Manchester Christmas Markets bombshell as hopes of 'big comeback' for 2024 dashed

A planned "big return" of Manchester's famous Christmas Markets to their landmark location on the city's Albert Square for 2024 is OFF.

Council bosses have now confirmed that the ongoing refurbishment of Manchester's historic Albert Square, part of the Our Town Hall project, will NOT be complete in time for the November return of the 2024 festive event. Instead, the main hub of the Christmas Markets will be back at Piccadilly Gardens again this year.

It had been hoped that 2024 would herald the triumphant comeback of the markets to their most famous location with a big Christmas Lights Switch On event on Albert Square with the backdrop of Manchester Town Hall to herald in the festive season.

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But the restoration, said to be the biggest heritage project in the UK, has been hit by a number of delays. Meanwhile costs have spiralled to £357m.

Back in 2022, councillors had confirmed a 2024 festive return to Albert Square, saying it "promised to be the biggest and best ever switch-on event in Manchester's history". The city's Christmas spokesman Pat Karney had added at the time: "Manchester's best ever Christmas switch-on event will be in 2024 when our wonderful Town Hall and Albert Square will be back in use again."

However, councillors have now confirmed the timelines will not work for that to happen as planned. They've blamed "challenges beyond our control" for the overrun of the restoration project.

Most of the Town Hall remains completely shrouded by hoardings. Albert Square itself is mostly fenced off to the public as major works continue, although part of it reopened as part of the pedestrianisation of the roads around the square last