manchester markets.
it all started on november 9th – lights, decorations & mulled wine everywhere. in fact, mulled everything. welcome to manchester’s famous award winning christmas markets. offering mouth watering international food, drinks and delicately crafted yuletide gifts in the heart of this buzzing city. spreading across the centre, taking over spinningfields, alberts square, st. annes square as well as many side streets and meeting points. christmas has officially landed in manchester. go explore.
bar hütte.
located in the popular area of spinningfields, one third of bar hütte is located right next to the christmas tree and signature australasia staircase on deansgate. with sister locations in london’s winter wonderland and another in the heart of liverpool’s city centre, this carol-oke bar is set to be a hit once again this festive season. rentable huts come complete with faux fur throws and festive decorations and are the perfect home for individual karaoke booths. serving up mulled everything and open all day and night, its a must for office gatherings, christmas parties or even just friday night with friends.
deck the halls… or the streets.
as well as the traditional and not so traditional lights brightening up the streets of manchester we also have the most magical tree in spinningfields. complete with nutcrackers, this tastefully decorated tree is a focal point and creates the perfect backdrop for that all important christmas market #elfie. (excuse the awful pun). standing about 12 ft tall, this monumental tree cannot be missed.
albert square.
no, i’m not talking about walford and eastenders. but here in manchester, albert square is home to the main ‘section’ of the markets. complete with the ugly giant santa, which bizarrely everyone loves. you won’t find a picture of it here, its too ugly for my liking. home to the windmill, pop up stein bar and all of the different variations of hot dog know to man and woman. if you don’t have a lot of time, albert square has a small bit of everything allowing you to absorb the festivities of the markets all in one place.
mulled everything.
there are so many stalls across the the markets, all with different mulled options, wine, cider and even gin. for my first visit i went traditional, mulled wine. this year as usual you can get your wine in festive mugs. there is a refundable three pound deposit or you can keep them. this year the mugs are rudolf themed. wine was good. the mug was returned, after a candid photoshoot of course.
stalls.
as well as food and many beverage options, there are a lot of stand alone independent retailers who take the home for the winter in the shopping stalls across the city. you can find homemade jams, candles, christmas decorations as well as a whole lot more. i went early this year, but you an also get your real trees at the market later in the season. handy for those living in the city centre.
whether you live in manchester or are visiting i really do recommend this markets for a day or evening outing. failing that pop in for a mulled wine when you’re bored of christmas shopping. shop for you, i always do. for more information on the markets simply see the visit manchester page.
’tis the season. christmas is coming, i hope it’s magical for you all.
WAITITSADAM. 