You know the weird in-between time after Christmas and before New Year? Well, it’s called Twixmas. Derived from the word ‘betwixt’, meaning ‘between’, Twixmas is often an uneventful blur, filled with leftovers, binge watching TV, and not much else. Well, we’ve put together a guide on how to make Twixmas 2023 less ‘meh’ and more ‘hell yeah!’ There are still loads of opportunities to stretch out the magic of the season that little bit longer (the Christmas decorations are still up on the tree after all).
1. Hear the best Christmas movie hits at this candlelit concert at Manchester Cathedral
Celebrate the end of the year in style with a holly, jolly Candlelight concert at Manchester Cathedral. Here to extend the festive joy a little longer (and even for the Grinchiest of grumps), this Candlelight Christmas concert will fill the cathedral with the sounds of music from some of the world’s favourite Christmas films, including Love Actually, Home Alone and Home Alone 2. A classically-trained string quartet will perform on the candlelit stage and take audiences on a memorable journey through some of the most heartwarming on-screen moments.
2. Try for a full house at this Queen-inspired and crazy bingo experience
Bongo’s Bingo this festive season is a kind of magic. It’s time to break free from 2023 and celebrate the greatest rock band of all time – Queen – at Bongo’s Will Rock You, with Queen-inspired bingo in Manchester this Twixmas. Each festive show at The Albert Hall in Manchester, will take place on December 29 and 30, will feature all of Queen’s biggest hits and loads of the all-time festive classics, too – perfect for hands in the air sing-a-longs all night long. And don’t forget the crazy prizes and dance-offs at the UK’s original and definitive bingo experience.
3. Get your game on at virtual reality experience DNA VR
Top immersive experience, DNA VR, is the perfect activity for those forgettable days between Christmas and New Year. The unique experience invites players to survive a zombie apocalypse or travel to the pyramids in Egypt or fighting off dragons – there’s a game for everyone! DNA VR in Manchester has the capacity to host up to 16 virtual sessions (19 people) at one time to provide one of the coolest immersive experiences for gamers. Offering true escapism, visitors can experience both solo and group virtual reality modes on 70 games providing hours of gameplay.
4. Enjoy a cocktail or two at The Liars Club before it closes its doors
Sadly, 2023 has seen a fair few closures for Manchester businesses with a recent one being underground tiki bar The Liars Club. So before the bar on Back Bridge Street, below Crazy Pedro’s, is shuttered why not grab your friends and family and head for a drink and a fun night out? A flaming zombie cocktail has to be ordered for old time’s sake.
5. Sit back and relax watching a film at your local Vue or ODEON cinema
It’s still cold outside so if looking for indoor Twixmas plans, the cinema calls. Whether you’re near to an ODEON or Vue cinema, both are showing the latest blockbuster films for you to sit back and enjoy. Plus, Fever has an incredible deal for all you film buffs and means you can spend more money on popcorn and sweets! Check out the listings and film times at participating cinemas in Manchester, grab your Fever ticket, and treat yourself to any movie, on any day, at any time!
6. Sample food and drink from some of the best new bars and restaurants in Manchester
Fancy trying something new during Twixmas? With time off and the year coming to a close, it’s a great opportunities to go to bars and restaurants you always said you would and also discover new and exciting openings. From a fancy Italian restaurant offering decadence and theatre to spots slinging unbelievable small plates, cocktail bars serving swish drinks to some of the coolest spots to enjoy a coffee or tuck into a tasting menu, there are plenty of new restaurants, cafés and bars to try in Manchester.
7. Unleash your competitive side with a bit of axe throwing
Whether there’s some pent up anger after a Christmas Brussels sprouts dispute, or you just like throwing stuff, go head to head with your siblings, parents, partner, or friends with a spot of axe throwing at Whistle Punks. Demonstrate your absolute bad-assery, as you hurl axes to score points on a target – after some training from the professionals. Losers have to buy the drinks at the onsite bar after, right?
8. Say “cheers” to the end of the year at a carnival-themed party
A fun night out is a winner year round, and Twixmas is no exception. Doing things a little differently this Twixmas (after all it’s still the weekend), carnival-themed bar Floripa is hosting the biggest bashment and afrobeats party in Manchester on December 30. You can expect live DJs all night, spinning all the hottest Caribbean beats for you to tear up the dance floor. So, gather up the squad, get dancing, and continue the festive celebrations!
9. Chill out with a film, quiz, games and plenty of food and drink at GRUB
To celebrate this hazy time of year GRUB has put together a pretty stacked line-up of activities to get over the Christmas period, or speed things up before New Year’s Eve. On December 29, they’ll be screening an epic double bill of Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 (an epic double kill bill if you will) at their in-house cinema Cultplex. They will also be hosting their final pub quiz of the year taking in all the happenings of 2023 for The Big Fat Fizzy Quizzy Of The Year, with food from Korean Grub Club.
On December 30, GRUB will be leaning into the sort of over-indulgent pyjama day you might have at home with happy hour prices for everyone all day, free reservations, free movies in the basement bar, a FIFA tournament in the dining room, and Cocaine Bear on the big screen at Cultplex.
10. Get an adrenaline rush at this indoor skydiving experience
Whether you want to make memories over the Christmas period or finish the year with a bang, take the plunge and head to iFLY Manchester this Twixmas. Safely float in an 800-horsepower vertical wind tunnel that generates a wall-to-wall cushion of air commonly used by professional skydivers without having to jump from a plane (making it a little less scary and risky). Feel the adrenaline rush as you float at wind speeds reaching 130 to 175 mph, which is bound to leave you a little windswept.
11. Be dazzled by these twinkling light trails in and around Manchester
Looking to brighten up the dark nights over the Twixmas period? From twinkling street lights to huge lit-up installations, there are plenty of places to see festive lights in Manchester. See the beautiful grounds of Dunham Massey, Heaton Park, and Mayfield Park all aglow.
12. Discover the spookiest spots in Manchester on this unique ghost tour
The days between Christmas and New Year can be a little scary as you sit twiddling your thumbs in between two highly-anticipated, climatic events. But if you’re in search of even more of a fright then wrap up warm, get outdoors and roam the city to discover the spookiest spots with this Manchester ghost tour and exploration game. Suitable for all ages, you and your friends or family can embark on a quest around Manchester by solving clues that will take you to the most haunted places in the city, all with the help of your smartphone.
13. Tuck into pasta dishes from SUD as it says farewell for now
Much-loved Manchester pasta restaurant SUD has announced that it will officially close at the end of this month, with the final service to be held on December 31 at all four of its locations. Drawing from their deep-rooted Southern Italian heritage and the team’s bold creativity, SUD has aimed to put its heart and soul onto each and every plate that they serve. The Greater Manchester pasta restaurants are currently serving a final menu which is a tribute to the cult dishes customers have loved over the last eight years, so be quick and sample it for yourself! Although there will be more to come in 2024…
14. Listen to Taylor Swift’s greatest hits at this glowing concert
Taylor Swift has had quite the year! Crowned TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year, the singer has produced some cracking songs and sold-out many nights for her Eras tour. But if you can’t get enough of the star, weren’t lucky to get tickets to her shows or just want to celebrate her, then this Candlelight tribute concert at Manchester Cathedral is for you! Listen to a talented string quartet play songs such as Blank Space, Anti-Hero, Cruel Summer and more in a totally unique way and it’ll feel like Christmas has come again.