The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, home to some of the world’s best bands, and a city where a warm welcome always awaits, Manchester shines brightest at Christmas.
At this time of year, the city transforms into a magical wonderland, with festive cheer to be found around every corner. Twinkling lights and European-style stalls thread throughout the city centre providing visitors with the perfect combination of shopping, socialising and celebration.
Here at Bents Garden & Home, we are lucky to be located just a few miles from Manchester, one of the Country’s most popular, cultural and vibrant cities! With so many Christmas events, we thought we’d take a look at some of the city's most fantastically festive choices, so when you’re not celebrating at Bents you know where to go…
Manchester Christmas Markets
Many cities host Christmas Markets, but how many can boast that they are ‘world famous’?
Visiting the markets has got to be top of the list of things to do in Manchester at Christmas.
The many streets and squares of this historical city are filled with wooden huts, each adding its own little bit of charm. From festive food and drinks to glorious gifts and keepsakes here’s what you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets.
Opening times
There are different opening times for the food and non-food huts so something to bear in mind when you are planning your Christmas events in Manchester this year.
Gift and craft stalls are open from 10am – 8pm with food and drink open slightly later from 11am – 9pm. The markets are open until Sunday 22nd December.
Location
Manchester Christmas Markets snake throughout the city centre with each area offering something slightly different. The largest area is located in Piccadilly Gardens, close to Piccadilly Station so a great starting point if you are travelling into the city by train.
Moving down Market Street, one of the city’s main shopping areas now with more stalls than ever before and with a focus on gifts. Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Anns Square and King Street complete the scene.
Tasty Treats
You’ll find all the traditional foodie favourites from Bratwurst and Currywurst to Burritos and, new for this year, La Bavette steak and frittes with a magical melty raclette cheese! Drinks are also on the menu and with a choice including mulled wine and Bavarian beer to prosecco and wine, there’s definitely something for everyone.
Don’t Miss
Exchange Square is a must-visit thanks to the famous Porky Pig Yorkshire Pudding Stall and Dutch Mini Pancakes! Both delicious and not to me missed.
Souvenir Mug
Manchester’s mug deposit scheme is a great way to take a small souvenir of the day away with you. When buying a mulled wine a percentage of your first purchase is put as a deposit on your mug.
You can choose to return your mug (which has a new design each year) and get your deposit back or keep it and take it home as a keepsake from your visit to one of the best Christmas events in Manchester.
Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens
Moving on from the Markets (or for an extra xmas activity before or after the markets) is Skate Manchester, a fully covered ice rink located in the beautiful Cathedral Gardens.
Set against the backdrop of one of the city’s oldest buildings and with a twinkling 7ft Christmas tree at its centre, this venue is the perfect choice for an activity with friends or a family Christmas event in Manchester this year.
Here’s what you need to know:
Opening Times
Skate Manchester stays open throughout the Christmas period right up until 1st January. Opening times are from 10.30am – 9.00pm with the first session starting at 11am and the last session starting at 8pm.
Costs
Prices are dependent on time with peak periods costing more, but start at:
- Adults £14
- Children £10
- Family from £46
- Wheelchair users £10
Tickets can be booked online and at the box office next to the rink
What to bring
Whilst Skate Manchester is undercover it is still a chilly environment so don’t forget to wrap up warm. Gloves and extra socks are highly recommended! Skates are provided with double blades available for the less confident amongst us. The popular penguins are also on hand to help support the little ones.
Special sessions
This year a number of special quiet and sensory sessions have been allocated to provide a more relaxed environment and the rink is also accessible to wheelchair users.
Don’t forget…
Skate Manchester is one of the best things to do in Manchester at Christmas but a few things to remember include age restrictions (children under 3 can’t access the rink) and children must be accompanied by an adult, all of whom will enjoy this festive experience.
Manchester Christmas Parade (8th December)
Here at Bents, we’re no strangers to Christmas parades, having just welcomed Father Christmas in store following his annual – and somewhat magical – arrival. It’s one of our most popular events so it’s not surprising that Manchester’s Christmas Parade is also considered to be one of the ‘best of its kind in the UK’ and enjoyed by thousands of people, whatever their age.
Having only begun in 2022, this parade has quickly become one of the most popular Christmas events in Manchester and it’s not hard to see why.
With over 400 participants it promises to be an occasion to remember with Mistletoe Dancing Mice, the Elf Express and the Snow Queen herself all making an appearance, along with many other performers providing music, fun and festive entertainment
Timings
The parade will begin at 1pm on Sunday 8th December, starting and ending at Manchester Cathedral.
The Route
Leaving from Manchester Cathedral the parade will take the following route: Victoria Street, Deansgate, John Dalton Street, Cross Street, St Mary’s Gate, Deansgate, Victoria Street.
