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HUGE free festival for dogs coming to Manchester this month

Pooches will enjoy a pawesome time

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Ex-Paw Extravaganza

A free dog festival is coming to Manchester later this month for a huge day of fun.

Mark your calendar and unleash the fun as the Ex-Paw Extravaganza returns on Saturday, April 27th at Angel Meadow Park from 11am – 4pm.

Owners can enter their dogs into its famous dog show with five different categories including Cutest Pup, Golden Oldie, Waggiest Tail, Talentful Trickster and Best Dressed. 

Ex-Paw Extravaganza 

It’s just £4 to enter with 50% being donated to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home. Winners of each category will receive a goodie bag and a sought-after Ex-Paw Rosette.

Guests can also learn about how to give first aid to their furry friends with My Pet First Aid, who offer hands-on training by experienced instructors at all levels, from pet owners to pet professionals. 

Manchester’s newest Pug Cafe, CuppaPug, will have pug welfare at the centre of their heart with some helpful information and advice for pug owners.

Ex-Paw Extravaganza 

A new addition to the event this year will be breed-specific meet-ups taking place throughout the day and will be an opportunity for guests to meet like-minded doggie enthusiasts in Manchester.

Owners and pet lovers can browse a fantastic line-up of stalls selling dog wear, accessories, food and treats in case they want to treat their fur baby.

Pawsome pooches can try out the agility course which is free to use throughout the day or schedule a pupdate in the puppy play area.

Ex-Paw Extravaganza 

Ex-Paw Extravaganza isn’t just about celebrating your four-legged companions, it also works towards making a difference to the lives of dogs in need – with 50% of ticket proceeds from its dog show being donated to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home.

And Foundation Coffee House will be offering FREE puppacinos for all the doggos on the day.

If hoomans get a little hungry as they watch their pride and joy have the time of their lives, they will be pleased to hear Ex-Paw has partnered with the recently re-launched Fairfield Social Club and will be providing attendees with delicious food from ISIT Kitchen. 

Ex-Paw Extravaganza 

Fairfield Social Club’s new venue on Irk Street is located right next to Angel Meadow with direct access to the park, making it the perfect place for the Extravaganza After Pawty.

The event will take place at Angel Meadow Park on Saturday, April 27th  from 11am – 4pm.

Ex-Paw Extravaganza is FREE to attend. Entry tickets to the dog show can be found HERE.

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Manchester to transform into HUGE interactive playzone for free family festival this February half term

Manchester will be transformed this half term

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Manchester is launching The Super Duper Family Festival in February, a new free un-ticketed family event spread over four days.

There’ll be various activities that will transform the city into a giant, interactive playground from Saturday February 15th to Tuesday February 18th 2025.

Families can explore unique play zones scattered across Manchester, with everything from giant mazes and steam-powered carousels to retro video games and family raves.

The family festival will feature six key zones across the city, including The Garden in Exchange Square, featuring an 18m x 18m real hedge maze reaching two metres high.

Then there’s The Carnival in St Ann’s Square, a steampunk spectacle of old-school carnival games, including a traditional Victorian Carousel, a mind-bending Hall of Mirrors, and Test of Strength stand.

Other zones include The Playground with Waterloo Road, where popular schoolyard games come to life on New Cathedral Street in collaboration with BBC’s Waterloo Road, gaming at The Arcade in the Printworks, The Sports Hall at Great Northern Warehouse, and The Party at Aviva Studios.

Then there’s The Rave, bringing family raves and parties featuring a world-class sound system and dazzling lighting displays to the Great Northern Warehouse.

Venues like the National Football Museum, Stoller Hall, People’s History Museum and Castlefield Viaduct are also set to host their own exciting activities.

And families can experience the launch of CBBC’s Operation Ouch: Brains, Bogeys and You at the Science and Industry Museum.

Supported by the city’s hoteliers, Manchester Accommodation BID, the festival has been created in partnership with Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, Aviva Studio, Great Northern Warehouse and Printworks.
Manchester Accommodation BID Chairman, Kumar Mishra said, “This festival is a fantastic opportunity to draw families into the heart of Manchester, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture, creativity, and its status as a world-class destination.

“With iconic attractions like the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, and the breathtaking Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester offers an unparalleled mix of history, innovation, and entertainment.

“By transforming the city into a playground of creative experiences and offering free fun for children of all ages, we’re not only celebrating the best of Manchester, but also inspiring families to explore, stay, and create lasting memories in one of the UK’s most dynamic and exciting cities.”

The festival is a free un-ticketed event, find out more HERE.

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

Get in the festive spirit!

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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.

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

Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!

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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.

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