A brand new winter warmer is landing in the city with an excess of festive energy taking over the newly minted St. John’s neighbourhood: a 200-capacity heated tent, crackling fire pits, theatrical bars and a rotating cast of the North’s most interesting chefs and street food traders. It opens on Thursday 20 November and then runs every Wednesday to Sunday until Sunday 21 December.
Food is the headline here. Expect an elevated take on the Christmas market idea, with specials you won’t find elsewhere in Manchester. GRUB are curating eight rotating traders across custom-built sheds on Grape Street, with names including Jim’s Table, Soots, Knights BBQ, BAB and Slowpo from Akin Club, plus appearances from Spud & Bros and a Jim’s Table x Good Wines small plates and pairing collab. Think open-flame cooking, hand-rolled pasta, aromatic tandoor dishes, an indulgent dessert or two and their own spin on bratwurst and nostalgic Christmas comfort food.
The drinks are just as considered. A showpiece Feuerzangenbowle bar will be flaming mulled wine through the evening, with pop-ups from Trading Route, Stables Tavern, wine specialist Good Wines and craft favourites Verdant. Settle into long tables inside the tent or wrap up by the fire outside with something strong and seasonal in hand.
There’s a daily programme of entertainment to keep things moving: Matty White’s festive food quiz, alternative choirs, live comedy, workshops and family sessions. You can even reserve and collect your Christmas tree on site, and pick up curated indie hampers from local makers. It’s pitched as a celebration of independence, quality and culture rather than a standard market, and it shows.
Christmas at St. John’s runs at Goods Yard St, with doors opening Wednesday to Sunday each week from 20 November to 21 December. Keep an eye on GRUB’s socials for trader announcements and one-off collabs.
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