Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets might well be closing on Monday, but fans of the Ferris need not despair as the wheels will keep on turning on the biggest and best giant moveable Ferris Wheel in the country, that has been in residence in Albert Square since November.
As the city waves a fond farewell for this year to Christmas stall holders across the city centre, the stalls on Albert Square alongside the festive Ferris Wheel will remain open together with the other fairground attractions on the square, through Christmas and into the new year – closing on 4 January.
Standing a breath-taking 50 metres high, the iconic wheel made in the Netherlands by Lamberink Wheels – recognised in the business as the best-of-the-best Ferris Wheel makers – has been in place on Albert Square, thrilling everyone, since the opening day of the Christmas Markets on 7 November.
With well over 4,000 turns of the gigantic wheel already completed since then, it’s estimated that by the time the iconic wheel leaves the square in January it will have completed a dizzying 6,300 turns and had over 70,000 Mancunians and others in a spin whilst checking out the fantastic views from the top of the wheel, that stretch right out over the city and far beyond to the hills.
The giant wheel hasn’t just been enjoyed by the head-for-heights thrill-seekers though – it’s also been something of a selfie sensation as the must-have backdrop for all those made-for-memories pictures and countless camera rolls taken by the thousands upon thousands of people visiting the markets every day with their families and friends.
Open every day from 10 am to 9 pm between now and 4 January – except for Christmas Day when it will be closed – the wheel will also be playing a big part in Manchester’s New Year celebrations this year. Opening as usual on New Year’s Eve at 10 am it will then stay open for the whole day and into the next, closing just past midnight at 12:30 am on January 1, to give Ferris fans the chance to spend the countdown to midnight on the wheel if they want to.
