'Tis the (events) season

During the Christmas period, Deansgate railway station will close at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The dates impacted by a 6pm closure are below:

• Friday 1 December
• Saturday 2 December
• Friday 8 December
• Saturday 9 December
• Friday 15 December
• Saturday 16 December

Facilities and services will be available at Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly stations.

Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop will remain open.

Strike action by ASLEF (the train drivers' union) is set to impact the rail network between Saturday 2 and Friday 8 December, meaning little or no rail services across large areas of the rail network.

With the strikes impacting different train operators on each day, the operators directly affecting Greater Manchester are noted below:

• Saturday 2 December (East Midlands Railway)
• Sunday 3 December (Avanti West Coast)
• Thursday 7 December (CrossCountry)
• Friday 8 December (Northern and TransPennine Express)

These dates are expected to be particularly impactful for those travelling into, out of, and around Greater Manchester.

ASLEF has also introduced an overtime ban, which will impact rail services from Friday 1 to Saturday 9 December. This could mean that there will be short notice, part and full cancellation of services.

Passengers are strongly advised to check the status of their rail journey with their operator, both in advance and immediately before travel.

Metrolink services are unaffected and will continue to operate a normal tram service.

Visit the National Rail website for any disruption to rail services.

You can find information about changes to operating times between Monday 18 December 2023 and Friday 5 January 2024 on our dedicated webpage.

On the Christmas operating times webpage, you'll be able to find the latest updates and changes to schedules for:

• Bus
• Tram
• Train
• Local Link and Ring and Ride services
• Free bus in the city centre
• Bee Network Contact Centre
• Travelshops

Please note that there will be no service on the following days:

• Bus - Monday 25 December (Christmas Day) except selected daytime services on the 43 route
• Tram - Monday 25 December (Christmas Day)
• Train - Monday 25 (Christmas Day) and Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day)

The iconic Manchester Christmas Markets return to the city centre on Friday 10 November for their 25th anniversary year. There will be 225 stalls across nine sites of:

• Piccadilly Gardens (Winter Gardens)
• St Ann's Square and Exchange Street
• Market Street
• King Street
• New Cathedral Street
• Exchange Square
• The Corn Exchange
• Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is also the site of Skate Manchester’s huge, covered ice rink. For more information on all the sights and sounds of the Christmas Markets, Visit Manchester has all the information that you may need.

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Our advice

By tram

Tram will be the best way to travel to and from the shops and the Christmas Markets this festive season. There are eight city centre tram stops serving all lines, with frequent services seven days a week.

On Fridays and Saturdays, there will be trams on the network until 1am. For live departure times from your stop, visit the dedicated stop webpages, which are linked below.

Not sure of which stop you need for each Christmas Market site? We’ve got you with our handy list below:

• St Ann's Square and Exchange Street - Exchange Square stop
• Market Street - Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens stop
• King Street - St Peter’s Square stop
• New Cathedral Street - Exchange Square stop
• Exchange Square - Exchange Square stop
• The Corn Exchange - Exchange Square stop
• Cathedral Gardens - Exchange Square or Victoria stop

At busy times, you may find it easier to board a tram at one of the other stops in the city centre such as Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield or Shudehill.

By bus

• Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill bus stations are right in the heart of the action, where services will connect you to all four corners of Greater Manchester. You can visit the dedicated webpages for the latest live departure information.
• At busy times, city centre road congestion may also impact buses. Make sure that you allow extra time for your journey if you’re going to be travelling on an evening or a weekend as the big day gets closer.
• Get on board with low-cost fares. Any single bus trip in Greater Manchester remains £2 for adults and £1 for children. For more information, you can visit our fares webpage.

