It might only be August still, but there’s been some big festive news already, with the announcement this morning that the Manchester Christmas Markets will be returning to Albert Square for 2025.
This will be music to the ears of Mancunians, who’ve been waiting patiently for the markets to return to their spiritual home next to the Town Hall – which has been undergoing restoration work since 2020.
But now the work on the square is at a stage where two-thirds of it can be reopened and prepared for the annual festive celebrations.
A Taste of Christmas will open on Albert Square from Friday 7 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026, bringing the space back into the heart of the city’s countdown to Christmas festivities and staying open throughout the festive season.
The city-wide Christmas markets will be taking over Manchester’s streets and squares once again, to compliment the offerings at Albert Square, which include an enormous 50-metre-high Ferris Wheel giving a Santa’s sleigh view of the ongoing work to restore the Alfred Waterhouse-designed Town Hall.
There’ll also be an enchanting vintage Carousel for children of all ages, along with other Christmas fairground-style attractions, and a festive mini-market with wooden chalets selling crafts and gifts, alongside independent food and drink vendors.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “We’re going all out this year to make sure that Manchester is the world’s number one city for Christmas, not just in the UK, but in the world.
“It’s going to be brilliant to be able to celebrate the season in Albert Square once again and I personally can’t wait to get on the big wheel and eyeball the town hall clock as we countdown to Christmas in Santa’s favourite city.”
Manchester’s Christmas Markets will open across the city on Friday 7 November and close on Monday 22 December, except for A Taste of Christmas on Albert Square and the stalls at Cathedral Gardens which will remain open throughout the Christmas period until 4 January 2026.
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