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VOTED as one of the top ten Christmas markets in the world, Manchester's hugely popular Christmas Markets return to the city next week - and they're bigger and better than ever.
Running from Thursday 17 November until Wednesday 21 December, this year the markets will be spread over eight sites across the city centre.
A new location in King Street has been added for weekend craft and gift markets, featuring unusual handmade gifts and work by local artists.
"The markets are the centrepiece of our magical festive programme and help make Manchester the UK’s Christmas capital."
As well as local businesses from across the North West, traders travel to the city each year from all over Europe - from Italy to Lapland.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: "It’s a badge of honour that so many towns and cities across the UK have copied Manchester’s Christmas markets, but we are the original and the best - and this year there’s more choice than ever.”
He added that Manchester has the largest Christmas markets in the country and believes that they transform our city centre into a ‘Christmas wonderland.’
He said: "The markets are the centrepiece of our magical festive programme and help make Manchester the UK’s Christmas capital."
The markets feature dedicated French and German stalls, with handmade wooden Christmas tree decorations, as well as jewellery and gifts from Provence.
As well as a vast array of food and drink, Albert Square is home to a huge plant market with real Christmas trees of all sizes and other Christmas decorations.
The Christmas Markets boasts limited edition Manchester Christmas Market coffee and Gluhwein mugs, which this year have a special new designer look.
Food lovers looking for extra special Christmas treats can discover the very best regional produce, including the award-winning Mrs Kirkham’s Cheese, as favoured by top chefs, and an array of homemade jams and chutneys.
There’s also the chance to sample traditional Christmas delights from all over Europe as you shop – including Gluhwein, liqueur coffee, macaroons, pancakes, bratwurst and food from Luxemburg, Switzerland and Spain plus hog roast and British Ale.
Full Schedule:
Manchester Christmas Markets 17 November – 21 December
European Christmas Market, Albert Square
10am–9pm daily
Opening Times and locations for all other markets
November 10am–7.30pm
December 10am–8pm
Arts & Crafts Market, Exchange Street
Christmas Market, Exchange Square
Christmas Market, New Cathedral Street
NEW! Christmas Market, The Triangle
French Christmas Market, King Street
German Christmas Market, St Ann’s Square
World Christmas Market, Brazennose Street
NEW! Weekend Market, King Street
Fri, Sat , Sun 10am–7pm
ALL BAR AND FOOD AREAS OPEN UNTIL 9PM
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12 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
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So, it's a "badge of honour" that everyones now copying us at copying the Germans? Unlike the "I (heart) MCR" thing which is just us copying everyone else, copying New York then?
Cheer up, it's nearly Christmas!
Ha ha ha ha @Stephen, what a pious sour faced old trout.
Can't wait to get my mits around a mug of gluwein and in a designer mug too!
Disappointed they aren't extending the markets down the Avenue and utilising the space outside of The Oast House. It would raise profile of the area and be a natural extension of the market from Albert Sq down Brassenoze St. Can't help but think the councils missed a trick there?
I'm shocked that the markets aren't being extended down to Spinningfields, especially considering the ice rink is here! That would be an excellent way to get more footfall into Spinningfields, which is still needed.
I may be wrong but I think the land in Spinningfields is owned by Allied London and therefore not under the council's direction. There are some huts by The Oast House, but I haven't yet checked out what they're selling.
Councillor Pat, could you please rephrase your statement regarding the origin of the show?
Otherwise you would appear to be in danger of being mistaken for an agent provocateur of mind-numbing propaganda.
It's like saying: these are the top five reasons to come and visit Manchester (in reverse order):
5- Siemens Didsbury (business travellers only)
4- The Guardian, a Manchester-based newspaper printed in the Berliner Format.
3- Alan Touring (only came to fame due to the Germans)
2- the brand spanking new trams M5000 (built in... you guessed it)
1- German Xmas Market
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market
Think again?
I see the magic prices this year are £4.00 and £4.50 for drink and food! RIIIP...OFFFFFF!!!
How about an English market around St. George's day? Albert Square only, English booze, fayre and tat, with no England tops allowed. Maybe the council could divert funds from St. Patrick's day for it? Oooo...and a huge inflatable George and dragon on the clock tower. Marvelous!