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Christmas markets open today

15/11/2007

Manchester's famous Christmas markets open today in Albert Square, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, Brazennose Street and New Cathedral Street.

Albert Square and St Ann's Square, in particular, will maintain their European flavour and will see vendors from all over the continent selling crafts, handmade gifts, food and drink, including bratwurst, crepes and hot spicy wine.

New additions to this year's Christmas markets include a Selfridges stall and Smooth Radio, which will be offering a gift-wrapping service in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The markets will remain open until December 19th.

Councillor Eddy Newman said the Manchester Christmas markets are now considered to be among the best in Europe.

"Soak up the atmosphere with the traditional wooden chalets and hot chestnuts. The markets are a great place to buy gifts and they make Christmas shopping a real pleasure," he added.

The centrepiece of Manchester's Christmas display is a ten-metre tall Santa covered in 100,000 low-energy light bulbs, perched on a platform above the town hall's front entrance.