Copyright manchestereveningnews
A brand new festive market is opening in Manchester city centre with street food, mulled wine and entertainment. It's now less than two weeks until the official Manchester Christmas Markets get underway, but street food pros GRUB, have announced a new outdoor winter venue on the other side of the city. It will feature a 200-capacity heated tent, fiery bars and a stellar lineup of independent traders and chefs. Located on Good Yards Street within the St John's district, it will neighbour Caravan restaurant, Trading Route beer hall, and Aviva Studios. Christmas at St. John’s takes places from Thursday, 20 November to Sunday, 21 December, and organisers say it will transform the neighbourhood close to Spinningfields into a 'lively winter hideaway filled with fire, flavour and festive fun'. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Bailey, GRUB’s Director, said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops for this one. Calling on our trusted partners from years of delivering street food events across Manchester, we’re creating something truly unique this Christmas. "You won’t find these offerings anywhere else. Christmas at St. John’s is all about good food, proper drinks and creating special Christmas memories. "It's also a taste of what’s to come as we work with Allied London to bring GRUB’s flagship home to life at Grape Street next year.” GRUB will showcase a revolving lineup of the North’s most exciting chefs and street food traders, serving unique festive dishes. Visitors can expect eight rotating street food traders serving unique festive specials from gourmet kebabs, pasta specials, and BBQ dishes plus poutine from much-loved Yorkshire legends Spud & Bros. There will also be a spectacular Feuerzangenbowle bar, where flaming mulled wine takes centre stage. Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. The bar will also feature pop-ups from local bars and venues including Trading Route and Stables Tavern alongside wine specialist Good Wines and craft brewers Verdant. Meanwhile, a cosy new 200 capacity heated tent and 60 metre custom-built event sheds will host eight independent traders on Grape Street. Beyond food and drink, the event will feature a full programme of entertainment from festive quizzes and live comedy, to alternative choir performances, creative workshops, storytelling sessions and family-friendly events throughout the season. Visitors can also take part in unique festive shopping experiences such as Christmas tree collections and curated indie hampers that champion Manchester’s best local makers. The festive event marks the next chapter for GRUB, following the announcement of regular weekly markets at the newly envisaged Campfield Market. It also represents the start of a long-term partnership between GRUB and Universal Hospitality – the hospitality arm of Allied London – with more plans to be revealed in the new year, including GRUB’s flagship home at Grape Street. Christmas at St. John’s launches Thursday, 20 November 2025. It will be open Wednesday to Sunday weekly until Sunday, 21 December 2025 Goods Yard St, Manchester.
