Christmas Market, Manchester 2015

Christmas Market, Manchester

Manchester offers some of the most magical Christmas Markets to choose from, which have everything from Christmas shopping stalls, delicious range of chocolates, and most importantly, an abundance of mulled wine and Christmas treats. Trees decorated with tiny white lights glimmer brighter and brighter as the afternoon light gives way to evening.

Boasting over 300 festive stalls and chalets, Manchester hosts a truly international market experience. As one of the UK's biggest Christmas markets, the Manchester Christmas Market includes tons of handcrafted trinkets. Cosy knitted scarves keep funny little toy reindeer and snowman warm whilst unusual whisky bottles find their way into shopper's bags with ease. Cheerily painted wooden figures in all shapes and sizes tempt kiddies.

Food lovers especially will thrive in this environment, with booths serving up every sort of holiday chow imaginable. From Hungarian goulash and French breads to Dutch cheese, you will surely find something to satisfy your hunger here. Stalls remain open everyday of the week. Apart from the usual staples of any German market Christmas markets have some special delicacies to this tome of the year. Some stands also offer a choice of other hot drinks hot chocolate, punch or for children hot alcohol free fruit punch.

A festival combining Christmas and chocolate. Visit this sweet tooth's heaven and spend your time exploring the grounds while exciting your taste buds with all the chocolate you could ever dream of. And for those who are on the health kick, there's even a Health Zone where you can try raw chocolate that is actually good for you!! If you feel overwhelmed from hunting down the Hot Chocolate trail, you can end your day at the Cocoa Spa with fancy cocoa butter beauty treatments.

Scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts paired with the cheerful voices of street carollers will fill you with merry spirits. I love the children's choir singing Christmas carols and the heady noise of people having a drink in the beer tents and outdoor cafes. Stall holders shout out temptations to encourage shoppers to stop awhile.

The markets make a clear statement that Manchester just loves Christmas, and their appearance means a wonderful opportunity to soak up a bit of that festive spirit, or to buy gifts which are just a little bit more unique. The Manchester Christmas Markets have become something of a local institution and a magnet for visitors to the city. However, many products are overpriced and you should go to the cashmachine first because most of the market traders only accept cash.

In 1982, England established an annual Christmas market in early December, and this remains one of the most extensive such market by area in the United Kingdom, with a claimed total of over three hundred stalls attracting more than 100,000 visitors over its four days. The Christmas markets are such a success that they are becoming a major pull factor to increase trade and visitor numbers to towns and cities. 

There are various different Christmas markets located all over Manchester including Albert Square, Brazennose Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, The Corn Exchange and Corporation Street. With over 300 stalls and a huge choice of delicacies from all over Europe, the Manchester Christmas markets are world famous. Visitors can enjoy Dutch mini pancakes or Hungarian goulash whilst they shop for crafts, jewellery, clothes and toys.

The most popular Christmas markets in England are just the thing that will give you that Christmassy feeling you had as a child. With only a few days left and hundreds of market to visit, the pressure's on to find the perfect one or try your best to fit them all in before the season's over.