Manchester Christmas Markets 18th November – 21st December

The Christmas Markets cast a festive spell over Manchester.

Over the last ten years the wooden chalets of Manchester's Christmas Markets has marked the beginning of the festive season. By day the markets buzz with shoppers hunting out the perfect handmade gifts for their loved ones, and by night the markets pulse with the happy chatter of friends, co-workers and visitors sipping mulled wine and sharing food as they catch up before Christmas. With people visiting the markets from all over the country, it is no wonder that Manchester's Christmas Markets are now firmly established as among the very best in Europe.

The markets are split over five different locations. The main European Christmas Market is held in Albert Square and includes a living pine tree forest and the Alpine House, which is the home to a multi-lingual singing reindeer. Smaller markets spread out into nearby streets including Brazennose Street, which hosts the World Christmas Market, the World Arts and Crafts Market on Exchange Street, the Manchester Christmas Market on New Cathedral Street and the superb German Christmas Market in St Ann's Square. The markets open up at 10am each day, with the smaller markets closing at 7:30pm and the bigger markets in St Ann's Square and Albert Square still buzzing at 9pm.

Weekends tend to be hectic as shoppers arrive from around the country, but if you prefer browsing to bustle you will find the markets significantly more relaxing during weekdays. So wrap up warm, take the day off work and lose yourself in a world of Christmas cheer – there's no better way to get in the festive spirit.