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 2025 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 2025 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. Listen to the best of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran in a whole new way at this Candlelight tribute concert
Candlelight is hosting a sensational tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran this Twixmas, but with a twist, as talented musicians play their top hits. With multiple Grammy wins between them, they’ve both pretty much cemented their name in the list of the most successful artists in music history. So, if you want to hear a medley of their catchy tunes in the classical form, look no further than this Candlelight performance, recreating hits like Yellow, The Scientist, Bad Habits and Shape of You inside Hallé St Peter’s.
3. Watch this epic and baa-my Shaun the Sheep circus show
Witness tricks, flips and some baa-my behaviour as a circus show featuring the much-loved, animated character Shaun the Sheep is coming to Manchester. Running at Aviva Studios until January 4, 2026, the show will feature Aardman’s classic, slapstick, comedy character Shaun the Sheep combined with live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit.
4. Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless Moët & Chandon Champagne or Whispering Angel Rosé at The Cut and Craft
The Cut & Craft is hosting a bottomless Moët & Chandon Champagne brunch for 90 minutes, soundtracked to house and soulful beats. At The Cut & Craft’s bank holiday bottomless event, you can enjoy favourites like Flat Iron Steak & Chips served on a hot stone board with a grilled tomato & signature salt, or Grilled Seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut & cauliflower sauce.
Guests can also select 90 minutes of Whispering Angel Rosé, served limitless from a rosé wine fountain. Or enjoy flowing Moët & Chandon AND Whispering Angel Rosé. Choose a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55 or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75. Or upgrade to also include Moët & Chandon Champagne from £100.
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 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 it 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. 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 28.
10. Travel back in time to ancient Machu Picchu with this new immersive VR experience
Tick Machu Picchu off your seven-wonders list with the most ground-breaking 45-minute adventure – Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City. This wonderful event in Manchester takes you on the world’s first large-scale free-roam VR expedition, where you can travel 450 years back to the ancient Inca Empire, offering an extraordinary VR journey for the whole family. The VR experience is guided by top 3D specialists and historians, ensuring both stunning visuals and historical accuracy.
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, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Mayfield Park all aglow.
12. Get an insight into the process of legendary artist David Hockney at this exhibition
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) returns to Manchester this December following its immensely popular run last year. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Head to Aviva Studios for an immersive space journey narrated by Tom Hanks
This week, Manchester is welcoming a host of brand-new exhibitions, including one that’s out of this world. Heading to Factory International at Aviva Studios in Manchester for the first time outside of London is The Moonwalkers, and it has been co-written and narrated by Tom Hanks. Running until January 11, 2026, The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks offers a unique perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon. It provides a gripping account of the Apollo missions of the 1960’s and ‘70s at spectacular scale, blending original NASA footage and breathtaking images from Andy Saunders’ Apollo Remastered.
16. 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.
17. Watch Manchester Storm take on Guildford Flames
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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.
18. Have a laugh at comedy club The Frog & Bucket
There might be a fair few comedies on 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 Saturday 27th December with three top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog’s fantastic comperes.