Location of Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 announced

Summer may be in the air, but winter news is coming as fast as the sun disappears from our city. The latest wintry announcement is that Manchester will welcome the return of Christmas Market Another event is planned for 2024 and the location has now been decided.

Many have hoped that Manchester’s Christmas markets would be revamped in a sparkling new Albert Square for 2024, but unfortunately council leaders have announced that this will not be the case as the project is “taking longer than originally expected”. Instead, the main hub for the Manchester Christmas Markets will once again back to Piccadilly Gardens for this year's event.

Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall were is being renovatedwith parts of the square still closed to the public and the Town Hall building covered with billboards. The last time Manchester Christmas markets were held in Albert Square was back in 2019where an illuminated Zippy Santa Claus looked over the square.

Councillor Garry BridgesDeputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The original timetable for the Our Town Hall project, which involves transforming Albert Square into a world-class venue, was for the square to be back in full use by the end of 2024. But challenges outside our control, including the global Covid pandemic, mean the project is taking longer than originally expected.”

“It's not just about reopening the square, but transforming it into a public square that can compete with the best in Europe. The redesigned square will be significantly larger – about 25% larger due to the inclusion of the pedestrian areas around its edges.

“We are already seeing improvements in the square – new trees have been planted and a large part of the square is already open to the public again. It is already proving very popular – the shops nearby are improving their offerings and attracting customers. We would like to see more of the square open as soon as possible – including for our fantastic Christmas markets – and as soon as possible.”

However, Manchester City Council has announced that there will be a magical return of Christmas markets elsewhere in the city centre, with Piccadilly Gardens confirmed as the main centre. The wooden stalls will once again be spread across the city centre, including Cathedral Gardens, Exchange place, Market Street, Königsstrasse And St. Anna Square.

The official dates for the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 have yet to be confirmed, but last year the markets ran from 10 November to 21 December, with the market stalls at Cathedral Gardens opens earlier on October 26th.

City Councilor Pat KarneyManchester City Council's Christmas spokesperson, said: “I am personally very disappointed that due to circumstances beyond our control we will not be in Albert Square as planned this year. While we would have loved to bring Christmas, in all its Manchester glory, back to Albert Square this year, this is simply not possible due to the ongoing restoration work on our wonderful Grade II listed Town Hall.

“But rest assured, Christmas in Manchester will be fabulous. We are working hard to put the finishing touches and splendour on our festive plans for the city and will be revealing everything in the coming weeks. We really are pulling out all the stops to ensure that Christmas in Santa's favourite city is once again the best Christmas in the world.”

The Council has also confirmed that measures will be taken to ensure that the square in Piccadilly Gardens restored and put back into operation as soon as possible once the Christmas markets close.

Stay tuned for more news on Manchester Christmas markets.