By road

• From 2pm driving in the city centre on a weekend is likely to be as busy as a weekday evening rush hour. If you have to drive into the city centre, make sure you allow for extra time and congestion on your journey. For quicker journeys avoid the period between 4pm and 7pm. If you are intending to travel along Trinity Way, you may want to check if there’s an event on at the Arena. There’s a lot going on at the Arena before Christmas, and journey times by road can increase by at least 10 minutes on event days. Visit our dedicated AO Arena webpage for more information.
• Roads around the city centre and key car parks become congestion hotspots on the run up to Christmas. If your route includes areas around the Manchester Arndale, Printworks, Victoria Station, AO Arena, The Great Northern Warehouse, The Opera House, Deansgate, Blackfriars or Chapel Street (Salford), congestion is likely. On weekends, evenings and key event dates, allow extra time for entering and exiting car parks in the city centre - especially if they are around the Christmas markets it may be busier than normal.
• If you have no choice other than to drive, do your bit for city centre congestion and plan where you intend to park in advance, and park on the side of the city that your route home is on. There are 24 tram park and ride locations on the tram network where you will be able to park for free and travel into the city centre by tram with ease.
• If you need to park at key city centre locations (eg. the Arndale centre or Harvey Nichols car parks) on a weekend and on key event days in the run up to Christmas, please allow extra time for exiting the car parks
• We will continually update this webpage with the latest insight as we receive it. Stay up to date with disruptions on your route with the Bee Network travel alerts hub.

Walking

You may find that the quickest way for local trips and to get between shops and Christmas Market sites is by walking. Stay safe this winter and use well-lit routes through the city.

It’s the last weekend of the Christmas Markets and on one of the final weekends before the big day, last-minute shoppers are going to be out in force, and you'll find that Manchester city centre - as well as other towns around Greater Manchester - will be extremely busy.

It will also be the busiest weekend for Christmas parties - particularly on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 December. For those enjoying the festivities, we are asking you to stay safe, don’t drink and drive, plan your journey so that you are aware of your last services and know how you are getting home.

On Saturday 16 December, Manchester City play Crystal Palace at the Etihad, and we are expecting rail services, particularly those to and from London to be especially busy due to the fixture.

Finally, Disney on Ice will perform three shows a day at the AO Arena on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December.

We are expecting the events at the Arena, the football, and Christmas hopping trips to combine to have a significant impact on roads and car parks. 4pm to 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is expected to be the busiest time, so please use public transport, where possible.

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Our advice

Christmas parties

• Make sure you know exactly how you are getting home, and never drink and drive.If travelling by bus or tram, check when your last service is in advance. When you are planning your journey by tram, make sure you visit our tram schedule webpage, so that you can check the timetabled services for your journey. On Friday and Saturday, there will be trams on the network until 1am.
• If travelling by bus, you can search your service schedules on our dedicated bus webpage.
• If you are walking, make sure that you follow a well-lit route.

Last-minute shopping

• Tram will be the best way to travel to and from the shops and the Christmas Markets this festive season. There are eight city centre tram stops serving all lines, with frequent services seven days a week. On Fridays and Saturdays, there will be trams on the network until 1am. For live departure times from your stop, visit the dedicated webpages for Deansgate-Castlefield, St Peters Square, Piccadilly, Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Exchange Square, Shudehill or Victoria.
• By bus - Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill bus stations are right in the heart of the action, where services will connect you to all four corners of Greater Manchester. You can visit the dedicated webpages for the latest live departure information.
• By road - Roads around the city centre and key car parks become congestion hotspots on the run up to Christmas. From 2pm driving in the city centre over the weekend is likely to be as busy as a weekday evening rush hour.
• If you need to drive into the city centre, make sure you allow for extra time and congestion on your journey. For quicker journeys avoid the period between 4pm and 7pm.
• If your route includes areas around the Manchester Arndale, Printworks, Victoria Station, AO Arena, The Great Northern Warehouse, The Opera House, Deansgate, Blackfriars or Chapel Street (Salford), congestion is likely.
• Plase allow extra time for entering and exiting car parks in the city centre. Do your bit for city centre congestion and park on the same side of the city as your route, if you can.
• Don't forget that the Christmas Markets will still be open and lining the streets of the city!

