Manchester’s champions of independent food and drink, GRUB, are bringing a brand new festive experience to the city centre this winter with Christmas at St. John’s.
Running from Thursday 20th November to Sunday 21st December, the event will transform St. John’s into a lively winter hideaway filled with fire, flavour and festive fun. At the heart of it all is an elevated food experience that goes far beyond the traditional Christmas market. GRUB will showcase a revolving lineup of the North’s most exciting chefs and street food traders, serving unique festive dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Manchester.
From a Jims Table x Good Wines small plates and wine pairing collab, to Soots returning to their roots, BAB bringing their gourmet kebabs, Akin Club dishing up Middle Eastern small plates, Manchester’s own Knights BBQ firing up Jamaican flavours, and much-loved Yorkshire legends Spud & Bros serving up their iconic poutine – and that’s just the start!
This is not just another market. It’s a celebration of creativity, quality and culture that brings together everything Manchester does best: independent food, crafted drinks and a sense of community you won’t find anywhere else.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Christmas at St. John’s is designed to feel authentic, exciting and completely different from the usual city centre offering. The focus will be on quality, authenticity and spectacle, creating a place to eat and drink with a festive experience like no other.
Visitors can expect:
- Eight rotating street food traders serving unique festive specials from Manchester’s favourite chefs and collaborators. GRUB are bringing a revolving lineup of the North’s most exciting names, including: Jim’s Table, Soots, Knights BBQ, BAB and Slowpo from Akin Club.
- A spectacular Feuerzangenbowle bar, where flaming mulled wine takes centre stage, with pop-ups from resident favourites Trading Route and Stables Tavern alongside wine specialist Good Wines and craft brewers Verdant.
- A cosy new 200 capacity heated tent and 60 metre custom-built event sheds hosting eight independent traders on Grape Street
- The chance for local residents to reserve and collect your Christmas tree in the middle of the city.
- A daily mix of live entertainment, including Matty White’s festive food quiz, comedy nights, alternative choirs, and more.
With its mix of high-quality food, theatrical bars and cultural entertainment, Christmas at St. John’s promises to become one of Manchester’s most distinctive festive destinations.
FOOD & DRINK
Food sits at the centre of the event. GRUB’s team will bring together a curated rotation of traders delivering a high quality, festive dining experience that feels special every time you visit. Expect open flame cooking, hand rolled pasta, aromatic tandoor dishes, indulgent desserts, our take on the classic bratwurst and nostalgic Christmas comfort food. A fresh take on festive dining, powered by Manchester’s best independents.
Confirmed food partners will be announced soon, featuring some of the most exciting chefs and independent traders from across the North. Keep an eye on GRUB’s socials for the full lineup closer to the time, these traders won’t be around forever, so don’t miss your chance to try them.
The drinks experience will bring together a mix of local favourites and creative pop-ups, all set within a warm and atmospheric setting. Visitors can gather around long tables inside the tent, sharing drinks with friends while soaking up the festive atmosphere, or step outside and gather around the crackling fire pit . Expect everything from cosy tavern vibes to theatrical cocktails and fiery winter warmers, each designed to make the experience feel memorable and unique. 
FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Beyond food and drink, the event will feature a full programme of entertainment and activity designed to keep visitors coming back week after week. Expect festive quizzes, live comedy, alternative choir performances, creative workshops, storytelling sessions and family-friendly events throughout the season.
Visitors can also take part in unique festive shopping experiences such as Christmas tree collections and curated indie hampers that champion Manchester’s best local makers.
This launch marks the next chapter for GRUB, following the announcement of Campfield Market, as the team continues to redefine what independent, culture-led events can look like in Manchester.
It also represents the start of a long-term partnership between GRUB and Universal Hospitality – the hospitality arm of Allied London – with more plans to be revealed in the new year, including GRUB’s flagship home at Grape Street. Together, the teams continuing to shape St. John’s into a vibrant destination where enterprise, culture, living and entertainment thrive in the city.
GRUB’s work goes beyond hosting events. They are curators of culture, transforming underused spaces into meaningful community experiences driven by independence, creativity and quality.
Bailey, GRUB’s Director, says:
“We’ve pulled out all the stops for this one. Calling on our trusted partners from years of delivering street food events across Manchester, we’re creating something truly unique this Christmas. You won’t find these offerings anywhere else. Christmas at St. John’s is all about good food, proper drinks and creating special Christmas memories. It’s also a taste of what’s to come as we work with Allied London to bring GRUB’s flagship home to life at Grape Street next year.”
Christmas at St. John’s launches Thursday 20th November 2025
Open Wednesday to Sunday weekly until Sunday 21st December 2025 Goods Yard St, Manchester
