by Anna Hann
posted on 1 November 2023
Manchester sure knows how to put on a dazzling Christmas market. From November, the city centre becomes a winter wonderland as over 200 Christmas vendors set up shop for the Winter Gardens festivities.
Manchester’s huge Winter Gardens Christmas market is one of many festive markets in the area. We’ve found smaller markets where you can find the perfect handmade gift and Christmas events suitable for the whole family, or try a Christmas show or magical light trail to ignite your Christmas spirit.
Book a car in Manchester to explore northwest England in search of your very own Christmas moment at one of Manchester’s Christmas markets in 2023.
Best for authenticity: Winter Gardens
The centrepiece of Manchester’s Christmas markets is Winter Gardens, where Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens are reimagined for the festive season and adorned with fairy lights. Winter Gardens has over 200 stalls and extends across nine locations, including St Ann’s Square, the Corn Exchange, and Cathedral Gardens. Shop for personalised trinkets, decorations, and gifts, then indulge in sweet and savoury treats, from hot churros and crepes to hot dogs and handmade pies.
When? 10 November – 21 December 2023
Best for variety: Winter Island
Transforming Manchester’s Freight Island with festive magic every Christmas, Winter Island features an outdoor winter market, an interactive Father Christmas experience, a twilight trail of light and sound, and festive workshops, making it a one-stop festive location to stir your Christmas spirit. When hunger strikes, there are plenty of Christmassy options, then treat yourself to a build-your-own hot chocolate at Cocoa Cobana, or pick up a cheesecake on a stick at Oh My Cheesecake.
When? 9 November – 24 December 2023
Best for local gifts: Christmas Gift Fair in the Tenants Hall
South of the city centre and for one weekend only, local suppliers sell handcrafted wares (including scented candles and local gin) at Tatton Park, a handsome stately home. The market is held in a wing of the Mansion not usually open to the public, so this is your chance to peek inside the opulent rooms decorated in their seasonal finery.
When? 1 – 3 December 2023
Best for crafts: The Quayside Makers Market
Bringing together the North West’s best makers and bakers, the Quayside Makers Market in Salford’s Media City is perfect for picking up a local present made by a Mancunian. Shop for freshly baked goodies or handmade personalised gifts for your favourite people and soak up the atmosphere of a homegrown Manchester Christmas market.
When? Weekends in November and December 2023
…or something else?
Looking for something to do before or after visiting a Christmas market in Manchester? Extend the Christmas magic with our pick of Christmas activities.
Take the family to Snow Storm 3 – Northern Lights Aurora Borealis, an ice skating show with special effects. The show’s at the Trafford Centre, Manchester’s shopping mall, and is the perfect post-shopping entertainment. Or, if you prefer a classic panto (oh yes, you do!) Jason Manford stars in Jack and the Beanstalk at Manchester Opera House.
You’ve got a couple of great options for a magical light trail in Manchester. Try the Glittering Trail at Yuletide in Tatton Park Gardens (with a sideshow of fire juggling) or Glow 2023 at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where you follow paths festooned with lights leading to a rainbow dance floor playing Manchester anthems.
Go like a pro
Before heading to a Christmas market in Manchester, we’ve got six top tips to make your visit go without a hitch.
- Check to see if you need to book tickets in advance. Many markets don’t require booking and are free to visit. But bigger attractions may require pre-booking, so it’s worth checking.
- Visit when it’s quieter. Christmas markets in Manchester can get busy – especially the main city centre market and popular ones that are only for a day or two. Go early in the day or nearer closing time to avoid the busiest spells.
- Check the weather. Don’t let an ill-informed outfit ruin your day out. It’s Manchester in December, after all.
- Ask questions. Get the lowdown on what you’re buying and dazzle your gift recipients with plenty of intel about the provenance of their pressie.
- Pre-book parking. Book a car on Turo to get around Manchester, but think about where to park before setting off.
- Take cash. Some independent stalls may not have the facilities to accept card payments, so it’s best to go prepared.
Not Manchester-bound this Christmas? Check out our guides to the best Christmas markets in Edinburgh and London.
