Manchester city centre, Christmas Market stalls, King St, Manchester, England, UK, M2 7PW

With over 220 stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre, this year's Christmas Markets are set to bring some much-needed festive cheer to the city's streets and squares in the run-up to Christmas. 24 years on from the first ever Manchester Christmas Markets in 1998, the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors alike to the city in their thousands to fill up on the fantastic festive treats on offer. This year will see the iconic ski chalet market stalls take over Piccadilly Gardens - once again set to be transformed into the Winter Gardens - Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, and King Street. Making sure the city looks its sparkly best in the run-up to Christmas is of course just as important and this year sees the return of the magical Manchester Christmas lights trail, illuminating the city centre throughout the festive season with its walk-through giant baubles, a Manchester bee, and of course Santa Claus himself - who will be keeping an eye on all things Christmas in Manchester from his perch on high in front of Central Library on St Peter's Square. For those who look forward to a seasonal skate, Skate Manchester's family-friendly covered ice rink will once again take up its usual spot in Cathedral Gardens where skaters can skate around a beautiful Christmas tree and enjoy twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread, and Christmas songs on repeat. New for 2022, Festive Sundays will see the city's streets and squares filled with some extra special not-to-be-missed Manchester Christmas magic as roaming puppets, supersized penguins and illuminated bands take to the city’s main shopping streets, every Sunday from 13 November - 18 December.