Manchester Xmas market

[Pugmumm]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if a purchased ticket is needed to enter?

Me and DP are thinking of going on 20th December.

I have tried looking online but no luck

Thank you x

Interesting question. The attached link mentions controlling numbers in a new attraction in Piccadilly Gardens but nothing about purchasing tickets. You would think there would be some control because the markets, particularly in front of the town hall, are usually rammed.

www.visitmanchester.com/shopping/manchester-christmas-markets-p327351

Thank you @PresidentialSuite that's massively helpful. I clicked the link and it shows this is a guided tour for £100. We just wanted to visit really. I will keep checking as maybe I'm missing it!! Thank you

@Pugmumm

I think given that there is no mention of purchasing tickets for the markets it will be 'business as usual' - so normal (free for all 😀) access to the markets but control on numbers in Piccadilly Gardens.

Thanks for bringing this up though. I hadn't clocked the date and see that the markets start in just over a week. I need to sort out when we're going. Exciting.

They've also spread the market thinner this year. Can't wait, but mainly because I'll be seeing the grandchildren for the first time since the end of August, and DS2 and DDiL too.

Pre Covid it was free but lots of security to stop people taking alcohol where they shouldn’t. I imagine they will count people in and out like shops, you definitely do t need to pay for a tour.

Part of the markets is already open. I was there on Saturday and there didn't seem to be restrictions. The bit I saw was by the ice rink.

Ah you are welcome! I'm actually down south so we wanted a long weekend in Manchester Xmas market. Never been before so looking forward to it

That sounds amazing @goose1964 have a lovely time

Thanks everyone

@Pugmumm
You'll have a great time. The Manchester Christmas markets go on and on and on and on........ They're spread across a lot of the city centre.
Our whole family goes and we start off in Albert Square (where the town hall is) drinking Gluwhein and then progress through the city, stopping off for lunch/dinner somewhere. It's lots of fun and I love it.

[quote TheKLF]@Pugmumm
You'll have a great time. The Manchester Christmas markets go on and on and on and on........ They're spread across a lot of the city centre.
Our whole family goes and we start off in Albert Square (where the town hall is) drinking Gluwhein and then progress through the city, stopping off for lunch/dinner somewhere. It's lots of fun and I love it.[/quote]
You will definitely have a great time... but I'm pretty sure I read that the markets are going to be more concentrated around Piccadilly this year?

Are you sure they’ll still be open on the 20th Dec? Every year I’m always surprised by how early they finish.

They're on until 22 December.

They're open until the 22nd.

I've never been to Manchester before but we are going for the weekend before Christmas and visiting the markets. We also have tickets to see The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the Lowry. I can't wait!

The Piccadilly gardens winter market is on until 3rd Jan.

Thanks all!

We are staying in the Hilton in Manchester city centre, near Oxford street. We were just going to walk around the main part and then see where else it leads us x

@PugMumm there is something going on in every corner of the city. Enjoy my hometown 😍

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

Have a look at the link at 2nd post on the thread. According to that the markets are in Albert Sq, King St, Market St, Exchange Sq, St. Anne's Sq, Piccadilly Gardens (Winter Garden) etc.
So it's sound like they're as big as usual - maybe spread out a little more for social distancing?

[quote TheKLF]@Pugmumm
You'll have a great time. The Manchester Christmas markets go on and on and on and on........ They're spread across a lot of the city centre.
Our whole family goes and we start off in Albert Square (where the town hall is) drinking Gluwhein and then progress through the city, stopping off for lunch/dinner somewhere. It's lots of fun and I love it.[/quote]
There is some major construction work going on at the town hall at the moment & it looked like all of Albert Sq is closed off when I went past on Friday. I read somewhere that the main hub is going to be at Piccadilly Gardens this year.

God the markets are hellish normally. Absolutely rammed. If you have children with you, then you need to keep hold of them all the time, write your mobile number on their arm etc because if you get separated it will be horrible.
I really hope they have thinned it out/ reduced the crowds.

[quote TheKLF]@RockingMyFiftiesNot

Have a look at the link at 2nd post on the thread. According to that the markets are in Albert Sq, King St, Market St, Exchange Sq, St. Anne's Sq, Piccadilly Gardens (Winter Garden) etc.
So it's sound like they're as big as usual - maybe spread out a little more for social distancing?[/quote]
My mistake, sorry - I hadn't read the link, was just going off something I'd read elsewhere which of course I can't find now!

@RockingMyFiftiesNot I read the same think it was on mcr confidential, due construction work the markets weren't going be in Albert square this year.... maybe it's changed?

I hate Piccadilly it always feels so threatening with all the spice heads. I like st Anne's square and king street bit of the markets but as others have said its really nice and is spread out everywhere.
Enjoy op Manchester is an amazing city.

[quote troppibambini6]@RockingMyFiftiesNot I read the same think it was on mcr confidential, due construction work the markets weren't going be in Albert square this year.... maybe it's changed?

I hate Piccadilly it always feels so threatening with all the spice heads. I like st Anne's square and king street bit of the markets but as others have said its really nice and is spread out everywhere.
Enjoy op Manchester is an amazing city.[/quote]
I agree about picadilly. Really horrible

@troppibambini6 thank you - was questioning myself there!

@Pugmumm

This is a good link

www.visitmanchester.com/shopping/manchester-christmas-markets-p327351

The Piccadilly gardens one looks like it will be covered too, which is great.

Some people can't see past the drug problem at Piccadilly gardens and I get it but it's not dangerous. Pretty sure the spiced mulled wine will be on everyone's agenda, not the drug.