Santa is taking to the skies this Christmas, and families will get the chance to meet him in one of the most unique locations in the region.
With the festive season fast approaching and now less than 50 days to go until the big day is here, there’s arguably no better place in the North West to get cracking on your Christmas shopping than at Cheshire Oaks.
Just less than an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, Cheshire Oaks is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK, and is home to over 400,000 square feet of retail space – with more than 150 boutiques, restaurants, and cafés to choose from.
But no festive visit to the shopping village is complete without meeting Santa.
Although this year, Cheshire Oaks’ beloved grotto will look a little different to usual as Santa and his trusty elves are taking to the skies and inviting you on a fantastical festive adventure on the outlet’s all-new Big Wheel.
Cheshire Oaks has today unveiled its brand-new Big Wheel for 2022, which is located next to the outlet’s iconic Christmas tree – standing at over a 100ft high in the heart of all the action – and it will offer shoppers breathtaking views of the Cheshire skyline.
You can meet ‘Santa in the sky’ on a festive ferris wheel at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
The Santa in the Sky experience is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas as a family this winter, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Open every weekend throughout December, with 10-minutes flights taking place from 10am-1pm, included in the ticket price is four spaces on the Big Wheel flight with Santa and his elves, and you’ll also get to sip on a mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy a festive cookie, as well as get a little gift to take home with you from Santa.
While Santa in the Sky and the unveiling of the big wheel are both bound to be stand-outs, that’s not all that’s on offer at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas.
The outlet’s much-loved Winter Village has also undergone a makeover, and now offers even more indoor seating options alongside the option to book one of the popular Christmas huts, so you can take a break from shopping and snuggle up to enjoy a festive drink and bite to eat.
Cheshire Oaks’ much-loved Winter Village has undergone a makeover and is better than ever / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Whether you’re in the mood for a bratwurst straight from the swing grill, a cup of hot mulled wine, or a delicious hot chocolate, the German Christmas market-inspired Alpine Lodge within the Winter Village is an ideal place unwind and soak in the festive spirit after a long day of shopping.
As the big day gets closer, there’ll also be live performances from local gospel choirs, brass bands, and other festive singers happening across across the outlet from 25 November to get shoppers suitably in the Christmas spirit.
There’s also personalised Christmas gifting available to help you pick out the perfect present.
Christmas is officially back at the Designer Outlet shopping village / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
“We are excited Christmas is officially back at Cheshire Oaks,” said Kenny Murray – General Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks.
“From our iconic Winter Village, to the never-before-seen Santa in the Sky experience, we have made sure our guests will have an unforgettable experience visiting our centre this festive season, and ware confident our unbeatable prices across a selection of much-loved premium brands will allow our guests to shop for the best festive gifts, whilst also enjoying the holiday cheer through the many activities scheduled this winter.”
You can find out more about what’s on at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Cheshire Oaks
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Aspiring artists can get their work displayed on one of the biggest digital screens in Manchester
Danny Jones
Are you a budding artist looking to get your work seen or know some who is? Well, you might want to pay attention because there’s an opportunity to have your creation seen by countless passers-by and on one of the biggest displays in the entire UK over at the Printworks.
If you’ve passed through the much-loved hospitality and leisure complex over the past year or so, you’ll have noticed their roof is now no longer a roof at all, really; the striking ceiling is now a constantly moving image and the largest of its kind in all of Europe.
Meaning that anyone who got their artworks on there would effectively be securing one of the biggest displays and public installations on the continent.
As Printworks themselves put it: “This isn’t just a screen; it’s an artistic stage viewed by millions of visitors every year, with the power to turn a single artwork into a 360-degree sensory experience.”
With that in mind, they’re giving one lucky individual the chance to grab the spotlight and see their creative expression plastered on the 1,000m² wraparound LED canvas.
“Supporting emerging talent and seeing fresh, creative perspectives is always inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what these young artists bring to the table! It was so surreal seeing my artwork on the digital.”
Past installations have included the ‘Spaces Up-Above’ exhibition by world-renowned light artist, Rupert Newman, as well as an International Women’s Day showcase by Heitzman herself, as a fellow Manchester-based creative.
In case you need a better idea of the sheer scale of this screen and why this is such an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming local artists, here’s how they celebrated Oasis returning to Manchester for their Heaton Park reunion gigs this week:
Synchronised with sound and added motion effects, the competition is now open to students who are currently enrolled in college, university or art school.
Better still, you don’t even have to be from or based in the area to take part – this is a nationwide competition hoping to spotlight the best talents in the UK.
All you have to do to enter this exciting competition in Manchester is simply provide Printworks your details and upload your artwork of choice HERE by Sunday, 3 August.
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2022 
