Wonder where these traders stay and how much it cost the Council?

Worth every penny! :)

Festive markets special

http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_1294_BodyText_TextSection_0_Image.jpg

The Christmas markets, returning to the city next week!

IT'S NOVEMBER. It's Manchester. That can mean only one thing.

The city's festive markets are back next week, transforming Manchester's squares into bright vibrant spaces filled with life.

This will be the seventh year the Christmas markets have come here and the European stallholders have become a Manchester institution over that time, as much a part of Yuletide in the city as Santa peering from the top of the town hall.

While other cities may only have a few lights adorning their high streets to put residents into the festive spirit, Mancunians have whole areas of their city centre that have been set aside for Christmas - Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Square.

The aroma of mulled wine or gluhwein wafting from the German stalls is enough to bring a bit of Christmas cheer into even the most Scrooge-like, while the stalls selling schnitzel, hog roast, pasta dishes and freshly baked bread are guaranteed to heat up the coldest winter evening.

If that doesn't work, the Bavarian beer tent is bound to do the trick.

The stalls also provide a nice alternative for those who can't stand the thought of queuing for two hours to get out of the Trafford Centre - as well as offering more unusual gifts than anything you're likely to find on the high street.

German traders in St Ann's Square will sell traditional wooden toys and decorations, and crystal lamps, while potters, silversmiths, leatherworkers and embroiderers from across the UK will be selling specially-made items from the arts and crafts market, which will join European traders on Albert Square every weekend.

Many of the traders, such as a Dutch farmer who grows his own Christmas trees at his managed forest near Arnhem, have been trading at the markets ever since they started.

However, this year will also see some new additions to the market.

Kath Nerger makes environmentally-friendly bird boxes designed to get children interested in wildlife, which she will be selling from the weekend arts and craft market.

The Christmas markets open on Thursday (November 17) and will run until December 21.

Stalls on Albert Square will stay open until 9pm, while those on St Ann's Square and Exchange Square will stay open until 8pm.Conrad Astley

7 quid for a sausage and a plasic glass of beer - can't beat it!

;)

In a special caravan site in East Manchester, off Ashton Old Road, and the traders pay the council for using the public squares.

Cant wait..... my family usually always comes down, and this is my g/f's first xmas in Manc so it should be pretty special!

Interesting to see how they sit on King Street.
It's a bloody big walk if you want to get every Aldi sausage stand in this year.

omg. THEM GERMAN SAUSAGES WITH THAT RED SAUCE ON ARE FUCKING LOVELY!

its like a hot dog with crispy bread and VERY tasty sausage. yes. oh yes.

They have a similar thing in Brum. These continental markets are such a con though, I got a small plastic tub of Goulash and a small beer from one in Shrewsbury not long back and it cost me £7.50. The traders must think that because the UK is a bit more expensive generally they can double their prices when they come here but even we are not used to paying that much. :ohno:

They should have more local producers too, if I want a German market I can get a £25 flight and go to one in Germany that's 10 times better and cheaper too. If we had Xmas markets selling British food and crafts that would be unique to us.

They have a similar thing in Brum. These continental markets are such a con though, I got a small plastic tub of Goulash and a small beer from one in Shrewsbury not long back and it cost me £7.50. The traders must think that because the UK is a bit more expensive generally they can double their prices when they come here but even we are not used to paying that much. :ohno:

They should have more local producers too, if I want a German market I can get a £25 flight and go to one in Germany that's 10 times better and cheaper too. If we had Xmas markets selling British food and crafts that would be unique to us.

You have to go the Germany to get the British markets - anyone knows that :)

Urgen Sausage Nobbler and Jan Sandwich Man Welcome you all to Manchesters festive markets! :)

Christmas markets open

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/436.$plit/C_17_Articles_182282_BodyWeb_Detail_0_Image.jpg

Setting up stall in St Ann's Square

CHRISTMAS food and drink from across Europe today make a welcome return to the heart of Manchester.

The continental markets are back in the city for a month, giving people the chance to celebrate another German-style Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas).

The aroma of spiced gluhwein and bratwurst have become a festive tradition in Albert Square and this winter's market retains its Bavarian flavour.


But there are also stalls from France and Holland, while the market in New Cathedral Square will offer produce from Africa and the Far East.

Albert Square will also host the Christmas arts and craft market every weekend, featuring silversmiths, potters, leatherworkers and embroiderers.

Shoppers and office workers can even pick up their Christmas trees.

Manchester's Christmas markets have gained a reputation among European traders as a fun - and lucrative - way to spend the festive season.

Fantastic

Anja Manke,(I'm not having that! Some hack at the MEN has made that name up!) who has come over from Bremen, Germany, for seven years to run a gluhwein stall in St Ann's Square, said: "I sell ice cream at fairs in Germany for most of the year, but come to Manchester every Christmas - it's a fantastic city.

"It's a place I could definitely live in, because it's multicultural, cosmopolitan and the people are so sincere.

