A brand-new ‘Twilight Trail’ comes to Mayfield Park this Christmas as Freight Island makes festive transformation
Winter Island isn't just getting a major makeover, Mayfield Park in transforming into a giant glittering light trail. (this article contains affiliate links)
It’s all about to get very merry over in Mayfield as not only is Manchester’s newest city centre park set to transform into a festive ‘Twilight Trail’ for the first time ever but Escape to Freight will once again become ‘Winter Island’ for the holiday season.
While Depoy Mayfield’s Winter Island has quickly become a Yuletide staple of late, since the pretty park next door is celebrating just its second Christmas since opening to the public in September last year, the people behind one of Manchester’s most resurgent districts are expanding their festive plans for 2023.
Debuting the brand-new Twilight Trail on Friday, 17 November, Mayfield Park is being treated not only to a proper Crimbo makeover but will also be playing host to some of their neighbour’s most popular food and drink traders to provide a family-friendly night out to get in the seasonal spirit.
With affordable tickets and located just a short walk from the city centre’s numerous transport links, Mayfield is providing an accessible and budget-friendly activity for all ages this Christmas.
Credit: Supplied
Freight Island favourites like Cocoa Cabana, Parmogeddon, Lazy Tony’s and more will join a Bavarian smoking coal BBQ as well as classic Paulaner tap takeover fitting of Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets themselves, only this one offers an immersive winter light show.
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There’ll be several unique light installations as you make your way around the pristine new park, with each circuit estimated to take around half an hour — though we obviously urge you to take your time and soak in the dazzling displays — before finishing your loop back at the adjacent Winter Island.
Speaking of the Depot‘s festive alter-ego, all the independent food and drink spots will still be serving up their usual suspects: Burgerism, Voodoo Ray’s, Patel’s Pies, Payal; Mia’s Arepas, FUKU Mega Gyros, Oh My Cheesecake and Fry-By, just to name a few.
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But beyond stuffing your face, Freight Island’s Plant Room will also be transformed into Santa’s grotto, where the kids can meet the man himself from just £22.50 per child, but The Mezz will also once again become cosy Alpine Lodge in collaboration with Grey Goose, complete with a Santa Paws dog show, wreath making workshop with Northern Lights, DJs, live performances and more.
Mayfield Park’s Twilight Trail will be open all through Christmas from 17 November and right up until New Year’s Eve. You can grab your individual tickets for just £8 and family packages from £28 HERE.
As for Winter Island, the festive food, drink and events hall will be open from Thursday, 9 November until Christmas Eve, with opening times from 4-11pm on Thursdays, 4pm until midnight on Fridays; noon until midnight on Saturdays and 12pm-10pm on Sundays. Walk-ins are available or you can book HERE.
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You know what? We’re feeling all nice and festive now — see you on the trail and back at Freight for a bev or two. Merry Christmas!
‘Big John’ is bringing his ‘BOSH’ bingo to Manchester
Danny Jones
Attention, all you ‘Big John’ lovers, the man himself is coming to Manchester this year for his very own ‘BOSH Bingo’ show.
Excessively large takeaway order not included*
That’s right, ‘Big John’ Fisher has gone from being a viral sensation famous for eating shedloads of Chinese and saying that one catchphrase to hosting his very own live bingo tour.
Even by his standards, his announcement video was an eye-catching one, to say the least – and we expect the event itself to be equally hilarious.
— big john the boshfather (@Johnfis08605918) January 7, 2026
For anyone somehow unfamiliar with ‘The Boshfather’, there isn’t a single sentence that isn’t completely accurate, and that doesn’t sum up pretty much everything you need to know about the man, the myth, the legend.
Besides his son, Johnny Fisher Jr., being an aspiring boxer and fellow influencer on the side, as well as having appeared on Newsnight to talk about the UK’s multiculturalism being what makes this ‘Great Britain’ (legend), his legacy will very much be written online and on the back of a take-out menu.
Or will it?…
Riding the back of his growing popularity and being quite literally the physical representation of a British bulldog, he’s now preparing to do live shows all over the country.
Set up at the start of the New Year, the 51-year-old will be heading to Manchester city centre and more throughout 2026 for his debut BOSH Bingo tour.
Visiting 12 locations in total, he is promising “rave intervals, on stage competitions, ‘bosh’ prizes and, of course, a sprinkle of chicken balls for good measure.”
Put simply, not only the chaos of everyone’s favourite Bongo’s, “This is not your average bingo night, it’s BOSH BINGO!”
Sounds ridiculous… We’re SO there.
Coming to The Grosvenor on Oxford Road on 21 February, before heading to the likes of Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield, just to name a few, you can grab your tickets right HERE.
Let’s just say there’s some very silly but nevertheless fun and fantastic stuff happening in town this year.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Bosh Bingo Events)/The Manc Group
What's On
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
Danny Jones -
3rd November 2023 
