Christmas

This little hidden Manchester cinema is screening loads of classic Christmas films this festive season

Three films a day? Such festive fun.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th November 2024

Elf, Love Actually, and Home Alone are just some of the classic Christmas films soon hitting the big screen at a hidden cinema in Manchester.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans and families looking for some wholesome festive fun are being invited to get themselves down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels in the lead-up to the big day itself.

King Street Townhouse‘s very-own exclusive cinema will be screening a jam-packed lineup of fan-favourite festive films over the next two months to celebrate Christmas in style.

The Christmas screenings will be taking over the little cinema from this Saturday (16 November), right through to Christmas Eve.

This little hidden Manchester cinema is screening loads of classic Christmas films this festive season / Credit: KSTH

With a marathon of three films set to be screened on each day of the event, the Christmas screenings schedule kicks off on Saturday 9 December at 2pm with the absolute cult-classic that is Elf, all before you can sit down to watch Love Actually, and Home Alone on the same day.

ADVERTISEMENT

Other festive favourites on the lineup across other weekends include It’s a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, The Muppet Christmas Carol, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Die Hard.

Tickets to each of the Christmas screenings are now on sale, and start at just £16.50 each.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats beforehand too, if you’d like.

Read more:

Grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – KSTH

Christmas

Dazzling Christmas light trail to return to Chester Zoo with new installations this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Chester Zoo has announced that it’s dazzling Christmas light trail will be returning this winter with some new installations.

Still think it’s a bit too early to mention the ‘C’ word? Well you’ll have to start getting used to it soon, because Chester Zoo‘s massively-popular Christmas lights trail is set to return very soon and organisers are promising this year’s trail will be its ‘brightest ever’ – with a whole raft of new additions.

The zoo has, once again, teamed up with entertainment giants Sony Music to deliver this year’s Lanterns and Light spectacle.

Over the past couple of years, Lanterns and Light has proved to be such a success that it’s developed into one of the North West’s biggest and longest-running festive light trails, and all profits from the event support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.

A dazzling Christmas light trail will be returning to Chester Zoo with new installations this winter / Credit: Chester Zoo

All profits from the event, which will run on selected nights from 14 November 2025 until 3 January 2026, will support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.

This year’s trail will see the zoo transform into a spectacular winter wonderland with colour-changing forests, glowing animals, show-stopping puppets and, brand-new for this year, a host of new immersive installations.

Among the exciting new highlights for 2025 is The Airquarium, which is a dreamlike world filled with floating, glowing sea creatures, and the Bubble Walk which will bring a joyful explosion of light and colour.

All profits support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction / Credit: Chester Zoo

Also debuting this year is Submergence – an awe-inspiring walk-through tunnel of light that fully immerses guests in a dazzling, interactive display.

Dozens of life-sized animal puppets, animated by expert performers, will also line the trail.

Alongside all these new additions will be a bunch of returning favourite attractions like giant festive baubles, neon-lit walkways, marshmallow toasting stations, fairground rides, and an enchanting fire garden, as well as a chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas hard at work in his toy workshop with his busy team of elves.

“We’re bringing something new and spectacular to Lanterns and Light in 2025, and it’s planned to be our brightest Christmas trail ever,” commented Gemma Wright, who is the Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo.

“What makes Lanterns and Light so special is that it’s not only an unforgettable festive experience, but also one with real purpose behind it.

“Every ticket purchased helps to fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work right here at the zoo, where we care for and breed some of the world’s most threatened species, and in more than 20 countries globally where we’re working with partners to prevent extinction.

“By joining us for this magical evening, visitors are also helping to secure a brighter future for wildlife globally.”

Read more:

Lanterns and Light will return to Chester Zoo from Friday 14 November 2025 and will run on selected evenings right through to 3 January 2026 – with tickets now on sale, priced at £19 for adults, £12 for children, £2.50 for toddlers, and free for babies.

You can get your hands on tickets here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

Christmas

The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Oast House has confirmed that its popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is set to return for the festive season.

By summer, the central Spinningfields venue is a proper sun-trap, but once winter rolls around, the teepee brings the festive spirit to Manchester just like it has done for the past 13 years, so it’s fair to say that it’s become something of an institution.

And now, with the air getting nippier by the day, The Oast House has given Mancs the news they’ve been waiting for.

That’s right, The Teepee – which is famed for its free live music, house-cooked food, and welcoming atmosphere – is back once again for another year, and it’s set to open for the festive season in just a couple of weeks time.

Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.

It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.

Following a huge summer of festivals in the courtyard, rounding off with the Seed Sounds Weekender last week, The Oast House is set to reopen The Teepee on Monday 13 October, and it’ll then be staying open to festive revellers every day of the week throughout the winter.

The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas / Credit: The Manc Group

Inside the new lodge, guests can expect to enjoy winter cocktails, mulled wine, and heart-warming food, just in time for the chilly weather.

Favourites from The Oast House’s street food-style menu set to be served up include katsu chicken fries, Korean fried chicken, chicken or plant-based gyros, and burgers stacked high.

The Teepee will reopen on Monday 13 October, and will then be open every day from 11am until late throughout the winter.

Read more:

Bookings are now live, so to reserve your table for the festive season, head on over to The Oast House’s website here.

Featured Image – Supplied

More Christmas

Christmas

Trafford Centre announces return of its ‘festive wonderland’ grotto this Christmas

Cheshire

Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around

Christmas

Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches