Christmas

The Greater Manchester venues serving free Christmas dinners to homeless people

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd December 2021

Christmas can be a magical time – but for those who are experiencing homelessness or loneliness, it can be the complete opposite.

But it’s also the season for giving, and several charities and organisations are working to get free Christmas dinners to those in need.

Hundreds of people across the UK are rallying to ensure no one need go without a hot meal on Christmas day.

Read more: Marcus Rashford challenges chef Tom Kerridge to create £10 Christmas menu for people in need

The Big Issue has pulled together a full list, and we’ve picked out the ones near Greater Manchester.

Do you know of one we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments on Facebook and we’ll update the list.

Lifeshare, Manchester

There’s a Christmas Dinner drop-in at the Chartered Ragged School on Dantzic Street – and it’s open from 7am to 8pm.

Lifeshare will be offering food as well as entertainment, including live music, bingo and a quiz, plus medical care and haircuts.

The Booth Centre, Manchester

The Booth Centre is throwing a whole week of Christmas events, providing a warm welcome to people affected by homelessness.

The Pimblett Street community centre will be open between 9am and 2pm on Christmas Day serving up Christmas dinners.

Cornerstone, Manchester

A short distance south of the city centre, near the University of Manchester campus, is Cornerstone, a day centre providing services to vulnerable and disadvantaged adults.

It’s operated by the Dioceses of Salford on Denmark Road and will serve hot food on Christmas Day from 10.30am until 3pm.

ROAST, Preston

Preston’s roast chicken specialists are going to be open between 11am and 3pm on Christmas Day.

In previous years they’ve served hot Christmas sandwiches to emergency service workers too.

The Cheshire Cheese pub, Warrington

Well here’s a person doing some great things for his community – chef Andrew Dutton is offering a full Christmas dinner for five families at risk of homelessness.

He’s also donating £1000 to buy gifts for children to open on the day itself.

Featured image: Pixabay / Unsplash

Christmas

Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains are back again this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.

Sure, it’s literally only the second week of September, and we’ve technically still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of Halloween and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.

The heritage railway has announced that its popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam train rides are back once again from late November.

The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.

You can already grab tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides this Christmas / Credit: ELR

And in recent years, the much-loved event has been even bigger and better than ever before.

ELR’s ‘Santa Specials‘ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.

The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station.

You’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears. 

The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves, with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.

And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.

The famous East Lancashire Railway ‘Santa Special’ steam train / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)

After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipple, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.

East Lancashire Railway’s famous Santa Specials are running on weekends and selected weekdays from Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December.

Tickets now on sale starting from £22.50 for kids and £23 for adults.

Read more:

You can book your seats here before it’s too late.

Featured Image – ELR

Christmas

Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to Cathedral Gardens once again this festive season.

Skate Manchester has always been a festive staple of our city centre, and there’s also a flurry of other frozen events and activities planned for 2025 too – including the return of the Scare Skate for Halloween.

Following success in previous years, Scare Skate returns this spooky season, and families, friends, and festive fun seekers visiting the rink this season can expect Halloween-themed music, lighting, and themed props to ignite the fright factor. 

After Halloween, the magic continues as the rink transforms into a festive wonderland.

Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season / Credit: Supplied

Skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink.

You’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.

The rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions tailored to meet the needs of all visitors, which includes dedicated quiet and toddler sessions designed for a more relaxed environment, along with discounted tickets and weekly events for students. 

New this year is the Skate on and Skate off ‘Pit Lane’ available during skating for those needing a break and a hot chocolate or mulled wine, plus a VIP ticket option allowing for a fast-track entry into the rink. 

Super early bird tickets are now available to buy / Credit: Supplied

Skate Manchester is also one of the most sustainable events in the UK, thanks to being partially powered by the grid.

“We’re proud to bring one of the top five largest ice rinks in the UK to Manchester once more, as part of our mission to create magical and sustainable winter events that will set the standard for winter attractions globally,” commented Rob Derry, who is the Director at Tamarisk Events, the company that coordinates the event.

“By being partially powered by the grid, Skate Manchester is one of the more environmentally responsible attractions of its kind, allowing visitors to enjoy the magic of skating with a lighter footprint.”

Read more:

Skate Manchester will be returning to the city on Saturday 25 October and running right up until Sunday 4 January 2026, with super early bird tickets now available to get your hands on, and discounted family tickets and student night tickets also available.

You can find more information and to book tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

More Christmas

Art & Culture

Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 opening date announced – including Albert Square return

Boroughs

Viral cosmetics brand P. Louise to bring exclusive pop-up to Trafford Centre this Christmas

Disney On Ice

Affiliate

Disney On Ice is bringing its ‘Find Your Hero’ tour to Manchester this Christmas

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches