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The Frost Fair at The Whitworth

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
The Ice Queen by Walk The Plank. Credit Karen Wright.

The Frost Fair at The Whitworth, Manchester 1 — 2 December 2018 Entrance is free

The Frost Fair returns as The Whitworth and its Art Garden will be transformed for one weekend only.

First taking place in 2016, themed to the concept of “Hygge”, this year’s Frost Fair theme is set to celebrate 250 years of the circus in Britain with a fiery finale and firework display on Sunday from Manchester’s mighty Walk The Plank.

The programme for this two -day free “celebration of winter, art and togetherness” is a corker. Ringmaster Baron Bazaar will be the linchpin to carnivalesque capers galore. Manchester’s Travelling Light Circus provide fire and light routines to wow all ages. Join The Circus House to learn circus skills (special baby workshops included), and be in awe of their trapeze and stilt performances.

Tunes to get you moving are provided by brass ravers Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Manchester vocalist Jenna G plus DJ sets from Matthew Halsall and more.

The Frost Fair

 

Get your craft fix in family floristry workshops, crafty circus activities and in creating a piece of art for BBC 6 Music’s Art is Everywhere.  Sit back, relax and watch the Cirque Du Soleil film Worlds Away at the outdoor cinema.

A craft market featuring local makers Jo Lavelle Jewellery, The Chorlton Potter, The Glass Gardener and Plant Shop Manchester provides an alternative festive shopping experience, while street food and bar from The Ottomen, Proove, Squawk Brewing Company and more, will warm your cockles.

Let’s face it, at this time of year kids’ and grown up versions of “magical events” can be quite (ahem) different but we love that The Frost Fair sounds like once again it really is going to provide an enchanting winter escapade for all.

The Frost Fair at The Whitworth, Manchester 1 — 2 December 2018 Entrance is free

What's on at The Whitworth

Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Traces of Displacement

See ‘Traces of Displacement’, the Whitworth’s major new exhibition which uses the gallery’s collection to explore the issue of forced displacement.

free entry
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
(Un)Defining Queer at The Whitworth

Through a fantastic collection of classical and contemporary artists’ work, ‘(Un)Defining Queer’ examines the use of language, histories and narratives to explore what ‘queer’ really means today. free entry

OUTDOOR ART CLUB AT THE WHITWORTH
Until
ChildrensManchester
Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth

Enjoy fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely in the fresh air, while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.

free entry

Where to go near The Frost Fair at The Whitworth

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Big Hands

Big Hands is the one-time haunt of legendary Manchester band Elbow; it’s shabby, loud and dark, with a jukebox and excellent roof terrace.

The Giving Tree
Manchester
Restaurant
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a cafe and community hub based in Rusholme, a short walk from the city centre.

Pankhurst Centre
Manchester
Museum
The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

Christie’s Bistro, Manchester. Courtesy Christie’s Bistro
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Christie’s Bistro

This wood-panelled former science library – part of a cluster of neo-Gothic buildings designed for the University of Manchester by Alfred Waterhouse (he of Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum fame) – has a wonderfully bookish interior that turns lunch into something of an event.

Whitworth Park, Manchester
Manchester
Park
Whitworth Park

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

Cafe at the Museum
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
The Cafe
at the Museum

Manchester Museum’s cafe is run by the people behind award-winning cafe Teacup Kitchen. The menu features home-baked cakes, the finest loose leaf teas and breakfast, as well as a wide selection of mains and meals for kids.

Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy 3

Brilliant venue for catching a touring band on the rise. The boringly titled Academy 3 or more interesting Hop and Grape, as it was once known, is a self contained…

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What's on: Families

OUTDOOR ART CLUB AT THE WHITWORTH
Until
ChildrensManchester
Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth

Enjoy fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely in the fresh air, while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.

free entry
To The Lakes! at Wordsworth Grasmere
Until
ExhibitionsCumbria
To The Lakes! at Wordsworth Grasmere

Find out how the first tourists to the Lake District (a time before mobile phones, specialist clothing and TripAdvisor reviews) experienced the area, in this fascinating new exhibition.

from £6.00
Culture in South Lakes
Until
ExhibitionsCumbria
Culture in South Lakes

Not only one of Britain’s most picturesque national parks, the Lake District is also brimming with culture. Here’s what’s on over the next few months.

free entry

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.

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