The festive season is here and if you’re looking to celebrate as much as possible before it inevitably comes to an abrupt end, we’ve found the very best ways to make the most of it. Fancy celebrating in style this year? From wonderful Christmas shows and Candlelight concerts to indulging in all of the festive food and drink Manchester has to offer, here are the most festive things to do in Manchester over the Christmas period.
1. Grab a Yorkshire pudding wrap at Porky Pigs
When it comes to Manchester Christmas Market traders, Porky Pig is iconic. Popping up every single year, the beloved stall offers up their now-famous Yorkshire pudding wraps, which are stuffed with pretty much an entire roast dinner and smothered in gravy before being sealed to perfection on the grill. It’s not a successful Christmas without one, that’s for sure.
2. Practice your ice skating skills
Grab your skates, Mancs, you’ve pulled! (A date with the ice rink, that is). Popping up all over the city for the festive season, guests can glide their way towards December 25th to the tune of Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday while enjoying a hot mug of mulled wine, with plenty of new and wintery scenes to skate around. From views of the festive markets at Skate Manchester to the Trafford Centre’s glimmering TinselTown, Manchester boasts several ice skating rinks to glide across this winter.
3. Browse quirky Christmas gifts at the annual markets
It might be a novelty, but that’s kind of the point. Here, once a year only, Manchester’s wonderful market traders have some lovely, quaint gifts to explore – even if it’s just to have a look. From cute, festive ornaments to locally made crafts, there are tons to explore.
4. Grab some Christmas shopping under the festive roof of the Trafford Centre
There’s nowhere better for shopping in Manchester than the Trafford Centre. It’s kind of like the holy mecca for retail addicts, with tons of big names under one roof. But what makes it extra special? Its unique architecture resembles the grand baroque era, and is annually decked out with sparkling Christmas lights once the festive season comes around.
5. Watch the classic festive film Elf like never before with this immersive cinematic dining experience
One of the best ways to get into the festive spirit is with a Christmas film, and for many, Elf is a rite of passage to watch at this time of year. However, if you’re looking to shake up this year’s screening, then why not head to Taste Film‘s immersive dining and film-watching experience at The Anthologist in Manchester? Not only do you get to watch the classic Christmas movie, but you can also eat multiple courses inspired by the scenes on screen in sync. And it won’t just be the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup on the menu.
You’ll find The Anthologist at 1 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3DE.
Find tickets here.
6. Get lost in a trail of Christmas lights
Manchester’s Christmas lights are making a return, and just like recent years, people enjoying the city can enjoy a huge trail of them spanning across some of the most popular areas in town. It’s free to do, and perfect for festive strolls in the evening. However, for more added magic this Christmas, Mancs can venture to beautifully-curated, twinkling light trails in and around the region, such as Christmas at Dunham Massey and Glow at RHS Bridgewater.
7. Cosy up in one of the city’s wintery terraces, tipis or huts with a mulled wine
Nothing beats kicking back in a cosy spot on a cold day, and luckily for us, Manchester is absolutely full of ’em. From the alpine-themed huts at Bar Hütte to the Teepee at The Oast House to The Black Friar’s Winter Tavern, there’s plenty to choose from – with many of which serving up proper hearty grub and warming glasses of mulled wine. And how can you not have at least one mulled wine this festive season?
8. Indulge in a warming mug of hot chocolate
There’s only one drink to enjoy as a wondrous, winter warmer in Manchester: the classic hot chocolate. From those warming enough to defrost our cold, unbothered hearts, to those sweet enough to class as a dessert, there are plenty of hot chocolates to sip on for the ultimate cosy vibes this Christmas.
9. Visit The Curling Club as it slides into Manchester with plenty of après ski vibes
Manchester has welcomed The Curling Club, marking the city’s first dedicated curling venue. Located at New Jackson, it promises high-energy curling, festive vibes, and delicious food amidst the city’s iconic skyline. With state-of-the-art lanes and guidance from expert coaches, it’s perfect for group outings and Christmas celebrations. Olympic champion Eve Muirhead will also host special events, adding to the excitement. Get ready to slide into winter!
10. Sing your heart out to festive tunes in a cosy cabin
Christmas means the classic festive tunes return and there are a few spots in the city where you can unleash your inner Mariah or Bublé. Bringing ski village vibes to Great Northern Square, guests at Bar Hütte will be able to book out their very own private ‘hütte’, and they haven’t forgotten the much-loved karaoke sessions, either, with each hütte coming complete with its very own machine loaded up with the best festive hits.
You’ll find Bar Hütte at Great Northern Square, M3 4EN.
Each hütte costs £60 for exclusive use for 1 hour and 40 minutes with full use of the karaoke machine.
11. Deck the halls with these wreath-making classes
The Christmas tree might be up, but a beautiful wreath on your door adds the finishing touch and a warm, festive welcome. This season, The UK School of Floristry based in Bury are offering festive wreath-making classes, with their expert tutors guiding students to help create fabulously festive door wreaths using fresh winter foliage, with several classes over selected weekends during the Christmas period. Plus, Manchester spots such as Bar Hütte, Winter Island, and more are all likely to be bringing their own wreath-making workshops back for another year.