"Everyone is so friendly, the customers bring us cards and gifts, and we do great business. Even better, people queue here, which they don't do in Germany."

Marco Garitta, 38, a diving instructor from Holland, sells wooden tree decorations.

He said: "A friend of mine told me the markets were good fun so I came over for the first time this year. Manchester is a busy, vibrant city."

Jean-Yves Galvan, 43, came over from Perpignon in France and runs a confectionery stall in St Ann's Square. He said: "For most of the year I work on coastal markets in France.

"It's my first time in Manchester and I came over because I heard about the money you can make.

"I'm amazed by how friendly the people are and the restaurants are good. The city has lots of good looking people, too."

The markets are in Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Street. from November 17 until December 21. More information is available via the link below.

Festive markets special

http://www.metronews.co.uk/ContentResources/C_52_Article_1294_BodyText_TextSection_0_Image.jpg

The Christmas markets, returning to the city next weekIT'S NOVEMBER. It's Manchester. That can mean only one thing.

The city's festive markets are back next week, transforming Manchester's squares into bright vibrant spaces filled with life.

This will be the seventh year the Christmas markets have come here and the European stallholders have become a Manchester institution over that time, as much a part of Yuletide in the city as Santa peering from the top of the town hall.

While other cities may only have a few lights adorning their high streets to put residents into the festive spirit, Mancunians have whole areas of their city centre that have been set aside for Christmas - Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Square.

The aroma of mulled wine or gluhwein wafting from the German stalls is enough to bring a bit of Christmas cheer into even the most Scrooge-like, while the stalls selling schnitzel, hog roast, pasta dishes and freshly baked bread are guaranteed to heat up the coldest winter evening.

If that doesn't work, the Bavarian beer tent is bound to do the trick.

The stalls also provide a nice alternative for those who can't stand the thought of queuing for two hours to get out of the Trafford Centre - as well as offering more unusual gifts than anything you're likely to find on the high street.

German traders in St Ann's Square will sell traditional wooden toys and decorations, and crystal lamps, while potters, silversmiths, leatherworkers and embroiderers from across the UK will be selling specially-made items from the arts and crafts market, which will join European traders on Albert Square every weekend.

Many of the traders, such as a Dutch farmer who grows his own Christmas trees at his managed forest near Arnhem, have been trading at the markets ever since they started.

However, this year will also see some new additions to the market.

Kath Nerger makes environmentally-friendly bird boxes designed to get children interested in wildlife, which she will be selling from the weekend arts and craft market.

The Christmas markets open on Thursday (November 17) and will run until December 21.

Stalls on Albert Square will stay open until 9pm, while those on St Ann's Square and Exchange Square will stay open until 8pm.Conrad Astley

How I long for recognition for ye, possessive apostrophe.

How I long for recognition for ye, possessive apostrophe.

http://35heures.blog.lemonde.fr/photos/uncategorized/yoda.jpg

Come it will young Padwa! Patient must be! :)

Much as I tend to despise the overzealous Xmas preparations that always seem to come earlier each year, one thing I DO admittedly love is the Xmas festive markets Manchester (or any other city for that matter) has on a regular basis. And yes, it's special to see Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Walk taken over with these speciality stalls. Expensive and yuppified they may arguably be - but at least they add a nice touch of international class to the area and I love nothing more than to mooch around just taking my time and savouring the atmosphere of them every time - often without actually buying anything. I just love to browse about in them, as street markets have always been something I enjoy just because of the atmosphere and vibe they give off. :)

The fact that the evenings may be drawing in and it's getting colder actually enhances the experience - it makes the illuminated stalls at night seem much cosier and cushier.....so yes, there is something about speciality winter street markets that brings such an undeniable charm to our city centres at this time of year. I'd rather spend my time strolling through these than getting caught up in the hellish high street chain stores/shopping malls with the rest of the common riff raff. ;)

Gluehwein :okay:

My mum and sister went yesterday and they said it was good.

They do bring a special atmosphere to the city centre I have to say, both the German Market in St Anne's Sq and the enormous European market in Albert Sq.

Some stalls are better than others though. You do have to wonder, after 7 years, how the market for glowing rock lamps and stick figures made out of nuts and bolts hasn't been saturated by now! I think there are also quite a few stalls that are replicated in Leeds and Birmingham's xmas markets. Talk about creeping homogenisation! Save for these gripes they are a good little asset to the city - aaahh the smell of Gluhwein wafting around St Anne's Sq - a sure sign Christmas is on its way.

They do bring a special atmosphere to the city centre I have to say, both the German Market in St Anne's Sq and the enormous European market in Albert Sq.

Some stalls are better than others though. You do have to wonder, after 7 years, how the market for glowing rock lamps and stick figures made out of nuts and bolts hasn't been saturated by now! I think there are also quite a few stalls that are replicated in Leeds and Birmingham's xmas markets. Talk about creeping homogenisation! Save for these gripes they are a good little asset to the city - aaahh the smell of Gluhwein wafting around St Anne's Sq - a sure sign Christmas is on its way.

