What's On
Manchester’s legendary Victorian costume ball is returning next month to raise money for charity
The historic costume event will be raising money for families affected by cancer
After a two year hiatus, the legendary charity fund raiser Maggie’s Costume Charity Ball will finally be returning to the Lowry Hotel.
Guests are formally invited to attend the extravagant costume ball to help recreate history and raise funds for people affected by cancer.
The ball was initially inspired by one of Manchester’s most impressive – and flamboyant – historical events, which saw generous philanthropists from across the North West attend the Manchester Ball to raise money for local charities back all the way back in 1828.
The original celebration was attended by around 3,400 guests who, according to newspaper reports at the time, partied until seven o’clock in the morning – nearly three hours after the house band tried to bring proceedings to a close with a rendition of God Save The King.
Lowry Hotel
Nice to see some things haven’t changed in the city.
Anyway, the ball was reimagined and brought back almost 200 years later by The Lowry Hotel’s General Manager, Adrian Ellis, alongside Jasmine Watson and Carolyn Mellor of Homes4U.
The event raises funds to support Maggie’s Centres that provide essential support to patients and families affected by cancer, and is supported by The Royal Exchange’s costume department, which rents out costumes from forty years of productions and covers all historical periods.
Read More: The Lowry Hotel is giving Mancunians a huge discount on rooms and food for the next two months
Maggie’s Costume Charity Ball proved to be a huge success for modern-day Mancunians, with its last event in 2019 raising a grand total of £16,110 for Maggie’s Centres nationwide.
And now, after being postponed twice thanks to the Covid pandemic, Maggie’s Ball is back.
Adrian Ellis, General Manager of The Lowry Hotel, said on the ball’s return: “We’re delighted to be staging the ball once again. It’s a great opportunity to support our partner charity and get back to fundraising. We’re expecting to see some fabulous costumes and tables are likely to sell out quickly.”
Lowry Hotel
Maggie’s Costume Charity Ball is scheduled for Saturday March 26th, 7pm – 1am at The Lowry Hotel.
Tickets are on sale now for £99 per person, and include welcome drinks, entertainment, a three-course dinner, DJ, singer, raffle, and an auction of tremendous prizes.
You can reserve your place or table by contacting The Lowry Hotel on 0161 827 4000 or becky.stott@thelowryhotel.com
While guests are welcome to attend in their own period dress, The Royal Exchange costume department are offering a reduced rate of £50 for hire of a costume which includes all accessories, boots and hats. Visit the Royal Exchange website for more information.
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
