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The Refuge unveils full Christmas programme including workshops and festive ball

There’ll be wreath making workshops, free yoga classes and even a huge New Year’s bash

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Christmas is just around the corner and, to kick start the festivities, The Refuge has unveiled its full list of wholesome and very Christmassy events.

Starting next week and running right through until New Year’s, The Refuge will be hosting a whole array of Christmas-themed activities, including a variety of workshops, festive yoga classes and even a dazzling Christmas ball.

Additionally, The Refuge will also be serving up a whole Christmas feast in the Dining Room, featuring an array of small plates from its feasting menu, festive snacks and punch and beer growlers to share.

Here’s what’s on…

Workshops

There’s a whole host of different workshops to get stuck into this Christmas:

  • Make Your Own Christmas Decorations – November 17th, 6pm.
    Ticket and welcome drink: £25pp.
    Ticket and welcome drink with £25 bar tab: £45pp. Get tickets.
  • Wooden Christmas Wreath Workshop – November 24th, 6pm.
    Ticket and welcome drink: £35pp.
    Ticket and welcome drink with £25 bar tab: £55pp. Get tickets.
  • Make Your Own Christmas Wrapping Paper – December 6th, 6pm.
    Ticket and welcome drink: £35pp.
    Ticket and welcome drink with £25 bar tab: £55pp. Get tickets.
  • Make Your Own Wax Wraps – December 13th, 6pm.
    Ticket and welcome drink: £35pp.
    Ticket and welcome drink with £25 bar tab: £55pp. Get tickets.

Thorlby Yoga

Hygge Yoga

From 9am on November 27th (and every Sunday until Christmas), The Refuge will be hosting a FREE hygge yoga session with Thorlby Yoga.

Hygge is all about creating an environment of feeling at home, safe, and at ease. And as winter approaches, it is a great time of year to explore all the ways people can bring more hygge into their lives.

Dates: November 27th, December 4th, 11th and 18th.

Get tickets here.

The Refuge

Choirs

Every Sunday from November 27th, The Refuge will be hosting a choir performance to get customers into the Christmas spirit.

With guest slots from some of the best local collectives, guests will be serenaded by the finest singers in the city. All performances will be late afternoon, so it’ll be the perfect opportunity to fill up on a roast in the Dining Room.

Family Festive Ball

Playhouse Project will be taking over Kimpton Clocktower’s ballroom for a very special family festive ball on Sunday December 4th alongside Jon DaSilva and the Cequin Circus.

The Refuge will also be collaborating with Bloom Baby & Toddler, who’ll be offering multi-sensory classes aimed at 0-4-year-olds, making the ball perfect for the whole family.

Dress code: sparkles and glamour encouraged!

Viva la Refuge

New Year’s Eve

To wrap up the year nicely, The Refuge will be turning up the heat with its awe-inspiring fiesta, Viva la Refuge.

DJs Levi Love and Nossa! will be bringing the music alongside an immersive performance and a few other surprises along the way.

  • Just Dance tickets: £30pp with a free glass of fizz upon arrival. Get tickets here.
  • Dine and Dance tickets: £80pp with a Viva la Refuge feast to share, a secured table all night long with table service and entry to the dance. To book dine and dance tickets, email info@refugemcr.co.uk.

What's On

Free Stick Man trail relaunches for Easter with new characters

The free family-friendly trail is now open and it’s around an hour and a half drive from Manchester

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@nat_mem_arb / Instagram & The National Memorial Arboretum

Families looking to entertain their little ones can visit a free Stick Man trail which has relaunched for the Easter holidays, with some new characters.

The free self-led trail follows the story of The Stick Man from a twig for a nest to a mast for a flag as he tries to make his way home to his Family Tree.

The trail, which can be found at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, was open during February half-term and promises to be even better as it sees imaginative young visitors go on an adventure through its acres of woodland.

The National Memorial Arboretum

As little ones help The Stick Man on his adventure, they will enjoy discovering five new ‘carved and colourful wooden characters’ as well as the ever-popular Stick Man sculpture, on the mile-long route.

New characters to be discovered include the dog that loves fetch, to the swan that uses The Stick Man to build a nest.

Visitors can pick up a free self-led trail sheet on arrival at the Welcome Desk, and head out into the Arboretum to explore the new trail.  

The Julia Donaldson classic story-inspired by trail relaunched on March 23rd and will be open during the Easter holidays, and for the rest of the year. Its opening times are from 10am-4pm every day.

@nat_mem_arb / Instagram

Also available at the site is a restaurant selling hot food, sandwiches, cakes and beverages suitable for all ages, which is open 10am-3pm daily. There’s indoor and outdoor seating as well as designated picnic areas.

Visitors are advised to wear suitable footwear and clothing as the outdoor route does venture through woodland and can get a bit muddy, so it is unsuitable for some pushchairs.

Visitors are also urged to book parking in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day.

