How to get to Manchester Christmas markets and where to stay
With the return of Manchester's Christmas Markets confirmed for 2023, visitors from all across the country are expected to visit the city to sample the festive wares.
As one of the biggest Christmas[1] markets in Europe, this year could see more than 200 stalls serving up Christmas treats, mulled wine, hot food and artisanal gifts and goodies. With so much to see and do, an overnight stay may be just the thing to prolong the magic.
This year, the markets will open at 10am on November, 10 and they will be open every day up until Thursday, December 21. The festive ice rink will also return to the city in time for Christmas, where skaters of all abilities will be able to glide across the ice right up until December 31.
The sprawling winter wonderland packed full of stalls will be spread out across the city centre in prominent locations including Cathedral Gardens and Exchange Square, as well as New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, King Street and Market Street[3]. It is likely that Piccadilly Gardens[4] will not be used as the main hub of the Christmas Markets this year, and Albert Square will also be out of action once again, with official locations announced soon.
Local residents and visitors will be delighted to hear, however, that the Christmas Parade will be returning this year, after the success of the first event of its kind in 2022. Last year it included a spectacular parade of runaway Christmas presents, Jack Frost, Snow Queens and large puppet snails snaking their way along Deansgate, St Ann's Square, Cross Street and St Mary's Street, with a visit from Santa included too, of course.
How to get to the Manchester Christmas markets
The city of Manchester is accessible by road, rail, coach and bus, but like all big cities parking spaces can be hard to find and expensive. Many visitors come to explore the Christmas markets at their leisure, relying instead on public transport to help them navigate their way around the festivities.
By train:
There are four main railway stations in Manchester city centre[5] - Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Deansgate. As part of the Manchester station group, there are a number of operators that service the city including Avanti West Coast, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales.
Victoria is the closest station to the Cathedral Gardens market and the stalls in Exchange Square and St Ann's Square, while Deansgate is the closest station to the King Street end of the markets. Wherever you land in Manchester though, you'll never be too far from a bus service or tram that can get you even close to all the seasonal action.
Find out more about train services and ticket prices on thetrainline.com[6].
By tram
Manchester is home to the Manchester Metrolink[7] a super cool tram/light rail system that carries people across the city for less. The network has 99 stops and is perfect for getting around during the busiest time of the year.
The tram stop at Exchange Square will drop you right outside the Exchange Square market and just a short walk from New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann's Square and King Street. For the markets at Cathedral Gardens, Victoria is the closest tram stop, while Market Street has its own stop between the Market Street markets and Piccadilly Gardens.
With most of the main Christmas events being located in Zone 1 on the Greater Manchester Metrolink system, visitors can purchase a Zone-1-only ticket that will leave plenty of spare cash for Christmas shopping. A single journey costs just £1.40 for an adult ticket, £2.70 for a return ticket, a weekend ticket for £6.80 or a week-long ticket for £10.60.
Visitors can also purchase an Adult 28 Day Anytime travelcard which costs £36.40 for Zone 1 only. Tickets can be purchased at the tram stop ticket machines or on Metrolink's[8] app for iOS and Android devices.
By bus
The city also has a reliable bus service that will drop you close to many of the Christmas market events taking place in December. Piccadilly Bus Station is close to the main shopping hubs in the city, and the Shudehill Interchange provides easy access to the Cathedral Gardens markets, Exchange Square, St Ann's Square and King Street.
A journey planner, route maps and timetables are available from Transport For Greater Manchester[9].
Where to stay for the Manchester Christmas Markets
Exchange Street Markets and St Anne's Square
St Ann’s Square is traditionally home to a large undercover bar, serving up German beers and warm cherry Gluhwein to keep Christmas revellers warm in the winter chill. The area also lights up with stalls selling festive wares from local traders such as handmade chocolates and English cheeses, as well as lots of yummy food stalls and pop up art galleries.
The Mitre Hotel
The bar at The Mitre Hotel (Image: Booking.com)
Prices start from £86 per night[10]
With its grand exterior, The Mitre Hotel is packed full of period charm that blends seamlessly with modern interiors, a trendy bar and super comfy bedrooms. Just across the square from the Printworks, right in the heart of the city centre.
Book The Mitre Hotel here[11].
Market Street
Every year, Market Street welcomes visitors as they browse the many stalls selling a wide range of Christmas gifts made by local tradespeople. For some truly inspired Christmas shopping, this area of the city is the perfect place to find unique gifts including hats, candles, decorations, jewellery and even gift sets made from cheese.
BrewDog DogHouse Manchester
The uber-cool bedrooms come with their own beer tap (Image: Booking.com)
Prices start from £150 per night[12]
This super cool, four-star hotel is Manchester's first craft beer hotel[13] that features a rooftop bar, epic food and even in-room beer taps. Perfect for beer lovers of all varieties, guests even get a free beer at check-on before heading up to one of the 18 comfortable bedrooms that oozes industrial chic.
Book the DogHouse Manchester here[14].
King Street
Festive heaven for foodies, the market on King Street features stall after stall of delicious treats including deli stalls and hot food to go. From Italian favourites to Greek gyros, French garlic mushrooms and even Salford[15] Rum, there is something for every hungry shopper to enjoy.
Hotel Gotham
The opulent interior at the five-star Hotel Gotham (Image: Hotels.com)
Prices start from £270 per night[16].
If you want to upgrade your Manchester Christmas market stay, this incredible five-star hotel is housed in one of the city's grandest, listed buildings at 100 King Street. It features Art Deco-themed bedrooms, quirky public spaces, a highly regarded upscale restaurant, and its very own underground event space.
Book the Hotel Gotham here[17].
Cathedral Gardens
Home to the city's much-loved festive ice rink, Cathedral Gardens is full of seasonal vibes. Next to the ice rink skaters can warm up with hot food and tipples available from nearby market stalls. There will also be a fair for all the family to enjoy, making this part of town one of the most popular places to visit during the Christmas market season.
Hotel Indigo Manchester
Hotel Indigo sits at the gateway to the Northern Quarter (Image: Expedia)
Prices start from £188 per night[18]
Situated at the gateway to the Northern Quarter, with its laid-back Bohemian vibe, this hotel is just a short distance from Cathedral Gardens and all its festive cheer, as well as being conveniently located close to Victoria Station. The building retains many of its original Victorian features, while also offering contemporary bedrooms, a popular cocktail bar and a tea lounge.
Book The Hotel Indigo Manchester here[19].
For more hotel options in the city, find great deals on Booking.com, Hotels.com, Trivago and Expedia.[20][21][22][23]
Deals website Wowcher[24] is also offering a two-night at the Leonardo Hotel[25], with prices starting from £109[26] in November. Find out more about it here[27].
References
- ^ Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ How to bag a stay in Budapest for just £99 this Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Market Street (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Piccadilly Gardens (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Manchester city centre (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ thetrainline.com (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Metrolink (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Metrolink's (tfgm.com)
- ^ Transport For Greater Manchester (www.tfgm.com)
- ^ £86 per night (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ here (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ £150 per night (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ craft beer hotel (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ here (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ £270 per night (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ here (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ £188 per night (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ here (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Booking.com (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Hotels.com (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Trivago (www.trivago.co.uk)
- ^ Expedia. (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Wowcher (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Leonardo Hotel (www.awin1.com)
- ^ £109 (www.awin1.com)
- ^ here (www.awin1.com)