Getting to the Etihad

• By tram – Travelling by tram will be the best way to get to the match, as it will avoid the road congestion on Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way due to events at the AO Arena. During peak times (Mon-Fri 7am to 8pm and Sat 9am to 6.30pm), there will be trams every six minutes between the city centre and the Etihad Campus.
• By car - Due to the event at the AO Arena and city centre shopping and festivities, we are expecting the inner ring road (especially Trinity Way by the Arena) to be congested after the match, as well as routes such as Great Ancoats Street, Ashton New Road and Ashton Old Road. Can you get to the match by park and ride?
• By park and ride - Parking options are limited near the ground. If you have to drive, you can do your bit for matchday congestion by parking for free at a park and ride location on the Eccles/Ashton line. You're spoilt for choice, as there are parking spaces at Ladywell, Ashton West and Ashton Moss.
• By train - There are currently three trains per hour from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston after the match (including changes). Please make sure that you plan your journey in advance and check the status of your train before you travel. Visit the National Rail website
• By bus - There are a number of buses that stop near the ground. The 216 bus stops along Ashton New Road and will take you back to Piccadilly Gardens - all for £2 (adult single fare).

You can find more help with planning your journey to the Etihad on our dedicated webpage.

Getting to the AO Arena

• By tram and train – Travelling by tram will be the best way to avoid significant road congestion. Victoria station and tram stop are just around the corner from the Arena. Trains from Victoria station can take you to all corners of the north, and you can use the tram stop to reach destinations such as Altrincham, Bury, Rochdale, the Airport and East Didsbury.
• By road - If you have to drive to the AO Arena, we are expecting significant delays on the surrounding roads. As there are multiple performances each day, and plenty of shopping and festivities in the city centre as well, please allow extra time onto your journey for road congestion, finding a car parking space, and exiting your car park on the way home. Journey planners like our very own will help plan a journey where significant congestion is expected. You can also find the latest disruption news on our travel alerts hub.

You can find more help with planning your journey to the AO Arena on our dedicated webpage.

Shopping at the Trafford Centre

Late night shopping and Christmas opening hours

At the Trafford Centre, you'll be spoilt for choice, as they have Christmas shopping and leisure activities all wrapped up.

There's already late night shopping at Trafford Centre every weeknight until 10pm, but here's a sneak peak at the opening hours over the Christmas period:

18 – 22 December: 10am – 11pm
23 December: 10am – 10pm
24 December: 11am – 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
26 December (Boxing Day): 8am – 8pm
27 – 29 December: 10am – 10pm
30 December: 10am – 9pm
31 December (New Year’s Eve): 11am – 5pm
1 January (New Year’s Day): 12pm – 6pm

We've also listed the quietest times at the Trafford Centre on our dedicated Trafford Centre webpage - don't forget to take a look when planning your journey.

The Trafford Park line runs right to the doors of the Trafford Centre from Manchester city centre. With trams until midnight (and on the network until 1am on a Friday and Saturday), you can get all your purchases home after a late night shopping spree.

The Trafford Centre also has its own bus station, with services connecting the centre to all corners of Greater Manchester. You can see live departure times on our dedicated webpage.

If there is no other choice than to drive, the Trafford Centre has 11,500 spaces on site.

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Shopping locally

If you are looking to shop local this festive season and support your local town or shopping centre, take a look at our tips:

• By tram - If there is a tram stop near you, this will be the best way to get around with ease. You can see live departures by typing your stop into our tram webpage.
• By road - Local roads from the M60 and car parks are likely to get very busy on weekends and the week before the big day. If you have no option other than to drive, make sure you know where you are parking and beat the queues by taking an early morning shopping trip.
• By bus - You can search for your bus timetable by typing your service number into our bus webpage.

You can find out about any local disruptions impacting your route by visiting our travel alerts hub.