Christmas arrives in Manchester
The festivities begin today with the markets officially opening
The Manchester Christmas Markets are officially opening today!
A handy map has been released to help festive shoppers navigate their way around the markets and point them in the right direction for food and drink, live entertainment, and toilet stops.
The map shows each of the different market locations across the city centre, as well as the locations of festive attractions including Skate Manchester's ice rink in Cathedral Gardens, the new-for-this-year giant Ferris Wheel which is on Albert Square, and, also new this year, the live stage in St Ann's Square that will feature a different setlist every day of live music sessions.
The market map also highlights transport hubs, along with all the toilet stops for a comfort break if needed, and the location of Changing Places facilities to help meet the needs of all visitors to the markets.
This year sees ten locations across the city centre transformed into Manchester's very own winter wonderland, with Albert Square also back in the Christmas spirit - including an amazing 50m Ferris Wheel offering a bird's eye view of the city, and a Christmas carousel.
With 274 market stalls right across the city centre - more stalls than ever - the markets can also be found at St Ann's Square, King Street, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, The Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street, and Market Street, as well as Cathedral Gardens overlooking Skate Manchester's ice rink, and the Winter Gardens at Piccadilly.
The markets will be open daily until Monday 22 December - except at Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square which will remain open until Sunday 4 January alongside the ice rink at Cathedral Gardens and festive fairground attractions at Albert Square.
Craft stalls and stalls selling seasonal goods will be open every day at all locations except Market Street from 10 am - 8 pm, whilst food and drink stalls will be open from 11 am - 9 pm each day.
The opening hours at Market Street will be from 10 pm - 8 pm every day except Sundays when the stalls there will close at 6 pm.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "The festive season is my absolute favourite time of the year, and the opening of our world-famous Christmas markets is a big date in the Manchester calendar that can never come round soon enough for me. With an amazing 274 stalls to get round this year, I'm going to have my work cut out to get to all of them, but I'm definitely going to give it a go!
"The markets look set to be absolutely incredible this year. See you there for Manchester's best Christmas ever - I can't wait!"