Some reported worst year in two decades and criticised ‘over-catering’ while others enjoyed strong sales
This year’s Christmas Markets in Manchester have concluded after nearly seven weeks of festive cheer. The markets, running since 1998, transform the city centre’s streets and squares into a winter wonderland with hundreds of wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and an abundance of bratwurst, gluhwein and holiday treats.
For 2025, over 270 stalls were scattered across ten locations including St Ann’s Square, Piccadilly Gardens and King Street. This year also marked the return of Albert Square to the markets, hosting ‘A Taste of Christmas’: a festive ‘mini market’ offering food, beverages and crafts.
Albert Square also featured a massive Ferris wheel, providing stunning views of Manchester’s Town Hall and the city centre. This location, along with Cathedral Gardens – home to the ice rink – will remain open until Sunday, 4 January, while the other eight sites closed their doors as of Monday evening (December 22).
As of Tuesday morning , the wooden huts, which for weeks housed traders selling everything from apple crumble and Yorkshire pudding wraps, to Hong Kong-style French toast and hearty pies, not to mention plenty of beer and wine, have been taken down, with the surrounding lights also removed.
Market traders have experienced a mixed year regarding performance, reports the Manchester Evening News. Amongst them was veteran stallholder Gareth Kitching, who operates Porky’s Grill at Piccadilly Gardens, who told the M.E.N. yesterday that this has been the “worst Christmas markets” his enterprise has witnessed in two decades.
“It’s mostly down to it being over-catered, if I’m being honest,” he explained. “Things are getting quite diluted – how many bratwurst and loaded Yorkshire Pudding stalls do we really need next to each other?”.
Gareth, who also operates pitches in Albert Square and Exchange Square, acknowledged he has generated sufficient revenue to ‘just about’ meet his rental obligations, and he recognises the attempts to revamp the Piccadilly Gardens arrangement this year – featuring a new open-plan design.
However, he highlighted that a significant element this year has been consumers’ reduced spending capacity compared to previous years. “Everybody’s a bit wary of the way the world is right now,” he observed.
“You might have a family who would have, in previous years, bought a pork sandwich each. Now they’re buying a tray between them and asking for four forks. But that’s just the way things are at the moment. There’s not really much that can be done about that.”
Fellow traders concurred that consumer spending power has fallen, with customers reducing both the volume of items and food purchased at the markets. Some vendors have meanwhile reported being unable to cover rental costs for the year.
Speculation has also swirled among vendors that certain stallholders closed shop early on Sunday evening (December 21), minimising potential losses ahead of what might prove a sluggish Monday. By yesterday afternoon, The Witch House on New Cathedral Street had been completely taken down.
Nevertheless, for many others, this year has proved tremendously successful. Miki Christi, who operates The Manchester Shop at St Ann’s, expressed nothing but enthusiasm.
“This area of the markets is very close to my heart,” she said. “It’s really beautiful and it always has such a lovely vibe. You get lots of families down here and lots of tourism. We’ve had people from all over the world visit, we’ve had people from Italy, Spain, Dubai and all over.”
Sunny, who manages the Greek Street Food stall on Cathedral Gardens, similarly reported a good year. “This is the first year where we’ve had three stalls,” he said.
“All off them have been very busy. We’ve always been busy at Exchange Square and here, but we have also gone up at Albert Square this year. It’s been very good for us.”
Whilst the Christmas Markets – save for Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens – have wrapped up for another year, further celebrations are on the horizon. Last weekend, Manchester Council announced the arrangements for New Year’s Eve, when festivities will unfold across two of the city centre’s most historic squares for the first time.
The celebrations will also witness the comeback of a major fireworks display and “light spectacular”.
St Peter’s Square will play host to the city’s grand fireworks extravaganza, having welcomed the New Year’s Eve festivities for the inaugural time last year. A DJ-led family-friendly celebration will be presented by BBC Radio Manchester’s Joe McGrath and DJ Jimmy the Gent.
Music will fill the air leading up to the traditional midnight countdown, which will culminate precisely at twelve with a complimentary firework and light show launched from Manchester’s Central Library rooftop.
The alcohol-free celebration commences at 10pm, with access to the square managed through security-controlled entry points featuring bag searches.
Meanwhile, at Albert Square, New Year celebrants will be able to enjoy all the excitement of the fair, including Manchester’s enormous festive Ferris Wheel, alongside various food and drink vendors extending their stay from this year’s Christmas markets. No firework display will take place on Albert Square itself.
