People’s History Museum’s (PHM) is wrapping up the perfect Christmas shopping experience with its Winter Makers Market, combining the stunning historic setting of the museum’s Edwardian Engine Hall with a carefully curated selection of independent makers, original gifts, and delicious food and drink to enjoy along the way. Taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, entry is FREE and this is the biggest edition yet!
Everything unfolds beneath the festoon lights that illuminate the striking architecture of the Engine Hall, a Manchester landmark that makes up the historic part of PHM’s museum complex. Some of the north west’s finest makers, live music, meet the makers experiences, and incredible food and drink are all part of PHM’s 2026 Winter Makers Market. Stalls will be brimming with gifts and goodies galore, fair trade finds, and Christmas cheer.
Among this year’s newcomers, Abi Prints is adding her bright and bold artworks to the mix. Imagine neon-drenched, rainbow-colour filled designs guaranteed to bring a smile, with affordable prints making it easy to gift a piece of original art. For a more urban aesthetic, Distort Design captures Manchester and other cityscapes in colourful artworks that blend faded posters, street art and signage with iconic architectural imagery. The designs feature on textiles, cushions and lampshades.
For something softer but just as eye catching, turn your attention to the delicate colours of Amai Studio, who showcases delicate crochet work, bringing a stylish finish to accessories such as earrings and hair scrunchies. Also working with thread, but with a twist, Artley Yarn transforms colourful knitted wire into striking creations. Shoppers will love the originality of a collection that includes Christmas decorations, wall hangers and word art.
Proving that the best things really can come in small packages, artist Lucy Ridges is another name to look out for, with miniature artworks that carry messages such as ‘This too shall pass’ and ‘Deeds not words’. And for the person who seems impossible to buy for, HOMEWORK could have the answer. Its characterful papier-mâché figures are full of personality and promise to be anything but an ordinary Christmas gift.
No Christmas market experience is complete without a foodie treat, and PHM’s café Gather is going all out this year. Currywurst and fries, tasty Christmas dinner sandwiches and more will be headlining the menu. Plus soft drinks, bar drinks and hot drinks will be served.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Hallé Choir will perform on Saturday, with Magic Voices Choir taking to the stage on Sunday, filling the Engine Hall with seasonal cheer.
Spirited Women – a historical cocktail tasting experience
Saturday 21 November
Discover the hidden histories of the women who drank, distilled, and defied convention in this historical cocktail tasting experience. Pull up a chair with historian Simon Sharp for a journey through the stories of female pioneers from the invention of the pub and modern beer, to distillation and champagne, all while sipping on a cocktail inspired by their remarkable actions.
Places are £20, plus booking fee, and can be booked here.
Christmas lino printing workshop – cards & tags
Saturday 21 November & Sunday 22 November
Join illustrator and printmaker, Halina Isherwood for a winter themed lino printing workshop in which you will learn how to make your own lino stamp to take away with you. Then have fun experimenting with printing cards and tags to add a handmade touch to your Christmas gifting.
Places are £20, plus booking fee, and can be booked here.
Winter Makers Market preview evening
Friday 20 November, 5.00pm to 8.00pm
The Winter Makers Market weekend gets underway with a preview evening on Friday 20 November. Upon arrival to the museum a warm PHM welcome is accompanied by a warming glass of mulled wine to get the evening off to a festive start. Live music from the museum’s resident jazz band, Quinta, sets the scene for an evening of shopping and socialising, with a full house of stalls to explore in the magnificent Engine Hall and accompanying gallery. There will be candle making demonstrations taking place from Recyled Wax, who will also be collecting pre-loved candles to be recycled into something new. A beautifully wrapped Christmas tree candle is your special gift to take home.
Preview evening tickets are £10, include a glass of mulled wine together with all the activities outlined, and can be booked here.
The Winter Makers Market is organised by the venue hire team at PHM and supports the work of the national museum of democracy: from its collections to its communities.
For further information about PHM, its latest programme of events and visiting the museum visit phm.org.uk, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter.
ENDS
For further information, to arrange a visit or interview please contact Fido PR:
laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk / clare.short@fidopr.co.uk
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/m98tz37jadk50tk9xgzqn/AIUMvohigh5Nlp_rFUsi77s?rlkey=0ggt0n8d5xeg4xc4yz3pw4738&;st=w5sy8pjs&dl=0
Notes to editors:
About People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester is the UK’s national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. Through an eclectic and colourful mix of historic and contemporary collections, featuring banners, badges, posters, photography and more, the museum celebrates the radical stories of people coming together to champion ideas worth fighting for.
Offering an engaging programme of exhibitions and events, collaborating with communities to create authentic content, the museum is Family Friendly throughout – inspiring the next generation to be active citizens.
People’s History Museum encourages visitors to be empowered by the past to make a change for the future. We are all together in the fight for a fairer world.
About Arts Council England (ACE)
PHM is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The work of PHM is supported using public funding by ACE, the national development agency for creativity and culture. ACE have set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 they want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 they will invest over £467 million of public money from government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
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