Manchester's Christmas Markets are the shopping destination

Manchester is already looking forward to one of the highlights of the city centre’s event calendar, the Christmas Markets.

The Markets will be held 15 November - 19 December 2007, in Albert Square, St Ann's Square, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street and Brazennose Street.

Famous as a meeting place before the office party or an oasis to de-stress in the pre Christmas frenzy, the markets are also the perfect place to buy an unusual gift and in 2007 the choice is wider than ever.

This year Albert Square is delighted to welcome new stalls to its winter wonderland. New additions include: Selfridges who will be selling a range of food, gifts and accessories. Marketing Manchester, who will be taking a chalet to promote their new line of merchandise with a Manchester theme including a Manchester snow globe, an 'I Love Manchester' range including mugs, fridge magnets, pens and key rings and an accessory collection featuring the Manchester bee symbol. For that extra special touch, media partners Smooth Radio will be offering a gift-wrapping stall where donations can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support.

As part of the Christmas package Smooth Radio will also be announcing where the Christmas Fairy will appear who will be dispensing Christmas cheer and free gifts and vouchers.

Carrying on the fairy theme, the hugely popular Forget Me Not Fairies, one of 2006 most popular gifts, can be found in Albert Square and New Cathedral Street. The Good Bag Company returns selling their jute bags the green alternative to the Christmas stocking and there is a wide range of gifts for men including handmade jewellery and clothes.

Albert Square is set to be the centre of festivities with the return of the Talking Christmas Reindeer and the German Beer Tent. The ever popular line up of chalets will offering sizzling bratwurst, speciality beers and wines, continental cheeses, British hog Roast, fabulous food from Switzerland, cakes, biscuits, fresh crêpes and hot, spiced Glühwein, plus new for 2007 a champagne bar where you can celebrate the festive season.

St Ann's Square sees the return of the original German Christmas Market from Frankfurt, where Manchester tasted its very first Glühwein! As ever, bratwurst stalls abound, interspaced with stalls offering authentic wooden toys and handcrafted gifts including decorative pottery, glassware, jewellery, crafts and unique accessories.

Once again there will be a market in Brazennose Street, and those in the know who want to beat the crowds in Albert Square will discover a brand new wine house in Lincoln Square, serving festive specialities surrounded by chalets selling gifts and hot food plus a Christmas tree stall next to Deansgate.

An Arts and Crafts Market will also take place in Exchange Street and New Cathedral Street, where there will be a new Gluhwein House with seating for up to 40 people.

The markets, a regular part of the City's events calendar, have continued to attract visitors from all over the UK.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Markets, said: "For a truly festive experience Manchester Christmas Markets are a must. They are now considered to be among the best in Europe and each year we are committed to building on their success. 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."

Dates, times and venues:

Manchester European Christmas Market,Albert Square, 10am to 9pm daily

Christmas Gifts and Food Market,Albert Square, 10.am - 9pm Thursday - Sunday weekly

Manchester German Christmas Market, St Ann's Square, 10am to 8pm daily

Manchester Christmas Arts and Crafts Market: Exchange Street, 10am to 8pm daily

Manchester Christmas Market: New Cathedral Street, 10am to 8pm daily

Manchester Christmas Market, Brazennose Street, 10am to 7pm daily

To find out more about Manchester City Council's calendar of Events visit http://www.manchesterlive.co.uk/ call 0781 222 8223 or text 'EVENT' to 60600 for FREE Manchester City Council events/ festivals text alerts and offers - direct to your mobile*.

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