Christmas shopping

The popular market is back for 2026

A hugely popular Christmas market has returned with over 200 stalls. Christmas is almost upon us, with towns and cities across the UK set to be transformed for the festive season.

For one UK city, Christmas has already begun as its markets open today (Friday, November 6). Manchester Christmas Markets is bringing festive shopping, food and drink to the streets of the city.

Wooden chalets line parts of Manchester, where visitors can shop for handmade gifts, artisan products, and international food and drink, as well as take part in family-friendly festive experiences.

Albert Square will be at the heart of the festivities, hosting the 50-metre-high Ferris wheel and a pop-up pub. Manchester’s Giant Santa will also make a comeback alongside a vintage Helter-Skelter.

This year marks the first for a new tree installation with a life-sized selfie sleigh. Over at Cathedral Gardens sits Skate MCR, an undercover ice-skating rink with additional stalls.

In a month’s time, the Manchester Christmas Parade will take place, with more details about the event to come on Sunday, December 6. Overall, the markets will be home to 210 stalls across 10 different city centre sites.

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Where is the Manchester Christmas Market?

The market is spread across the city centre as hundreds of stalls make up the festive atmosphere. This year, locations include Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.

When does the market open?

Manchester Christmas Markets will open on Friday, November 6 and run until Tuesday, December 22. The festivities at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens will remain open throughout the Christmas period until Sunday, January 3.

Meanwhile, Skate MCR ice rink will be open from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, January 3. The market is open seven days a week from 10am until 9pm.

How much is Manchester Christmas Market?

It is free to visit Manchester Christmas Market and you do not need a ticket to enter.

How to get to Manchester Christmas Market

Manchester Christmas Market is best accessed by public transport as Manchester city centre is served by trains, trams and buses. Manchester’s Victoria and Piccadilly Stations are an easy walk to the markets.

Trams and buses on the Bee Network run every 12 minutes, and are said to be the “easiest, cheapest and fastest” way to get to the markets.

Roads and car parks are said to be very busy, with the option of using Greater Manchester’s Park & Ride locations instead. There are multiple car parks within a walking distance of the markets, with Piccadilly Plaza and Chorlton Street being the closest.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Barry from EastEnders are battling it out for festive attention as John Lewis and Lidl unveil two very different Christmas adverts hours apart. One tugs at the heartstrings, the other turns up the volume on festive fun

It’s Gran Cave verses a very Lidl Christmas.

Dame Kristin Scott Thomas against Barry from EastEnders.

Two very different offerings, but in the battle for the most memorable Christmas advert, there’s definitely one you will still be humming come December 25th, when it’s playing on the telly for the 500th time.

The Lidl ad is brash, bright and the message is bold – ‘Fill up that trolley!’ Whether it’s mince pies, Brussell sprouts, bottles of fizz or a middle-aisle festive gonk, throw it in there. The more the merrier.

The John Lewis advert couldn’t be more different. This year customers are encouraged to buy thoughtfully and put value on considered presents for that perfect family get together.

Both creating stress-inducing shopping scenarios, albeit in slightly different ways.

While you might find yourself singing along to Slade with Lidl’s reworked lyrics, the John Lewis ad will give you a little bit more to mull over this year.

It won’t be ranked as one of the retailer’s classics, but parents and grandparents will relate to the panic of knowing what to buy children and grandchildren – and the thrill of watching a gift go down brilliantly.

John Lewis’ ability to hit you right in the festive feels is the reason the retailer is celebrating its 20th Christmas advert this year and why many consider its release the unofficial start of the holidays.

With household bills continuing to rise, there’s a useful, if slightly bah-humbug, message here: think carefully about what you’re spending rather than handing over envelopes of cash.

The nation’s young folk may take a different view.

The creative team at the high street retail giant say this year’s ad comes from the heart and has the cost of living in mind.

That said, all the goodies on display – including the wooden Fisher-Price dog, which turns 60 this year, can be yours for a price in store. We bet that wooden pooch didn’t cost £12.99 in 1966.

With the toy likely to sell out as in previous years, the real winner this Christmas will be anyone who can dig one of those vintage pull-alongs out of the attic to flog on Vinted.

So while Lidl might have you singing all the way to the supermarket, it’s the John Lewis advert that will have you thinking a little harder about what makes Christmas really memorable.

Lidl ★★★

John Lewis ★★★★