What's On
A new immersive ‘dining domes’ forest experience is coming to Manchester this Christmas
Lightopia has unveiled a very exciting new feature for it’s 2021 display…
A brand new immersive dining experience in the middle of the forest is coming to Manchester this Christmas.
Courtesy of the popular light and arts festival Lightopia, Dine in the Light will give guests the opportunity to partake in the never-before-seen experience of fine dining in magical ‘dining domes’ deep in the woodlands of Heaton Park.
Each dining dome, which will seat up to six or twelve for up to ninety minutes, will be serving up an imaginative and hearty three-course menu of classic seasonal dishes, all carefully curated by Alderly Edge Hotel’s former head chef Chris Holland and The Life Cafés & Resorts Culinary Team.
Starters will include the likes of roasted pumpkin soup with a parmesan and sage crumble, Swiss cheese and Riesling fondue served with torn ciabatta for dipping, vegan buffalo cauliflower wings and Sriracha hot dip and a confit duck terrine with a zingy orange and cranberry salad.
Lightopia
Lightopia
And for the main event, guests will have the choice of hanging kebabs – either lamb marinated in harissa and mint and served with flatbread and dips or smoky barbecued mushroom and celeriac served with flatbread and preserved lemon – and sticky glazed short rib of beef with pureed potato and tenderstem broccoli, or slow-cooked chicken rubbed in Middle Eastern spices served with pilaf rice.
And, perhaps most importantly, the desert menu will offer a choice between the ‘Manchester Trifle’ with layers of Vimto jelly, vanilla sponge and mulled blackberries or a ‘Heaton Mess’ Meringue loaded with fresh cream, baked peaches and raspberries.
There will also be a vegan dark chocolate and orange mousse and, for those lacking a sweet tooth, a cheeseboard boasting a selection of locally sourced cheeses and biscuits.
For the little ones, there will also be a children’s menu in the form of the ‘Pirate Banquet’, where they will be served their food in their very own ‘pirate ship’.
Lightopia
Lightopia
Also new for Lightopia 2021, The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more laid back dining experience with a selection of excellent food such as gourmet soft shell tacos, delicious stone-baked pizza al taglio, roasted chestnuts and festive beverages, as well as a line up of live music and, of course, plenty of festive spirit.
Three courses and a drink will cost £38 per person, with each Dining Dome experience needing to be booked in advance. There will be three slots to choose from; 5pm, 6:30pm or 8pm.
Lightopia will be open to the public from November 18th 2021 until January 3rd 2022. The event will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during school holidays, as well as Christmas Day.
To book your own Dine in the Light slot and for more information, visit the Lightopia website 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
