Silcock’s Winter Wonderland and its indoor Christmas theme park is returning to Greater Manchester this December.
The massive festive event will be taking over EventCity for the first time in four years, transforming the space into a magical wonderland.
The 22,000 sq metre exhibition space will have more than 50 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters and waltzers, all under one roof.
As well as its indoor fairground, Kingpin Events will be putting on theatrical entertainment.
TV stars Daisy and Ollie, an Ice Princess Show, Chrsistmas Meltdown and a Christmas Circus will all have daily performances.
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Live performances at Silcock’s Winter Wonderland. Credit: Prakash Photography
The organisers have also confirmed a return of the Celebrity VIP Night and an annual Charity Night, which this year will work with NHS and mental health charities.
Visitors will be greeted by elves and fairies and have the chance to visit Father Christmas – and his real-life reindeer friends – for a photo and a present.
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Silcock’s Winter Wonderland was a top attraction for the region when it ran between 2013 and 2017.
Organisers Tammy and Billy Silcock of Kingpin Events said: “We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Manchester this Christmas after a four-year gap.
“After the last 18 months we all need to create magical memories with our families, and we hope the return of the event will spread joy across the region.
“As a special thank you for the hard work of our NHS and Armed Forces we are introducing reduced ticket prices on specific days throughout the run.
“We have worked really hard to ensure that we bring back all the magic we had before as well as ensuring we create a safe space for our visitors, performers and staff.
“We recommend early booking to ensure you get a ticket.”
Tickets include four-hour sessions of non-stop entertainment, with food stalls on site and free parking for up to 3000 cars.
Silcock’s Winter Wonderland Manchester is offering ticket insurance and a ‘Buy with confidence, exchange with ease policy’ should a ticket-holder have to isolate.
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The event will return between December 4 and January 2.
A Black Friday sale means you can get tickets for opening weekend (December 4 and 5) for £24 each.
Wildlife conservationist Steve Backshall to host ‘fascinating’ new stage show at Chester Zoo next month
Emily Sergeant
Wildlife conservationist and TV presenter Steve Backshall is hosting a new stage show at Chester Zoo next month.
The new show – which has been created especially for Chester Zoo audiences – will take visitors on a ‘fascinating’ journey into the lives and ancient origins of sharks, which are by far one of the planet’s most extraordinary and misunderstood predators.
Featuring real shark teeth and jaws, lifelike replicas, and historic footage, during each 30-minute live show, audiences will get the chance to travel back in time and discover the earliest sharks that once swam our shorelines, how they have evolved over millions of years, and what makes them such remarkable animals today.
Visitors will have the chance to learn all about a wide variety of shark species – from the iconic great white, to the unusual wobbegong shark.
Drawing on his own experiences, the world-renowned wildlife conservationist and TV presenter will also share stories from his personal encounters with the ocean’s most powerful predators, and will take part in a Q&A all about it too.
Funds from ticket sales – which cost £5 each – will support the zoo’s vital conservation efforts, both in the UK and in more than 20 countries around the world.
“I’m really looking forward to performing my new live show at Chester Zoo,” commented Steve Backshall.
Wildlife conservationist Steve Backshall is hosting ‘fascinating’ new stage show at Chester Zoo next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s somewhere that’s doing some incredible work to protect species around the world, so it’s the perfect place for me to go and talk about my love of sharks and how we can all do our bit to make the world a better place for them.”
Steve Backshall Live will take place from 23 – 31 May, with shows running at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm daily.
Zoo visitors will also need to book Chester Zoo admission tickets for the day, or have a valid membership, to attend a show – and tickets to the show can be booked online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Kids & Family
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’
Emily Sergeant
Curious kids, this one’s for you… Aldi is currently looking for little ones to become its first-ever wooden toy tester.
With the sun showing its face more regularly now, and the temperatures heating up by the day, summer is very much on its way, and it won’t be long before the mini Mancs are getting to spend more time playing outdoors than in – which is why Aldi is now on the lookout for one lucky child to become its official Wooden Toy Tester.
The supermarket retailer is calling on children across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – to apply by explaining why they should be chosen and what make-believe dish they would cook up in their very own toy kitchen.
The successful winner will receive a selection of Aldi’s latest wooden toys for free to make sure they have everything they need to feel like they’re the head chef of their own garden.
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’ / Credit: Aldi
All Aldi is asking in return is a short review of each of the toys, rating them on performance and fun factor to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on future product development.
In previous years, Aldi’s wooden toy launches have been so popular that the retailer has had to put a ‘two per shopper’ limit on purchases, so as you can imagine, this makes this adorable new job role even more in-demand.
“The nation’s love for our wooden toy range is undeniable, and our littlest shoppers are our most important critics,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.
“We’re excited to appoint our first ever Wooden Toy Tester, to capture their experience and find out what makes the perfect playtime set-up, guaranteeing lots of giggles and fun.”
Fancy it then? For a chance to win the role of a lifetime, little hopefuls simply need to send a one-minute-long video to [email protected] with their name, age, location, what makes them the perfect fit for the role, and what dish they wood make in their wooden kitchen.
Applications close on 5 May, and Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17 May.
Daisy Jackson -
24th November 2021 
