Get ready! On the 15th November, Christmas officially begins in Manchester with the arrival of Manchester's award winning Christmas Markets.
Running until the 22nd December, the Christmas Markets have never failed to bring some festive cheer to the city centre in all of their 15 years, with this years events promising to bigger and brighter than ever before. As well as a huge amount of arts and craft stalls, food stalls and bars, there are some areas of the markets you can't afford to miss.
This year promises more than 300 stalls in total. Perfect for some late Christmas shopping!
The Markets have extended even further into Manchester this year, this time along Corporation Street. For one year only, the festive fun will be brought to Corporation Street in the form of even ore festive craft, gift and clothing stalls, as well as 'The Melting Pot,' a cosy coffee house that's ideal for lunch time winter warmers. The stalls on Corporation Street are open from 10am to 7.30pm in November, and the even later time of 8pm in the month of December.
There'll be even more stalls in Albert Square this year, and Santa, of course.
Albert Square is always the centre of all the Christmas cheer throughout Manchester, and this year the traditional European Market is set to have even more stalls and bars, and an even wider range of food, drink and perfect Christmas presents. With the bustle of the crowds also comes the strict no dogs policy in Albert Square (except assistance dogs). As much as we don't want your canine friends to miss joining in the festive fun, the crowds in Albert Square may be a little too much for them. The square opens at 10am each day, and closes at 9pm, making it's bars and drink stalls a perfect way to end your festivities for the night. Another mulled wine, please!
Away from the crowds, St. Anns Square is home to a traditional German Christmas Market.
Way back in 1998, St. Anns Square held the very first Manchester Christmas Market when a number of traders from Frankfurt were invited to do what they do best and start a small festive market much like their own back in Germany. Fifteen years later and the market has grown exponentially, but the German Market is still there, and still sells it's traditional German food, drink and goods, and is still the best place in all of Manchester to get a Frankfurt! The stalls on St. Anns Square are open from 10am to 7.30pm in November, and closing at 8.00pm in December. The bars, however, will always close at 9pm, so there's no excuse to not get a great German Beer!
King Street holds the French Christmas Market, and focuses on fine shopping and fine food!
By far the chicest section of the Christmas Markets is the King Street French Market, which offers a huge range of the French products, from high-end jewellery and clothing to delectable cheeses, pâtés and wines. Make sure to check out the King Street Markets from 10am to 7.30pm if you're struggling to find that perfect Christmas present for that special someone this holiday season.
Every year as the winter rolls in and the rainy city descends into miserable, damp darkness, we check our calendars and mark the date that the markets begin. The 15th November and the opening of the these beautifully rustic and heartfelt festive stalls that are overflowing with the sights, sounds and smells of December are as much a part of many peoples Christmas's as putting up their tree is. Right the date down and we'll see you at Albert Square, the first mulled wine is on you!
Opening Hours: Friday 15 November – Sunday 22 December 2013
Mon 10am - 7.30pm
Tue 10am - 7.30pm
Wed 10am - 7.30pm
Thur 10am - 7.30pm
Fri 10am - 7.30pm
Sat 10am - 7.30pm
Sun 10am - 7:30pm
