fbpx
Connect with us
https://propermanchester.com.temp.link/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/secret-suppers-advert.jpg

What's On

A special festive ‘ice rink in the sky’ is coming to Manchester’s huge outdoor winter market

Ice skaters will have remarkable views from the rink, which will be on the world’s first ‘concretene’ mezzanine

Avatar photo

Published

on

Escape to Freight Island & Joseph Costa / Unsplash

Get your ice skates at the ready; a boutique Ice Rink in the Sky is coming to Manchester’s Escape to Freight Island this Christmas. 

In a first for the open-air food hall, the festive ice rink will be built and positioned underneath the striking industrial roof of Depot Mayfield on the new worlds-first ‘concretene’ mezzanine.

Skaters will have remarkable views overlooking the stage inside Escape to Freight Island, which will have been transformed into Winter Island, the UK’s largest fully-heated outdoor winter market, from November 5th – December 31st.

As well as the ice rink, Winter Island will be bringing a number of magical festive additions to the outdoor food hall, including a Christmas Tree Forest, a bratwurst grill, traditional hog roast, a mulled wine and hot cider hut, local chocolatiers and artisanal cheese stalls.

Escape to Freight Island

Escape to Freight Island

And that doesn’t even scratch the surface – the team over at Freight Island also have a huge programme of festive events booked over the next couple of months.

Kicking off with a huge fireworks display on November 5th, the Winter Island will be offering a mix of ticketed and non-ticketed events, such as a bonfire night gathering, Christmas workshops, karaoke, family raves, cabaret, live music, comedy and festive movie nights.

The iconic Untold Orchestra will also be holding a residency every Wednesday throughout November and December, where they will be paying homage to beloved musicians and bands each week – as well as those famed festive numbers too.

Further entertainment to look forward to throughout the festive season at Winter Island includes performances from the likes of Fun DMC, Teachrex, Playhouse Project, Famzily Gorgeous, Guilty Pleasures and Born to be Wild Child.

Escape to Freight Island

Escape to Freight Island

The Winter Island will run from November 5th to December 31st, while the ice rink will be open to the public from November 12th.

Bookings are open now and, while walk-ups will be available, booking ahead in advance is strongly recommended to secure your preferred dates and times.

To book your own slot, visit the Escape to Freight Island website, and for further news and updates, make sure to follow their official Instagram page.

What's On

The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region

Get in the festive spirit!

Avatar photo

Published

on

Manchester Made Market

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.

Continue Reading

What's On

Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season

Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!

Avatar photo

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

What's On

The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year

Avatar photo

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Receive our latest news, events & unique stories

Privacy and data policy

We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase

Copyright © 2024 Manchester's Finest Group