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

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
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.

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.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.