What's On
UK’s largest heated outdoor winter market returns to Manchester this Christmas
All the festive magic you need in one place!
A magical winter wonderland is coming to Depot Mayfield, including a new dazzling light trail, for seasonal festivities the whole family can enjoy.
Winter Island will transform Freight Island at Depot Mayfield into the UK’s largest heated outdoor and indoor winter festival, from Thursday November 9th until Christmas Eve on Sunday, December 24th.
Beginning the journey with the Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park, visitors will explore enchanting lighting installations taking over the 6.5 acre park and finish the trail at Freight Island where they can stay for further festive experiences from Christmas food and drink, to Visit Santa Experience and more.
Seasonal festivities at Winter Island include a variety of Christmas street food and beverage pop-ups from the likes of Cocoa Cabana, Parmogeddon, Formaggi by Lazy Tony’s, Smoking Coal German BBQ, and a Paulaner Tap Takeover – for any thirsty visitors.
Foodies can get stuck into a festive feast of bratwurst, hog roast butties, and a carvery. Other cuisines on offer include smash burgers, pies, tandoori street food, pizzas, gyros and plenty more to satisfy any craving. Table bookings are now open, to book click HERE.
As a sparkly new addition this year, The Twilight Trail winter light show will come to Mayfield Park from Friday, November 17th.
Affordable tickets for the light trail are available now – with tickets priced at £7 per child and £9 per adult for November dates, and at £8 per child and £10 per adult for December dates.
Save money with family tickets (for two adults and two children), available at £28 for November dates and £32 for December dates. To book a ticket for The Twilight Trail, click HERE. (Adults 13+ and child three-12 years).
A brand new Grotto will take over the Plant Room for the young ones to enjoy an interactive Visit Santa Experience.
The experience costs £22.50 per child and includes a small Lego gift, a Lindt Chocolate and photo opportunity with Father Christmas and his elves. Tickets are free for accompanying adults. To book a ticket, click HERE.
The Mezz will transform into a cosy Alpine Lodge where you’ll be able to keep warm with a Grey Goose and other fancy tipples – the perfect drinking and dining den for Christmas parties.
Further festive planning includes a wreath-making workshop with plants and homeware experts from Ancoats, Northern Lights and dog lovers can watch the adorable Santa Paws dog show.
To keep the atmosphere alive and buzzing all day long, there will be curated entertainment, DJ sets and live performances to keep everyone happy.
Laura Percy, Development Director at LandSecU+I, leading the regeneration of Mayfield, said: “The new Twilight Trail promises to be a brilliant addition to both Mayfield Park and the whole of Manchester city centre, complementing the Christmas markets, which are such a popular destination for thousands of visitors every year.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our neighbours in Ardwick and Brunswick, particularly families, a large number of complimentary tickets so that as many people as possible can come and enjoy the Trail.
“The spirit of innovation at Mayfield is long-established and it’s great to see our partners at Freight Island continuing to push the boundaries with this exciting autumn programme.”
Jon Drape from The Twilight Trail said: “We are thrilled to bring a new festive experience to Mayfield Park this year. The Twilight Trail’s unique light installations will completely transform this incredible park.
“We are very proud to be able to deliver such a wonderful experience at an affordable price this year, whether for the family, groups of friends or a date night and with the opportunity to visit the brand new Winter Island next door we believe Depot Mayfield is set to be an unrivalled Christmas destination in the UK.”
To book a table at Winter Island and find out more about what’s on, click HERE.
For Christmas bookings, larger parties and private hire enquiries, please email christmas@freightisland.com.
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
