The Manchester Christmas Markets opened on Friday 6 November 2026, and the city centre has gone full festive mode already with more than 210 wooden chalets spread across 10 locations offering food, drinks and gifts. There’s a lot to see!
This guide has everything you need for a visit this year: the dates and opening times, what is at each of the ten markets, the best food to try, what things actually cost, and some tips for doing it all with kids in tow.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026: Quick Facts
- Dates: Friday 6 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026
- Extended date sites: Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until Sunday 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day)
- Opening times: Most stalls are open 10am to 9pm daily
- Entry: Free
- Manchester Christmas Parade: Sunday 6 December 2026
The 10 Manchester Christmas Market Locations
Below is a great map of the Christmas Markets by Manchester Council that you can save to your phone and refer back to once you arrive!
1. ALBERT SQUARE
If you only have time for one stop, make it Albert Square. This is the centrepiece of the whole thing, with the 50 metre Big Wheel giving you views over the Town Hall and the market rooftops, plus the vintage Helter Skelter and the walk through cracker topped by Zippy Santa. There is even a big red selfie sleigh in a mini snowy forest if you want the classic Christmas photo.
Food wise, you’ll find The Flat Baker with their iconic croissants baked in a tiny bakery inside the stall, loaded hash browns from Wrap Up, and Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, which sells exactly what it says: a Yorkshire pudding roast wrap (one of the halal options). Eat Greek is a staple at the Christmas markets and has good options for vegetarians, and for something sweet there’s Mr Crumble, which I highly recommend, and French toast bites that you can’t miss if you look for a stall with the Eiffel Tower on top!
With the closure of Piccadilly Gardens this year, I noticed that many of the food stalls there are now in Albert Square and the new Lincoln Square.
2. LINCOLN SQUARE (NEW)
The new kid on the block for 2026. It isn’t that big but it is all about food and a great spot to go to with a group because there’s such a variety in one good sized space! Lincoln Square has more than a dozen stalls and food trucks, plus undercover seating in a heated marquee, which is a big deal in December!
Expect jerk chicken, homestyle lasagne and pasta, sushi, Indian food, Korean corn dogs, loaded gyros, churros, falafel and more.
3. ST ANN’S SQUARE
St Ann’s Square is where the Christmas markets started. It has had a proper makeover this year and it’s looking really good! The Cirque de Noel bar now sits at the front, there is a larger covered seating area, and singers, buskers and community choirs perform throughout the season.
The food line up is great with a bit of everything. Yard & Coop is a great option for fried chicken with lots of flavours and they are doing deep fried mince pies for £4! Oi Dumplings has trays of gyoza and dumplings and for something sweet you’ll also find another Mr Crumble stall, The Pancake House and the French favourite Ma Cuisine Francaise.
4. KING STREET
King Street is looking pretty much the same in 2026 as the previous years. It’s the slightly more grown up market, sitting among the more upmarket shops and bars. It’s also home to one of the most famous queues at the markets: Waffle Kart. Last year they were selling out within a few hours, especially at weekends, so this fried chicken and waffles is worth the queue. Cost wise, you’re looking at you’re looking at mains from £11.95 to £14.95.
Also worth a look is HK Toast, which does deep fried Hong Kong style French toast with a torched crème brûlée option for £9.50. This is one of the places going viral online! I love the Arancine balls from the Sicilian stall , and the Great North Pie serving hot pies on mash with gravy, is ideal for a really warming meal.
5. EXCHANGE SQUARE
Exchange Square is busy, buzzy and home to the market’s most famous dish: the Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding wrap. Expect carvery meat, stuffing and gravy wrapped in a giant Yorkshire, from £10.50. The queues on weekends can be long, so go early if it’s top of your list.
Fuego serving epic birria/chipotle chicken tacos and nachos has another stall here and their food is always so good! For something different, check out Holy Duck for crispy duck wraps, burgers and more! And for something simpler, especially for the kids, Mamma Mia serves pizza.
There’s also a dedicated Hot Chocolate Bar, German Bar and crêpes from de Creperie.
6. NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
New Cathedral Street along the side of Selfridges and M&S is one of the best spots for actual Christmas shopping, with stalls selling leather goods, liquorice, candles, spirits and little gifts. It’s also home to the iconic Witch House, which has been serving German bratwurst and beer here for years.
It is home to one of the most popular foods to try at the Manchester Christmas market though – steak frites topped with melted raclette. This is one of the popular places again this year so expect a queue but people say it’s worth it!
7. CATHEDRAL GARDENS
This is the most family friendly of all the markets, and it’s where the Skate Manchester ice rink lives. The rink is fully covered, so a bit of rain won’t ruin your plans. We went last year with the kids and really enjoyed the skating experience. There is a mini Ferris wheel for smaller kids too.
The food here is cosy and hearty. Try the cheese fondue served in a sourdough bread bowl (£12.50 to £14.50), Irish spice bags for something greasy, warm and filling, or crêpes from de Creperie. Like Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens stays open after Christmas, so it’s a great option for the days between Christmas and New Year.
If you are visiting the Christmas markets with kids and only want to visit one area, this is where I’d suggest. There’s also a Q-Park located nearby for close parking.
8. MARKET STREET
Market Street along the Arndale is the longest stretch of stalls and the one you’ll walk through anyway if you’re coming from Piccadilly station. It’s mostly gifts and crafts, from novelty socks and prints to candles, cheese and fudge, with a dog treat stall (Charlie Boy’s Barkery) for anyone shopping for the four legged family members.
