Manchester Christmas Markets return with iconic Santa at Albert Square

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 10:34 · Archive

Manchester's Christmas Markets will reopen across ten city-centre locations from 6 November, with the iconic wooden Santa sculpture returning to Albert Square for the first time since 2017.

Manchester's Christmas Markets will reopen on 6 November across ten city-centre locations. The iconic wooden Santa sculpture is returning to Albert Square for the first time since 2017, having been positioned outside Manchester Central Library during restoration works on the town hall. Albert Square will host the principal hub of the markets, featuring the Big Wheel, a new pop-up pub, food and retail stalls, a fresh artisan pastry baking hut and a new selfie sleigh inside a Christmas tree.

Piccadilly Gardens, which served as the primary location in recent years, is unavailable this year due to redevelopment. Manchester Town Hall itself will not be fully restored until early 2027, but sufficient space has now been prepared for the markets to return to Albert Square.

Manchester Council has confirmed that Albert Square will remain open until midnight on New Year's Eve to host the annual fireworks display to welcome in 2027. The markets featured 274 stalls across ten locations in 2025 and have become one of the UK's largest festive attractions, drawing millions of visitors and adding millions of pounds to the economy.

How it is being reported

• Lancashire contractor selected to deliver Manchester Christmas Markets infrastructure through to 2028Manchester Christmas Markets have become one of the UK’s largest and most high-profile festive attractions, drawing millions of visitors to the city and adding millions of pounds to the economy. The markets featured 274 stalls across ten city-centre locations in 2025.Chorley Guardian · 14 Oct, 10:00
• Manchester Christmas Markets 2026: Locations and timings as giant Santa returns to Albert SquareThe iconic zippy Santa is set to return to the Manchester Christmas Markets for 2026LancsLive · 12 Oct, 11:05

In this story: Manchester Christmas Markets · Albert Square · Manchester Central Library · Manchester Town Hall · Piccadilly Gardens · Manchester Council

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