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Army HIVE Christmas and New Year Closures

The majority of Army HIVEs will be closed after duties on Fri 19 Dec 25 and will reopen on Mon 5 Jan 26. There may be localised variations to these dates for individual HIVEs.

Army HIVE HQ is also closed during the festive fortnight, so any enquiries submitted via the ‘If you need further information’ MS Forms function on our UK, Cyprus or Overseas blogs will be answered when we return in the New Year.

We will periodically cover private messages on our Army HIVE Facebook platform (and X/Instagram where possible) whilst we are closed. However, this will not be 24/7 and should not be relied upon for anything that requires an urgent response.

To support our customers with more immediate requirements however, the Army HIVE HQ email will provide a comprehensive out of office autoreply, detailing points of contact that are either 24/7, emergency providers, or open over the festive leave fortnight. To receive this autoreply, please email:
RC-Pers-HIVEComms-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Individual HIVEs will also provide localised contact details for Christmas and New Year cover wherever possible in their automated replies. Therefore, if you email your closest HIVE, which you can find on HIVE’s page on the Army website, their autoreply may be of additional assistance.

Army HIVE wishes all of its Service community customers, and our internal and external stakeholders, a very happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our support and engagement in 2026.


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November 11, 2025

Manchester: Christmas Markets - 7th November to 22nd December 2025



Manchester's Christmas Markets 2025

Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets will once again transform the city centre into a festive wonderland, from Friday 7 November to Monday 22 December 2025.

This year's Christmas Markets will be bigger and better than ever. There will be over 200 stalls across ten sites, including a reopened section of Albert Square. With unique activities at every site, you’ll find something for the whole family this Christmas.

Albert Square will host ‘A Taste of Christmas’: a festive ‘mini market’ selling food, drinks and crafts. The square will be home to a huge Ferris wheel, giving breathtaking views of Manchester’s Town Hall.

Get wrapped up in the magical atmosphere as you browse local and international crafts. Enjoy all your favourite foods, from swing grills to Dutch pancakes, and visit bars serving hot drinks in our iconic mugs.

With old favourites and exciting new additions, it’ll be a Christmas to remember.

Festive cheer will spill into: 
Albert Square
Piccadilly Gardens
Market Street
Cathedral Gardens
St Ann's Square
Exchange Street
New Cathedral Street
King Street
The Corn Exchange

For more Information, timings and parking CLICK HERE

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE