The Trafford Centre is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary by hosting a free family-friendly party featuring a popular ’90s pop band.
Opened in 1998, the year the blockbuster movie Titanic – starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet – was released in UK cinemas, there’ll be many who won’t remember the time before the huge shopping centre was built on the barren land.
The busy indoor retail and experience centre will be throwing a huge bash later this month to mark a quarter of a century since its doors first opened to the public, with a celebration of fashion, pop culture and music over the last two and a half decades.
As a blast from the past to transport everyone back to 1998, popular Irish girl band of the time, B*Witched – also celebrating their 25th anniversary – will be performing live to get the party pumping.
The band shot to fame as they topped the charts with their debut single ‘C’est La Vie’ in May 1998, followed by three more number one singles.
The double denim, butterfly clip wearing, pop sensations will be taking part in a one-hour Endless Fashion Event, hosted by Happy Radio UK presenter Chelsea Norris on Friday, September 29th.
The free event does not require a ticket to attend but people are advised to get there early to secure their place in the audience.
At the party, there will also be ’90s-inspired dance acts, archive footage, iconic fashion and music from across the decades since as well as performances from local cheerleading group Electric Athletes.
Fashion lovers can also enjoy displays of fashion from past, present and future throughout this September – with easy-to-shop looks put together from some of the biggest brands at the Trafford Centre.
Simon Layton, Centre Director for the Trafford Centre, said: “As Trafford centre marks its 25th birthday, we are embracing our heritage, relishing our present and looking excitedly ahead to our future.
“For 25 years, we’ve been a beacon of fashion excellence and style, with people flocking from far and wide to shop the biggest fashion brands, using the Trafford Centre as their own catwalk.
“As we celebrate this milestone we want to continue that legacy of inspiring future generations to embrace their individual style – whatever the future of fashion may hold!”
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.
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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.
If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot. Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).
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They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.
There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.
Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.
The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up. From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.
Manchester’s Finest Group
They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season. ‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.
In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication. Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.
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Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded. They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out. Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.