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Christmas in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

Christmas in Manchester and the North comes but once a year, and it’s a great time make the most of what the region’s independent scene has to offer. From not-on-the-high-street Christmas Shopping to our top festive theatre and concert picks, we’ll be as busy as elves soon, pulling together our recommendations of things to do for maximum fun, minimum stress.

For those looking for an appropriately excessive Christmas gorge, our Christmas Food and Drink guide is for you, and if you’re looking to party on the biggest night of the year, check out our round-up of the best-looking events for New Year’s Eve.

As and when standout festive events events are programmed, you’ll also find our top family and Christmas film picks below, as well as in our dedicated Families and Cinema sections.

Our top picks

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

With the big day approaching, theatres and concert halls across the North are pulling out all the festive stops. Here are our top picks.

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Christmas Theatre and Concerts in Manchester
Image courtesy of Bourgeois and Maurice ~ Pleasure Seekers ~

Christmas Shopping

We’ve compiled an alternative list of gift-central suggestions to keep you as far from the hellish throngs of Market Street as possible this Christmas.

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sunny bank mills

Christmas Food and Drink

Don’t worry about the calories, the holidays are coming so that means it’s time to eat, drink, be merry and overdo things to a shocking degree.

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The Ivy Spinningfields

New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North

From warehouse raves to live funk and soul, vegan street food to fancy dining, here’s our guide to New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North.

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new years eve in manchester and the north
NYE 2015 at the Kazimier. Photo: Mina Bihi.

Winter Entertainment in Spinningfields

This year, Spinningfields plays host to a great number of fun-time destination events. This year there are a bunch of dance performances to check out, plus meet and greets, elves, a snow machine, and plenty more family-friendly things to do. The Oast House is putting on a rip-roaring show for New Year’s Eve, featuring the one and only Madchester stalwart, Clint Boon; plus you’ll find cake-making classes at Hey Little Cupcake and wine-oke sessions at Spinningfields’ newest venue, Provence.

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Seasonal Guides

Forest Side Hotel
Staycation ideas for local holidays in the North

Looking for a staycation holiday in the North of the the UK? There are countless excellent destinations and hotels to choose from. Here are our recommended choices.

Outdoor Cinema

Here’s our pick of the best outdoor cinema in the North – pack popcorn, a torch and someone to grab during the scary bits.
Wild Swimming in the North of England

The definitive guide to wild swimming in the North, taking in lakes, rivers and reservoirs across the region.
Father’s Day

This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 18 June. Get out and about and spend some quality time with the old man in Manchester.
Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North

Open air theatre shows are happening across the north over the next few months – we’ve collated our top picks into a neat guide for you.

Manchester International Festival
Don’t Miss at MIF23

Larger-than-life inflatable art and world premiere performances, we bring you details of those ‘must-see’ events at MIF23.
Treetop Adventure Manchester
Adventure Activities in the North

Explore the best adventure activities in the North of England, taking in abseiling, water skiing and everything in between.

Destinations

Things to Do in Liverpool
Spotlight on

Things to Do in Liverpool

Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.

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Culture Guides

Exhibitions

There's no rest for the art lover - this month brings outdoor sculpture, musings on water, political drawings and Liverpool Biennial 2023!

Music

We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House
Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Classical Music

Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.

Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
Literature

Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.

Food and Drink

All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.

Tours and Activities

From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.