Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 - ALL the locations, opening times and everything we know so far

Manchester Christmas Markets will soon be opening across the city centre - with the countdown now truly on for the 2023 return of the festive extravaganza. The wooden huts have started to be built this week, and Manchester Council has now confirmed everything we can expect from this year's Christmas markets - and all the locations being used.

The Christmas Markets will officially open from November 10 this year. They will then open daily until Thursday, December 21 across nine different "zones".

And the big news is the return of Piccadilly Gardens as the main festive hub. Councillors had said earlier this year that it would NOT be used again after the state the public gardens were left in after the 2022 markets.

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But with the lack of a viable alternative, the "Winter Gardens" will return to Piccadilly. Although there have been assurances from the council that extra steps are being taken to protect the grassy areas this year.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the very first Manchester Christmas Market - which took place in 1998. A quarter of a century later the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors from across the UK in their thousands to fill up on festive treats.

Visitors can expect over 225 stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre for this year's Christmas markets. The ski chalet market stalls will take over Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and King Street.

Also back this year is the heart-warming Manchester Christmas