Family-friendly Christmas Walk in Manchester

This short route takes you to visit some of the city centre’s Christmas highlights and markets. Of course, there is no need to visit every one of these, and there are sites at the end of this article that are a little way out of Manchester.

Kickstart your child’s Christmas with a personalised letter from Santa! And don’t worry if you are on holiday; Santa will know where to send it.

Click here to populate this route on Google Maps

If you want a good old-fashioned Christmas activity, try Skating in Manchester. The covered rink will be open from 8 November until 1 January 2025. This year, every 25p from a ticket will support environmental initiatives in partnership with Everclime. Additionally, for every ticket sold from 2-8 December, 10% will be donated to Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas campaign, which helps disadvantaged children enjoy the magic of Christmas across the UK.

Leaving the skating arena, take the exit onto Fennel Street, then turn onto Corporation Street or Cathedral Street away from the arena. You will see the Cathedral after passing by the buildings on your right on Corporation Street, then turning right onto Cathedral Street.

Leaving the Cathedral Market, exit towards Shambles Square through Cathedral Gates and onto New Cathedral Street.

Manchester Cathedral Market can be visited from 21 November to 22 December. A percentage of every purchase will be donated to the church’s charity, Volition, which supports people seeking employment. On 8 December watch as the Christmas parade follows this route: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral. There will be so much to see, with over 400 participants and parade floats and performances, including the Elf Express, Mistletoe dancing mice,  Robot Drummers, Christmas Robins, and much more!

Follow New Cathedral Street onto Exchange Street into St. Anne’s Square. Turn right onto St. Ann Street, left onto Police Street, and left onto King Street. Along these streets, you will find stalls for the Manchester Christmas Market. Feel free to visit any of them you like.

Manchester Christmas Market will be spread over nine locations this year! Visit the wonderful wooden huts on Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Cathedral Gardens, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, King Street, the Town Hall, and the Corn Exchange. See if you can spot Santa at St. Peter’s Square! Each of these locations more or less follows a theme of products being sold. For example, Piccadilly Gardens or The Winter Gardens will serve some festive favourite foods like pancakes, bratwurst, hot chocolate, and more foods from around the world. New Cathedral Street will cater to craft lovers with handmade candles, ceramics, and keepsakes. Lastly, King Street will serve continental food such as authentic Italian deli, Ballaro, and Mediterranean foods.

From King Street, turn right onto Cross Street, which will become Albert Square, and follow its curve to the left to pass the Town Hall and walk into St Peter’s Square.

Leaving St. Peter’s Square, turn right onto Princess Street, then left onto Whitworth Street.

Keep right onto Fairfield Street, then turn right onto Baring Street towards Mayfield Park. Leaving the park, retrace your steps, then turn right onto London Road that becomes Piccadilly.

Twilight Trail Mayfield Park will be open from 14 November to 31 December 2024. Witness the whimsy of the park in the immersive twinkly displays, lanterns, and sounds of Christmas. Book your tickets here.

Turn right onto Newton Street, left onto Dale Street, right onto Oldham Street, left onto Hilton Street, which becomes Thomas Street, and then right onto Oak Street to find the Manchester Design and Craft Centre.

Since 1982, the Manchester Craft and Design Centre has been crafting all things Christmas. All their crafts are handmade on-site and include jewellery, ceramics, textiles, cards, and much more. They will be hosting a number of Christmas workshops, such as a glass decoration workshop and a free Monoprint workshop. Visit their website here to book your spot.

Click here to populate this route on Google Maps

Not on this route:

Winter Funland 

Christmas Trail in Trafford

Resources:

If you enjoyed this route, see our Manchester Bees Walk

Remember to download our app here.