Provision, Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions in Albert Square Manchester

Manchester City Council
North West
Open procedure
1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030

Delivery of a comprehensive Christmas attraction in Albert Square, operating seven days a week from November to January. The scope includes the installation and management of an ice rink, diverse food and beverage concessions, and various family-friendly attractions such as rides or ice sculptures. The operator is responsible for full site management, including security, stewarding, health and safety compliance, and joint marketing efforts to ensure a world-class festive destination.

Open the official notice

Awarded value: £28.7m; As published
Published: 24 December 2025
Awarded: 1 September 2026; Frostfall
Contract length: 36 months; Ends 30 June 2030

What the contract covers

Concession

Provision and full operational management of large-scale seasonal Christmas attractions, including ice rinks, festive food offerings, and family-friendly entertainment installations.

Christmas attraction in Albert Square, operating seven days a week during the festive period
Ice rink, managed and installed by the appointed operator
Varied food and beverage offering
Family-friendly festive attractions
Seasonal theming and dressing, including Christmas decorations, lighting features, projections, music, and branded signage
Full site management, including stewarding, first aid, staffing, security, emergency procedures, and compliance with all licensing and health and safety requirements
Marketing and promotion of the attraction

Terms and requirements

Contract type: Concession
Procedure: Open procedure
Initial term: 36 months
Extensions: 12 months + 12 months
Longest it can run: 60 months
Contract dates: 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030
Certifications asked for: None stated
Lots: 1
Suitable for SMEs: Not stated
Category: Services
CPV codes: 45223800, 55520000, 79710000, 79952000

Services in this contract

Christmas markets, winter attractions and market operationMain service£104k typicalInstallation and operation of a Christmas attraction with ice rink in Albert Square

Lifecycle

Published
24 December 2025
Contract awardedto Frostfall
1 September 2026
Contract starts
1 July 2027
Contract ends
30 June 2030

The buyer

Manchester City Council

Type: Locked
Contracts, 24 months: Locked
Recorded value: Locked
Typical contract: Locked
Winter wonderland contracts, 24 months: Locked

Buys most

Contact details

Email: Locked
Website: Locked
Address: Locked

See everything Manchester City Council buys

The supplier

Frostfall

Contracts won, 24 months: Locked
Value won, 24 months: Locked
Buyers, 24 months: Locked
Size: Locked

Main buyers

See everything Frostfall has won

Similar winter wonderland contracts and prices

3 winter wonderland contracts were awarded in the North West in the last 24 months. See who won them and what they went for, next to this one.

See who won them →

Cite this contract

Link: https://bidskim.com/tender/341423/provision-installation-and-operation-of-christmas-attractions-in-albert-square-m
Buyer reference: P-0934
Open contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-05fd0d
Last checked: 5 November 2026

Manchester City Council. Provision, Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions in Albert Square Manchester. Contract award, 24 December 2025. BidSkim, https://bidskim.com/tender/341423/provision-installation-and-operation-of-christmas-attractions-in-albert-square-m (accessed 5 November 2026).