Melanin Markets Winter Wonders
3 Dec 2023
- Date
- 3 Dec 2023
- Venue
- Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ
- Tickets
- Free, no booking required
Age Guideline: Suitable for all ages
Running time: 12 – 5pm
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
Kick off the holiday season with a festive edition of Melanin Markets, where Black joy, vibrant culture and community empowerment come together for a magical day.
Melanin Markets are taking the magic of the festive season to a new level with their biggest event yet.
Melanin Markets Winter Wonders is a special edition of their annual December event. They'll bring a spectacular array of over 65 Black-owned businesses to Aviva Studios. But this is not your ordinary market; it's a joyous extravaganza for all the family.
Expect an exciting range of stalls to suit all your gift needs – from art to homeware and clothing to skin and haircare. The best of Manchester's food and drink will be in attendance, with ARMR offering a range of festive Caribbean plant-based food and authentic African cuisine by both Gwafu Vegan and RJ's Cuisine.
Not to mention Root2Ginger, Miss Jackson's Drinks and Opm Mcr, who are all carrying on a family legacies, with traditional Rum punch, sorrel and fiery ginger drinks all celebrating their Caribbean heritage. Of course there will be sweet treats to satisfy everyone, Puff Puff, Jamaican fruit and rum cakes and more.
Plus interactive painting sessions with The Cre8 Company and live DJing and workshops by Cory and Cameron, Decibel Sound Solutions and Steel Pan Soloist Zolatec - all to get you dancing and move the soul.
For two years, Melanin Markets has been a beacon of celebration right here in Manchester, connecting people and supporting Black-owned businesses. With a successful history of hosting large scale takeover events at venues such as the Royal Exchange Theatre, HOME, Contact and more, they've also hosted Pop Up events at Hatch and 42nd Street, as well as collaborating with global giants like Nike and JD. They're on a mission to support, uplift and make intentional spending with Black-owned businesses the norm.
For the first time, Melanin Markets will take over various areas of Aviva Studios with a full day of activity, so let’s make this winter truly special and wonderful. Stay tuned for more festive surprises announced soon.
It's completely free to attend and inclusive to everyone.
Want to connect with Melanin Markets? Follow them on Instagram.
Some of the traders
Access information
Our full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and the what3words is chop.feeds.chase.
We're a new purpose-built cultural space in the heart of Manchester. The approach to Aviva Studios is flat, with smooth concrete flooring.
The entrance to our building is through double glass doors. There are automatic doors at both entrances and these are also staffed when the building is open to the public.
Once inside, there is step-free access to all areas of the venue. Lifts to the Warehouse are located through the glass doors beside the city entrance. Lift and escalator access to the Hall is located next to the river entrance, just beyond the brick arches.
You will first arrive into the Social, a large public space where there are a range of seats (including those with arms), a bar and toilets (including accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility).
The bars in the Social and Hall Foyer have lowered accessible service points, and induction loops for hearing-aid users.
There are accessible toilets on all public levels of our building.
Accessible toilets are located inside the main toilets space in the brick arches of the Social.
Here you’ll find a mixture of accessible cubicles with left- or right-hand transfer, as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails. This is also where you can find our Changing Places facility. The toilets in the brick arches of the Social are gender neutral, so you can use facilities in any of the three arches.
There are additional accessible toilets in located in both Hall Foyers, at stalls and circle level.
You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets at Aviva Studios.
Assistance dogs are welcome at Aviva Studios, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request, just ask a host when you arrive. We can also take care of your assistance dog if you are attending a ticketed event and do not want to take your dog into the performance space. If you’re bringing an assistance dog to this event and would like us to make arrangements to care for them, you’re welcome to let us know by contacting access@factoryinternational.org or calling our access phone number: 0161 817 4531 (phone lines are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Travel information
Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
Our closest stations are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios
Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios
Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.
Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from Aviva Studios at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from Aviva Studios at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.
Become a Member
Experience extraordinary, all year round by becoming a Member. It’s just £45 for 12 months of benefits including priority booking, discounts, offers and much more. Are you in?