Manchester's Christmas Markets
Friday 6 November – Tuesday 22 December 2026 Opens in 27 days
Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day)
10am–9pm daily at most sites (2026); Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens 10am–5pm Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day, 10am–6pm 26 Dec–3 Jan, late opening New Year's Eve
Ten city-centre sites: Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann's Square, Corn Exchange, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Market Street, Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester · North West England
One of the UK's biggest Christmas market events, spread across ten squares and streets in Manchester city centre.
Manchester's Christmas Markets spread across ten sites in the city centre, from Albert Square in front of the Town Hall to Cathedral Gardens near the cathedral. In 2025 the council described more than 200 stalls, mixing local and international craft traders with festive food, bars and hot drinks served in collectable mugs.
Each site has its own character. Albert Square has a 50-metre Ferris wheel and a vintage helter-skelter, with a pop-up pub new for 2026; Cathedral Gardens is aimed at families and hosts Skate Manchester's large covered ice rink (paid) plus free live entertainment; Lincoln Square joins for 2026 as a food and drink market; and St Ann's Square is the original home of the markets. New Cathedral Street is known for the Witch House serving German bratwurst and beer.
The markets themselves are free to walk around. Most sites close on 22 December, but Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open into the new year.
Dates by season
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | Fri 6 Nov – Tue 22 Dec 2026Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day) | Coming up Add to calendar (Fri 6 Nov – Tue 22 Dec 2026) |
| 2025–26 | Fri 7 Nov – Mon 22 Dec 2025Cathedral Gardens opened early on 24 October 2025 and ran to 4 January 2026 | Held |
Dates are taken from the market’s own website or official announcements and were last checked on 6 October 2026. Plans can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel. Spotted a change? Tell us.
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