Manchester World Christmas Markets

I’ve only really done a whistle-​stop tour of the Markets this year, so I’ll keep this pretty short.
The Market on Brazenose Street is one of the ones that you are most likely to overlook, but in my opinion has some of the most original and unique gift options on it.
Whilst the bigger market, literally just up the street has the same thing, year in, year out, this seems to me to have something new every year.
This year, in addition to the semi standard food stalls, there’s some great cheese (Snowdonian no less), some amazing art, great crafts and fuzzy felt!
If you’ve made the effort to go to Albert Square, make sure that you take the side trip. You never know, you might find something that will make the perfect pressie for that special someone who’s always soooooo difficult to buy for!

«Now listen, our kid — we’re checking out the Christmas Markets today, so wrap up warm — and keep a hold of this map so we don’t get lost.»
(What follows is a family-​friendly take on the Markets — if you fancied a boozier outing, you”d probably want to do it differently). Very popular, these Manchester Christmas Markets, so if you like it a bit quieter — perhaps because you’re pushing a pram — get in there early. Also, the Christmas Markets don’t seem to be so much about grabbing a bargain — more getting something authentic and good-​quality, if a bit commercialised.
There are at least two stalls for the Dutch Cookieman, one easily reached on the corner of Deansgate/​Brazennose Street. Here’s a tip for the kids — after having a taste of the Cookieman’s samples, buy a pack of of stroopwalfel. Here’s what you’re looking for:
Back home, make a hot drink, then put your stroopwafel on top of your mug, so the steam melts the syrup inside the wafel — maybe 20 seconds each side, then drop onto a warm side-​plate. Tuck in while the syrup is still soft and yummy! :) Other fun food ideas include watching the jumbo-​sized pancakes being made in front of them, which will likely inspire some pancake making back home too — or maybe try the rich handmade cookies next to the pancake stall (see photos) to inspire some home baking.
The toys and children’s gifts on sale are a cut above — nice wooden puzzles, felted animals and backpacks — charming and tactile.
Adults, if you’re looking for some jewellery or decorative crafts, this World Market on Brazennose St (between Deansgate and Albert Square) could help you cut to the chase. Check other reviews for details of the savoury foods, the bier and the Gluhwein. Also, by late afternoon, the roast chestnut seller — in Victorian attire — has his brazier going full blast! (Corner of Albert Square/​Branzennose Street).
Overall, the Christmas Markets have a great festive buzz about them — world speciality stalls housed in their cute wooden chalets, visually interesting displays, and a sense of community celebration. Merry Christmas, everyone!

This is the one place I don’t mind seeing festive décor during the month before December. Supermarkets, sod off with your Slade on repeat. Department stores, forgive me if I look suicidal at the sound of Chris De Burgh murdering that painful Jerusalem song. But our Christmas Markets here in pretty Manchester… *sigh* Every Scroogey, Grinchy bone in my body crumbles to pixie dust and I immediately find myself feeling the Yuletide glow.
Oh for five and a half stars. If possible I’d give the Christmas Markets another half star every year as they seem to get better and better each time. I trundled along to this Brazennose Street site a few times as, well, you don’t want to attempt the giant European ones of a Saturday night. Heck, you don’t really want to attempt any of the Christmas Markets on a Saturday night, but because Brazennose Street is a little more tucked away, despite the crowds it was far easier to navigate than any of the others.
These are the World Markets, which means you’re likely to find food from any of the continents. On this occasion for us it was Turkish; grilled spicy chicken or falafel on flatbread with salad and a yoghurt sauce. There were continental waffles next door with all kinds of tasty toppings (bookmarked for next time), plenty of places to grab the usual Gluhwein and if you can bear to drag yourself away from the food, there’s artisan jewellery, knitted clothing and a bunch of accessories and gifts, perfect for any hard-​to-​buy-​for type. You can get the trademark gluhwein here, which I did when I was here with two of my best friends, one of whom I grabbed a beer for. Oh it was a glorious day/​night.
I implore you to visit all the Christmas Market sites this year, and make sure you don’t forget about this one. It’s very pretty, well laid out and all round festive loveliness. A few stops along this route and you’ll feel, Titanic style, like king of the woooooorld! Well, World Markets.

Manchester Christmas Markets have to be up there with Manchester’s main attractions every year. They really are something a bit special. These ones on Brazennose Street are possibly the best.
German sausages, European beers, sauerkraut, fudge, olives and sweets. The same markets spring up every year. I got chatting to a lovely German beer-​vending old chap who says he’s doing it every year until he kicks the bucket. They’re just finished this year so you’ve missed out, but make sure Brazennose Street is on your map next November.