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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.
The Killers have just announced a huge UK and Ireland tour for next year, including three shows in Manchester.
Ahead of the release of their brand new compilation album, Rebel Diamonds, on December 8th, the band confirmed a celebratory tour for summer 2024.
The Rebel Diamonds Tour will celebrate the band’s 20 years of hits in a series of arena shows, including three nights at Manchester’s very own Co-op Live.
The Killers will be bringing 20 years of hits to Manchester on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th, and Friday 21st June 2024.
Co-op Live
The new dates are the first time The Killers have played arena shows in the UK since 2017’s Wonderful Wonderful tour, and follow the band’s most recent stadium tour, which saw them play to 400,000 fans at sold out shows.
The Rebel Diamonds album and tour will celebrate 20 years of iconic hits including ‘Mr Brightside’, ‘When We Were Young’, ‘Read my Mind’ and ‘The Man’.
It’s the fourth multi-night announcement for Co-op Live’s opening season, following on from Olivia Rodrigo, Take That, and Liam Gallagher.
Co-op Live
Co-op Live – Europe’s most sustainable music-first arena – is edging closer to its official opening in April 2024, when a diverse range of global superstars will head to Manchester.
Expected to be the busiest UK arena opening season ever, Co-op Live will host 25 shows within its first month of opening.
A joint venture between Oak View Group and City Football Group and backed by pop-singer Harry Styles, Co-op Live has been designed to transform the live music experience for both artists and fans and is set to host some of the biggest acts from around the globe.
Co-op Presale tickets will go live on Wednesday December 6th, 2023 at 9:30am – exclusively for Co-op members. For Presale tickets, click HERE.
The Killers UK and Ireland tour will visit:
- Friday 14th June: DUBLIN, 3Arena
- Saturday 15th June: DUBLIN, 3Arena
- Tuesday 18th June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Wednesday 19th June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Friday 21st June: MANCHESTER, Co-Op Live
- Tuesday 25th June: GLASGOW, Ovo Hydro
- Wednesday 26th June: GLASGOW, Ovo Hydro
- Thursday 4th July: LONDON, The O2
- Friday 5th July: LONDON, The O2
- Sunday 7th July: LONDON, The O2
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The UK’s largest vintage pop-up market is coming to Manchester this weekend
Refresh your wardrobe at the Glass Onion vintage pop-up
Fashion lovers can browse a variety of items at a huge pop-up vintage market in Manchester this Sunday.
Glass Onion vintage pop-up is back in town and thrifters can get their hands on all sorts of gorgeous garments and fantastic retro-wear to add to their wardrobe.
The UK’s largest vintage retailer will bring its abundance of vintage clothing and accessories to New Century on Sunday December 3rd.
Shop vintage brands, Y2K, American and European vintage, designer clothes, premium and rare clothing items, including Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Burberry, Diesel and North Face.
Founded in 2004 selling vintage gems from a coal shed in Barnsley, Glass Onion has been sourcing and selling items on market stalls and festival pop-ups, processing up to 20,000kg of second hand clothing every single week.
Now Glass Onion has its own in-house remade factory, where they recycle and transform damaged and unwanted clothing into something wardrobe-worthy, saving items destined for landfill.
It even has its very own premium vintage boutique with exclusive pieces curated especially by GO’s product team.
The vintage retailer has become renowned for its pop-ups, held all over the country attracting hundreds of vintage hunters at every event.
On Sunday, shoppers can expect over 65 rails of unique and diverse clothing, including statement pieces as well as everyday wardrobe staples.
Browse through the deals area with items at £10, £15 and £20 – buy two of the same price and get £5 off, as well as more great offers.
Early access tickets are £5 for those who want to get down first and check out the incredible stock, tickets are then just £1 after the first hour and free for the last hour. For tickets, click HERE.
The vintage pop-up event is on Sunday December 3rd, 11am – 4pm at New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH.
Follow @glassonionvintage on Instagram for some sneak peeks at what’s to come.
What's On
Avril Lavigne announces huge outdoor gig in Manchester next summer
The ‘00s icon is coming to Manchester!
Avril Lavigne is coming to Manchester to perform a huge outdoor gig at Castlefield Bowl next summer.
The Canadian singer-songwriter has announced two outdoor shows in the UK in 2024.
She will be performing at Cardiff Castle on July 2nd before heading to Manchester to play at Castlefield Bowl on July 3rd, as part of the Sounds Of The City series.
The star will be supported by Canadian rock band Simple Plan, best known for their song ‘I’m Just a Kid’.
Lavigne enjoyed success with her pop-punk songs in the noughties, including the hits ‘Sk8er Boi’, ‘Complicated’ and ‘Girlfriend’.
She is best known for her monochrome punk-style, smokey eyes and long blonde hair – something every skater girl wannabe copied.
The punk-pop star shared her latest studio album back in February 2022 under the title ‘Love Sux’. She later released an expanded deluxe version of the LP in November of that year.
She has received eight Grammy Awards nominations, including Best New Artist.
The UK tour will be a celebration of her Love Sux album and will be part of wider touring throughout Europe in 2024, taking place at festivals including I Days in Milan on July 9th, Festival de Nîmes in Nîmes on July 10th, and Festival Cruïlla in Barcelona on July 12th.
The singer is yet to announce any more UK dates as of yet, but the upcoming dates in Manchester and Cardiff won’t be her only shows lined up for next summer.
Tickets to see Avril Lavigne perform next year will go on sale this Friday, December 1st, at 10am and will be available to buy HERE.
Find something to do in Manchester
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