Viewing
There will be road closures throughout the day so people can watch the parade with accessible viewing areas located outside Be at One on Deansgate and Boots on Cross Street.
Theatre and Musical Performances
Home to musical heroes from Oasis and New Order to the Bee Gees and Halle Orchestra, the city’s many theatres and venues are the perfect choice when looking for things to do in Manchester at Christmas.
The city centre itself has choices in abundance but when you add in the wider Greater Manchester region there really is something for everyone to enjoy. Here we take a look at five of our favourite venues and their 2024 Christmas events in Manchester.
The Bridgewater Hall
Home to the famous Halle Orchestra, the Bridgewater Hall is a beautiful venue and if you’ve not been before then now is the time to go. Located on Lower Mosley Street it is perfectly located close to Deansgate station and tram network. Society Food Hall is just across the way, offering a delicious choice of popular street food.
What to see: Watch a classic Christmas film set to live orchestral music. Several Christmas favourites are on the agenda but a couple of our faves include The Muppets Christmas Carol (8th December) and Love Actually (18th December)
The Opera House
The Opera House is one of two iconic venues in the city centre, full of history and one of our favourite places for family Christmas events in Manchester. Its location on Quay Street is a short walking distance to the city’s trendy Spinningfields area, with a choice of pre and post-performance venues including The Ivy, Alchemist and The Oust House with its magical Festive TeePee.
What to see: Watch a classic pantomime as Cinderella comes to The Opera House, starring Jason Manford as Prince Charming. Showing from 14th December to 5th January
The Palace Theatre
Manchester’s other iconic venue, The Palace Theatre offers just as much drama and history as its sister Opera House and is the perfect venue for enjoying Xmas shows in Manchester.
Located on Oxford Street just across the road from the stylish Refuge restaurant which offers pre-performance menus or a short walk to Manchester’s China Town for a post-production treat.
What to see: See the multi-award-winning Wicked, the spectacular musical which tells the story of the witches from the Wizard of Oz. Showing at The Palace from 3rd December – 12th January.
The Co-op Live
Opened earlier this year, The Coop Live is the UK’s largest entertainment venue and has already hosted legends such as Take That and Peter Kay.
Located slightly out of the centre next to Manchester City Football Stadium, the venue has its own Metrolink stop and indoor ‘Street’ complete with a 22m bar and food markets.
What to see: If you’re looking for special Christmas Shows in Manchester then look no further than the legend that is Sir Paul McCartney. Playing at The Coop Live, 14th and 15th December
The Lowry Theatre
Across the other side of the city, close to Manchester City’s footballing rivals Manchester United is MediaCityUK, home to the iconic Lowry Theatre. Officially in Salford, it is a short tram ride from the city centre, with a choice of hotels, restaurants and bars, and home to the world’s largest collection of LS Lowry artwork, making The Lowry another great choice for family events in Manchester.
What to see: Children and adults alike have fallen in love with Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man. See Stick Man’s adventures brought to life at this wonderful production running at The Lowry from 10th December to 5th January.
Glow 2024 at RHS Bridgewater
Last on our list but by no means least is the magical Glow 2024 at RHS Bridgewater. As a garden and home centre with homegrown plants at our heart, we are delighted to have one of only five RHS Gardens located just a few miles down the road.
Opened in May 2021, RHS Bridgewater has quickly become a much-loved destination and Glow 2024 is one of the best things to do in Manchester at Christmas.
A combination of winter illuminations and spectacular light show performances all set against Bridgewater’s historic and beautiful woodlands and gardens. Tickets are priced at £12.95 for adults (£15.50 peak times) and £6.95 for children (£8.25 peak times) and visitors should bring their booking reference number to their visit.
RHS Bridgewater is located just off the M60 and has plenty of parking making Glow 2024 a perfect Christmas event in Manchester.
Be Prepared
Manchester is known for its Northern charm; warm and welcoming, friendly and fun. If you’re looking for things to do in Manchester at Christmas we hope we’ve given you just a flavour of what’s on in this incredible city.
As with any December events in Manchester, tickets will be booked quickly, so what are you waiting for…get those Christmas events booked.
Travel and Accommodation
Manchester has a number of train stations (Piccadilly and Victoria being the main locations) and as well as Metrolink and Bee Bus Network throughout the city, making getting around on local transport an easy option.
There are plenty of hotels, ranging from the high-end and beautiful Midland Hotel and five-star Edwardian to the stylish and boutique Motel One, of which there are three located around the city centre.
Have A Cracker
If this blog has got you raring to go and pop on your winter jacket and hit the streets of Manchester, we’d recommend making your first stop at Bent’s Garden & Home. We have plenty of xmas events with crafts, Santa and delicious Christmas treats to enjoy.