Manchester Christmas markets poised for ‘spectacular’ return to Albert Square
- Written by Ethan Davies
- Last updated 58 seconds ago
- City of Manchester, Community, Featured
The festive markets were held in Albert Square for years before the town hall refurbishment closed the space off in 2019, meaning the stalls were dispersed across the city to Market Street, King Street, and Cathedral Gardens.
A planned return to Albert Square last year was cancelled with weeks to go, and council bosses have remained tight-lipped on when the Markets will return to the area.
The projected completion date for the town hall restoration has been named as 2026. But it looks like plans could dramatically change in a matter of months.
Manchester Christmas Markets return to Albert Square
Now a new update on the town hall project – estimated to be £76m over-budget and two years behind schedule – says finishing work on the ‘public realm’ on Albert Square ‘has been brought forward’. Crucially for the Markets, it means the area should be back in action ‘for the festive period in 2025’.
The report to the council’s executive said: “The public realm package has been brought forward to de-risk that part of the project, this is to ensure if there are any discoveries in the ground such as unknown utilities which the programme does not allow for, they can be dealt with earlier and not cause further delay to the programme.
“This should allow for the resumed use of the majority of Albert Square for the festive period in 2025.”
Manchester City Council declined to comment
Manchester council declined to comment on its specific plans for Albert Square this winter, but I Love MCR understands it is eyeing up festivities with market stalls and other activities.
The expected return of yuletide celebrations in 2024 were canned when delays in the town hall’s revamp forced council bosses to change their plans and keep events away from Albert Square last year.
“Whilst we would have loved to have brought Christmas in all its Mancunian magnificence back to Albert Square this year, the ongoing work to restore our wonderful grade-I listed town hall means this just won’t be possible,” Coun Pat Karney, who oversees the Markets, said at the time.
- This article was last updated 58 seconds ago.
- It was first published on 19 February 2025 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.
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