Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets might well be closing on Monday, but fans of the Ferris need not despair as the wheels will keep on turning on the biggest and best giant moveable Ferris Wheel
As the city waves a fond farewell for this year to Christmas stall holders across the city centre, the stalls on Albert Square alongside the festive Ferris Wheel will remain open together with the other fairground attractions on the square, through Christmas and into the new year – closing on 4 January.
Standing a breath-taking 50 metres high, the iconic wheel made in the Netherlands by Lamberink Wheels – recognised in the business as the best-of-the-best Ferris Wheel makers – has been in place on Albert Square, thrilling everyone, since the opening day of the Christmas Markets on 7 November.
With well over 4,000 turns of the gigantic wheel already completed since then, it’s estimated that by the time the iconic wheel leaves the square in January it will have completed a dizzying 6,300 turns and had over 70,000 Mancunians and others in a spin whilst checking out the fantastic views from the top of the wheel, that stretch right out over the city and far beyond to the hills.
The giant wheel hasn’t just been enjoyed by the head-for-heights thrill-seekers though – it’s also been something of a selfie sensation as the must-have backdrop for all those made-for-memories pictures and countless camera rolls taken by the thousands upon thousands of people visiting the markets every day with their families and friends.
Open every day from 10 am to 9 pm between now and 4 January – except for Christmas Day when it will be closed – the wheel will also be playing a big part in Manchester’s New Year celebrations this year. Opening as usual on New Year’s Eve at 10 am it will then stay open for the whole day and into the next, closing just past midnight at 12:30 am on January 1, to give Ferris fans the chance to spend the countdown to midnight on the wheel if they want to.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Our Christmas Markets keep on getting bigger and better and have been absolutely fabulous this year, and it’s been wonderful having Albert Square once again back at the heart of the festive action.
“People have loved it, and our iconic festive Ferris Wheel has really stolen the show. The number of people with their phones out grabbing a picture of it as they pass or wait for a ride on it is off the scale, because it just looks so amazing.
“If you haven’t been down yet, there’s still a couple of weeks left to take a turn on it. With Albert Square open this year on New Year’s Eve as the city gets ready to give a big Manchester welcome to 2026, you could even hitch a ride as the clock strikes midnight!
“There really is nowhere quite like Manchester and nowhere else I’d rather spend Christmas and New Year. Best city in the world and best people – come down and join us!”
Manchester’s giant festive Ferris wheel is operated by Manchester company The Giant Wheel Company who are based in Crumpsall. It is the biggest mobile Ferris wheel in the country, and as a local company managers were really keen to share it with Mancunians as the city counts down to Christmas.
The company is also a big believer in giving back to the city they call home, with community very important to them – which is why as well as bringing their show-stopper of a festive Ferris wheel to Manchester, they last week also made a generous donation to the Lord Mayor’s Charity.
Jan de Koning, Managing Director, The Giant Wheel Company, said: “Our giant wheel always gets lots of attention wherever it goes, but there’s something fantastic about seeing it in our hometown, here in the middle of Manchester, where we’re still very much based.
“As a local company, it’s always been important to us to do our bit for our community, and it’s been amazing to help Manchester celebrate Christmas this year and to see how the city has taken our wheel to its heart.”
Festive fun also continues through Christmas and into the new year over on Cathedral Gardens, with Skate Manchester’s Ice Rink and adjacent stalls staying open for a seasonal skate until 4 January.
Find out more information about the Giant Wheel and book tickets
Find out more information about Skate Manchester and book tickets
Find out more information about Christmas and New Year in Manchester