How to get to the Manchester Christmas Market
It's pretty straightforward to travel to the Christmas markets in Manchester by train. The Market stalls are all in central Manchester. This means that any of the three main stations (Piccadilly, Victoria or Oxford Road) will drop you off relatively close by. All three have good Metrolink services that will take you around the city from there.
You could also opt to drive into the city to visit the festive markets. Just be aware that roads and car parks may be especially busy as locals and tourists arrive for Christmas markets and festive shopping.
This year, stalls will be in key city centre spots like Piccadilly Gardens, King Street West, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street and more. There are nine locations in total across the city, all easily reached on foot once you’ve arrived in Manchester.
What to do at the Manchester Christmas Market
Manchester Christmas markets focus on three festive pastimes: shopping, eating and drinking. As you wander around the chalets you'll see a thousand gift ideas for your friends and family (and maybe even for yourself). There are toys, clothing, Christmas decorations, novelty items, crafts and arts galore. Make sure you take plenty of bags because you're sure to fill them with unique festive goods.
Food comes in the shape of all the European delicacies you can imagine. From Spain's most beloved export, paella, to Germany's open-fire sausages that always draw in the crowds to watch, smell and taste. You'll also find crêpes and pancakes, churros, sandwiches, strudel, pizza, roasted chestnuts, and pulled pork. And that's just the ready-to-eat food at the Christmas market. There are also deli stands selling roasted garlic, cheeses, olives, meats and salami. All the things you need to make your festive home cooking all the more bedazzling.
And then there are the drinks. Again, you've got the obligatory mug or two of gluhwein (mulled wine) to drink on site, as well as beers and wines in the temporary bars that are set up. Go for a hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows if that's your thing. And if you're looking for drinks to gift, you'll discover plenty of alcoholic options like wines, artisan spirits and beers. There are also cordials, syrups and other soft drinks and mixers to make your parties family-friendly.
About the Manchester Christmas Market 2024
Every Christmas, there's excitement on the day the chalets are set up, and the market remains busy day and night for its whole duration. Manchester simply comes to life. Soak up the lights, skating, grottos, and the unmistakable aromas of cooking foods and warming drinks wafting through the air. You'll feel the buzz as soon as you step off the train at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Christmas can't come early enough to this festive city.
Manchester first brought the Christmas market to St Ann's Square in 1999. It was a way to boost shopping in the city and introduce a typically European feel to Greater Manchester. The market's arrival is the unofficial start of Christmas. Over the years it has spread road by road to cover most of the pedestrianised squares and streets in the city centre. In 2007, the Albert Square site became home to "Zippy", a beloved giant Santa that sat on a huge plinth and lit up every evening. He replaced various inflatable Santas that had graced the Town Hall clock tower since the late 1980s. But even Zippy's time would come when he was replaced by yet another giant in 2020, which has been in a different location each year.
Now, the Manchester Christmas Markets attract around 9 million visitors to Manchester city centre each year. This makes it one of the biggest in the United Kingdom and even in Europe.
When do Manchester Christmas Markets start?
Manchester Christmas Markets dates 2024: From 8th November 2024 to 22nd December 2024.
Manchester Christmas Markets opening times: Craft and gift stalls are open from 10am to 8pm. Food and drink stalls serve from 11am to 9pm. On 22nd December market stalls will close earlier at 6pm.
Ways to save on your train ticket to the Manchester Christmas Market
If you're planning to travel by rail to Manchester for your Christmas shopping, there are plenty of ways to save money. The easiest is to simply avoid peak hours. Travel during off-peak times and straight away that'll save you money, but there are even more savings to be made.
Travelling as a group? You can get discounts for families travelling together or even for groups. As long as you all buy your group tickets in one transaction and all travel together. Another way to save is by booking direct. Most third-party vendors charge a fee, but that doesn't apply when you buy directly from us.
Get the app
Did you know that Avanti has a mobile app that can perform a host of wonders for you? The app lets you check journey times and service updates, so you're always sure when you will leave and arrive. You can also use it to buy tickets, with the ticket stored digitally in the app so you can't lose it, even if you lose your phone.
Need to change your booking? No problem – just log in and amend it if it's not too late. And if you've got a Railcard, you can link it to the app and store it digitally too. So again, it can't be lost, and you can use it to apply your amazing Railcard savings.
Ready to hit the market during the festive season? Taking the train to Manchester Christmas Market is the best way to travel, with stations super close to the city centre.