You’ll find The UK School of Floristry at The Maker’s Quarter, 16 Worrall Street, Salford, M5 4TH.
Tickets cost £65 per person for a two and half hour wreath-making class.
12. Hop aboard this festive train ride through the countryside with Santa
You better not pout and you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town! Steam into Christmas on the East Lancashire Railway’s famously festive Santa Specials. Begin the adventure at Bury Bolton Street Station where you will journey through a gorgeously decorated winter wonderland. Say hello to Mrs Claus and the talking Christmas Tree, and maybe even stop for a quick sing-along with our carol singing choir of polar bears, before boarding your train. Whilst travelling, Santa himself will visit your carriage with a gift, a chat and even a selfie!
You’ll find Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, BL9 0EY.
Tickets start from £23 for adults depending on time and date.
13. Gorge on plenty of mince pies at these Manchester spots
Christmas time is the one time a year that we can gorge on mince pies for every meal of the day – and not a single person can say a thing about it. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Starting with the finest mince pies served up at some of the best bars and restaurants in Manchester, we’re so ready to turn into a giant, sugar-dusted shortcrust, before, of course, turning to our trusty British supermarkets on Christmas Eve and scooping up any (and all) discounted boxes.
14. Jingle all the way with a Christmas-themed Candlelight concert
The festive season is gradually on the horizon, and set to bring joy to even the Grinchiest of grumps, are several Candlelight Christmas concerts set to fill St Philip’s Church in Salford and the Concorde Conference Centre with the sounds of festive music. From some of the world’s favourite Christmas films, including Love Actually, Home Alone and The Polar Express to quintessential Christmas songs that let us know ’tis the season like Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad and Last Christmas. A classically-trained string quartet will take to the candlelit stage to take audiences on a memorable journey through some of the most heartwarming songs of the seeason.
15. Embark on a festive guided wine tour around the city
‘Tis the season to be merry, so why not head on a wintery wine tour around Manchester? Manchester Wine Tours offer visitors a guided tour around the city centre, where they’ll visit some of the best places to drink and buy wine in Manchester along the way. You will be guided in small groups on a leisurely three-hour jaunt where they’ll be able to sample a few glasses en route, as well top-notch nibbles. This is a great opportunity to try something new, learn the characteristics of different varieties and even discover a new favourite as well as get into the festive spirit!
16. Discover this magical alternative Christmas market
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Sure, the famous Manchester Christmas Markets are the flagship of the festive season here in the city. But if you’re tired of the same old sights after visiting season after season, there’s plenty more to see and do outside of those lined-up timber chalets. Manchester’s champions of independent food and drink, GRUB, are bringing a brand new festive experience to the city centre this winter with Christmas at St. John’s, transforming the area into a lively winter hideaway filled with fire, flavour and festive fun. At the heart of it all is an elevated food experience that goes far beyond the traditional Christmas market. GRUB will showcase a revolving line-up of the North’s most exciting chefs and street food traders, serving unique festive dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Manchester.
17. Pay Father Christmas a visit at these magical grottos
What better way to get the family into the festive mood than with a visit to see Father Christmas? Before the big man dashes back to Lapland to decide who has been naughty or nice and then distribute this year’s Christmas presents, he will be paying a visit to a number of places across the North West, including Manchester, so the little ones can tell him exactly what’s on their wish list. From Santa’s grottos to festive train rides, there are plenty of spots where the kids can meet Father Christmas in and around Manchester this winter.
18. Spruce up your home by picking out your very own Christmas tree
It’s that time of year to dig out your baubles, tinsel and Christmas lights. Whether you want a giant Nordmann Fir – often the most popular – to take up half your living room, or a small and sweet-smelling Norway Spruce to sit cutely in the corner. There are plenty of places in and around Manchester to grab yourself a real Christmas tree and make a day of it, some of which also offer click-and-collect and other delivery options.
19. Visit the most Christmassy pub in Greater Manchester
If you ever find yourself south west of Manchester, you might be lucky enough to come across a pub like no other, with its very own lights switch-on ceremony and a whole load of festivities. You honestly can’t miss The Stamford pub with its grotto-like façade. The pub owner adds new festive touches to the pub every year, and it boasts 12 decorated Christmas trees as well as a singing Santa in the bar.
20. Tuck into Christmas lunch on ‘Britain’s most luxurious train’ leaving from Manchester
Why not travel in luxury this holiday season by boarding the Northern Belle alongside a Christmas lunch? Described as Britain’s most luxurious train, the Northern Belle will be departing from Manchester Victoria on December 20. Probably the poshest train journey you’ll likely ever experience, the round-trip will include a seven-course festive lunch, flowing Champagne, and the stunning sights of the English countryside.
