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Kids & Family

A parade of dancing candy canes and breakdancing elves is coming to the Arndale

Daisy Jackson - 24th November 2021

Manchester’s enormous shopping hub the Arndale will be throwing a Christmas parade this weekend.

The busy shopping centre will welcome walking candy canes, breakdancing elves and roller-skating robins as part of its festive celebrations.

Throughout the day, performers will pop up to surprise shoppers across the shopping centre.

The Arndale is also hosting its own King, Queen, Prince and Princess characters too.

Manchester Arndale. Credit: Jason Lock Photography www.jasonlock.co.uk

Santa Claus himself will fly in for the festivities, along with Mrs Claus, to meet with local families.

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The musical parade is due to kick off at 2pm on Saturday, and will see all sorts of Christmas characters marching through the city centre.

Nutcrackers, ballerinas, and elves will all be in the mix.

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There will also be festive food on offer this weekend.

Read more: The happiest towns in the UK have been revealed – but Greater Manchester doesn’t feature

It’s set to be one of the busiest shopping weekends in the calendar as people gear up for Christmas and the Black Friday sales.

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The Arndale centre is also positioned close to the Christmas Markets, which have taken over Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square nearby.

Manchester Arndale’s Christmas parade is taking place from 2pm on Saturday November 27.

Featured image: Supplied

Kids & Family

A free snooker fan zone has popped up in Manchester for the 2026 Tour Championship

Free pool and snooker tables fan zone Manchester World Tour Championship 2026

We’re sure plenty of you are well aware that this year’s WST Sportsbet.io Tour Championship is happening in Manchester right now, but what many of you may not know is that a completely free snooker fan zone has opened up as part of it.

You don’t need a ticket for any of the actual matches to watch them on the big screen or even play one of your own.

The 2026 Tour Championship got underway on Monday, with number one Judd Trump claiming the opening victory against Mark Allen.

However, it isn’t just the buzz inside the match room itself that the World Snooker Tour has brought on its return to the city centre – even the supporter hub outside is well worth a visit.

snooker fan zone manchester central — Credit: The Manc

manchester central events april 2026 — Credit: The Manc

Based over at Manchester Central on the Exchange side of the building, while the games themselves are taking place in the main rooms, the foyer and surrounding areas have been turned into a fan park.

Perfect for anyone looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon or, indeed, a full day this week – not to mention an ideal activity for kids this coming Easter bank holiday weekend – if you’re a fan of the sport, you’d be a fool not to at least pop your head in.

Running until this Sunday, 5 April, when the tournament itself finishes, snooker lovers have access not only to a bar area with multiple big screens and food and drink, but also numerous free tables for them to play on.

In fact, you quickly turn a few frames into some proper practice if you’re so inclined, as there’s even on-site coaching to be made the most of.

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As you can see, people of all ages have already turned up in their droves to soak up the atmosphere.

Once again, the competition is being broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 5 if you’re happy to watch the games at home, but we don’t need to tell you what makes sitting in a room with a bunch of fellow fans and getting excited together so enjoyable.

If you visit the Manchester Central convention centre before the end of the week, you can even have a go at playing on a proper king-sized snooker table for the full pro-feel experience.

For anyone who wants to grab actual tickets for the matches as well, you can find them HERE.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Kids & Family

Salford’s popular women’s running race is returning for 2026

Swinton Ladies Race 5 mile run

The popular women’s only five-mile race in Salford is back for another year, and it’s set to be one of the biggest yet.

Returning for its 34th iteration this spring, the 2026 edition of the Swinton Ladies Race is a mix of trail, gravel and road running.

It’s also remained a great entry-level run since it began, perfect not only for all ages and experience levels, but for those looking for a step-up in ability level and challenge with the mixed terrain.

Last May saw one of the best turnouts in the event’s history, and the Swinton Running Club founders are hoping for another big showing.

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Now boasting a total of 400 places, the Swinton Ladies Race has remained a long-established cult favourite among locals over the past couple of decades.

Founded back in 1991 (then under the Worsley Woods Trail Race banner), it’s only grown in reputation but has still stayed true to its community-driven roots.

A one-lap course of lasting five miles, the course itself takes you through the aforementioned woodlands, as well as sections of trail and more defined paths.

Other notable sites featured include the Old Warke Dam, parts of the Bridgewater Canal and said Woods, which help make up a good chunk of the largest conservation area in Salford.

As they put it: “Whether you’re training for a new challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh countryside air, join us and enjoy a trail race through Worsley.”

In addition to promising chip times, bespoke medals for all finishers, free parking and plenty of other little perks, it’s also just super accessible and good value-for-money.

As for the race route itself, there are drinks stations at the halfway point and finish line, first aiders on hand should anyone need help, and, of course, toilet facilities; it’s just a very well-run event all-round.

The organisers – who are teaming up with run promoters SheRACES for 2026 – do advise trail shoes where possible, especially if it’s been raining in the days leading up to the starting gun, but road trainers will still do you just fine.

Road or trail shoes are suitable for the course; we would advise trail shoes if the days leading up to the race have been extremely wet.

The price for affiliated runners is just £15, while unaffiliated participants can sign up for £17 plus a booking fee of £2 entry on the day (subject to availability). It’s also worth noting, however, that this is very much first-come, first-served. You can grab your race ticket and bib for Sunday, 3 May, right HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Swinton Running Club (supplied)