UK city's famous Christmas market was 'worst in 20 years' as traders abandon stalls

Manchester's Christmas markets have closed for the final time this year.

After nearly seven weeks of festive cheer, this year's Christmas Markets have concluded. Since 1998, the markets have transformed the city centre with wooden chalets, twinkling lights and an array of bratwurst, gluhwein and holiday treats.

In 2025, over 270 stalls will be scattered across ten locations including St Ann's Square, Piccadilly Gardens and King Street. This year also marked the return of Albert Square, hosting 'A Taste of Christmas': a festive 'mini market' offering food, drinks and crafts.

Albert Square has also featured a large Ferris wheel, providing stunning views of Manchester's Town Hall and the city centre. This location, along with Cathedral Gardens - home to the ice rink - will remain open until Sunday, 4 January, while the other eight sites closed their doors as of yesterday evening (December 22).

As of last night and this morning, the wooden huts that housed traders selling everything from apple crumble and Yorkshire pudding wraps, to Hong Kong-style French toast and hearty pies, as well as plenty of beer and wine, have been taken down, along with the surrounding lights.

This follows reports from market traders of a patchy year for business. Gareth Kitching, a veteran stallholder who operates Porky's Grill at Piccadilly Gardens, told the Manchester Evening News yesterday that this has been the "worst Christmas markets" his enterprise has experienced in two decades.

"It's mostly down to it being over-catered, if I'm being honest," he said. "Things are getting quite diluted - how many bratwurst and loaded Yorkshire Pudding stalls do we really need next to each other?".

Gareth, who also operates pitches in Albert Square and Exchange Square, acknowledged he has generated sufficient income to 'just about' meet his rental costs, and he recognises the attempts to revamp the Piccadilly Gardens arrangement this year – featuring a fresh open-plan design.

However, he highlighted that a significant factor this year has been the reduced spending capacity of customers compared to previous years. "Everybody's a bit wary of the way the world is right now," he said.

"You might have a family who would have, in previous years, bought a pork sandwich each. Now they're buying a tray between them and asking for four forks. But that's just the way things are at the moment. There's not really much that can be done about that."

Fellow traders echoed concerns about diminished consumer purchasing power, with visitors scaling back on the volume of goods and refreshments purchased at the markets. Some vendors have even disclosed their inability to meet rental obligations this year.

Speculation has also emerged among vendors that certain stallholders closed their premises early on Sunday evening (December 21), minimising potential losses ahead of what might prove a subdued Monday. By yesterday afternoon, The Witch House on New Cathedral Street had been completely taken down.

For some traders, however, this year has proved tremendously successful. Miki Christi, who operates The Manchester Shop at St Ann's, offered nothing but praise.

"This area of the markets is very close to my heart," she said.

"It's really beautiful and it always has such a lovely vibe. You get lots of families down here and lots of tourism. We've had people from all over the world visit, we've had people from Italy, Spain, Dubai and all over."

Sunny, who works at the Greek Street Food stall on Cathedral Gardens, similarly reported a prosperous year for his business. "This is the first year where we've had three stalls," he noted.

"All off them have been very busy. We've always been busy at Exchange Square and here, but we have also gone up at Albert Square this year. It's been very good for us."

Whilst the Christmas Markets - apart from Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens - have concluded for another year, celebrations continue. Last weekend, Manchester Council announced arrangements for New Year's Eve.

Manchester is set to ring in the new year with a bang this year, as for the first time, celebrations will take place in two of the city centre's most historic squares. The festivities will also see the return of a grand free firework display and "light spectacular".

St Peter's Square will be the venue for the city's major fireworks display, after successfully hosting the New Year's Eve celebrations last year. A family-friendly event led by DJs will be hosted by BBC Radio Manchester presenter Joe McGrath, alongside DJ Jimmy the Gent.

Music will fill the air leading up to the traditional midnight countdown, which will be followed immediately by a free firework and light show from the roof of Manchester's Central Library building. The alcohol-free event begins at 10pm, with entry into the square through security-controlled points where bag searches will be conducted.

Meanwhile, over on Albert Square, New Year party-goers will have the chance to enjoy all the fun of the fair, including Manchester's giant festive Ferris Wheel, as well as an array of food and drink stalls extending their stay from this year's Christmas markets.

With a variety of independent craft stalls on the square, those brave enough can swap a view of fireworks for a panoramic view from the top of the big wheel, overlooking the rooftops of Manchester and beyond as the city welcomes the new year. However, there will be no firework display taking place on Albert Square itself.