What's On
UK’s first Nerf indoor action experience opening this summer
It will be the first of its kind in the UK
The highly anticipated huge new indoor entertainment centre NERF Action Xperience promises to provide a multitude of action-packed activities, and is set to open at Trafford Palazzo.
After almost two years since it was first announced, the NERF Action Xperience (NAX UK) is finally set to open its doors this summer with plenty of adrenaline-packed Nerf activities for everyone to enjoy.
The family-friendly experience is opening on August 25th, so you’ll have a bit of time to enjoy it before the kids are due to go back to school.
The Trafford Palazzo venue will be the first in the UK as part of a nationwide roll-out of Nerf Action Xperience centres due to open over the next five years — consisting of a variety of action-packed indoor activity venues and themed arenas.
The five themed Nerf arenas will include:
- Sports @ NERF AX – a dedicated active play zone where players get their hearts pumping with seven different sports inspired games
- Training Ground – a zone where players can test their NERF blaster skills with eight digital target games
- Chaos City – a post-apocalyptic urban city blaster adventure
- Mission X – a cargo bay or marooned spaceship blaster arena
- Project Stealth – a classified testing bunker blaster arena
The new attraction will also include a restaurant from Archie’s to make the experience a real day out, providing a place to refuel after having bags of fun.
Visitors can try a variety of burgers, fries, waffles and shakes as well as a selection of refreshing soft drinks.
The venue will also house the UK’s first NERF retail store selling hundreds of official NERF products and bespoke NERF AX merchandise in its 8,000 sq ft dedicated space.
The move has been made possible after Manchester-based Rocafella Leisure successfully secured the rights with global branded entertainment company Hasbro to bring the NX to the UK.
The new opening inside Trafford Palazzo situated next to Primark — the former Barton Square — has created around 50 new jobs.
Visitors will have the chance to spend an hour playing Nerf with the minimum age requirement being age five years and above.
Children under the age of eight are required to be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 12 require an adult to be inside the venue during the experience — which is open for adults to play too.
Ticket prices start from £20 (inclusive of protective eye goggles) and are available to purchase online from Thursday July 13th. You can join the waitlist for tickets now by clicking 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.
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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
