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We all know people who have been doing this year’s Christmas shopping since Boxing Day last year. But although they may be well-prepared, there’s nothing quite like joining in the festive spirit by visiting one of the many Christmas markets which spring up around the country at this time of year.
Here’s where you can find some of the city’s Christmas markets, which run from17th November to 23rd December:
Exchange Square
Now that the removal of the big wheel has left more space in the square, the Corn Exchange will be playing host to this Christmas market. As well as stalls selling all the usual food, drink, craft and gifts, there will be charity stalls opposite Next.
New Cathedral Street
Boasting unique gifts, fair trade goods, natural beauty products, chocolate novelties and traditional food and drink, this market can be found on one of Manchester’s newest streets.
Exchange Street
Taking place past the entrance to the Royal Exchange and onto St Mary’s Gate, the Arts and Craft Market is where you can find jewellery and household items, framed photographs and a range of arts and crafts.
St Ann’s Square
Every city needs a German Christmas market and Manchester’s is happening where the city’s Christmas markets began in 1998. Back then a group of traders from Frankfurt hosted a small traditional German market with just 17 stalls. On St Ann’s Square nowadays you can buy unique gifts and decorations, Glühwein, traditional food, jewellery and leatherwork.
King Street
Located on the pedestrianised section of King Street, between Cross Street and Deansgate, this French Christmas market offers specialist French food and drink, soaps, perfume, bags, crafts, table decorations, flowers and plants.
Brazennose Street
Again selling festive food and drink, specialist foods, unique hand-crafted gifts and jewellery, you’re bound to find something to suit everyone’s taste at this World Market between Albert Square and Deansgate.
Albert Square
Offering a variety of traditional gifts, food and drink, the European Market, which takes place in front of the Town Hall, is always the main focus of Manchester’s Christmas markets. But as there’s so much else to see, and with the city offering some of the most cheap hotels across the UK, it might well be worth staying for a couple of days so you can enjoy it all.
Manchester may be known for its high street shopping, but as it also has much to offer in the way of festive shopping, why not have a look on sites like this http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/book/manchester-hotels for cheap hotels, and inject some fun into your Christmas chores with a weekend away?