Guide to Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival
If you’re looking for an authentic Christmas market experience that is 100% vegan, Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival might be just what you’re looking for!
Where to find it
Located at the recently restored Grade II listed Victoria Baths, Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival couldn’t be held in a more beautifully historic setting.
Opened in 1906, the Victoria Baths has original Edwardian features such as stained glass, terracotta tiling and mosaic floors. It was selected by the public in 2003 for the BBC’s Restoration program and has been back open to the public since 2017.
With two full-sized swimming pools (but on this occasion sans water to accommodate the stalls!), sports hall, turkish baths and original Edwardian changing rooms, it’s the perfect backdrop for a weekend of festive vegan fun!
Food
Food is at the centre of any self-respecting Christmas market and Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival is no exception! Your only issue will be deciding on what to have…but the best part about it? You don’t have to keep checking what you can or cannot eat because it’s allll vegan baby!
Whether you decide to stay with the festive theme and try some vegan bratwurst and a Christmas pie or have a sourdough pizza, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll like.
Being the vegan foodie I am, I couldn’t resist trying a traditional German bratwurst and some delicious hot cookie dough for dessert (both a vegan first for me!).
After tasting your way through the vegan street food, grab a glass of mulled wine and prepare to browse your way through the best in vegan lifestyle goodies…
Stalls
The festival hosts over 60 fabulous stalls across the two swimming pool areas selling a wide variety of vegan products. These include, clothing, jewellery, cruelty-free make-up and skin care, art and even snacks for your dog!
There are also stalls specialising in alternative health and wellness offering chakra balancing stones and massages!
Entertainment
It’s not just about food and shopping at Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival, there is also tons of entertainment to get you into the holiday spirit.
In the main food hall there is a live band playing all your favourite Christmas tunes throughout the weekend (dressed in tradition German Lederhosen!). Plus, face painting, Christmas arts and crafts and a Santa’s Grotto for the kids.
How to get there
The Victoria Baths is on Hathersage Road in Chorlton less than than two miles south of Manchester City Centre. If you’re going by car there is parking at the back of the building and you can also get there easily by bus from the city centre. There are more details on ways you can get to the festival on the Victoria Baths website.
Final thoughts
Whether you’ve been vegan for years, new to the lifestyle or just vegan-curious, I guarantee you’ll leave Manchester’s Vegan Christmas Festival with a belly full of food and a bag full of Christmas goodies.
I went with a group of non-vegan friends and they loved it just as much as I did. I can’t wait to go back next year!
Where in the world do you think has the best Christmas Festivals? Comment below and let me know! 😊
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