As winter sets in, the temptation to stay in all December-long and bask in the glow of scented candles is real. Particularly with all this chilly weather. Need a push in making the most of the last month of 2024? Check out these wonderful activities and events (both Christmas-related and not) taking place across Manchester this December and finish the year with a bang.
1. Visit this trail of spectacular light art installations
Staged around outdoor locations across MediaCity and Salford Quays, Lightwaves Festival returns this winter and invites visitors to explore a trail of dramatic light art installations that animate and transform the urban waterside area. Now in its tenth year, the free event will take place from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th December, lighting up different locations around Salford Quays and MediaCity, with a special extended run of the showstopping water based ‘Monad’ artwork until 22 December. From 4pm to 10pm each evening, visitors can enjoy illuminated works from leading artists, both local and national, bringing a variety of different pieces; thought-provoking, surprising and playful.
2. Enjoy a fun sip and paint in the dark experience
After great success in bringing its fluorescent neon-lit ambience to cities like Paris, São Paulo, and Berlin, Neon Brush has arrived in Manchester and will host two sip and paint experiences this December. This one-of-a-kind event invites you to tap into your creative side under the brilliant and luminous glow of neon lights. Explore vivid colours and paint whimsical waves or whatever your inner artist tells you while sipping a drink.
3. Hit up Manchester’s famous Christmas markets
It’s not a December well spent without a trip to the Manchester Christmas Markets. Attracting thousands annually, the huge market spans the entire city centre, with plenty of quirky gift stalls, food stalls and bars to enjoy. Taking the form of a traditional Bavarian market, guests can expect classic grub such as Bratwurst, Dutch pancakes and more, alongside plenty of desserts, cheese and even Italian food.
4. Enjoy a ‘Happier Meal’ at new smashed burger joint Doug’s
After some time absolutely smashing it in Norway, smashed burger joint Doug’s has announced that it is expanding and will be making a beeline for Manchester. Led by the team behind the North’s much loved Madre, Medlock Canteen and London’s Breddos tacos, the Oslo-based burger spot will be bringing their smash-hit to Manchester this December, marking its fourth location. The Oklahoma style burger joint will be serving up a classic menu of burgers alongside some fresh takes on everyone’s favourites. Setting itself apart from other burger spots in the city, Doug’s will be offering the Happier Meal, which consists of a burger, fries and a martini.
5. Glide into December with a spot of ice skating in Manchester
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. Skate Manchester and Planet Ice are just some of the venues in and around Manchester that are great for ice skating.
6. Enjoy classic Christmas soundtracks at this stunning Candlelight concert
From ‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’ to ‘Jingle Bells’, fans of the classic Christmas songs are in for quite the treat this month. Taking place at the Concorde Conference Centre, the fantastic and very unique venue (think festiveness but under the wings of a plane) will be immersed in the sounds of well-known festive tunes – all brought to life by talented musicians. There’ll be plenty of festive favourites to enjoy, with candlelight bringing the festive ambience to the already stunning venue.
7. Hideaway from the bitter cold in a twinkling tipi
Need to hide from the chill? Escape to one of Manchester’s many cosy tipis or huts, each of which is decked out with the most festive of aesthetics. Kick back with a mulled wine, enjoy a festive meal, or just hang out with friends in these warm and toasty hideaways.
8. Head to the UK’s largest indoor fairground, Winter Funland
The UK’s largest indoor fairground is coming to Manchester, with tons of festive fun in store for all the family. From family-friendly fairground rides, to festive food stalls, circus performances, and more, guests (and kids in particular!) won’t be disappointed by Winter Funland.
9. Drink a whole lotta mulled wine
It’s time to get merry and by ‘get merry’, we mean tipsy on this season’s hottest drink: mulled wine. An absolute staple at Christmastime, the season isn’t done right without at least one taste of the warming brew, and luckily for us, there are plenty of places to get your hands on a mulled wine this winter in Manchester. And of course munch on a mince pie to make for the perfect festive match.
10. Unwind at Manchester’s utterly relaxing candlelit sound bath experience
At the Mindful Glow candlelit sound bath experience, you and your inner peace take centre stage. Following a successful debut, the tranquil, meditation-style sessions have returned by popular demand bringing hundreds of candles and a whole lot of zen to Manchester – and it’s one way to escape the stress of Christmas shopping. This candlelit sound bath will illuminate The Life Centre on Deansgate to let natural elements encourage a state of relaxation within you get ready to find true bliss.
11. Browse this winter edition of The Night Market with food, drink and music
Fairfield Social Club is set to host a winter edition of The Night Market as the event returns to Manchester once again on December 7. Located adjacent to Angel Meadows Park and next to Blackjack Brewery under the iconic arches of Manchester’s emerging Red Bank area, Fairfield Social Club is a multi-purpose site that includes two bars, a huge 250 seater event space and a secret garden with in-situ street food trader.
12. Experience a Christmas wonderland at Tinsel Town
Sending the year out with a bang with the return of the Trafford Centre’s festive event, Tinsel Town, guests are invited to enjoy a whole host of festive activities – including the return of their huge fairground rides for all ages to enjoy, a spectacular ice show, winter ice rink, and a very exciting new grotto. Visitors can also enjoy incredible views and festive magic this Christmas, as the big wheel returns to the Trafford Centre’s Tinsel Town – see all the glittering lights and sights from a staggering 55 metres high.
