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
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
“Government will put the money in, but I’m asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too.
“Let’s get people out the cold, and let’s bring back hope.”
Featured Image – Gary Knight (via Flickr)
Christmas
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas
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 the middle of August, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, 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 iconic heritage railway has announced that its hugely-popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam trains 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.
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.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station, and 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.
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipples, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd November 2021 
