A popular Festive Winter Fair is set to return to an iconic Manchester venue to kick off the Christmas season.
With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the shops and supermarkets already getting filled up with lots of festive food and gifts, it won’t be long before Manchester becomes a Christmas city once again – especially as the world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets are set to return in early November.
But for those keen to escape the hustle and bustle of the main Markets, and soak up all the festive spirit on a smaller scale instead, then Victoria Baths has just what you’re after.
Ready to transform the beautiful Grade II-listed building into a cultural Christmas hub for the day, and all set to encapsulate the “very best traditions of Christmas shopping”, Victoria Baths has confirmed that its much-loved Festive Winter Fair will be making an exciting return for 2024.
This is a chance to get your Christmas shopping done and dusted, all while supporting small independent businesses at the same time.
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Happening on the first day of December under the famous glass roofs of Victoria Baths’ pool hall, with the stunning building set to be decked-out to look its seasonal best, you can expect to find a wide range of Christmas gift ideas from Manchester’s finest makers, crafters, and creators.
Visitors will be able to browse and shop from a carefully-curated selection of 50 stalls that feature art, decorations, ceramics, clothing, glassware, jewellery, and so much more.
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The venue’s popular Tea Room will also be open and serving a selection of sweet and savoury snacks on the day too, as well as traditional mulled wine and mince pies, while local choirs will be adding to the atmosphere with renditions of everyone’s favourite Christmas carols, so it really is the perfect way to start the most festive month of all.
Not only that, but in the spirit of seasonal goodwill, Victoria Baths will also be a Christmas collection point for those wanting to donate a gift or food items to local charities.
Unwrapped gifts will be collected on behalf of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services this year, while and non-perishable food items will be collected for Manchester Central Foodbank.
The Festive Winter Fair will take over Victoria Baths for 2024 on Sunday 1 December from 11am-4pm, with tickets now on sale and starting from as little as £4 each, while under 18s go free.
A new property has gone up for sale in Greater Manchester but you’ll have to act fast otherwise it’ll sail right past you – literally.
Ever fancied living on a yacht in Sicily or a cruise ship in the Caribbean? Well, now you can live your nautical dreams right here in the heart of Greater Manchester.
I hope blue is your favourite colour because this barge is decked out floor to ceiling in this deep maritime tone, even the kitchen cupboards are blue, pastel to be specific.
The main living area and kitchen are open plan with walls that span three-quarters of the property‘s width creating a corridor between the two bedrooms and bathroom.
In terms of the cooking space, the kitchen is fully fitted with all the appliances you could ever need, perfect for a lazy Sunday when all you’re after is a full English and a nice comforting view.
As you can see, there’s also a cute skylight window above the kitchen which brings in more natural light and broadens perspectives within this area, although it’s quite roomy anyway.
Both bedrooms are quite sizeable meaning you don’t have to downsize or reduce your wardrobe and your other half can stop insisting you do (just us? Never mind).
Now, sit back, relax and just imagine drinking a prosecco while perched under the British sun on your new barge balcony.
If this barge wasn’t snug enough how about a log burner to go with it, and not just any log burner, a dual fuel log burner, that’ll keep you toasty.
Situated on Pennington Marina in Leigh, there’s a small collection of amenities nearby including a chippy and restaurant just a seven-minute walk away, I know where I’m off for tea.
That stunning kitchen with matching all blue decorum.The cozy main bedroom pefectly covered in rugs and blankets.Credit: On The Market
And if you’re ever in the mood for a walk, just hop off your cruiser and let your feet lead the way along the canal to the interesting and quirky Lock Gates Monument, only eight minutes away.
Overall, this houseboat is 70ft she’s definitely not small, this really is like a home away from home, the only difference is this one’s on water.
Interested in ditching land in favour of water or just feel like having a nosey, you can find the two-bedroom houseboat listing with all its pictures and floor plan HERE.
Did you know there’s a restaurant in Manchester that does a bottomless ‘Tipsy Tapas’ menu every week?
That means you can pair your tapas dishes with endless helpings of sangria, alongside a number of other boozy delights.
The Tipsy Tapas menu at Canto, the modern Mediterranean sister site to award-winning El Gato Negro, includes three tapas dishes and unlimited mix-and-match drinks.
For your 90 minute booking in the beautiful Ancoats restaurant, you can tuck into bottomless pitchers of sangria, Aperol spritz, limoncello spritz, or peach bellini.
And if cocktails aren’t your thing, the Tipsy Tapas deal also includes Victoria Malaga lager, house wine, and fizz.
For £40 per person, you also get three delicious tapas dishes each, from their traditional Portuguese petiscos to meat to fish.
You’ll find tapas favourites like padron peppers, patatas bravas, and fried calamari with lemon aioli, plus a whole host of other small places from across the Mediterranean.
You can get bottomless sangria with the Canto Tipsy Tapas menuCanto has a menu of Mediterranean small platesSalt cod croquettes on the Tipsy Tapas menuCredit: The Manc Group
Other menu highlights include spiced lamb Merguez meatballs, chargrilled Peri Peri chicken, and salt cod fritters.
And for a more substantial bite, there are even pregos included in the deal – beef steak sandwiches in rustic bread with caramelised onion and rocket.
Vegetarians aren’t hard-done-by either with veggie dishes including classic Catalan bread with fresh tomato; caramelised cauliflower, with lentil stew and Italian caponata; hispi cabbage with parsnip puree and blue cheese vinaigrette; and butternut squash with curried cavolo nero.
The Tipsy Tapas menu gives you the option to have two savoury plates and a dessert too, with sweet dishes like almond tart with marscapone mousse, pastel de nata, tiramisu, and vegan chocolate tart with miso and caramel ice cream.
Costing £40 per person, the Canto Tipsy Tapas deal runs every Friday and Saturday between 12pm and 4pm.