Culture Guides
Destination Guides
We love celebrating family time all year round but in no other month are there so many special events on offer! Our top picks this December bring you the most exciting, festive family things to do across Manchester and the north.
Where to start? If you’re looking for the perfect Santa’s Grotto then head to Chill Factore for a guaranteed white Christmas, with real snow. Once you’ve visited Santa grab a sledge or rubber tube and hit the slopes! Santa is also making a visit to the beautiful Lyme Park, which makes for a more traditional and utterly magical Christmas day out.
In the few days before Christmas the Hallé are screening The Snowman live on their big screen at the Bridgewater Hall. The film will be accompanied by the orchestra performing Howard Blake’s magical score live. Hairs on the back of your neck at the ready.
If you’re looking for a family treat at the theatre there’s loads out there. We can recommend the smash-hit show, Mr Popper’s Penguins at Waterside Arts. With pyjamas encouraged for the 6pm showings, and milk and cookies available, it’s the perfect winter treat. We won’t spoil it for you, but don’t rush off too quickly at the end…
We’ve also included guides to Lancaster and Southport, who have lots on offer for a great family day out this festive season.
Toys and clothes will inevitably be forgotten but the time you spend with children and the way you made them feel will stay with them forever. Check out our top picks below and enjoy some quality family time together in this most magical of seasons.
Check out our free things to do in Manchester guides for more ideas.
Here are our picks
-
1. Christmas Festivities at Quarry Bank
James Dobson Christmas at Quarry Bank at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, Until 5 January 2020, Free event (normal admission charges apply) - Book now
Christmas at Quarry Bank is welcoming families to search the grounds for reindeer, experience what Christmas would have been like for the Georgian Mill Workers and warm up with some cosy festive treats.
-
2. Christmas at Chill Factore
Chill Factore Christmas at Chill Factore at Chill Factore, Until 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!
-
3. Mr Popper’s Penguins at Waterside Arts
Mr Popper's Penguins at Waterside Arts, Manchester, Until 31 December 2019, from £12.50 - Book now
With original songs and skilled puppetry, this musical adaptation of the hit book, Mr Popper’s Penguins, is a real Christmas treat for the whole family.
-
4. Christmas in Lancaster
The Borough Lancaster -
5. An Afternoon Audience with Father Christmas at Lyme Park
Gary Lomas Photography -
6. Christmas in Southport
Southport BID Christmas in Southport at The Atkinson, Southport, Until 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.
-
7. Lightopia at Heaton Park
Lightopia at Heaton Park, Manchester, Until 31 December 2019, from £11 - Book now
This is a brand new, unique event sure to captivate young and old alike. Take a breathtaking journey through six magical, interactive art installations in Manchester’s historic Heaton Park.
-
8. Discover Halifax at Christmas
Bruce Fitzgerald -
9. Royal Institution Christmas Lectures – Live Screening at the Science and Industry Museum
Royal Institution Christmas Lecture Live Screening at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 17 December 2019, 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.
-
10. The Hallé – The Snowman at Bridgewater Hall
Snowman Enterprises Ltd 1982 The Hallé - The Snowman at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 20–23 December 2019, from £17.50 - Book now
It’s basically illegal to not watch The Snowman at Christmas so why not watch it with full orchestral accompaniment of Manchester’s finest, the Hallé?
-
11. Telescope Walking Tours at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Jodrell Bank Telescope Walking Tours at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Until 9 January 2020, free entry - Visit now
Join one of the Centre’s Explainers as they take you on a tour of the iconic Lovell Telescope. Find out how it came to be and discover more about the ground breaking research it enables.
-
12. Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman at Oldham Coliseum
Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester, 25 January 2020, from £16.00 - Book now
Banish the January blues with a sing-a-long-a afternoon with that absolute family favourite, The Greatest Showman. Fancy dress strongly encouraged!
-
13. The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Adventures of Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts
The Tiger that Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts, Manchester, 14 February–31 December 2020, from £8.00 - Book now
In this immersive exhibition children can let their imaginations go wild as they take centre stage alongside some of their favourite characters from beloved children’s author, Judith Kerr.
More in Families
Documentary Challenge at IWM North
Make and feature in your own mini-documentary at IWM North.
Planetarium Shows at World Museum Liverpool
Take your family on a trip through space and time in this fully immersive cinema experience.
Autumn at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens
If ever there’s a time to explore Beningbrough Hall, this is certainly it. Check out the packed programme of seasonal events and activities at the National Trust property this autumn.
A-Z of Salford’s Collections at Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Discover how Victorian gentlemen protected their moustaches from tea, which monarch’s pair of stockings reside in Salford, get up close to incredible art and more.
In A League Of Their Own at Castleford Museum
Rugby League is born and bred in West Yorkshire. From its beginnings in Huddersfield in 1895 to the Super League superstars of today, celebrate over 120 years of blood, sweat and tears.
Explore & Draw stations at The Hepworth Wakefield
The Explore and Draw stations are open daily and are free to use.
Family Fun at Pontefract Museum
Lively activity sessions that everyone can take part in.
Castle Crafts at Pontefract Castle
Get creative together and explore and learn about the history of Pontefract Castle through play or crafts. A different activity each month.
Maddi Nicholson: a place lived at Hardman Square in Spinningfields
‘a place lived’ by Maddi Nicholson is a new public artwork that delves into the near-forgotten history of Manchester’s thriving financial district.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
Top of our list of highlights this month, we’re looking forward to the opening of ‘Vivian Suter’ and ‘Theaster Gates: Amalgam’ at Tate Liverpool.
Literature
There’s still some festive fun to be had in bookland and lots of live literature happenings to look forward to after the tree’s been chipped and mulched down to be turned into your new favourite tome.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
Our expert guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North. Taking in bars, restaurants and everywhere to go to eat, drink and get merry.
Tours and Activities
Get outdoors this winter or retreat into the warmth of a workshop with our December guide of Tours and Activities.
Related Guides
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
Our expert guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North. Taking in bars, restaurants and everywhere to go to eat, drink and get merry.
Exhibitions
Top of our list of highlights this month, we’re looking forward to the opening of ‘Vivian Suter’ and ‘Theaster Gates: Amalgam’ at Tate Liverpool.
Theatre
Soaring aerial theatre, unique filmic performance and our pick of the pantos. Our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Half Term
Half term fun here we come! Read through our specially selected family event line up and pick your personal favourites for some quality time together.
Things to Do in Manchester
Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it…
Music
From Irish hip hop to Afrobeat, absurdist punk to post-metal, this month’s music guide is a real melting pot.
Things to do right now
Powered by
