News

Manchester set for its busiest weekend of the year with people urged to ‘plan ahead’

It's almost like it's Christmas or something.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 25th November 2025

Manchester is gearing up for what’s set to be its busiest weekend of the year, and people traveling into the city centre are being urged to ‘plan ahead’.

It’s officially a month to go until Christmas Day is here, and with the festive countdown now well under way, especially with Black Friday coming up at the end of this week (28 November) too, shoppers will be eager to bag a bargain and get some Christmas gifts for their loved ones – heading to the city centre shops or Christmas Markets.

This weekend, and Saturday (29 November) in particular, is traditionally one of the busiest of the year, and even saw the highest footfall in the city centre last year.

As well as people heading to the city centre to shop, there are also several other events happening across the weekend.

Manchester City host Leeds in a 3pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, while Bad Omens, and Sonny Fodera play Co-op Live on Friday and Saturday night respectively, while Wolf Alice are also set to return to Manchester for a Black Friday performance at the AO Arena.

ADVERTISEMENT

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Manchester City Council, and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are all working together to manage the volume of people expected into the city centre this weekend – but even despite their efforts, people are still being urged to plan ahead, especially when it comes to transport.

Anyone looking to beat the traffic is encouraged to make use of the Bee Network, with trams and buses being both the quickest and cheapest way to travel this weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

TfGM says roads are expected to be ‘very busy’ during peak times this weekend, so it’s important that anyone planning to make their way into the city centre by vehicle avoid the busiest periods if they can.

The busiest times are predicted to be 3pm to 7pm on Friday, 4pm to 9pm on Saturday, and 3pm to 6:30pm on Sunday.

The Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: Supplied, Manchester City Council
The Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: Supplied, Manchester City Council
Manchester is set for its busiest weekend of the year with people urged to ‘plan ahead’ / Credit: Manchester City Council

Some of the extra measures currently in place to help people get in an around the city centre this week include free pop-up park and ride services, later trams and all-night buses, dedicated matchday shuttle buses, and changes at key locations to help improve congestion.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s also worth noting that some TfGM staff are currently taking part in strike action until this Friday (28 November) meaning some facilities – such as ticket offices and toilets – may be closed, however bus and tram services will run as normal.   

“The countdown to Christmas is now in full swing and Black Friday weekend is always sure to be one of the busiest times of the year for the city centre,” commented Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer.

“Public transport will be the best way to get around, save money, and avoid getting stuck in traffic [which is why] we’re providing 1,000 additional parking spaces with our pop-up park and rides, putting on late night services, and running as many buses and trams as we possibly can.

Read more:

“We want to help people enjoy everything the season has to offer, so please remember to plan your journeys and leave yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.”

Get all the latest travel updates this weekend on the Bee Network website here.

Featured Image – TfGM

News

Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.

The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.

So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.

A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.

The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.

Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.

“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.

“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.

“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”

Read more:

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.

We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.

And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.

This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.

Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.

The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.

Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26

  • 18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
  • 20 December: 10am – 10pm
  • 21 December: 12pm – 6pm
  • 22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
  • Christmas: 9am – 5pm
  • Christmas Day: Closed
  • 26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
  • 27 December: 10am – 9pm
  • 28 December: 12pm – 6pm
  • 29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
  • New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm

It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.

For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.

Read more:

When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).

Featured Image – Trafford Centre (Supplied)

More News

Greater Manchester new clean green electric taxis from London

Boroughs

Greater Manchester’s ‘clean taxi’ plans backed by government funding

Bury

Paedophile cousins jailed for combined 58 years after sexually exploiting teen girls in Bury

News

Greater Manchester town named one of Britain’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2026

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches