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 2024 in Manchester 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. Try for a full house at this crazy bingo experience
Bongo’s Bingo this festive season is a kind of magic. It’s time to break free from 2024 and celebrate at this wild bingo event in Manchester this Twixmas. Each festive show at the Albert Hall in Manchester, will take place on December 27 and 28, will be packed with Christmas bangers singalongs and of course, a bit of bingo – 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.
2. 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.
3. Chill out with a 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. They will also be hosting their final pub quiz of the year taking in all the happenings of 2024 for The Big Fat Fizzy Quizzy Of The Year, with early arrivals in for a treat with £4 pints of pilsner and cider or glasses of prosecco. Think you’ve got what it takes? A Fizzy Quizzy victory could mean walking out with eight pints of Cloudwater’s Piccadilly Pilsner or two bottles of prosecco!
4. 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!
5. 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 delicious Oslo-born spot specialising in smashed burgers, to a the ultimate sandwich shop, a pool hall come tequila bar to an old bank becoming home to a much-loved pizzeria, there are plenty of new restaurants, cafés and bars to try in Manchester.
6. 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?
7. Glide into the new year 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 round the rink with festive tunes in the background 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.
8. 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.
9. Take on a gigantic pub crawl with the Winter Warmer Wander
Two things about the people of Manchester, we love a pub, and we love a walk. Here to answer our prayers for the festive season is the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), as the Winter Warmer Wander returns to Stockport and South Manchester. Taking in pubs including the Northumberland Arms, Marple Bridge, The Swan with Two Necks, Stockport, and Tapsters, Ashton-under-Lyne, alongside city centre haunts like the Millstone and Molly House, the Winter Warmer Wander trails will continue until December 29.
10. 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, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Mayfield Park all aglow.
11. 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.
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. See a giant convoy of more than 100 tractors pass through Greater Manchester
Set to bring plenty of cheer once again during Twixmas is a giant convoy of more than 100 tractors, which will start their journey from a Greater Manchester farm. The annual ‘tractor run’ which has raised thousands of pounds for The Christie Charity will once again drive through the rural streets of Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire this December. As well as drawing up a crowd and raising money for a great cause, the fundraising event is also a tribute to three much-loved members of the farming community, Harvey Mitchell, Lisa Messenger and Stuart Wainwright.
14. Nibble your way around the city with the Manchester Cheese Crawl
If you camembert the thought of not doing anything this Twixmas then this is one of the tastiest things to do in Manchester to get involved in. Manchester Cheese Crawl gives cheese lovers the opportunity to discover some of the delicious dairy delights that can be found around the city. This two-hour walking tour will take you around Manchester’s cheesiest spots: meeting cheese mongers, tucking into cheese and crackers (and just maybe a bit of vino) and, of course, being treated to a fantastic selection of cheese-based puns.
15. Have a laugh as Jason Manford takes to the Opera House stage
Nothing summarises the season quite like a panto therefore why not a witness a comedic performance of Cinderella? Salford comedy superstar Jason Manford is back for a third year of panto at the Opera House as Prince Charming, joined by Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless, who returns for another year of fun as the hilarious Buttons, alongside star of stage and screen Myra DuBois as Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother. They will be joined by musical theatre’s Wendy Mae Brown as the Fairy Godmother and Sarah Vaughan as Cinderella.
Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Manchester audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
16. Embark on a guided wine tour around the city
Manchester Wine Tours will be taking places during Twixmas and will 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.
17. Watch the world’s favourite musical Les Misérables on the huge arena stage
The world tour of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular is heading to AO Arena in Manchester during Twixmas, between December 26 and 29. The world’s favourite musical, which played for over 200 record-breaking performances in the West End, has been re-imagined for the World’s biggest stages with a company of over 110 actors, musicians and crew. The Arena Spectacular will have an extraordinary new design specifically created for arenas where audiences can witness the spectacular production best known for songs I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, At the End of the Day and One Day More.
18. Take a winter wander around RHS Garden Bridgewater
Opening just a few years ago in Worsley, the RHS Garden Bridgewater gates lead to a beautiful, nature wonderland – and it’s the perfect place to catch a literal breath of fresh air, especially if you’ve been stuck indoors too long. Featuring multiple areas throughout to explore, including the ‘crown jewel’ of the site – the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – visitors won’t be at a loss for beautiful sights, with tons of greenery, blooms, a peaceful lake and a number of lovely little ponds to potter around, as well as seasonal flowers and plants that transform throughout the year. Escape the city and witness nature doing its thing at this scenic garden.
19. Watch Manchester Storm take on Guildford Flames
If you don’t fancy getting on the ice yourself this Twixmas then why not watch a nail-biting ice hockey match near Manchester at Planet Ice in Altrincham? On Boxing Day (December 26), Manchester Storm will battle it out on the ice against Guildford Flames as part of the Elite Ice Hockey League. If you thought the fight for the last roast potato or mince pie was fierce in your household then think again as these ice hockey players aim to glide to glory.
20. Have a laugh at comedy club The Frog & Bucket
There might be a fair few comedies on the television over the festive season, but if you fancy pulling yourself away from the sofa and seeing some live comedy then head to The Frog & Bucket. The Manchester comedy club will be hosting their Barrel of Laughs shows on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th December with three top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog’s fantastic comperes. Plus, on December 29th, you can also have a chuckle for a good cause as The Frog & Bucket host a comedy night to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK.