Cheshire Oaks has revealed its busy programme of festive events for the upcoming season, including the UK’s largest Christmas tree and a breakfast with Santa experience.
The huge shopping destination – the largest designer outlet in the UK – has pulled out all the stops for its winter celebrations.
You’ll be able to add a personal touch to your own festivities by making your own wreath, or picking up a personalised bauble.
Cheshire Oaks is also hosting its very own drive-in cinema, and has opened its magical winter village.
And if you’re starting to chip away at your Christmas shopping, there are more than 150 boutiques, restaurants and cafes in 400,000 square feet of retail space to explore.
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In the spirit of giving, Cheshire Oaks will donate £1 for every selfie taken on site and posted online – just tag #ShareTheMagic and a quid will go to Passion For Learning.
Here’s a list of events taking place at Cheshire Oaks in the run-up to Christmas.
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Drive-in cinema
Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Drive-in cinemas have been all the rage in the last year, a way to watch your favourite flicks under the stars from the comfort of your own car.
Cheshire Oaks’ very own cinema will return in December with a duo of festive films.
All proceeds go to charity too, supporting Passion For Learning, Cheshire Oaks’ chosen charity for 2021.
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You’ll be able to watch Elf on December 7, or Home Alone on December 8. Both films start at 7.30pm.
There’s also mulled wine to wash it all down with.
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The Winter Village is also home to the UK’s largest Christmas tree, which will host autism-friendly mornings every Sunday until December 19, between 9am and 10am.
Live music
Cheshire Oaks will be filled with festive music in the run-up to Christmas, with live entertainment galore.
Roaming band the Walking Heads will perform Christmas classics with a twist, while Beyond Gospel Choir will be performing throughout December.
Visitors will also be able to spot a DJ bike that will roam the centre blasting festive hits.
Wreath workshops
Credit: Cheshire Oaks
It’s always nice to add a personal touch to your Christmas celebrations, and you can learn how at Cheshire Oaks with wreath making workshops.
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Cheshire-based florist Heather will be leading groups through the process of creating your own wreaths.
She’s even found locally-sourced decorations and foliage for a truly wholesome touch.
Workshops are taking place between 10am and 12pm, and 2pm and 4pm, on the following dates in December: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12.
Shopped until you’ve dropped? Make sure to visit the Bauble Bar on your way out.
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The popular service is back at Cheshire Oaks, giving out free personalised baubles to anyone who spends more than £200 at the outlet.
It’s available on December 4 and 5, from 11am until 4pm.
You’ll find it next to Car Park C by Pret a Manger.
Featured image: Cheshire Oaks
Christmas
Co-op Live appears to tease major Mariah Carey Christmas gig sending fans into a frenzy
Emily Sergeant
All we want for Christmas… is Mariah Carey in Manchester.
And maybe, just maybe, our Christmas wish might come true very soon, as Co-op Live has taken to social media today to tease its next gig announcement with its hundreds of thousands of followers, and without jumping to conclusions, it does appear to be hinting at the queen of Christmas herself making an appearance.
Look, we know it’s only July and right in the middle of summer, but even if you think it’s too early to be talking about the festive season, you have to admit that the potential of Mariah Carey coming to Manchester is worth getting excited any time of the year.
The US pop powerhouse last performed in our city nearly a decade ago now when she brought her famous All I Want For Christmasshow to the UK for the first time ever, taking to sold-out Manchester Arena stage on 10 December 2017.
Mariah has not performed in Manchester since, but all that could be set to change as Co-op Live has hinted that an announcement is ‘coming soon’.
Taking to its official social media platforms today, Co-op Live posted a very festive-themed AI video of snow falling on the arena as the camera zoomed in and the instrumental of Mariah’s absolutely iconic hit ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ playing in the background, and the caption hinting at the song’s title too.
Of course, we could be wrong, it might not be Mariah at all, but if the 300+ comments from fans in a frenzy thinking the same as us are anything to go by, it’s looking like we might be right.
“The countdown to Christmas is on,” Co-op Live said in its video, before letting fans know that they would be getting some form of confirmation soon.
So, is it Mariah then? What do you think? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.
Featured Image – Picryl
Christmas
Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year
Daisy Jackson
The festive light trail that proved to be a smash hit last winter will make a return to Manchester this year.
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland with 14 different installations, plus selfie spots along the route.
And there’ll be a limited Kids Go Free offer on select dates, as well as inclusive evenings with reduced capacity and lower audio levels.
Northern Lights attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its Heaton Park debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board.
This year, A Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Visitors will walk along Candy Cane Lane, admire a giant neon slinky, and ogle at shimmering nutcrackers.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops, and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Demand is expected to be high for this year’s festivities, with Early Bird tickets just released to get you the best value prices of the year.
Emma St.Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “The response to Northern Lights Manchester last year exceeded all of our expectations.
“The warmth and enthusiasm from visitors made it incredibly special for our team, and we’re delighted to be returning to Heaton Park with something completely new.
“Since January, we’ve been reimagining every part of the experience. A Christmas Time Machine takes visitors on a journey through the festive moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down. Nodding to the traditions we return to year after year, the nostalgia of Christmases gone by, and the excitement of creating new memories together.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back and share this next chapter of Northern Lights with families, friends and loved ones from across the region.”
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December. Visitor numbers will be reduced by 75%, with lower audio levels throughout the trail to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Northern Lights Manchester tickets
Kids Go Free offer – available on selected Off-Peak Early Bird dates until 31 August (or until allocation is exhausted. Use code KIDSLIGHTS before selecting tickets to unlock.
Early Bird Pricing
Peak tickets – from £17.25 including transaction fee
Off-peak tickets – from £13.75 including transaction fee
Daisy Jackson -
23rd November 2021 
