Manchester Christmas Market XX

It's not just Pride Of Manchester's 20th anniversary this year, as 2019 also sees the 20th edition of Manchester Christmas Markets, which are set to return on Friday 8th November until Sunday 22nd December 2019. 

A plummeting pound and no-deal Brexit might make the market less appealing for the well-loved European traders, however there will also be a number of local food stalls too, with the likes of Northern Soul, with their Christmas grilled cheese sandwich, and Porky Pig's Christmas Yorkshire Pudding wraps, proving a hit in previous years.

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One regular fixture which won't be returning though, is "Zippy", the giant Santa that normally sits outside the town hall steps. After 12 years of bringing a smile to Mancunian faces, he has been outcast for weighing too much and has been put up for sale.

It has always puzzled us as to why the Manchester Christmas Markets end so prematurely - and 2019 is no exception. Despite being one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, the stalls often pack up long before the real Santa Claus comes to town - presumably to allow the European traders chance to catch the ferry back to Rotterdam or Calais, and make it home for their traditional celebrations on the 24th; the date when many markets close elsewhere in Europe (although arguably the best, Strasbourg, stays open until the 30th December).

• Christmas Menus in Manchester
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