The Christmas Markets are returning to Manchester for another year of festive fun
The Christmas Markets are coming back to Manchester in November(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Manchester city centre will soon transform into a wintry haven for the months of November and December – as the world gears up for Christmas.
This year marks the return of the winter village in Albert Square for the first time in six years, along with a whopping nine other Christmas Market sites across Manchester city centre.
The long-awaited return of the markets at Albert Square is set to feature a mini market, a festive fairground, and a big wheel to celebrate the reopening of the square as the Town Hall refurbishment project continues.
Get ready for mulled wine and hog roast – because the Manchester Christmas Markets are nearly here(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 officially open on November 7, and run until December 22 – with Albert Square and the ice-skating rink at Cathedral Gardens remaining open until January 4.
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The markets officially get underway on November 7(Image: Manchester Evening News)When do the Manchester Christmas Markets end?
Most of the markets will close on December 22, however the sites at Albert Square and the ice-skating rink will remain open until January 4, 2026.
What time do the Christmas Markets close?
Most of the Christmas Market locations will be open from 10am until 9pm every day, but there are some exceptions to this. Here we have set out all of the timings for the Christmas Markets in Manchester across the different sites.
Albert Square
The Christmas Market site at Albert square will be open from 7 November to 23 December 10am to 9pm. Then 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm; 25 December (Christmas Day): closed; 26 to 30 December: 10am to 6pm; 31 December (New Year’s Eve): 10–12.30am; 1 to 4 January: 10am to 6pm
Winter Gardens
The Christmas Market site at Piccadilly Gardens will be open from 10am until 9pm every day from 7 November until 22 December.
10am to 9pm every day except Sundays, when the market will close at 6pm.
Cathedral Gardens
The Markets are opening on November 22(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
Skate Manchester officially opens in time for the October half term, from October 24 running straight through until January 4. Full opening times are:
- 24 October to 6 November: 10am to 8pm
- 7 November to 23 December: 10am to 9pm
- 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
- 25 December (Christmas Day): closed
- 26 December to 4 January: 10am to 5pm
St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street
The St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street markets will be open from 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December
New Cathedral Street
From 10am to 8pm daily between 7 November and 22 December
Exchange Square
From 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December
Corn Exchange
From 10am to 8pm daily from 7 November to 22 December
King Street
From 10am to 9pm daily from 7 November to 22 December
Full list of Manchester Christmas Market sites