The dates for Manchester's fabulous Christmas Markets have now been released and start on te 8th November. Have a look at the website wiuth all the details.

https://www.visitmanchester.com/list...kets/32735101/

Thank you Rubicund! I am coming this year because of your post last year.

I ended up getting an apartment close to Piccadllly station for five nights; I am staying two nights after (the apartment was not available for all seven nights) so I will end up getting a hotel somewhere for two nights at the end. I will use points so I can splash out a little. Thank you for your help on that other thread, much appreciated. I owe you a pint!

Hi rialtogirl. Glad to see that you're visiting us this year. Let me know if you'd like any recommendations for restaurants, sightseeing etc and I'll try and help.

thank you Rubicund.

A brief report on my Manchester and Manchester Christmas Market experience...

The Christmas Markets are nice enough. Heavier on the food and beverage then on crafts, but there were some craft stands - more than in London's markets for sure. I arrived at the beginning of a very cold snap (it snowed, twice, when I was there) and I felt so bad for those vendors.. those must have been some long hours.
I was a bit surprised though that the city itself was not very decorated. Not a lot in the way of lights on the buildings or other decorations. Maybe I was just too early? I went to every single one of the markets (they are bunched together, so it is not difficult) and enjoyed the people watching and mulled wine.

A major highlight of the week was seeing Manchester City and Tottenham play at Ethiad stadium. I managed to get a reasonably priced ticket through a reseller (livefootballtickets.com) and my seat was practically right on the pitch mid-field. There was a storm that day, maybe that was why the ticket was not so expensive, but the weather actually wasn't terrible in the end. Tottenham whupped Man City 4-0 and the energy from the Tottenham section was insane. It was my first time to a Premier League game and it was thrilling. Not so much for the Man City fans unfortunately.

The people in Manchester are so nice.. I would stop to ponder my next move and someone would ask if I needed any help. Everyone calls you luv. The stores were packed with holiday shoppers and all the pubs busy, there was great energy and I really enjoyed it. One night all the pubs around my apartment were totally packed with metal dudes, many wearing Anthrax t-shirts - yes, Anthrax was in town. I am returning in March to see a band and look forward to my next visit.

thanks rubicund for your suggestion!

rialtogirl, once you've been, you can't stay away! We also enjoyed Tottenham's win!

Indeed. My Airbnb was great - it is a writer's flat, but he resides outside the city most of the time and he has a fabulous terrace which I plan to return to and take advantage of.

I guess you are a Manchester United fan

How did you guess?

hmmmmm

I was watching a Liverpool game in a pub and talking to some locals and I said I liked Liverpool but they were very nice about it!

lol

They would have put your preference down to lack of knowledge about football. Your US accent would have explained it.

maybe if I was rooting for Southampton!

one of the women did say, when I told her where I’m from - “you are from California and you came to MANCHESTER?” She couldn’t believe it. The grass is always greener…