13. Discover the most brie-lliant fromage on this cheese crawl
Nothing says the festive season quite like cheese – we Camembert a Christmas without it! Why not munch on moreish cheese whilst exploring the city on this Manchester cheese crawl. On what might be the gratest crawl in Manchester, you will be able to discover the finest and most brie-lliant cheeses, with very mature fun facts along the way. There’s no feta way to get in the festive mood than the Manchester Cheese Crawl – plus this experience can be a great gift for friends or family members.
14. Head to the theatre to see the award-winning musical, Wicked
The spectacular, multi-record-breaking and critically-acclaimed touring production Wicked will be flying back to Manchester Palace Theatre for six weeks only during from Tuesday 3 December 2024 to Sunday 12 January 2025. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
15. See a giant globe up close at this festival of light in Bolton
Headlining this year’s Christmas festivities is a mesmerising festival of light, aptly named ‘Put Big Light On’, taking place across Bolton town centre between December 5 and 8. This year features a huge art installation by NOVAK called YARN: a stunning large-scale projection onto Bolton’s iconic Town Hall, featuring music by Ed Carter. Plus, Gaia by Luke Jerram, which features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface (compiled from the Visible Earth series) and provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three dimensions.
16. Witness sparkling performers pass through the city’s streets at the Manchester Christmas parade
Following a fabulous festive first last year, the Christmas Parade is set to return to Manchester city centre once again for 2024. Filled with all the sights, sounds and sparkle that spell Christmas will weave its way through the streets of the city centre as part of the magical parade, to help bring some extra special Christmas cheer to the city. Bigger and even better than last year with over 400 participants, the parade will weave its way through the city streets, beginning at 1pm on December 8.
17. Snuggle up watching a festive film at King Street Townhouse
In the cellar of the historic Grade II listed building is King Street Townhouse’s private screening room, where this December it’ll show Christmas family-favourites such as Elf, Home Alone, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as something for adults with the likes of Love Actually and the ever-debated Die Hard. Tickets start at £16.54 per person for screening-only and can be upgraded to include sweet treats, popcorn and a drink for £30. And why not add to the Christmas magic with a festive afternoon tea, or even a luxurious stay or spa experience at the hotel?
18. Scran a Christmas-themed toastie from Northern Soul
Northern Soul’s epic Crimbo Dinner grilled cheese is back – packed full of festive fillings especially for December. Think turkey, cranberry and stuffing, with plenty of cheese to finish. Find it at Northern Soul’s Tib Street restaurant.
19. Jingle all the way at a Christmas Candlelight concert
The festive season is now coming into view, and that’s one pretty good reason to smile. Happily, we’ve found another one that’ll bring joy to even the Grinchiest of grumps. A number of Candlelight Christmas concerts will fill Halle St Peter’s and Concorde Conference Centre with the sounds of music from some of the world’s favourite Christmas films, including Love Actually and Home Alone, as well as festive classics like Jingle Bells and O Holy Night. Listening to those beloved melodies are bound to get you in the festive mood and prove that “love is all around” this December.
20. Head to Mayfield Park for their very own magical Christmas light trail
Returning for its second edition this Christmas is The Twilight Trail at Manchester’s Mayfield Park, right next door to Freight Island, and just a short five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station. Running until New Year’s Eve on Tuesday 31 December, this budget-friendly festive attraction offers an immersive winter light show that will captivate visitors of all ages. The Twilight Trail transforms the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park into a twinkling wonderland, complete with stunning visual installations, a mesmerising lantern display, and a captivating soundscape that will enchant and delight.
21. Get an insight into the process of legendary artist David Hockney at this exhibition
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) comes to Manchester in December following its immensely popular run at London’s Lightroom. David Hockney will use the extraordinary capabilities of the vast warehouse space of Aviva Studios to take audiences on a personal journey through 60 years of his art. The artist’s process is revealed in a cycle of six themed chapters, featuring his most iconic images alongside lesser-seen pieces and newly-created work. A unique and deeply personal running commentary by the artist is paired with an original score by Nico Muhly, and the show is directed by Mark Grimmer of 59 Productions.
22. Watch a new musical production of A Christmas Carol at The Lowry
The classic Dickens story comes to life with true Broadway spectacle in this musical version brought to you by Manchester’s own incredible Hope Mill Theatre but performed at The Lowry between December 6 and January 5. As the story goes, Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!“, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve which leads Scrooge on a journey through the Past, Present and Future.
23. Visit a free, secret night market with a Santa’s grotto
Manchester Made Market is coming back with a Christmas night market for one weekend only, provide an alternative to the huge, often chaotic Manchester Christmas Markets. Offering all the cosy vibes and Christmas shopping opportunities, without so much of the footfall, the market will take place at New Jackson, the new urban neighbourhood nestled at the southern gateway to Manchester, from Friday 6th − Sunday 8th December. Manchester Made Market will offer a cosy and magical Christmas night market experience, brimming with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
24. Ring in 2025 at Freight Island’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza and firework display
Freight Island and neighbour Mayfield Park have announced a spectacular New Year’s Eve programme to ring in 2025 in style. The Twilight Trail at the newest Manchester city centre park is set to host its grand finale session with a Fireworks Extravaganza on Tuesday 31st December at 8pm, with a dazzling 10-minute fireworks display in the evening. Completing the NYE programming, The Little Disco from the makers of La Discothéque is set to take over the platform at Freight Island from 8pm for the ultimate New Year’s Eve disco party.
25. 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 5 and 19. 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.