They beat markets in Switzerland, France and Austria but lost out on first place to a popular German market

06:21, 16 Oct 2025Updated 06:21, 16 Oct 2025

Manchester Christmas Markets have been named the second-best in Europe Manchester Christmas Markets have been named the second-best in Europe (Image: Manchester Evening News)

Manchester’s Christmas Markets have been named the second-best to visit in Europe – beaten only by Nuremberg in Germany.

The city was included in a list of the ten best markets across Europe to visit over the festive period in 2025 by travel publication TimeOut.

It beat destinations in Switzerland, France and Austria to bag second place, but just missed out to the historic German Market.

Manchester was praised for being good for those seeking “an underrated UK trip”. TimeOut did acknowledge that Manchester may not spring to mind when it comes to Christmas destinations, but said that the city “comes alive at Christmas, just not in the same ‘in your face’ way as some of the others in Europe.”

Well, we’ll take that. TimeOut also highlighted that this year the market “will make a triumphant return to Albert Square with 200+ ski chalet style huts selling bratwursts, Yorkshire pudding wraps, steaming hot strudels, gluhwein and plenty of sweet treats.”

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The publication added: “It’s sure to be a great time.” We certainly reckon it will be. This year Manchester’s Christmas markets will open on November 7, running until December 22 with a few stalls remaining open until January 4.

Manchester Christmas Markets were beaten only by Nuremburg in Germany Manchester Christmas Markets were beaten only by Nuremburg in Germany (Image: Manchester Evening News)

As TimeOut mentioned, the return of the markets to Albert Square is a particular highlight – in fact it’s the first time they’ve been there in six years.

There will be a ‘mini market’ and festive fairground including a big wheel outside Manchester Town Hall.

The rest of the markets will be spread across nine other city centre locations including Cathedral Gardens, St Ann’s Square and New Cathedral Street.

The only other UK-based market to make the TimeOut list was London, which ranked in seventh place. Paris Christmas Markets came in third place.

The markets were described as "underrated" by TimeOut The markets were described as “underrated” by TimeOut (Image: Manchester Evening News)The best Christmas markets in Europe in 2025, according to TimeOut

  1. Nuremberg, Germany
  2. Manchester, England
  3. Paris, France
  4. Budapest, Hungary
  5. Vienna, Austria
  6. Vilnius, Lithuania
  7. London, England
  8. Lucerne, Switzerland
  9. Tallinn, Estonia
  10. Copenhagen, Denmark

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