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Stockport hosting ‘first ever’ Christmas festival to celebrate Town of Culture award
An epic way to kick-start the festive season
Stockport Council has announced its plans to hold its ‘first ever’ Christmas celebration in its centre after it was crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2023.
To kick-off the festive season the town will have a one-day Christmas celebration this month taking residents and visitors on an enchanting journey through it’s shopping streets for Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday.
The event will be filled with a huge line-up of over 60 breath-taking shows featuring 220 artists alongside roaming acts, carnival fun, live music and festive food stalls – all guaranteed to capture the imaginations of youngsters whilst bringing extraordinary entertainment to families on a scale not seen before across the town.
Produced by carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will take place on November 19th from 11am – 5pm, where visitors can expect to be amazed and entertained by a variety of charming performers at various locations across the town centre, including Merseyway Shopping Centre, Market Place and The Underbanks.
Organised as a collaborative celebration by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport BID and Merseyway Shopping Centre, the event has been created as part of a programme of events bringing a year of culture to everyone in the town, to celebrate being named Greater Manchester’s latest Town of Culture for 2023.
The full event line-up will include Clint Boon providing the tunes, an aerial dance display, live music, performers, a choir, a carnival and plenty more.
The line-up will take place as follows:
Market Place
12pm – 4pm (performance times may vary throughout the day)
Promising to bring festive magic to all, shoppers and families can expect a grand celebration on Market Place. Mr & Mrs Boon will be presenting an afternoon tea with a twist, filled with sublime cakes, teas and tunes by Inspiral Carpets and Manchester legend, Clint Boon.
Don’t miss the popular technicolour New Orleans marching band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, who will be bringing glorious carnival renditions of popular 90s hits while families can also enjoy a Christmas dance-along with Granny Turismo.
The Underbanks
12pm – 4.30pm (performance times may vary throughout the day)
Celebrating Stockport landmark, Strawberry Studios, the Underbanks will play host to Take Me to The Bridge, a grand concert piano recital showcasing classic tunes. Stockport’s very own aerial specialists Blush Aerial Dance, will perform several stunning shows suspended above the piano.
Curious, walkabout acts will make their way through the Underbanks, including roaming penguins and giant, enchanting puppets.
And to mark the end of the day’s performances everyone is welcome at 4.15pm for a huge, festive singalong under St Petersgate Bridge, where local musicians, choirs and community groups will come together next to the piano to mark the beginning of Christmas.
Merseyway Shopping Centre
11am – 5pm (performance times may vary throughout the day)
It’s a cultural Christmas extravaganza at Merseyway as visitors can expect stunning fairies, peculiar penguins, dinosaurs in Christmas hats, dancing snowflakes, Christmas Comedy Waiters, a giant stilt Holly tree, comedy acts and more.
Santa’s street band, Red Hot Santas, will be playing classic Christmas hits with a modern twist, while Stockport’s very own specially designed ‘Rangoli’ will emerge throughout the day, created by acclaimed artist Ranbir Kaur.
If you’re passing by Suffragette Square and Mersey Square, listen out for the miniature carnival that will be parading between the two, at various times throughout the day.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Our ever-popular Christmas event is even bigger and better this year to celebrate our Town of Culture status and to finish the year on a real high, with this free family-friendly event.
“Christmas is a magical time of year and our town centre will be transformed to bring some festive cheer to our many residents and visitors and showcase our fantastic town.
“This is the icing on the cake to a successful 2023 for our Town of Culture programme, which our local communities have really embraced, with so much more to come over the coming months.”
Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will take place throughout the town centre on November 19th from 11am – 5pm.
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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
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!
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!
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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