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Blackpool’s new £2.3m Gruffalo and Friends family attraction to open next month

‘A Mouse took a stroll through a deep dark wood…’

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Merlin/Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

The opening date for the new £2.3 million Gruffalo and friends family attraction in Blackpool has been announced.

A new family attraction celebrating popular children’s book character The Gruffalo and other much-loved characters is opening in Blackpool next month, it has been confirmed.

A huge £2.3m has been spent on creating the family friendly attraction bringing to life the colourful characters from the stories created by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.

It has been 18 months in the making and is billed as a ‘world first’, promising to bring together six of the best loved stories to create an ‘indoor play adventure’ like no other.

Merlin/Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

The partnership behind the development is Blackpool Council, operator Merlin Entertainments and Magic Light, with the opening date for the venture now revealed as Friday, May 19th.

Tickets have already gone on sale, with a child’s ticket costing from £13.50 and adults from £4.50.

Guests will get to burst onto the pages as they walk through some of their favourite stories entering into ‘a magical 3D world’.

Merlin/Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

From The Gruffalo’s deep dark wood, to Princess Pearl’s castle in Zog, guests will embark on an adventure of imagination, discovery and play as they join their favourite characters.

Distinct play zones are inspired by The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Zog, The Snail and the Whale, Room on the Broom and The Highway Rat.

The attraction will include play suitable for children under 10, with a toddler play area specifically for under threes.

Merlin/Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Images of the play park show the zones with soft play areas, wooden climbing frames, a ball pool and much, much more.

It is is set to open next door to Sea Life Blackpool right on the Promenade.

The new experience will join Merlin’s seven other attractions in Blackpool including The Blackpool Tower, SEA LIFE Blackpool and Peter RabbitTM: Explore and Play, making it a key tourist destination for families here in the UK and visitors from abroad.

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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region

Get in the festive spirit!

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Manchester Made Market

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.

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Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season

Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!

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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.

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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year

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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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