What's On
B*Witched to play free gig at Trafford Centre to celebrate its 25th anniversary
It’s going to be a proper ’90’s party!
The Trafford Centre is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary by hosting a free family-friendly party featuring a popular ’90s pop band.
Opened in 1998, the year the blockbuster movie Titanic – starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet – was released in UK cinemas, there’ll be many who won’t remember the time before the huge shopping centre was built on the barren land.
The busy indoor retail and experience centre will be throwing a huge bash later this month to mark a quarter of a century since its doors first opened to the public, with a celebration of fashion, pop culture and music over the last two and a half decades.
As a blast from the past to transport everyone back to 1998, popular Irish girl band of the time, B*Witched – also celebrating their 25th anniversary – will be performing live to get the party pumping.
The band shot to fame as they topped the charts with their debut single ‘C’est La Vie’ in May 1998, followed by three more number one singles.
The double denim, butterfly clip wearing, pop sensations will be taking part in a one-hour Endless Fashion Event, hosted by Happy Radio UK presenter Chelsea Norris on Friday, September 29th.
The free event does not require a ticket to attend but people are advised to get there early to secure their place in the audience.
At the party, there will also be ’90s-inspired dance acts, archive footage, iconic fashion and music from across the decades since as well as performances from local cheerleading group Electric Athletes.
Fashion lovers can also enjoy displays of fashion from past, present and future throughout this September – with easy-to-shop looks put together from some of the biggest brands at the Trafford Centre.
Simon Layton, Centre Director for the Trafford Centre, said: “As Trafford centre marks its 25th birthday, we are embracing our heritage, relishing our present and looking excitedly ahead to our future.
“For 25 years, we’ve been a beacon of fashion excellence and style, with people flocking from far and wide to shop the biggest fashion brands, using the Trafford Centre as their own catwalk.
“As we celebrate this milestone we want to continue that legacy of inspiring future generations to embrace their individual style – whatever the future of fashion may hold!”
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
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
