Dates for Christmas markets return to square

Manchester's Christmas markets attract thousands every year

The dates for the opening of Manchester's Christmas markets as they look set to return to a public square for the time since 2019 have been revealed.

Manchester City Council, which confirmed earlier this year that the popular festive attraction would return to Albert Square in 2025, said the market will run from 7 November to 4 January.

Councillor Pat Karney told BBC Radio Manchester the square was currently being cleared for the markets, as well as other attractions, to be set up.

He said: "We're having one of the biggest Ferris wheels in the world, 50m [164 ft] tall, and we're having some rides for the kids as well."

The markets will also be hosted in locations including Exchange Square

Karney continued: "It's going to be a great, great special Christmas in Albert Square, Manchester loves Christmas.

"We've waited six years for this."

The markets had to be moved from the square to allow for restoration work to be done on the Heritage 1 listed Town Hall.

The restoration is due to be completed fully by 2026, with work "accelerated" to allow it to be a venue for the city's Christmas celebrations.

Karney said it would be one of 10 sites for the markets across the city, which will run until 4 January 2026.

He said market traders had been asked to keep prices "as low as possible".

"It's not in their interest to exploit people," Karney said.

Market traders have been asked to keep food and drink prices as low as possible

The other confirmed locations for the markets are:

• St Ann's Square

• King Street

• Exchange Street

• New Cathedral Street

• Exchange Square

• Corn Exchange

• Cathedral Gardens

• Piccadilly Gardens