There’s a merry go round from £4 a go and carnival games like darts and hook a duck. For a sweet stop, Misu sells little tiramisu pots in flavours like gingerbread and salted caramel pretzel for £8 to £9 and people are going crazy for them online! The best thing is that they are packaged so you can buy one and take it home for later. I ate mine the day after going to the Christmas markets and it still tasted really great and they are worth the hype! Find them opposite Tesco Express.
9. EXCHANGE STREET
Exchange Street is a small but sweet little link between St Ann’s Square and the rest of the markets. It’s a good place to stop for loaded hash browns, gourmet hot chocolate, affogatos and chocolate covered strawberries from C&C, and The Great North Pie Company for something really warming.
10. CORN EXCHANGE
Tucked by the Corn Exchange is a row of stalls which are perfect for Christmas gift shopping. AK Distillery from Stalybridge sells Polish style craft moonshine, Lafi Crafts, a Tunisian business, has gorgeous posters, cards and decorative matchboxes.
You’ll also find sweets, cakes, candles ponchos, jewellery and more along here.
Things to Do at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Ride the Big Wheel Or Helter Skelter
The 50 metre Big Wheel on Albert Square was the hit of last Christmas and it’s back for 2026. Now that the Town Hall has all its scaffolding off, the views are even better! Off peak tickets are £6 for children aged 12 and under and £8 for adults and teens, rising to £7.50 and £9.50 at peak times. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £24 off peak or £30 at peak times, and you can book a private gondola for up to six people for £65.
Next to the Big Wheel is a Helter Skelter which is great for kids to go on too!
Go Ice Skating at Skate Manchester
Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens runs from 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day) and it’s a good idea to book in advance. I went last year with my stepsons and even though they had never really skated before, and I was very rusty, it was a good afternoon out!
Standard tickets include skate hire and cost £15 to £21 for adults and teens, and £13.75 to £15.50 for children aged 12 and under. Family tickets are £44 to £59. There are some brilliant deals too: kids skate free on Tuesdays between 4pm and 6pm when an adult pays, and there’s a parent and mini skater ticket for £15 on weekdays from 2pm to 3pm. Skate aids can be hired for £5.
Find Zippy Santa
Manchester’s giant Santa is back on Albert Square for the first time in nearly a decade so it’s very nostalgic for many people! He is perched on top of a walk through Christmas cracker with colour changing lights and a countdown to Christmas. Kids will love walking through the tunnel while the festive songs play.
Watch the Manchester Christmas Parade
The Manchester Christmas Parade returns on Sunday 6 December 2026. Expect the city centre to be extra busy that day, so plan around it if you’re not going for the parade itself and if you are, consider taking public transport instead of trying to drive into the city.
Make a Night of It with the Light Trails
If you want to turn your market trip into a full festive day or get into the Christmas spirit without heading into the city, there are many Christmas light trails around Manchester (you can find 15 ideas in my guide to Christmas light trails in Manchester here). For one near the city centre, Northern Lights trail at Heaton Park would be a good idea and runs from 19 November to 31 December 2026!
What Does Food and Drink Cost?
Let’s be honest, the Christmas markets are not cheap, I’ve noticed prices go up year after year and this year is no different so here’s roughly what to budget for:
- Glühwein: £5.50 to £7.50 a mug
- Pint of beer or cider: £6 to £7
- Bratwurst: £8 to £9
- Hot chocolate: from about £4.50, with loaded versions from £5
- Porky Pig Yorkshire pudding wrap: from £10.50
- Fuego birria tacos: £10 to £13
- Waffle Kart mains: £11.95 to £14.95
- Soft drinks: around £2 to £3
MY TOP TIPS: It’s worth noting that many portion sizes are large so don’t order multiple of the same thing for your group and instead share dishes. I know it is nice to go to stalls without queues but the food stalls with big queues going viral online are usually popular for a reason so at least you know you are not wasting your money and will get some good food for what you have paid.
Getting to the Markets
Public transport is by far the easiest way to get there, and the council strongly recommends it. Piccadilly, Victoria and Deansgate stations are all within walking distance, and the tram stops at St Peter’s Square, Market Street and Exchange Square put you right next to the stalls. Be sure to check your route in advance via public transport to ensure stations and routes are open.
For parking, many of the street parking spaces are closed and restricted during the weekends, however we did manage to get parked on Lloyd Street near Albert Square which was really handy.
FAQs
When do the Manchester Christmas Markets open in 2026?
The markets opened on Friday 6 November 2026.
When do the Manchester Christmas Markets close?
Most locations close on Tuesday 22 December 2026, while Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until Sunday 3 January 2027.
What time do the Manchester Christmas Markets open?
Most stalls are open from 10am to 9pm every day.
Are the Manchester Christmas Markets free?
Yes, entry is free. You only pay for food, drinks, gifts and attractions like the Big Wheel and the ice rink.
Is Piccadilly Gardens part of the markets this year?
No. Piccadilly Gardens is closed for refurbishment in 2026, and the new Lincoln Square market has taken its place.
Are there halal options at the Manchester Christmas Markets?
Yes, there are quite a few. I’ve put together a separate guide to halal food at the Manchester Christmas Markets with all the stalls to look out for.
Are the markets open on Christmas Day?
No, every location is closed on Christmas Day.
I hope this has helped you plan your visit to the Manchester Christmas Markets.
- For more of my Manchester posts see:
- Halal Food at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
- 15 Best Christmas Light Trails Manchester 2026: Where to See Christmas Lights in Manchester & Nearby
- 31+ BEST Halal Restaurants in Manchester (Local Guide)
- One Day in Manchester: The Perfect Itinerary From A Local
- Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly: Train, Tram, Bus & Taxi With Costs
- 30 BEST Family Days Out Near Manchester: Tried & Tested