Dogs are permitted as long as they are kept on a short lead and the site says visitors should note that children’s bikes, balance bikes, scooters and rollerblades can not be used in the Arboretum grounds.

@nat_mem_arb / Instagram

“Our original Stick Man trail has proven to be a huge family-favourite, with thousands of visitors exploring the route since it opened in 2019,” explains Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the National Memorial Arboretum. 

“This new trail is longer, more interactive than ever, and features stunning woodcarvings that will really capture the imagination of our visitors as they follow The Stick Man’s journey back to his Family Tree. 

“We’d love for fans of The Stick Man young and old to join us at the Arboretum for our full day of free activities to celebrate the opening of the new trail, a fantastic way to start the Easter holidays!”

The huge site is around 150 acres and holds around 400 memorials of all shapes and sizes dedicated to the Armed Forces.

The National Memorial Arboretum / Facebook

Guests of all ages are welcome to explore the grounds as they discover the memorials tucked away in gardens and woodland glades among 25,000 trees.

“At the National Memorial Arboretum, we share the incredible stories of those who have served and sacrificed for our country in many different ways, from the 400-plus memorials in the gardens and woodlands, to our changing exhibition and events programme,” continues Rachel.

Adding: “One of our key ambitions is to pass on this baton of Remembrance to the next generation, and The Stick Man trail is a wonderful way to introduce young children and their families to the Arboretum.

“Along the trail, they will also encounter some of these memorials and stories and, as their families grow, we look forward to welcoming them back to the Arboretum many times to explore more about our shared history and to commemorate those who lost their lives in service.”

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What's On

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are coming to Manchester this autumn

Make sure you don’t miss tickets for this!

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@nickcaveofficial / Instagram

Nick Cave is heading to the UK for the first time since 2017, and the good news is he’ll be stopping in Manchester.

The Australian rock legend and his band the Bad Seeds will be playing the AO Arena on November 5th, as part of a full European tour.

And in even better news the tour coincides with the release of the band’s 18th studio album, Wild God, which is set to be released on August 30th.

@nickcaveofficial / Instagram


About the tour, Cave said: “I never think about how a record is going to go live, it never, ever occurs to me

“The lyric writing process is way too hard to take ideas like that into consideration. But, when I listen to Wild God now, I think we can really do something epic with these songs live.

“We’re really excited about that – the record just feels like it was made for the stage.”

The Bad Seeds will be supported by art rock band Black Country, New Road throughout their UK tour.

@nickcaveofficial / Instagram


Cave added: “Wild God…there’s no f**king around with this record. When it hits, it hits. It lifts you. It moves you. I love that about it.

“I hope the album has the effect [on listeners] that it’s had on me. It bursts out of the speaker, and I get swept up with it. It’s a complicated record, but it’s also deeply and joyously infectious.

“There is never a masterplan when we make a record. The records rather reflect back the emotional state of the writers and musicians who played them. Listening to this, I don’t know, it seems we’re happy.”

The full UK dates for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds:


  • 2 November – Leeds, First Direct arena
    3 November – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
    5 November – Manchester, AO Arena
    6 November – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
    8 November – London, The O2
    12 November – Dublin, 3Arena
    15 November – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena

Grab your tickets here

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Music legend Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer 

The legendary singer-songwriter is coming to Manchester this year!

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Co-op Live

Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer.

The front woman of the iconic band Fleetwood Mac will take to the stage at the brand new arena – set to open this spring – to the delight of her adoring fans on Tuesday, July 9th.

Nicks will perform in Manchester ahead of her upcoming appearance at BTS in London’s Hyde Park on July 12th.

Co-op Live

Speaking about her upcoming show in London, Nicks said: “Anything that draws me back to London – and therefore to England – fills my heart with joy. And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”

Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then partner and fellow Mac band member, Lindsey Buckingham. 

She introduced to the band her distinctive voice, poetic songwriting, and captivating stage presence, winning over the love of audiences worldwide.

Co-op Live

Her impact on Fleetwood Mac’s success during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly with the release of the highly acclaimed album Rumours, solidified her as a musical powerhouse. 

This record sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the 5th best-selling album of the 1970s and the 9th best-selling album of all time.

Beyond her contributions to Fleetwood Mac, Nicks has had a significant solo career that further cements her enduring influence. 

Co-op Live

Hits including ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and ‘Stand Back’ showcase her versatility and unique style. 

Her ability to transcend musical boundaries, coupled with her trailblazing role as a woman in rock, has inspired generations of artists.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019, Stevie Nicks continues to be celebrated not only for her musical prowess but also as a symbol of resilience and creativity in the ever-evolving musical landscape.

Co-op members will be first in line for tickets at Co-op Live before they go on general sale, including other exclusive benefits – get signed up HERE.

Co-op member presale tickets go live at 12pm on March 20th

General sale tickets go live at 12pm on March 22nd.

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