Behind Piccadilly station and hidden under the railway arches, adventurous food-fans will find one of Manchester's best Christmas markets - the GRUB Christmas Food Fair at Alphabet Brewery.

Hosted by the street food festival maestros GRUB, the festive bash will feature a line up of traditional Christmas must-haves including carol singing from the Northern Quarter Boys Choir, mulled wine and cider, and the German delicacy feuerzangenbowle : a super-charged version of gluhwein which is set on fire.

Jason Bailey, director of GRUB said: “We really think we’ll be able to offer a real alternative to the Manchester Christmas markets. You can expect a much more laid back vibe for sure.”

(Image: GRUB Facebook)

Fuelled by feuerzangenbowle , visitors can partake in Christmas shopping at gift stalls stocked by Manchester's top designers and artists, and shoppers can even pick up a real Christmas tree from Bud Garden Centre's pop-up shop on Saturday, December 3.

Winter comfort food will be provided by some of the region's best street food traders, including mac'n'cheese from Mac Daddies, woodfired sourdough pizza from Purely Pizza, seafood snacks from Holy Crab, and vegan treats from Nicely Kitchen.

Alongside the stellar beer, wine, soft drinks and spirits line up, the market will feature a special yuletide version of the wildly popular Alphabet Brewing Co Flat White breakfast stout, infused with the German fruit cake stollen.

The GRUB Christmas Food Fair is free entry and will be open Saturday December 3, Saturday December 10, Saturday December 17 and Friday December 23, from 12pm to 10pm.

Full details of the event can be found on the Facebook event page .

Alphabet Brewery, 99 N Western St, Manchester M12 6JL / @GRUBMCR / grubmcr.com