What's On
You can ice skate through an ‘enchanted snow covered forest’ at the Trafford Centre
Know anyone who’d love this?
A special Christmas event is coming to Trafford this year, and it looks sure to get you in the festive spirit.
TraffordCity’s Barton Square will be home to an ‘enchanting ice skating experience’ at the Unreal Xmas event, which will also feature a Christmas village and markets.
According to organisers, you’ll be transported on ‘a sensory journey through an enchanted Christmas world’, with ‘a breathtaking ice skating experience through a captivating forest and snow covered world’.
Barton Square / TraffordCity
There’ll be several bars offering refreshments, as well as a skate-up bar, with the £150,000 installation combining lighting, visuals and scenography for a month-long extravaganza.
The Unreal Xmas event comes from immersive event specialists OOBE Global Group, and it will be the first time a festive experience of this scale has happened at TraffordCity.
OOBE Group’s managing director Paolo Gaddari said: “Unreal Xmas will bring something truly spectacular to TraffordCity this Christmas. Our aim is to surprise and delight visitors at every turn – a place where lighting, visuals and sets are tools to create an immersive multi-dimensional experience – transporting them to the ultimate festive fantasy world and to give them a day out to remember.
“This magical winter wonderland has been created with visitors young and old in mind. Featuring the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.”
Barton Square / TraffordCity
He went on to add: “Our carefully curated markets will feature the best of the UK’s artisan makers, whilst our enchanting ice skating experience will wind skaters through a multi-sensory snow-capped forest.
“With less than a month to go before we open our doors, we are encouraging people to buy their tickets for the enchanting ice skating experience to avoid disappointment.
“And for any makers and artisan traders interested in being part of our Christmas markets – a few remaining slots remain so get in touch now to be part of this unforgettable experience.”
Barton Square / TraffordCity
The market at Unreal Xmas will run from December 3rd until January 3rd, is free to enter and will feature a load of food, drink and crafts – it’ll be open Monday to Friday 10am-10pm, Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm.
You’ll be given a 45 minute slot for ice skating, and you can head over to the website here for more info.
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 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
