The Trafford Centre has transformed into Tinsel Town for Christmas, bringing the ‘longest toboggan slide in the UK’ to Manchester as part of the festivities.
At 37 metres long, the ‘sky raising’ slide is just one of the attractions popping up outside The Orient for this year’s winter fair.
Alongside the epic toboggan slide, there are also twenty different festive fairground rides, an ice rink, ice skating show, mobile bungee, a grotto, Christmas street food and a big wheel to discover – making it a must for families this season.
Image: The Trafford Centre
Food-wise, think Bavarian bratwurst, burgers, pizza and more – with traditional german sausage huts stationed alongside local traders Old School Dogs, Oh My Glaze, The Thai Food Van, Epic Pizza, Kingdown of Sweets and Bouji Baker.
Running until 3 January, the winter wonderland will have Father Christmas in his grotto waiting to meet children who’ve been nice (and naughty) this year and hear their present requests ready for the big day.
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Each child will receive a special gift from the main man himself, as well as getting a photo with him and his elves.
There’ll also be fun rides like Santa’s Train, the Tinsel Town coaster, Rock Rage, Sky Flyer and the Reverse Bungee to check out, plus a spectacular ice-skating Snowstorm show in the Big Top tent featuring some world-class skaters and circus artists.
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Image: The Trafford Centre
How much is it?
Price-wise, it’s free to enter if you’re enjoying food, on route to see Father Christmas in his grotto or watching the Snowstorm ice skating show.
Grotto visits are priced at £5 per adult and £8 per child (not including booking fees), whilst general admission to TInsel Town is £3.50 (or £3 if booked online)>
Rides at the fairground are accessed via a token system. Tokens are £1, and it will cost you between one and three tokens per ride. Tokens can also be purchased in advance, with a block of 25 sold for £20
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Ice skating is £12 for adults at peak time, and £8 for children – with a saving available if you visit at off-peak times.
To find out more and book, visit the Tinsel Town website here.
Feature image – The Trafford Centre
Christmas
You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
Peek inside the space-themed festive tipi bar that’s appeared in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
A gigantic new festive tipi has appeared in Manchester city centre, and this one’s out of this world.
Nova Star is an intergalactic, space-age tipi, filled with twinkling stars and shimmering galaxies.
The space-themed pop-up bar has appeared in Sadler’s Yard, right outside New Century.
Inside, you’ll be able to get your mitts on festive food specials from beloved Christmas Markets favourites Parmogeddon.
Their menu includes raclette-covered roast potatoes, with additional toppings like hot honey, brie, stuffing crumbs and gravy.
There’ll also be pigs in blanket hot dogs topped with cranberry and chilli ketchup and stuffing crumb, with an indulgent pot of gravy for dunking, plus profitteroles with a homemade brandy cream filling.
Nova Star’s bar will have a menu of shimmering cocktails and ice-cold beers too, with a full menu of Cosmos, including a Nebula Cosmo (which tastes a lot like a pina colada but is blue), a Cosmic Amore (close to a classic Cosmopolitan), and the Milkyway (a sweet and creamy concoction with hazelnut and vanilla).
Loaded raclette roasties at Nova Star, Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupA pigs in blanket hot dog. Credit: The Manc GroupProfiteroles from Parmogeddon. Credit: The Manc Group
Nova Star will be serving up their very own signature ‘Nova Staro’ pints, created in collaboration with Czech Pilsner specialists Staropramen in their first ever rebrand.
It’s a far cry from your typical Bavarian Christmas experience, swapping out holly and ivy for stars and shimmers.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a line-up of festive entertainment.
Abby Moore, managing director at New Century, said: “Nova Star is all about celebrating Christmas at its most magical – and for us that means with all the dazzle of the space age.
“It’s a chance to escape the traditional and enjoy a spectacular atmosphere, stellar cocktails and incredible food.
“We can’t wait to welcome the people of Manchester to our space-age Christmas destination.”
Nova Star opens at Sadler’s Yard on Friday 22 November.
Georgina Pellant -
25th November 2021 
