What's On
A 10-day light and illuminations festival featuring the Floating Earth is coming to Salford Quays
Lightwaves will be completely free to attend and will feature dozens of artistic installations
The dark and cold nights are set to become a little less dreary with the arrival of a magical light and illuminations festival at Salford Quays.
Lightwaves will be arriving at Salford’s Media City this Friday, December 3rd, and will bring with it a whole array of exciting illuminated installations.
With a focus on bold new commissions, Lightwaves supports international artists alongside local and emerging talent, with this year’s commissions focusing on an important message of protecting the planet and building a sustainable future.
Here’s what’s you can expect to see…
@koffee_and_sunsets / Instagram
Lightwaves Festival
Perhaps the most talked about installation is Floating Earth by acclaimed artist Luke Jerram. The centre piece of the festival, this awe-inspiring artwork will give visitors the chance to see the planet floating on the surface of the water in three dimension.
Measuring ten metres in diameter and created from 1200dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, Jerram created the installation to give visitors a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Also on the line up is Sirens, a ‘beautiful but haunting’ display of water-based projections curated by Davy and Kristin McGuire. The artwork shows life-like mermaids and sea creatures encountering the devastating effects of plastic pollution and climate change.
The mesmerising water ballet Cygnus by LOOMALAND will also be on display throughout the festival, featuring twelve synchronised robot swans, all of which are illuminated from the inside and change colours to the rhythm of the music from within their bodies.
Lightwaves Festival
Lightwaves Festival
The immersive laser projection, LASERTONIC will utilise sound and colour to transform its surroundings into a meditative environment. The colourful laser light will dance in time with the surround sound, creating a serene environment to engage the subconscious mind and imagination.
Also on the lineup will be the Manchester bee-themed interactive arch of light HIVE MINDS, the fun and spontaneous music making experience ILLUMAPHONIUM by Michael & Gemma Davis, and experiential artwork MYSTERY BIRD, which has been developed as a static installation especially for Lightwaves 2021.
Lightwaves 2021 will be launching on Friday December 3rd alongside festive makers markets at Quayside. The festival will be completely free to visit with no tickets or advanced booking required.
For more information and to see the artistic lineup in full, visit the Quays Culture website.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
