What's On
Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Markets coming to Trafford Centre this year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Trafford Centre bosses have confirmed there will be a Santa’s Grotto surrounded by Christmas Market stalls coming to the shopping mall this festive season.
The Grotto is always a seasonal hit with families with young children and in previous years it has seen themes including Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear.
Families will be pleased to hear the Grotto is set to return for 2023 with a new addition of indoor markets to make for an even better festive experience at the centre.
Bosses say this year the Grotto will return to a more traditional style with an added ‘immersive wonderland’ for children to follow a trail through an enchanted forest as they make their way to meet Santa.
The Christmas indoor markets will be located at the far end of Lower Peel Avenue near the Dolphin Fountain, where people can get into the seasonal spirit with all the bonuses of staying warm and dry.
The markets are free to enter and will sell everything you need to feel festive including hot chocolates and sweet treats as well as ‘branded merchandise’ from Santa’s Grotto.
The Grotto experience is ticketed and a festive adventure awaits its guests. Visitors can take a stroll down Candy Cane Land and search for ‘Santa’s Merry Mailroom’ with the assistance of Christmas elves.
Children can deliver their Christmas list and letter to Santa sitting in his cosy cabin.
To create an inclusive environment, there will also be the option to attend relaxed sessions where music will be quieter and lights dimmer with fewer visitors for those who may prefer it.
Tickets cost £25 for children, which includes entry to the experience, letter for Santa and pencil, as well as an age-appropriate gift. Entry for adults is £7.50.
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “Our new grotto experience promises an extraordinary experience for all the family.
“Christmas is such a magical time at the Trafford Centre, and with masses of festive activities and fun to be had, a huge choice of shops and restaurants to indulge in and a gigantic range of gorgeous gifts to choose from, we’re more than ready to bring the festive cheer!”
Tickets for the grotto will go on general sale today, Tuesday, October 17th at 2pm. Tickets will be available to book in 15 minute time slots via the official Grotto website by clicking HERE.
Children must be accompanied by at least one adult, with no more than five ‘Christmas explorers’ per group. Tickets cost £25 for children and adults gain entry for £7.50.
The Grotto will be based inside the former Halifax bank, next to the Lakeland store and opposite Boots, inside the Trafford Centre.
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
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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
