What's On
An immersive rooftop winter cinema is opening and you can get tickets now
Tickets go on sale today…
An immersive cinema experience is opening on the rooftop of Manchester’s Depot Mayfield next month for a winter residency.
Perfect for both movie-lovers and adventure-seekers, Backyard Cinema offers a unique cinema experience that is ‘more than just the movies’.
And after nearly a decade of hosting these cinema experiences in London, Backyard Cinema is coming to the north for the first time with a purpose-built 330-capacity indoor winter cinema on the platform of Depot Mayfield, the home of Escape to Freight Island and Warehouse Project.
The cinema will be in Manchester for a limited ten-week run commencing from Friday October 21st.
Backyard Cinema
Upon arrival, audiences will be taken on a magical journey through tunnels of trees doors in the ‘Enchanted Forest’ before arriving at the ‘Lost Theatre’.
The theatre will be filled with custom-made giant bean bag seating for guests to get cosied up in, with ushers serving seasonal cocktails and sweet treats to create the most enchanting place to watch a film.
Taking residency on the platform for this limited 10 week run, Backyard Cinema will be screening a mixture of brand new releases such as ELVIS and Top Gun: Maverick, cult classics like The Greatest Showman and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ‘40th Anniversary’, and all-time classic Christmas films including Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually.
Other films on the line up include The Batman, Die Hard, Hocus Pocus, Addams Family Values and Beetlejuice.
Backyard Cinema
Backyard Cinema will be situated on the platform of the former Mayfield Train Station, where it will be the first destination project to occupy the 34,000-square-foot rooftop space
To do this, the four derelict railway tracks, platforms, original ticket office, waiting room and signature cast iron roof structure will be converted to create a truly unique set up overlooking the stunning Mayfield Park, Manchester’s first new public park in 100 years.
The cinema will also feature two communal drinking areas, a number of local street food vendors and live music.
Dominic Davies, founder and CEO of Backyard Cinema, said: “We are so excited to take our alternative cinema pop-up outside of London for the very first time and we are proud to be joining The Warehouse Project and Escape to Freight Island in one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration projects at Depot Mayfield.
Backyard Cinema
“Manchester is such a unique creative city with lots of cultural happenings and we look forward to being part of the community and offering the most magical cinema experience to all.”
Backyard Cinema Manchester will be open from Wednesdays to Sundays from October 21st until December 4th, and from Mondays to Sundays from December 5th until January 2nd. It will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27th, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Show times are 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm, though this will vary each day.
Tickets for Backyard Cinema are on sale NOW – get booked in here.
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 VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
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
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
