Just as the first doors on your advent calendar are being opened, Victoria Baths will be opening the doors to its Festive Winter Fair welcoming all to a day of seasonal shopping and cheer. Taking place on Sunday 1 December (11am to 4pm), the fair encapsulates the very best traditions of Christmas shopping, all from independent traders.
The Grade II* listed building will be decked out to look its seasonal best and alongside a wide range of Christmas gift ideas from Manchester’s finest makers, crafters and creators, there will be choirs, mulled wine and mince pies − the perfect way to start the festivities!
Visitors will be able to browse and shop from a carefully curated selection of 50 stalls that feature art, decorations, ceramics, clothing, glassware, jewellery and of course lots of Christmas gifts. Everything takes place under the famous glass roofs of Victoria Baths’ pool halls, so you can be certain that you will be nice and dry, just wear your woollies and knits as it can get cold.
Victoria Baths also has lots of products on sale in its own shop, inspired by the history and beauty of the Grade II* listed building, including tea towels, art prints, stationery and coloured glass decorations. And it wouldn’t be a Christmas fair without some foodie goodies, with plenty to add to Christmas stockings or hampers, including Winding River Liqueurs & Distillery or the very seasonal flavours of Top Nosh, with artisan jams, chutneys, mince pies and truffles to choose from – yum.
The Tea Room will be open serving sweet and savoury snacks, as well as traditional mulled wine and mince pies, and local choirs will be adding to the atmosphere with renditions of everyone’s favourite carols.
In the spirit of seasonal goodwill, Victoria Baths is a Christmas collection point for those that would like to donate a gift or food item to a local charity. Unwrapped gifts (bought at the fair or in advance) will be collected on behalf of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services and non-perishable food items will be collected for Manchester Central Foodbank.
The Festive Winter Fair is a wonderful way to get your Christmas shopping done and support small, independent businesses. Plus you can also choose to make a donation to Victoria Baths Trust through your entry fee of £4 (or £3 without).
If you want to combine shopping with a tour of the building (11.15am) you can book a joint ticket, priced £10. Entry and tours are free for Under 18s and VB Friends (limited tickets), and tickets can be booked in advance here.
All proceeds from the Festive Winter Fair help to support the work of Victoria Baths Trust, which oversees the upkeep of the Grade II* listed building and ensures that it remains open as a cultural venue and community resource.
📍 Victoria Baths, Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE.