Manchester’s Xmas markets will be opening for business on the 14th November it has been announced.
The markets will feature nearly 350 stalls spanning 10 distinctive market sites, transforming the city centre in to a festive wonderland from Saturday, 14 November until Monday, 21 December with the Albert Square market staying open for the 22nd.
The transformation of the city centre, in particular Metrolink’s Second City Crossing through Cross Street, will reach partial completion during the opening weeks of the Christmas Market, allowing the Exchange Square, Corn Exchange and Cathedral Gardens sites to expand on last year’s offering.
Exchange Square will return to full capacity with a brand new, two storey indoor beer house accompanying The Mill – a new bar area complete with huge smoking chimney as the centrepiece to the site, celebrating the industrial heritage of Manchester.
Cathedral Gardens, one of the major additions to the Christmas Markets in 2014, will return as the dedicated family area in 2015, offering a traditional fun fair and entertainment, offering a more child friendly atmosphere for young visitors wishing to experience the magic of Manchester’s Christmas Markets.
The success of Market Street – which was also new to the Christmas Markets only last year – will mean the site will be expanded with even more chalets offering top gift ideas after local retailers reported a boost to footfall and sales figures during the market season.
The Corn Exchange will re-emerge as a market site now development work to refurbish the Exchange building in to a major food destination has been completed.
Launched in 1999, the Manchester Christmas Markets was the first festive market in the UK growing from only a single site in St Ann’s Square in 1999 – each completely free to visitors.
