Christmas in Manchester and the North

Evergreen at Hatch, Manchester, 19 November–24 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

Head to Hatch for this ‘Festival of Winter and Christmas’, it’s open now and runs throughout December.

The Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll panto Sleeping Beauty at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, City Centre, 23 November 2019–18 January 2020, from £15.00 - Book now

Well, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see Liverpool’s jukebox-sensational Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, would it?

Christmas at Quarry Bank at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, 27 November 2019–5 January 2020, Free event (normal admission charges apply) - Book now

Discover how the Georgian Mill workers celebrated Christmas and enjoy a festive day out for the whole family at Quarry Bank.

Give Handmade this Christmas at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester, 23 November–24 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

Reliably festive, Manchester Craft & Design Centre launches a season of Christmas-related events and workshops. It’s also the perfect place to pick up unique handmade gifts.

The Manchester Project at Christmas at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 5–21 December 2019, from £20.00 - Book now

Experience Manchester at the most wonderful time of the year. Monkeywood Theatre style.

Peter Pan at Storyhouse, Chester, 6 December 2019–12 January 2020, from £15.00 - Book now

For a pleasing alternative to the usual festive fare, find that second star to the right and head straight to Chester for a soaring adventure in Neverland.

Miracle on 34th Street at Liverpool Playhouse, City Centre, 7 December 2019–4 January 2020, from £10.00 - Book now

Featuring timeless festive songs like It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street is set to get the whole family into the festive swing of things.

Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Altrincham Town Hall, Manchester, 8 December 2019, 10:00 am–4:00 pm, from £3 - Book now

Buy unique, handmade Christmas presents directly from a carefully curated selection of 40 stand-out independent designer-makers and artists at Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2019.

Awake Arise: A Christmas Show for Our Times at The Stoller Hall, 14 December 2019, 8:00 pm–10:00 pm, from £18 - Book now

Five of the English folk scene’s most inventive artists join together for a collaborative event that celebrates the riches of our winter traditions.

Christmas in Lancaster, 23 November 2019–5 January 2020 - Visit now

You’re going to need more than the twelve days of Christmas to enjoy all of the fun on offer in Lancaster this festive season.

Discover Halifax at Christmas, 23 November–24 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

With festive treats around every corner and a glittering Christmas Lights Switch On, it’s time to round up the family and discover Halifax at Christmas.

Christmas in Southport at The Atkinson, Southport, 20 November 2019–2 January 2020, free entry - Visit now

This Christmas in Southport a magical Christmas tale comes to life with the arrival of a band of Nutcracker toy soldiers.

Christmas at Chill Factore at Chill Factore, 22 November–24 December 2019, from £9.50 - Book now

Head to Christmas at Chill Factore for a guaranteed white Christmas will real snow and all the festive fun you can handle!

Manchester Christmas Markets at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 8 November–21 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back! Where better to experience the full Yuletide experience than these world-famous markets?

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours at Mackie Mayor, Manchester, 27 October 2019–19 November 2022, from £50 - Book now

Give the gift of Scranchester this Christmas and take the food lover in your life on a culinary tour of Manchester. Use the discount code CREATIVESCRAN (valid until December 20) and get 10% off gift vouchers which are valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Just tick the ‘purchase as gift voucher’ box when booking. Still not convinced? Read why we love Scranchester Tours.

Bar Hütte | Spinningfields at Spinningfields, Manchester, 7 November–31 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

Bar Hütte is back for another stint at Spinningfields Square, following the wild success of last year. Expect Christmas karaoke and delightfully warm huts.

Royal Institution Christmas Lecture Live Screening at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 17 December 2019, 5:30 pm–8:30 pm, from £3.00 - Book now

Surely nothing says Christmas like a maths lecture? Dr Hannah Fry is here to prove just that! Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, The Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures are always entertaining for the whole family.

The Hallé - Skyfall in Concert at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 29 December 2019, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm, from £32.50 - Book now

Film Concerts Live! is proud to present Skyfall in Concert, the second instalment in the James Bond Concert Series, produced in association with EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM).

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.

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.

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.