Christmas in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 6 December 2019

Christmas in Manchester and the North comes but once a year… and if you’re looking for alternative or interesting things to do over the festive period, you’re in the right place. From not-on-the-high-street shopping guides to our top festive theatre picks we’ve been busy as elves getting our recommendations of things to do for maximum fun, minimum stress together. Although we can’t guarantee that you won’t fall out with your mum/brother/best friend/boss at some point during the Christmas period, we can at least point you in the direction of some of the more interesting independent shops, markets and things to do. And if all else fails, head to the calm sanctuary of the gallery; our guide to the best exhibitions on now in the north is updated throughout the festive season.

Here are our picks

1. Christmas Theatre and Concerts

Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto: Sleeping Beauty at Liverpool Everyman

Theatres and concert halls all across the North West are now selling their Christmas wares – and with the big day fast approaching, it is best to plan ahead as the top tickets sell out faster than Santa on a speeding sleigh.

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2. Christmas Shopping

Faye Wei Wei Print at CFCCA. Photo by Joe Smith

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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3. 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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