Thousands of visitors will descend upon Manchester city centre in the coming weeks as the Christmas Markets return. Opening on Friday November 10 the markets will see dozens of wooden stalls set up across various zones in the city.
The ski-chalet style huts will sell a host of festive treats, including mulled wine -served in the iconic markets mug - juicy sausages and sweet snacks. As well as food and drink, there will be a range of festive gifts and handmade items available to buy.
This year the main hub will once again be at Piccadilly Gardens, transformed into the “Winter Gardens”. Clusters of stalls will also be at Cathedral Gardens (along with the ice rink), Market Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square and King Street.
READ MORE: Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 opening and closing times
READ MORE: Manchester's Christmas Parade and Toy Processions are back for 2023 with city's FREE Festive Sundays
The markets are popular and can be extremely busy on evenings and at weekends. So, if you’re planning on paying them a visit, it’s important to plan how you’re going to get there.
We’ve outlined how to visit the markets through different forms of public transport below, as well as by car. It’s worth checking for any last-minute road closures and maintenance works before setting off on your journey to avoid any disruption.
By tram
There are several tram stops within a short walking distance of the market locations. Piccadilly Gardens is the closest stop for the main hub at “Winter Gardens”, while Market Street is the best stop to reach St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street and New Cathedral Street.
Exchange Square tram stop is directly by the stalls there, and it’s also a good bet if you’re heading to Cathedral Gardens. Alternatively use the tram stop at Victoria Station. Although there aren’t any markets in St Peter’s Square, there is a giant illuminated Santa, so this stop is excellent if you fancy a photo opportunity and a relaxed stroll to the stalls.
By bus
The Piccadilly Gardens bus stop is right at the heart of the action near the “Winter Gardens” hub. But if you want to avoid the crowds and don’t mind a short walk, you may find it easier to get off the bus earlier, with many services stopping along Portland Street before they reach the Piccadilly Gardens bus stop.
Shudehill Interchange is slightly away from the action so it shouldn’t be too busy, but it’s conveniently only a five minute walk from Exchange Square. Church Street in the Northern Quarter is a practical stop if you’re heading to the stalls in Market Street, or the “Winter Gardens”.
By train
Victoria and Piccadilly are the two main train stations nearest to the markets. Victoria is closest to Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square and the main run of markets along New Cathedral Street and St Ann’s Square. Meanwhile Piccadilly station is around a 10-minute walk to the main hub at the “Winter Gardens”.
Although slightly further out, Oxford Road station is a good option if you want to avoid the crowds, but it is a longer walk to the markets - approximately 20 minutes.
By car
If you are travelling to the city centre by car then there are several car parks you can use. The NCP car parks at Manchester Piccadilly Plaza and Chorlton Street are the most central ones. Piccadilly Plaza is open from 6am until 11pm, while Chorlton Street is open 24 hours. Prices start from £3.95 per hour (pay on the day).
There are several more car parks throughout the city centre - you can find more details on the Manchester Council website here. But if you want to take the stress out of securing a parking spot, then park and ride is a good option to consider. TfGM has details on park and ride options across Greater Manchester for bus, train and tram. You can find out more here.
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
It's pretty straightforward to travel to the Christmas market by train. The Market stalls are all in central Manchester, so any of the three main stations (Piccadilly, Victoria or Oxford Road) will drop you off relatively close, wherever you have travelled from.
By train. Victoria and Piccadilly are the two main train stations nearest to the markets. Victoria is closest to Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square and the main run of markets along New Cathedral Street and St Ann's Square. Meanwhile Piccadilly station is around a 10-minute walk to the main hub at the “Winter Gardens”.
1. Cardiff. For 30 years, Cardiff Christmas Market has been populating the pedestrian areas of the city centre with stalls showcasing the original work of its craftspeople and artists.
There are lots of car parks within walking distance with the nearest being Piccadilly Plaza and Chorlton Street. If you don't want to drive in the city centre, why not use one of the Park and Ride locations with over 30 of them across Greater Manchester.
You can easily reach the Christmas market by taking the U-Bahn line U7. Get off at the Altstadt Spandau station. The long-distance, regional and S-Bahn station Berlin-Spandau is also well connected. The journey from the S-Bahn station Zoologischer Garten in City West takes about 20 minutes.
Market Street has over 40 craft and gift stalls to peruse. St Ann's Square is the oldest Christmas Market site in Manchester. Pay a visit to the Manchester Shop and keep an eye out for the alien sculptures. The Corn Exchange has some of the most unique gift stalls.
There's no denying it – our data suggests that Manchester is the place to go if you want the ultimate festive market experience. Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor here at cinch, said: “According to our findings, Manchester is home to the best Christmas market in the UK.
Earlier this week, we reported that a recent study crowned Birmingham Christmas Market the best in the UK – knocking last year's number one, Manchester Christmas Markets, off the top spot.
1. Budapest - Advent Feast at the Basilica. It is for the fourth time elected Best Christmas Market in Europe! The Advent Basilica, winner of the Best Christmas Market in Europe award 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024, is without doubt one of the most beautiful Christmas fairs in Europe.
The toilet can be accessed through a radar key. The public toilets on Mount Street also offer a fully accessible toilet and changing facilities, including an adult-weighted change bed, a shower and toilet, and an adult-weighted track hoist.
Fortunately, though, you do not need tickets to access any of the Manchester Christmas market stall locations, including the Winter Gardens. However, if you want to visit the ice skating rink in Cathedral Gardens, you will need to purchase a ticket. You can book tickets either at the ticket booth or online in advance.
Originally introduced to the city in 1999, the Christmas markets have grown bigger and better each year, attracting Europe's finest street food vendors and crafters. It's a great place to buy Yuletide gifts, such as fine jewellery, handcrafted leather bags and artisan soaps.
One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, known as “the little city of wood and cloth,” is held each year on Nuremberg's Main Market Square.
Experience the captivating atmosphere of three unique Christmas markets - in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Rothenburg - each with its own distinct character, and enjoy a wonderful journey along Germany's famous Romantic Road.
Nobody in Germany should leave without a visit to one of the Christmas markets, an essential part of the Yuletide season. They should be seen, smelled, tasted and totally experienced. Christmas markets usually take place around a huge Christmas tree from the end of November to a day or two before Christmas.
The closest train stations are Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly where either visitors can walk a bit or can get a Tramlink to Market Street stop next to the market. For the Metrolink Tram the closest stop is Market Street, close to Debenhams which is right next to the market.
There are a heap of meze dishes too - like pork, sage and cranberry stuffing balls, bacon and brie stuffed flatbread with cranberry and pickled cabbage, and a nut roast version too. If you can't decide, get the Christmas Meze Sharer, with pigs in blankets, wings, festive cheese bites, padron peppers and calamari.
The parade will set off at 1 pm from Manchester Cathedral following a route down Deansgate, onto St Ann's Street, then along Cross Street and Corporation Street as far as the National Football Museum, where it will turn onto Fennel Street for the finish.
Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
