Manchester thrives throughout the Christmas period, there is plenty of activities and events scattered
through out the city. People travel from all parts world to be a part of Manchester’s festive spirit. It is
known and recognised to be among the highly rated festive city in the world. Ensure you book your
accommodation and arrange your transport as the city gets very busy, it is safer to make pre arrangements to ensure you enjoy your trip in festive Christmas Manchester, instead of being pre occupied with other things.
Winter Island
Head to the outdoor winter island for the last weekend before Christmas, its full of festive traders & a
Christmas tree forest. A festive destination of food, drink, music & entertainment. They also have the famous backyard cinema so you can enjoy your favourite movie sat on giant man size bean bags in the
middle of the enchanted forest. Don’t forget to book yourself in to the Santa’s Grotto with your
families where you can send letters to Santa and receive guests from the Santa’s helpers.
(Address Escape to freight island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PY)
Christmas Markets
The famous Manchester Christmas markets are open at numerous locations in Manchester.
The markets will be on between Nov 10 th – Dec 22 nd . Some markets will reopen after Christmas and
into the New year. Manchester Christmas markets are known to be the best in the UK, and the most
searched as well on Google and Instagram! With Nottingham coming second and Leeds coming third.
Edinburgh and Birmingham were also some of the contenders. What may also help you decide on
visiting the Christmas markets in Manchester is that, Manchester has been ranked the most
affordable city to stay in over the festive period.
Market locations:
- Piccadilly Gardens
- St Ann’s Square – The first original site for Christmas Markets, it returns with german beers and
Gluhwein, keeping the visitors warm - Exchange square – The famous mulled wine is available here
- New Cathedral St – Get your high end ornaments and gifts from the stalls
- King St – Food stalls from around the world!
- Exchange St – Home to the local traders
- Market St – Get your gifts from the stalls on Market street
- Cathedral Gardens – Undercover ice rink here!
- The Corn Exchange – Fair trade stalls here selling coats and hats
Manchester Christmas Markets soar over 220 stalls throughout the above 9 listed sites! Markets
really bring out the festive vibe to streets of Manchester. The Manchester Christmas markets have
been running for 24 years attracting Mancunians and visitors from all around UK and world.
Hatch’s Festive Village (Oxford rd, Manchester)
Get yourself to Hatch’s festive Village to get involved in some wreath making, food tasting & cocktail
drinking. Roaring fires, lit up Christmas trees, prosecco & mulled win. The perfect location for a
festive evening.
Ice skating in Manchester
Ice rink at Cathedral gardens (Manchester) is a fabulous location for a skate with friends or something
to do on date night. The rink is located in the middle of the festive markets, they even have a huge
Christmas tree up to pose in front of, for a quick snap.
Festive places to ice skate this Christmas
- Cathedral Gardens
- Freight island
- Tinsel town Trafford centre
- Winter Funland
Bar hutte (Great Northern square, Manchester)
Karaoke & festive drinks in cosy alpine huts will definitely get you in the festive mood. Get yourself
down to Bar hutte, they even offer oven baked pizzas!