What's On
Free light show with illuminated whale shark and garden of fire coming to Salford Quays
Lightwaves is back!
A free interactive light show featuring a spectacular whale shark is returning to Salford Quays this December.
Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night are over and done with, the Christmas countdown is most definitely on and that means the spectacular Lightwaves Festival is coming to illuminate Media City and Salford Quays for four evenings across December.
Among the installations, families will see works including whale shark, a garden of fire and giant glowing flowers, as they illuminate the urban waterside in what is a celebration of the trail’s 10th anniversary.
Lightwaves is free to attend and families can enjoy works from both established and up and coming, local and national, artists in a thought-provoking and interactive display.
A total of 15 installations will feature in the Lightwaves Festival, which is part of the Quays Culture Programme.
CETUS will make its world premiere, where spectators can admire this six-metre whale shark as it glows under the water, enhanced by transparent fish scales.
Appearing to be swimming in the waters at the Quays, this art installation is created by Loomaland. They are the Berlin-based artists who created CYGNUS – the floating swans which featured in 2021.
There will also be a tunnel of giant mirror rings – created by Loop – covering a 50-metre stretch of the Media City Piazza for visitors to walk through and immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience for all.
The outdoor art group Walk the Plank will return to Lightwaves with a Fire Garden. This year’s display will include three brand new giant sculptures, with one being over nine metres in size.
The Fire Garden will feature moving sculptures combined with fire and light to create a mesmerising display.
Other highlights will include The Nectary created by Alison Smith with Dr Chris Hassall, featuring six giant hanging flowers.
Kate Doyle, Head of Programme for Quays Culture said: “The team at Quays Culture are truly excited by the programme of artworks curated for the 10th edition of Lightwaves Salford.
“Year on year the event delights audiences of all ages and we’re certain that 2023 will be no exception.
“The programme is our best yet; it’s a culmination of the decade we have spent bringing world class light art to the Quays, and always for free to our audiences.
“As humans we have a primal response to light, especially in the dark winter months. It brings warmth, wellbeing and intensifies positive emotions. All are welcome to Lightwaves Salford and to experience the joy of light art!”
Lightwaves Salford is free to attend and will take place over four evenings from Thursday, December 7th to Sunday, December 10th from 4pm-10pm.
There’s no need to book, just turn up and enjoy exploring!
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.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
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
