I will be going from preston. Just wondered is it worth parking up and getting tram ( if so can you recommend the best place for easy parking ) or will it be ok to drive fairly close and walk . any info much appreciated.

If you come off m66 Middleton jct, follow Manchester (turning right at the end of the slip road) use your sat nav now, travel about 2 miles until the lights turn right onto Meade Hill Road, 2nd Left onto Windsor Road and Park just after the Bridge. You can get the Tram from Bowker Vale Station to Manchester City centre

Just drive in and park up. There are loads of places to park your car. Pointless suggesting any because there are so many.

Well worth a visit, get the train/tram in and have some mulled wine.

If you want Christmas Markets do what we did...
Book a mini break in Prague or Cologne etc....

See how its done properly and enjoy a few beers/Gluhweins with no worries about driving.

Pragues Brilliant

If you can afford the Manchester Markets prices then just drive in and pay the rip off parking charges too.

Bosscat wrote:If you want Christmas Markets do what we did...
Book a mini break in Prague or Cologne etc....

See how its done properly and enjoy a few beers/Gluhweins with no worries about driving.

Pragues Brilliant

....
how long was the mini break bosscat? and what sort of cost are we talking about?

claretnproud wrote:....
how long was the mini break bosscat? and what sort of cost are we talking about?

We booked it out of the Express newspaper ... flew Jet 2 to Prague from Leeds/Bradford... I think it was Riviera Travel? If memory is working....

B&B in the Jurys Inn (included a walking tour of Prague in the daytime)...

Inc All flights/transfers/hotel for 3 nights (was if memory serves) about £750 to £800 for the 2 of us... we also did a day tour to Dresden Christmas Market on the Saturday but that was extra....
This was 2016

it'll cost you 600 quid for two drinks, 2 butties and a trinket in Manchester - Manc Xmas market is one of the most over rated things going

Plan B. Catch an airplane from Manchester to Toronto, rent a car, drive 100 km west to Kitchener. We have an excellent annual German market going on starting Dec 6 – 9. Not surprising considering the city has many residents with German roots. Matter of fact the city was formerly called Berlin until changed to Kitchener in the midst of WW1. Bring your winter woolies though, it’s getting nippy out.

https://www.christkindl.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS. We also have an excellent annual Oktoberfest celebration, apparently the biggest outside of Munich.

https://www.oktoberfest.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fly to Germany somewhere and experience it for real. Without paying absolutely STUPID prices for a bratty and gluhwein.

The prices really are disgusting.

bobinho wrote:Fly to Germany somewhere and experience it for real. Without paying absolutely STUPID prices for a bratty and gluhwein.

The prices really are disgusting.

Spot on Bobinho. We visited the Xmas markets in Berlin as part of a mini break last year, much better atmosphere, cheaper food and drink (eg. 2.5 euro for a gluhvein and rum shot instead of 6 quid) and no loutish behaviour

As others have said, go to the airport and get a cheap flight to a German city and do it properly. If you can’t do that then just stay at home. It’s all rubbish expensive tat.

Jesus wept, read the OP. The bloke wants advice on travelling to Manchester markets not a Roughguide to Christmas shopping around the world or an opinion piece on why he shouldn’t be doing it.

Didn't think much of manc Xmas market.. Preferred Charleville Mezieres in France.. Smaller maybe, but far more festive feeling.

mealdeal wrote:Jesus wept, read the OP. The bloke wants advice on travelling to Manchester markets not a Roughguide to Christmas shopping around the world or an opinion piece on why he shouldn’t be doing it.

And the OP received the advice requested in the first 2 replies, if the subsequent replies/opinions are of no interest they can always be disregarded..

I went into Manc t'other day. Sack off the overpriced commercial crap, you only need to walk to The Sawyers Arms not far away for proper sausags, some Maisel Weiss and homemade mulled wine (not the bottled crap you get in the huts)

Done the manc German markets the last couple of years , love the atmosphere stalls etc , hated the rip off prices going to New York this year instead

Vintage Claret wrote:And the OP received the advice requested in the first 2 replies, if the subsequent replies/opinions are of no interest they can always be disregarded..

It’s hardly news to anyone that a more authentic German market experience might be obtained by visiting Germany. Worthless padding by people who can’t bear to just say nothing

mealdeal wrote:It’s hardly news to anyone that a more authentic German market experience might be obtained by visiting Germany. Worthless padding by people who can’t bear to just say nothing

..He comments..

The vote was won there shall be nothing associated to the EU this is not a German or EU market. Deal with it.

Noble Peter wrote:Going to New York this year instead

Ohhh dear, my sympathy, sorry to hear that.

Went last weekend. Used the Qpark on First Street, if you book online it was 10 quid for 9 hours. About a 5 minute walk to Albert Square. Absolutely heaving though, can hardly move in the markets, let alone try to see what is for sale on the stalls. Worth a trip though, something a bit different.

Always good fun but the beer is pish. I wouldn’t be driving though

german markets, !! more flaccid **** for people with more money than sense to tick off from their things to do list.
some working class hero is off to new york instead, what ********.

claretnproud wrote:....
how long was the mini break bosscat? and what sort of cost are we talking about?

CnP, I'm off to Hamburg at the start of December for two nights and it's costing me around £220 for flight and accommodation, if that helps? I only booked it this week (as its a work trip) so it should give you an idea of what you're likely to spend if you booked it now. I've been to the Christmas markets there before and they are awesome.

Two variants; a traditional one with the usual german crafts, food and gluwein. The Second, on the Reeperbahn, is of more 'adult' selection with just the food, booze, sex toys and even what could be described as a strip tent!

I enjoy visiting the markets in Manchester and will be going again this year. I get the X43 from Burnley so can't advise on parking in the city but if I were driving I'd probably park up at Prestwich and get the tram into Victoria from there.

I'd pay £5 for all day parking at Boddingtons car park or get the bus/train in and have a few beers.

Unsurprisingly, another vote for Prague

Go to Burnley indoor market instead. Out of the weather and a cracking chip butty to be had. Then go to spoons for some cheap ale. Sorted. Merry Christmas.

The real German Christmas markets are the ones run by the Mennonites just outside of Kitchener, Ontario. Right, exile?

Come off the M60 at the Hollinwood Junction and park at Hollinwood Metrolink station and get the tram in (15 minute tram-ish), it’ll take you right to Exchange Square by the markets there.

Milltown1882 wrote:Come off the M60 at the Hollinwood Junction and park at Hollinwood Metrolink station and get the tram in (15 minute tram-ish), it’ll take you right to Exchange Square by the markets there.

That's not a bad shout at all

Milltown1882 wrote:Come off the M60 at the Hollinwood Junction and park at Hollinwood Metrolink station and get the tram in (15 minute tram-ish), it’ll take you right to Exchange Square by the markets there.

I took this route on Saturday, door to Manchester city centre in an hour, depending on if you happen to pitch up just as a tram is due in. The Hollinwood park and ride is the most convenient one from the Burnley direction imho.

I just don't really like Manchester much.. Full stop.

Wonder if Liverpool has a Xmas market?

Noble Peter wrote:rip off prices going to New York this year instead

You’ll be in for a surprise