What's On
Kids can now become firefighters at Greater Manchester’s new immersive Fireground experience
The new attraction includes a fireman’s pole, historic fire engines and immersive street scenes
Kids can now try their hand at being a firefighter in Greater Manchester’s new and immersive ‘Fireground’.
The new attraction has replaced Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum in Rochdale’s old fire station, and features a whole array of firefighter-themed fun for the little ones, including fully restored fire engines, horse-drawn fire carriages and manual hand-operated pumps
There’s also an immersive Victorian street scene and a scene from the blitz, complete with lighting and sound effects, perfect for the children to immerse themselves in the fire service’s extensive history.
The museum boasts a number of interactive display elements too, including a play area with a fireman’s pole to slide down – something that has proven to be a big hit with the kids.
@FiregroundRochdale / Facebook
@FiregroundRochdale / Facebook
The reviews for the new Fireground – which has been five years in the making with a massive of £1.6m – have been glowing, with parent and blogger Katrina Heywood hailing it as ‘the best time’ after visiting with her son Joseph.
Writing on her Mama Fox Reviews Facebook page, Katrina wrote: “Joseph loved all things firefighter related at the moment and there was lots of interactive things to do. He didn’t want to leave!”
Katrina said her son particularly enjoyed the interactive areas including the fireman’s pole, driving an engine simulation, trying on firefighter’s clothing and taking part in the firefighter quiz, which was ‘very accessible with pull away seating and colour coded questions using switches’.
She added: “The staff were all fantastic. Very knowledgeable and would give lots of info to adults and kids about the exhibits. Lovely interactions with the kids too.”
Mama Fox Reviews / Facebook
Mama Fox Reviews / Facebook
Over on the Fireground website, the company states it’s mission is to ‘explore, preserve and make accessible the history of fire, fire engineering and the fire and rescue services in the Greater Manchester region and, through our collections and resources, to further the education and promotion of fire safety in the community’.
There’s a cafe on site serving hot drinks and cakes, as well as a small shop selling toys, helmets, books and other firefighter-related products.
A number of events are planned at the museum later this year, including an Easter Trail on April 14th and 16th, a Mega Machines event on June 25th and a Family Fun Day on August 20th.
Tickets for children and concessions cost £5, adults £7, or family tickets for £20. Children under the age of four get to visit for free.
For more information and bookings, visit the Fireground website 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.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
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
