Albert Square will host Christmas events in 2025 after a massive renovation project. Details to be revealed later this year.
Albert Square is Manchester’s Christmas market hub. A giant Santa, named Zippy, stood by the town hall. Both Santa and the markets left after 2019 because of the ongoing renovation.
The town hall work aimed to finish by 2024. Delays happened, with problems inside the building. Now, they expect completion by August 2026, and the cost rose by £76 million.
Council leaders sped up Albert Square’s project to have Christmas events sooner. Albert Square will be bigger and pedestrian-only, allowing Christmas events to happen earlier than expected.
A festive attraction happens in winter 2025. Council member Garry Bridges confirmed this, and exact details come later this year. Market stalls may be included in the events.
The square will rival Europe’s best, said Bridges. He looks forward to the Christmas event, and details about the reopening are coming. The council overcame challenges in the project.
A formal town hall reopening is planned to run up to September 2027. They want to celebrate the 150th anniversary, as the building first opened in 1877.