Christmas

Why Big Santa WON’T be in Manchester when the Christmas Markets open this week

He won't be here for the launch this time.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th November 2024

The sheds have taken over the city centre already, with the huge Christmas Markets officially opening on Friday 8 November.

A big character during the festive season in Manchester is, of course, our light-up Big Santa.

He’s taken on a few different forms over the years, from the huge inflatable character who used to scale the Manchester Town Hall to the piercing gaze of the city’s legendary ‘Zippy’.

The newest Big Santa is a large fella sitting on a big present, sporting a white handlebar moustache and holding a Manchester bee in his hand.

Over the years, this festive figure has been joined by several other glowing installations, like twinkling baubles you can walk through and huge stars.

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And when the markets were held at Albert Square, they normally opened with Big Santa proudly already in position.

But this year the arrival of the Manchester Christmas Markets doesn’t mean the start of the festive light trail, or the return of Big Santa – so don’t go looking for him on Friday.

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That’s because he won’t be installed on his perch at St Peter’s Square until after Remembrance Sunday, with a poignant service being held at the Cenotaph in the square next weekend.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 - dates, locations, times and stalls confirmed
Big Santa won’t be there when the Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday. Credit: The Manc Group

Father Christmas will be installed at St Peter’s Square in the days after Remembrance Sunday.

Speaking of the Manchester Christmas Markets, councillor Pat Karney said: “Nowhere does Christmas quite like Manchester and with more than a quarter of a century of our world-famous legendary Christmas markets under our belts, we reckon we’ve got everyone’s Christmas wrapped.

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“The number of people who’ve visited our markets over the years must be well over the fifty million mark by now and twenty-six years on from our first-ever Christmas Market in 1998 we regularly attract visitors from around the globe.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back again to Santa’s favourite city to enjoy the markets and share in all the festive fun. Grab some tinsel, find a friend or round up the family, and come and join us!”

The Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday 8 November and close on Sunday 22 December, with Big Santa arriving in mid-November.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Christmas

Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.

With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.

The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.

The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit. 

A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied

At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.

The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.

“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. 

“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”

There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied

The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.

Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.

The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.

You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.

The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.

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Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.

Featured Image – Supplied

Christmas

Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Christmas countdown has officially begun, and there’s a new tipple on the scene to help celebrate.

That’s right – two of the UK’s most beloved treats, Baileys and Terry’s, have dropped the ultimate collaboration and it’s launching 100 days before the big day arrives, gearing up to be the Christmas tipple of choice for chocolate orange lovers.

Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange is a limited-edition treat blending the distinctive taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream with flavours of chocolate and zesty orange. 

It’s fair to say that Baileys and Terry’s Chocolate Orange are both beloved staples once the festive season rolls around, with each having taken on various different variations over the years, combining new flavour profiles to create delicious treats.

Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever / Credit: Baileys & Tom Harrison

But surprisingly, this is the first time the two brands have come together for a one-of-a-kind collaboration.

This new collaboration between the two iconic Christmas brands is inspired by the season’s most quintessential flavours.  

“For generations, Terry’s Chocolate Orange has been a staple of the Christmas season, so partnering with Baileys is an exciting way to reimagine that tradition in a new and indulgent form,” commented Lorène Decam, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Terry’s.

“We can’t wait to see fans enjoying this irresistible treat in the run-up to and during the holidays.”

Rolling out nationwide from tomorrow (16 September), Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange will come in 50cl bottles with a 17% ABV and will likely set shoppers back £11 each when they get it from leading retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, and Co-op.

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Not only that, but you’ll also be able to get your hands on the new drink online from Amazon, as well as in selected Greene King pubs and bars. 

Featured Image – Baileys & Tom Harrison (Supplied)

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