This year we are going Christmas crazy in the Wandermust Household. Living in the Middle East for the last three years has meant I have missed the festive spirit so even though it is still only November we headed to the Manchester Christmas Market to get in the festive spirit. Manchester has a brilliant Christmas market that is nicely spread across the city and is bigger and better than ever. Here is our guide to the Manchester Christmas Market to tell you what to eat, what to drink and what to buy at this year’s Manchester Christmas Market by picking out the best stalls this year.

What to Eat at Manchester Christmas Market that Isn’t Bratwurst

Manchester Christmas Market

I know we all associate the traditional Christmas Market with Gluhwein and Bratwurst but if you are looking for something different there is plenty on offer. The market has a far more European than simply German feel with traders from Italy, Netherlands and further afield. Here are my favorites:

This year there is a fantastic Italian bakery that has some outstanding cannoli! If you have a sweet tooth then this store is for you!

Italian Sweet Treats

Cannoli

Or why not try the Dutch Waffles. We recommend the Windmill bakery next to the Ice Skating Rink and outside the National Football Museum. Their waffles are to die for!

But if you are looking for some more UK purchases then why not try one of the many cheese stands representing some of the best cheese in the UK. Our personal favorite was buying cheese off Martin Platt (for coronation street fans), who is now an outstanding artisan cheese manufacturer. The blue cheese is to die for. His stall is located next to the Corn Exchange.

What to drink at Manchester Christmas Market that Isn’t Gluhwein

If you want a drink at the Manchester Christmas Market that isn’t Gluhwein you are in luck. This year, it seems that you can mull anything. I saw mulled gin and Teaquilla on offer as well as the traditional Gluhwein with twists with brandy, rum and amaretto. And if you want a nonalcoholic drink, there are plenty of other mulled drinks on offer.

And if you are looking for a special Christmas drink to take home I recommend trying the Christmas Pudding Liquer stall, again next to the corn exchange. If you liquidated Christmas pudding this is what you would get and it tastes fantastic! Be warned it’s strong!

What to buy at the Manchester Christmas Market

For me, Christmas Markets are all about buying Christmas decorations. And there is no of the tasteful and not so tasteful Christmas trinkets.

We loved all of the European wooden decorations and couldn’t resist this wooden cathedral complete with lights.

While out little one loved the star lights. At 9GBP or 16GBP for two they are a great buy and you can feel good about them to as they are fairly traded. This stall is located off Queen Ann Street.

What are your favourite stalls at the the Manchester Christmas Market?

Looking for somewhere to stay while visiting Manchester? Check out this review of the Copthorne Hotel