There’s no escaping the Christmas spirit around Manchester these days, with baubles and twinkly lights and tinsel practically bursting out of buildings all over town.
With Christmas right around the corner, local restaurants, shops, bars and hotels have wheeled out their decorations, and they’re taking it very seriously indeed.
Artistic installations are now wrapped around doorways and spilling off windowsills all over the city centre.
From Rosso’s legendary decorations to fairytale characters, there are loads of stunning displays to admire in Manchester this year.
You can watch our video tour here or keep reading for all you need to know.
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And if you’re feeling festive, you can turn the whole thing into a pub crawl. Because why not.
Selfridges
Selfridges’ Christmas decorations in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSelfridges’ Christmas decorations in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
You really need to see the Selfridges decorations in the flesh to get the full impact of the effort that’s gone in here.
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Channeling a seriously disco Christmas, they’ve erected a huge gold mirrored wall around the entrance that shifts and shimmers in the wind, as well as a tree made out of felt brussels sprouts.
Grab a drink at…
Sinclair’s Oyster bar, the legendary local boozer still serving some of the cheapest pints in Manchester.
Royal Exchange Arcade
It’s not just a pretty display at the Royal Exchange this year – it’s also got a big social community impact.
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Local school children and communities were invited to make decorations for the trees that line the arcade, to raise awareness and funds for Manchester’s homeless as part of the Baubles 4 Beds campaign.
Grab a drink at…
Corbieres, an underground wine bar with a great jukebox that’s been a staple of Manchester’s bar scene for as long as we can remember.
Stock Exchange Hotel
Gary Neville’s luxury hotel in the centre of Manchester, regularly voted as one of the best in the world, has a suitably lavish Christmas vibe going on.
Thousands of tiny red berries, plus pine branches sprayed gold and shimmering red baubles, have been installed around its historic entrance.
Grab a drink at…
Sterling, the bar based in a bank vault beneath the hotel. It’s operated by the renowned bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, who are also set to take over the restaurant space next year.
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Hotel Gotham
Five-star Hotel Gotham has easily one of the most creative displays we’ve seen this year, with huge toy soldiers standing watch on either side of the door.
They’re surrounded by pink and gold baubles and tonnes of foliage too.
Grab a drink at…
Blinker, the cocktail bar that’s made it into the UK’s 50 Best just six months after opening. You’ll find an entire menu of old fashioneds and another of martinis.
Rosso
Rosso’s prominent position at the very top of King Street means that there’s a lot of pressure on it to look fabulous and festive.
They’ve nailed it once again this year, covering the entire building in fairy lights and crafting a gigantic tree-shaped installation into the wall. Amazing.
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Grab a drink at…
Mr Thomas’s Chop House, the historic and very cosy pub on Cross Street which will lead you neatly on to our next stop.
Piccolino
Sometimes a classic colour scheme and a bucket load of baubles can create a serious impact – as per Piccolino’s 2022 efforts.
The baubles are interspersed with sprigs of holly, gold leaves, mistletoe and general glittering decorations.
Grab a drink at…
Salt Dog Slims, the underground dive bar that has a big Christmas secret in store for you…
Albert’s Schloss
Christmas decorations at Albert’s Schloss in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupChristmas decorations at Albert’s Schloss in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
One of Manchester’s most popular bars has a frequently-changing display around its entrance on Peter Street.
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For Christmas, they’ve opted for a pair of ENORMOUS pine trees, adorned with red ribbons and twinkling lights.
Grab a drink at…
Erm, Albert’s Schloss… Well you’re already at one of the best bars in Manchester, so what’s the point in looking anywhere else?
Get ready for round-the-clock entertainment and a seriously lively atmosphere in this bohemian bier palace.
Richmond Tea Rooms
Richmond Tea Rooms has leant right into its charming Alice in Wonderland theme this Christmas, installing a life-size Alice cut-out reaching into a Christmas tree.
On the other side, you might spot the familiar features of the Cheshire Cat grinning through the branches too.
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Grab a drink at…
You’re spoilt for choice here with all of Canal Street at your disposal. Or for a more relaxed vibe, walk over to Nell’s New York Pizza bar at Kampus.
San Carlo
This might be our favourite installation of the year. San Carlo heard baubles and said ‘yes please’.
Thousands of rainbow-coloured baubles are bursting out of a giant Christmas cracker above its door and winding around the windows. It’s so creative.
Grab a drink at…
Crazy Pedro’s is a local favourite for a reason – especially if you catch it during happy hour.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Christmas
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Disney On Ice is returning to Manchester with a brand-new magical adventure for the whole family this festive season.
I know June has only just begun and that officially means summer is here, but do you fancy just casting your minds forward to Christmas for a second?
That’s because Disney On Ice has announced today that it’ll be heading out on a tour of the UK once the festive season rolls around, and of course, the tour’ll be making a stop here in Manchester.
Audiences will get to discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all their friends from the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey of unforgettable moments as they bring timeless tales to life on ice.
The production will travel throughout the UK, visiting places like Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Belfast, all before arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
This is your chance to re-live famous Disney stories with all of your favourite characters, alongside the magic of classic Disney songs and world-class ice skating.
Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
The talented Disney On Ice cast rehearse for more than 550 hours to perfect each performance and encapsulate the characters, while a team of choreographers, and set and costume designers, create more than 200 props and more than 200 different costumes.
Encanto, Moana, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and Tangled are just some of the legendary Disney tales you can see reimagined when Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives in Manchester this December.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero 2025/26 tour dates
bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham: 29 October – 9 November 2025
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: 12 – 16 November 2025
Utilita Arena, Newcastle: 19 – 23 November 2025
P&J Live, Aberdeen: 27 – 30 November 2025
SSE Arena, Belfast: 5 – 7 December 2025
AO Arena, Manchester: 10 – 14 December 2025
Utilita Arena, Sheffield: 17 – 21 December 2025
O2 Arena, London: 26 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The magical production is arriving at the AO Arena this December / Credit: Supplied
The production brings beloved characters to life through cutting-edge figure skating, eye-catching costumes, and stunning set designs, with innovative lighting and thrilling special effects, making it an experience the whole family will treasure forever.
Disney On Icepresents Find Your Hero arrives at Manchester’s AO Arena from 10-14 December 2025, and tickets go on Three+ presale on Monday 9 June and AO Arena presale on Thursday 12 June, both at 9am.
All before they then go on general sale next Friday 13 June, again at 9am.
London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
Thomas Melia
Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.
Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.
Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.
This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.Credit: Justin De Souza
Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.
Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.
We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.
If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.
There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.Credit: Justin De Souza
New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.
You had us at booze and scran.
Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.
Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”
Daisy Jackson -
14th December 2022 
