What's On
Tinsel Town festive fairground and ice rink returns to Trafford Centre this Christmas
There’s even a festive funfair with an ice rink and a big wheel
The Trafford Centre has the festive season covered with plenty of events planned for all the family – check out what’s on.
From Santa’s Grotto to Tinsel Town, as well as exciting new store openings, book signings and exclusive brand pop-ups, there’s always something new to discover.
Here’s what’s happening at the Trafford Centre this festive season:
Black Friday Sales
November is coming to an end and Christmas shopping is well underway, so why not head over and grab some deals while you’re on the hunt for presents – you could even treat yourself.
Many sales have already gone live with the rest happening this Black Friday, November 24th.
Black Friday highlights include up to 50% off at Lakeland and Levi’s, 30% off everything at Ted Baker, and 25% off at Molton Brown and Carvela.
The Grotto: Dear Santa
Step into the immersive wonderland of Santa’s Grotto this Christmas. Families will journey through the Candy Cane Land and Enchanted Forest in search of Santa’s Merry Mailroom.
The Grotto can be found on Lower Peel Avenue, near the Dolphin Fountain. ‘Whispering Winter’ inclusive sessions are also available for those families who prefer a more relaxed experience.
The Grotto is open now until December 24th. Tickets cost £25 for children / £7.50 for adults and are available now, click HERE.
Tinsel Town
The huge festive fairground is back and has plenty of exciting rides suitable for younger kids and older thrill-seekers too.
Open now until January 1st, 2024, attractions include teacups, a caterpillar rollercoaster and funhouse. There is also the thrilling Snow Jets ride or the Starflyer, as well as a brand new attraction VOID – calling all you dare devils!
Christmas market stalls will be dotted around with a variety of food and drink vendors selling Yorkshire Pudding wraps, bratwurst, burgers pancakes, donuts, mulled wine, hot chocolates and plenty more.
Tinsel Town entry costs £2 if booked online in advance, or £2.50 on the day, with ice skating sessions sold separately. Purchase tickets by clicking HERE.
Skate at Tinsel Town
This ice rink is covered in a traditional-style canopy decorated with twinkling fairy lights and is open now until January 1st, 2024.
Take to the ice on a 25m x 20m shimmering, covered ice rink for a 45-minute ice skate session to celebrate the winter season. Glide away under a sky full of twinkling lights whilst festive music transports skaters to a whimsical, festive haven.
Ice skating tickets are £12.50 for adults and £10 for children off-peak / £15 for adults and £12.50 for children peak, for a 45-minute ice skating session, with entry to the Tinsel Town fairground sold separately.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Gandy’s Snowstorm 3: Northern Lights
Don’t miss this sensational ice-skating show live from the heated theatre big top, on 200 sq. meters of shimmering real ice. Be wowed by this all new production featuring 16 ice skaters, international circus stars, amazing special effects, and the return of the massive ice bears!
The show begins on November 24th and runs until January 1st, 2024. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Big Wheel
It’s back and it’s here until January 7th, 2024.
You’ll be able to enjoy all the glittering lights and sights as you soar above the ground at a staggering 55 metres high. Take in the incredible views and a little piece of magic this Christmas.
Letters to Santa at Selfridges
Bring the little ones along to post their Christmas lists to Santa. Don’t forget to include your return address – Santa just might write back. Make sure to get them in on time; last posting date is Monday, December 4th. Find out more on the Selfridges website HERE.
Charity gift wrapping
This handy service will be here to help with a dedicated team of volunteers from a number of North West charities from December 14th – 21st.
Volunteers will expertly wrap your gifts in return for a donation. Find them on lower Regent Crescent, outside JD Sports.
Ladbaby book signing at WH Smith
Ladbaby will be in-store on November 25th.
Social media phenomenon Ladbaby, aka Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, are the creators of the bestseller ‘Greg the Sausage Roll: Santa’s Little Helper’ and will be joining WHSmith for a Christmas signing of ‘Greg the Sausage Roll: 12 Days of Christmas: A LadBaby Board Book’.
Tickets are £7.99 includes entry and a of the book to be collected at the event.
Parents accompanying their children do not require a ticket (one accompanying adult per child with ticket.) Find out more and book HERE.
Get Prepped for Party Season at Selfridges
Don’t miss Selfridges Beauty Workshop Series from November 22nd – 26th where beauty brands CHANEL, Dior & YSL Beauty and more will be sharing their expert tips and favourite looks for party season. Find out more and book HERE.
New store openings
Lululemon and Lounge have opened new stores, ‘Skinwear’ brand Narvvi will be joining the centre this month, and Holland & Barret has had a store makeover. LEGO fans of all ages will love discovering their brand new store, and Marks and Spencer’s much anticipated new store will open on November, 30th.
What's On
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.
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.
Find something to do in Manchester
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Manchester to transform into HUGE interactive playzone for free family festival this February half term
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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
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