What's On
Escape to Freight Island is giving away free pints of Guinness this weekend
Though you’ll need to be quick to get your hands on a free pint…
The Six Nations Championship is nearly upon us and, to get Mancunians warmed up in style, the city’s biggest open-air food hall will be dishing out free pints of Guinness.
Yep, Escape to Freight Island has partnered with Guinness to treat its punters to lovely pints of the black stuff when the Six Nations commences this weekend, February 5th.
The complex is also set to host the biggest fan zone in the UK outside of London to present all the games throughout the tournament, with dedicated space transformed for rugby-lovers to stay all weekend long and watch the games.
@escapetofreightisland / Instagram
Though you’ll need to be quick to get your hands on a free pint, as they are only available for the first 300 people who book themselves a ticket to watch any of the Six Nations matches this Saturday.
And that isn’t all on the bill over at Escape to Freight Island; a number of independent food stalls will be in attendance to help rugby fans wash down their pints, including One Star Döner Bar, Madre, Mi & Pho, Patty Queen and Voodoo Ray’s.
There is also an array of live entertainment scheduled over the next couple of months, including live bands every Wednesday from the likes of The Untold Orchestra and Tom Seals, as well as DJs, mixtape series and residencies from Thursday to Sunday from big names such as Me Gusta, Massaoke, Girls on Film, North of the Island, and The Feel Good Choir.
@escapetofreightisland / Instagram
Escape to Freight Island’s Six Nations Line Up:
- Ireland V Wales – Saturday February 5th, 2:15pm.
- Scotland V England – Saturday February 5th, 4:45pm.
- France V Italy – Sunday February 6th, 3pm.
- Wales V Scotland – Saturday February 12th, 2:45pm.
- France V Ireland – Saturday February 12th, 4:45pm.
- Italy V England – Sunday February 13th, 3pm.
- Scotland V France – Saturday February 26th, 2:15pm.
- England V Wales – Saturday February 26th, 4:45pm.
- Ireland V Italy – Sunday February 27th, 3pm.
- Wales V France – Friday March 11th, 8pm.
- Italy V Scotland – Saturday March 12th, 2:15pm.
- England V Ireland – Saturday March 12th, 4:45pm.
- The Rugby Pod – Tuesday March 15th, 7pm.
- Wales V Italy – Saturday March 19th, 2:15pm.
- Ireland V Scotland – Saturday March 19th, 4:45pm.
- France V England – Saturday March 19th, 8pm.
For more information and to get booked in, visit the Escape to Freight Island 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 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
