Hotels near Albert Square

Albert Square is the centrepiece of the Manchester Christmas Markets, set in front of the Gothic Revival Manchester Town Hall. After a partial reopening last year, following years of restoration work on the Town Hall, the square returns in 2026 with the 50-metre Ferris wheel, a helter-skelter, food, drink and craft stalls, and a new Manchester Christmas Markets pop-up pub.

It is also one of two sites that stay open after the main markets close: Albert Square trades from 6 November 2026 until 3 January 2027. That makes it the best option for anyone visiting between Christmas and New Year.

The Ferris wheel gives a view across the Town Hall's clock tower and the lit streets of the city centre, and it is the easiest way to see how the market sites connect.

Pro Tip: Ride the 50-metre Ferris wheel just after dark, around 4.30pm in December, for the Town Hall lights. Weekday late afternoons have the shortest queues for both the wheel and the pop-up pub.