional French cuisine, Italian pizza and arancini, Greek gyros, and Spanish dishes.

You can peruse soap, decorations, local spirits, truckle cheeses and chocolate kisses. Alternatively, pop into the Italian deli for gourmet meats, cheeses and Mediterranean produce. Opening hours: From 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December.