A brand-new festive hub has been announced for Manchester city centre, where you’ll be able to visit a new ice rink, drink cocktails in a snow globe-like rooftop dome, and get merry in a yurt.
There’ll be a whole host of new experiences to check out in the new St John’s district, just a stone’s throw from Spinningfields.
A major new attraction here will be Winter Assembly at Courts Club, which will be home to the city’s newest, fully independent ice rink, plus karaoke huts and festive film screenings.
Courts Club is a new social venue that opened this summer, combining basketball, tennis, boules, beer, light bites and a slice of the beach all in one place.
But from 8 November, it’ll be taken over by On Ice, who previously operated the Spinningfields ice rink, offering a premium alternative to the family-friendly ice rink down at Cathedral Gardens. Tickets are currently only £12 and on sale now here.
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Once you’ve finished sliding around on the ice there’ll be food including winter gyros from Lucky Gyros, festive grilled cheeses, boozy hot chocolate, German BBQ specials and more.
If you prefer to keep your feet on non-slippy ground, there’ll be a ‘Chalaoke huts’, where you can cosy up in a log cabin with your own private karaoke machine.
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Courts Club will be home to an independent ice rink in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedChalaoke huts at Winter Assembly at Courts Club. Credit: Supplied
There’ll even be open fires where you can toast marshmallows and a giant Christmas tree to add to the festive atmosphere.
And Winter Assembly at Courts Club will be screening Christmas classics like Love Actually and Home Alone.
Elsewhere in the St John’s creative district, The Dome – previously only accessed by those ‘in the know’ – will be open to the public.
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This rooftop dome space will be transformed into a winter oasis that will feel like stepping inside a giant snow globe, with a programme of weekend events and a full bar (plus the option to book the whole thing out for parties up to 200 guests).
The snow globe-like festive edition of rooftop space The Dome. Credit; Supplied
And The Lawn Club’s festive yurt will be back, filled with sheepskin blankets, an installation made up of Christmas decorations, twinkling lights, and DJs.
There’ll be festive food, boozy hot chocolates and winter warming cocktails.
The party will run into the early hours on Fridays and Saturdays, plus there’ll be a festive bottomless brunch running from 10 November.
All three exciting additions – the ice rink and Chalaoke at Courts Club, the snow globe bar at The Dome, and the festive yurt at The Lawn Club – come from Shiko Group.
Manchester’s FREE annual Christmas parade is back for more festive fun than ever before
Thomas Melia
Manchester’s annual Christmas Parade is back again for another year of seasonal joy and magic, it has been confirmed.
Arriving in December, the magical Parade – which first started back in 2022 – starts and finishes at Manchester Cathedral, walking through Deansgate and Market Street as part of it’s journey, but don’t worry if navigation skills are your weak area, as you’ll be able to hear live music playing as it strolls through the city centre.
There will be a variety of special guests, including everyone’s favourite Snow Queen and her golden carriage, who’ll be taking part in the parade with some all-new appearances.
Manchester’s annual Christmas parade is back for more festive fun than ever before / Credit: Manchester City Council
This year, the ‘Elf Express’ will be blazing through the Manchester high streets carrying elves, with the rest of Santa’s little helpers who couldn’t fit on the cosy Christmas train riding horses alongside instead.
Ever wished the Swiss Alps were right on your doorstep?
Well a group of retro skiers are going to be swishing through Manchester and making Victoria Street feel like Lake Geneva.
December will be a chilly one, but this parade is sure to warm your heart / Credit: Supplied
December will surely be a chilly one, but this parade has got you covered, as in order to keep you warm, guests can sing along to hits from tribute act ‘Elton Wrong’, to not only warm your spirits but body too.
Over 400 participants and characters are set to wander their way through Santa’s favourite city, with their usual smiling faces and outgoing personalities.
The main man himself and his reindeer crew will ride through our city with a whole host of festive friends on Sunday 8 December from 1pm.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Christmas
Trafford Centre’s popular Santa’s Grotto is back this Christmas
Thomas Melia
The main man is making our northern city his new home at one of Greater Manchester’s biggest shopping centres this winter time.
Starting in November and running all the way up until Christmas Eve, Santa is swapping the cold air of the North Pole for the cloudy skies of Manchester, as he starts his annual journey around the world by making a visit to our region.
Not only is Santa travelling with his grotto, he’s also giving visitors the chance to experience the world of the North Pole as he brings the chilly destination to the Trafford Centre.
On top of the already-impressive Grotto, there’s lots of other things to do this festive season too, and guests also can wander through Candy Cane Land, The Enchanted Forest, Merry Maker’s Studio, and Santa’s Study.
The Trafford Centre’s popular Santa’s Grotto is back this Christmas / Credit: Trafford Centre (via Supplied)
There will be allocated time slots for a ‘Whispering Winter’ event, with dimmer lights, quieter music, and reduced amount of visitors to make sure the opportunity to see Santa is open to everyone.
Each paying child will receive a gift for no extra charge, with tickets priced at £25 for children and accompanying adults pay a reduced price of £7.50.
Santa may live in the chilly North, but once you enter The Grotto, you will certainly be greeted with a warm welcome from him and his wonderful elves who are helping him out.
Daisy Jackson -
16th October 2024 
