The Krankies set to open the Manchester Christmas markets
As the 2017 Manchester Christmas markets grand open date approaches, The Krankies are revealed as special guests.
Manchester's Christmas Market is coming back to the City Centre this week, bringing six weeks of festive feasting for the whole family.
More than 300 traders will travel from across the continent and the North West for the award-winning attraction, providing tasty treats and drinks, along with gifts from all around the globe.
Special guests, The Krankies, will be opening the markets ahead of their Dick Whittington pantomime appearance with John Barrowman at the Opera House.
The Krankies are a Scottish duo act who starred in the 1980's BBC show, Crackerjack, which, then, brought them into the limelight.
The markets will open on Friday, 10 November until Wednesday, 20 December – open from 10am until 9pm daily – while the Christmas Market hub on Albert Square (with the imposing Manchester Town Hall providing the Victorian neo-gothic backdrop) will remain open until 6pm, 21 December.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “It’s no secret that we love Christmas in Manchester. The only shame is that our markets only open in November despite our petition to keep them open from summer through until spring.
“This year’s celebration will transform our city centre in to a winter wonderland and it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the family together, visit the Christmas Markets, and get into the festive spirit!"
The markets will see the famous Yorkshire Burrito, a giant Yorkshire pudding rolled with your favourite filling, all mixed together with a panini maker, along with Northern Soul returning with their grilled cheese.
Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “Manchester is a key time of year for retail in the city centre and we love how our markets create a wonderful Christmas atmosphere for visitors to Manchester. The markets are one of the biggest attractions in the country and help to complement the high street retailers, giving shoppers a real choice.”
Albert Square will be overseen, as always, by the six tonne giant Santa who will take his usual perch above the market, lit by 100,000 energy efficient LED lights.
Santa will be back on twitter this year (follow him @McrSanta) providing a sometimes cheeky view of the festive season as Manchester’s largest Christmas character! He will also be the grand judge in a range of festive-themed competitions, so make sure you keep up with his feed!
Manchester's iconic Town Hall building is closing from 15 January 2018 until 2024 to enable a major programme of works to safeguard the Grade I-listed gem for future generations.
Visitors to the markets are being encouraged to take the opportunity to have a look around the much-loved building ahead of its temporary closure.
Regular visitors to Manchester’s Christmas Markets will notice more security measures designed to reassure the thousands of people who visit the attraction each year.