I like the manchester markets very much

i was really surprised to walk through the city centre of manchester and have the smell of Glühwein in my noise. :)

manchester is really a international city. wonderful :cheers:

http://www.smileymania.at/Wetter/smileymania.at_21046.gif

I like the manchester markets very much

i was really surprised to walk through the city centre of manchester and have the smell of Glühwein in my noise. :)

manchester is really a international city. wonderful :cheers:

http://www.smileymania.at/Wetter/smileymania.at_21046.gif

Thanks Olli!

Thats the kind of response you want to hear from visitors!

Glad you enjoyed your yourself in Manchester! :)

My girlfriend is German and finds it all very funny.

The traders must make a fortune. Half of what they sell comes from Aldi in Germany and is then marked up 100's%.

Gives the city a really nice Christmassy feel though. Just a pity Britain doesn't have proper markets anymore. Maybe one day we can have British festive markets selling black pudding and Tripe to continental Europe.

My girlfriend is German and finds it all very funny.

The traders must make a fortune. Half of what they sell comes from Aldi in Germany and is then marked up 100's%.

Gives the city a really nice Christmassy feel though. Just a pity Britain doesn't have proper markets anymore. Maybe one day we can have British festive markets selling black pudding and Tripe to continental Europe.

hehe, yes.. the one litre bottle glühwein cost 1 euro at aldi-market....and for 0.2
litre of this glühwein you pay 3.50 euro at the christmas market in essen or other cities.... you see, the same procedure like in manchester .. :bash:

Just a pity Britain doesn't have proper markets anymore.

Britain does still have good markets but you need to know where to look, the Bullring markets in Birmingham for example sell all sorts of good stuff at rock bottom prices. There are loads of good speciality markets in London and some great local markets in smaller towns across the UK not to mention the farmers markets that you get in many places.

@Olli Ruhr

It's good to know that you get charged too much too ;) I had some Aldi Gluhwein for £2.50 in Birmingham on Saturday:)

Hello my Manchester friends!

Just visiting your excellent site...... Firstly though, I have to ask, given the thread name "Manchester Festive Markets", Is this the new politically correct way of describing a Christmas Market?

These Christmas Markets are great, they really put a feel good atmostphere in the air. My only dislike is the fact that every bloody town and city in the land now seems to have one. I'm not sure where the idea originally came from to bring these markets here and I know that Leeds first had one at lease ten years ago, since then everyone seems to have one. I was told that the councils actually have to pay for them to come here, then they have the cheek to charge the rediculous prices they do.

Smartcity

Love from Leeds.

I think the manchester traders actually pay to come here rather than the other way around, i think it was mentioned earlier in this thread.

They may well have become quite common place but if i imagine manchester city center at christmas with just an open and bare albert square/st anns square then it kind of depresses me and i really wouldn't go into town as much. makes the whole place lively and plesent. Tried to find the far eastern and arabic stands in cathedral gardnes on sun but there was nothing there? do they come later in the week?

2 ramdom pics of the festive market in Albert Sq

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/23nov008.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/ANTEATPETE/23nov007.jpg

I read a week or so back that another market was planned for King Street this year - seems this item has been taken off the City Council web site - anyone able to confirm this? I'd told friends and family of this...I've been made to look like a mule :(

...but apparantly Picc Gardens has been properly decked out in thousands of white lights this year - any pics fellow camera operators?
oh and the chinese arch anyone :)
Ta and glorys for the contributions of late.

urmmm Bury market...!!! hahaa

I love wandering around [street] markets of ANY kind - no matter how posh, and expensive, or downright seedy and scuzzy they are - they just feel exciting and vibrant. Part of the fun and fascination lies in the browsing without having to commit yourself to buy every time. And just general people-watching too; sampling and buzzing off on the vibes. So many different things rubbing shoulders with one another and people of all denominations mingling together (usually in the big city ones). This year I have made a point of visiting practically every district market in and around Manchester - e.g. Longsight, Beswick, Gorton, Wythenshawe, Smithfield, Moss Side/Hulme, Harpurhey, Cheetham Hill, etc etc... on some occasions just to take photographs (as part of a longer term pictorial project of mine to capture every single suburb of Manchester and its satellite towns and publish a book of photographs about it).... a few of these I have never previously been to so they constitute an interesting way to kill off a few hours for want of anything else to see or do during the day.

As for the Continental Markets in St Ann's and Albert Squares, I passed through the former last night and although it IS usually the same bunch of stall holders we see most years, I still feel enchanted by the sights, sounds, and smells emanating from them. One of my favourite stalls is the one selling kiddie's toys made out of metal and wood - all handcrafted and in that vintage style. They used to be so common in Britain too way back then but now are mainly found only on the continent. Ditto the German stall selling loads of porcelain figurines of cats in all sorts of charming and whimsical poses. I'm a sucker for all that sort of stuff as it brings out the old childhood romantic in me! :)

I will try and get some pictures of some of these stalls one night when I pass through again.