The Frost Fair at The Whitworth

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

Visit now

The Frost Fair

The Whitworth, Manchester
1-2 December 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

The Ice Queen by Walk The Plank. Credit Karen Wright.
Book now

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.

What's on at The Whitworth

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…

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.

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…

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.

What's on: Families

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts
FamiliesManchester
Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts

A free day of bizarre behaviour and exciting live performance at Z-arts. Expect the unexpected. Playful, unpredictable, and not easily forgotten.

Free entry
Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.