Up there with the likes of London and Edinburgh's Christmas markets, Manchester is known to be one of the most festive cities in the UK, adding to our distinctly Northern friendliness. Thanks to the sprawling stalls of the Manchester Christmas Markets that pop-up over the period - complete with Christmas lights, festive activities, and the finest seasonal food and drink - the yuletide cheer is in full force from November onwards, through to December and Christmas itself.
Whether you're after a last-minute gift in the form of artisanal crafts or a cosy afternoon out filled with hog roast wraps, ice skating and mulled wine, our guide has you covered. Check out all the unmissable Manchester Christmas markets in 2026 below, including key information on the main event and recommendations for alternative markets to attend across Greater Manchester too.
🎄🎅 🎄
Everything You Need To Know About Manchester's Christmas Markets: Opening Times, Dates, Locations
The clue's in the name with Manchester Christmas Markets, the main set of festive huts that are once again coming to the city centre. You can expect fairground-style attractions and a 50-metre-high Ferris wheel with views over Manchester Town Hall.
You'll also find the markets taking over Market Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, King Street, Cathedral Gardens, New Cathedral Street and Piccadilly Gardens' The Winter Gardens - totalling over 200 stalls, from those selling spiced rum to candles, Nepalese woollen jumpers and truckles of cheese. Topping it all off? The food and drink spanning Porky Pig's Yorkshire pudding wraps, The Witch House's currywursts, and copious amounts of mulled wine.
Skate Manchester makes a reappearance too, covering all your ice skating needs from its Cathedral Gardens rink, while the annual Manchester Christmas Parade, which starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral, brings festive joy in the form of over 400 fancy dress participants on a to-be-confirmed date.
Where Are The Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?
Nine city centre locations, including:
- Albert Square
- Corn Exchange
- Cathedral Gardens
- Exchange Square
- Exchange Street
- King Street
- Market Street
- New Cathedral Street
- Lincoln Square
- St Anne's Square
When Are The Christmas Markets Coming To Manchester In 2026?
Dates:
- Friday 6th November to Tuesday 22nd December 2026
When Are The Manchester Christmas Markets Open?
Opening Times:
- 10am - 9pm
Exceptions:
- Market Street closes at 6pm on Sundays
- New Cathedral Street closes at 8pm on all days
- Corn Exchange closes at 8pm on all days
The staple Manchester Christmas Market can be found all across the city centre.
Best Alternative Christmas Markets In Manchester: Our Recommendations
1. The Makers Market
- Locations: across Greater Manchester
- Dates: various dates from 3rd to 20th December
- Opening times: varies by event
A favourite alternative to rival the main city centre celebrations, The Makers Market is a much-loved, year-round staple that's been going since 2011 and gets a festive makeover in the lead up to Christmas. Popping up in locations across Manchester and Greater Manchester in December, it's a chance to try seasonal treats from local restaurants and street food traders, as well as grabbing gifts from independent artisans while you're at it.
A particular highlight are the markets at Quayside in Media City, Salford, which run every weekend of the month. Although local choices from Prestwich to Cheadle, Wythenshaw, Sale and more are just as bustling.
A trip to your local Makers Market is a Christmastime essential.
2. Altrincham Market
- Location: Market Street, Altrincham WA14 1SA
- Dates: TBC on late-night Christmas shopping days
- Normal opening times: shopping Tuesday to Friday (8am to 3pm), Saturday (8am to 4pm) and Sunday (10am to 4pm); eating Tuesday to Saturday (9am to 10) and Sunday (9am to 6pm)
Affectionately nicknamed Alty Market, Altrincham Market is a multi-award-winning market and street food spot with both an outdoor market and an indoor market house. Inside, you'll find award-winning pies from Great North Pie Co alongside flat iron steak from Tender Cow, Mexican bites from Pico's Tacos, Reserves Wine Bar and more, while stalls and further food vendors litter the outside. As one of the UK's original market towns, dating back to 1290, it's a must for Christmastime.
With both their regular opening times and late-night shopping across the festive period, there's plenty of chance to buy everything from artisan produce for your Boxing Day cheese feast to hand-crafted ceramics, original artwork or perfume as gifts. And don't forget to admire all the nearby Christmas lights while you're at it, too.
The best Manchester Christmas Markets alternative? Altrincham is always keeping it local.
3. The Stockport Market Christmas Fayre
- Location: Town Hall, Edward Street, Stockport, SK1 3DQ
- Dates: 3rd December 2026
- Opening times: 12 to 6pm
Stockport Market was the winner of the best small indoor market in 2023 and its Market Hall has been around since the 1860s, while the town itself has been trading market town for a whopping 750 years. To say it's a local favourite would be an understatement.
This year, aside from their regular market days with over thirty five stalls and the 80 stall-strong makers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in December, they're also hosting a fun Christmas Fayre. Last year's event featured live choirs, street acts, fairground rides and plenty family photo opportunities across the two-day event, as well as festive shopping and food galore.
This market town's festivities aren't to be missed.
FAQS:
Is it free to visit the Christmas markets in Manchester?
Entry to the market sites is free, and you do not need to book general entry in advance. Costs come from food, drink, gifts and activities such as ice skating at Skate Manchester.
What food and drink can you get at the Manchester Christmas Markets?
The Witch House serves currywurst, while Porky Pig is known for its Yorkshire pudding wraps. Lincoln Square is a new food-led site for 2026, so it suits a grazing-style visit. Mulled wine is widely available across the markets for a warming break between stalls.
Can you go ice skating at the Manchester Christmas Markets?
Yes, Skate Manchester's covered ice rink is at Cathedral Gardens and runs alongside the markets from 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Skating has its own session times and pricing, so check these before you go.
What is the quietest time to visit the Manchester Christmas Markets?
Weekday mornings in the first half of November are the quietest times to visit. December Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm are the busiest, so avoid that window if you can. Arriving before noon on any day also helps you browse with fewer crowds.
Take a peek at our
recommendations covering more festive activities in
Manchester.
