Winter Events You Can’t Miss in Manchester 2025
Manchester Christmas Markets
📍City Centre
Friday 7th November - Monday 22nd December 2025
The festive spirit is alive and well in Manchester as the Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 bursts back into the city centre spanning ten key locations including Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens, Market Street and Exchange Square. The city centre will be aglow with more than 200 wooden chalets offering crafts, artisan gifts, and festive eats, all free to wander around.
At the Manchester Christmas Markets 2025, you can expect to pay around £8 for a bratwurst, £6.50 for a pint of beer, £7 for a glass of prosecco, £5.50 for mulled wine, and £4.50 for hot chocolate.
Lightopia Festival
📍Heaton Park
Thursday 20th November - Wednesday 31st December 2025
Lightopia transforms Manchester’s Heaton Park into a dazzling wonderland of lanterns, light installations, and interactive displays. Visitors can stroll through themed trails, enjoy live entertainment, and warm up with festive food and drinks along the way. It’s a magical experience for all ages, perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.
Skate Manchester
📍Cathedral Gardens
Saturday 25th October - Sunday 4th January 2026
Set in the heart of the city at Cathedral Gardens, Skate Manchester offers a magical ice skating experience beneath a sparkling canopy of lights. The covered rink lets visitors glide whatever the weather, with festive music, cosy bars, and nearby market stalls adding to the Christmas atmosphere. It’s a fun and festive outing for families, friends, and couples alike.
Winter Island
📍Escape to Freight Island
Thursday 14th November - Tuesday 24th December 2025
Winter Island transforms Escape to Freight Island into a festive hub filled with seasonal food, drinks, and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy street food from local vendors, sip mulled wine or craft cocktails, and take in live music and DJ sets. With its cosy winter decor, it’s one of Manchester’s top spots for Christmas celebrations.
YurtBar Manchester Apres Ski Christmas Party
📍Sale Golf Club
Thursday 4th Decemeber - 20th December 2025
Step into a cosy alpine retreat as YurtBar returns to Greater Manchester for the festive season. This apres ski inspired yurt village features fur throws, twinkling lights, live DJs, and a lively party atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a delicious three course dinner, drinks, and dancing. The perfect way to celebrate Christmas with friends or colleagues.
Albert’s Schloss Y2K New Year’s Eve Party
📍27 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5QR
31st December 2025
Join the ultimate turn of the millennium celebration as Albert’s Schloss rewinds the clock to the late 90s and early 00s. Expect pop and Y2K anthems spun by live bands and DJs, and a full on party vibe to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026. Entry includes a glass of prosecco on arrival.
