What's On
Stockport to host FREE cultural weekender festival this month
There will be fun and festivities for all the family
Stockport is set to host a free-to-attend cultural weekender filled with parades, workshops, comedy, live music, theatre and much, much more.
The town will be hosting a huge celebration this month as residents can come together for a two-day, fun-packed weekend of cultural festivities and access to must-visit venues, free of charge.
The Stockport Town of Culture Weekender promises fun all ages can enjoy, with more than 50 events lined up across 25 locations.
Taking place over the weekend of March 23rd and 24th, the Town of Culture Weekender will showcase the incredible variety of culture and creativity happening in Stockport.
Marking the end of its Greater Manchester Town of Culture status with a bang, visitors will be encouraged to explore new spaces while enjoying an event programme packed with live music, art, comedy and history.
Some of the fantastic events visitors can expect include Carnival of the Animals parade, live music, comedy acts, music, theatre and dance performances, sports workshops, gardening, crafts, history tours, free entry to local venues and more.
The newly opened centre park – a lush greenspace built on the rooftop of the town’s brand new transport interchange – which will play host to several activities planned across the weekend.
Music and dance will also be showcased at venues including Merseyway Shopping Centre, AMP, Petersgate Tap, Magnet, Spinning Top and the Market Place.
Meanwhile, Stockport Library will be providing all the fun for the little ones with a Bluey Day, featuring games and crafts based on the popular animated series.
A series of walks, tours and activities will also take place across the weekend, including a Hatting Walk and Stockport Music Walk, taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the town’s heritage.
The War Memorial Gallery will also be hosting the Stockport Rising Exhibition, showcasing the works of five local celebrated artists.
For those who are interested in exploring the town’s many attractions, many will be offering free entry for all, including the newly re-opened Hat Works Museum, Air Raid Shelters and Stockport Museum.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of our town of culture year with such a big extravaganza in the town centre, with so much to keep the whole family entertained.
“We hope this event will showcase just what we have achieved this year. It’s been wonderful to see residents and visitors enjoying all we have to offer culturally as a borough, whether going to an event or exhibition, shopping in the town centre or one of our district centres or enjoying a bite to eat.
“With help from everyone who has helped organise Town of Culture, we have facilitated and created a positive impression of the borough and a lasting legacy of creativity in the arts with Stockport Makes and Stockport Sounds, the ways in which we’ve helped residents get active with Stockport Moves and the wonderful cuisine we have on offer with Stockport Tastes.”
“We’ve shown that Stockport is on the up and the place to be, now and in the future,” he added.
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: “There will be so much to see and do over the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender.
“So, save the date and make your way to the Town Centre to enjoy all the fun with your friends and family as we bring the curtain down on a fantastic year in Stockport with the Town of Culture Weekender.”
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 prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
