News

NASA reveals exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ fly over Greater Manchester

Dashing through the... sky.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 24th December 2024

Not long left till Santa and his reindeer crew fly over the skies of Manchester to drop off some of the most amazing presents of the year.

Manchester must have been extra nice this year, as Santa is treating us to lots of chances to catch a glimpse of him on his mission to deliver millions of gifts in time for Christmas.

Just like every year, Santa is dusting off his sleigh and polishing his boots to prepare for his biggest night visiting lots of kids and families. The sleigh is being filled with lots of goodies and surprises as we speak, it’s almost like he can smell the cookies and milk from here.

NASA, one of the world’s leading space companies, has been working meticulously to find out Santa’s route for 2024.

The world-renowned space agency has given us an exact time to look up at the stars to spot the main man himself and catch the glimmer of lights from his sleigh.

NASA has reveals the exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ flying over Greater Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Tim Mossholder (via Unsplash)

As a man who has lots of experience globe trotting, it’s safe to say the big man knows how to efficiently cover as many houses as possible all in one night.

Santa’s sleigh will be present at the same time as the International Space Station (ISS), however anyone looking to see this festive vehicle can notice the lights won’t change direction and will not flash.

This time round, Santa is swooshing round Greater Manchester on Christmas Day a whole hour earlier than last year, meaning that nice list must be the longest it’s ever been.

___

Tuesday 24 December

5:21am

Santa’s sleigh lights will be visible for two minutes travelling South East to East, as the man of Christmas weighs up his North West delivery route.

6:54am

Theres a six minute opportunity to catch those bright lights of Santa’s sleigh in the Manchester sky as he travels from West to South East, finalising his map before the big night ahead.

Wednesday 25 December

4:35am

It will be visible for less than a minute, no movement, in a static position. Santa will be doing a headcount of all the houses to make sure he’s not missed a single chimney.

6:08am

The sleigh will be seen for four minutes, moving from South West to South East, by now Santa will have finished his Manchester delivery drop and will be heading on over the hill to our friends in Leeds.

Read more:

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Featured Image – Pixabay

News

Grassroots music venue The Yard announces new outdoor festival – and it’s got a great name

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

City centre grassroots music venue The Yard has just announced its new outdoor festival, where you can expect lots of impressive local live music.

Independent and grassroots music venue, The Yard, is known for hosting some of the best gigs, creative events and live music in the city, and this festival is no different.

Titled ‘Stranger Ways’ – if you don’t get that reference, then we don’t know what to tell you – anyone attending can expect to hear music that champions Manchester’s indie spirit, with a lot of local talent represented in the lineup.

There’s an appearance from Alex Spencer, who has previously featured in our Manc artists of the month back in May.

Alex Spencer is set to headline day one of Stranger Ways Festival.
Alex Spencer is set to headline day one of Stranger Ways Festival.
The Yard is a brilliant venue known for hosting a variety of live music events.
The Yard is a brilliant venue known for hosting a variety of live music events.
Credit: Supplied

This talent has seen praise from the likes of Lady Gaga and The Coral, even getting his track ‘Nightmares’ featured in EA Sports FC25 (FIFA).

Wigan lads The Lilacs are also fronting the bill, known for their high energy sets and indie tune ‘Vicarage Road’ which they performed live at The Yard for music TV show, Spill The Sound.

They’ve seen massive success this year playing at the Isle of Wight Festival earlier this summer and supporting ‘Every Breath You Take’ penman Sting in Cardiff.

Another of our picks for Manc artists of the month for June, Arkayla. Named after “a terrible Oasis demo” from 1991, the band will be stopping by to sing a couple of their hits, too.

The band are already making waves, quite literally, receiving plays from one of the biggest rock radio stations in the UK, Radio X.

Wigan band The Lilacs are set to headline day two of Stranger Ways Festival.
Wigan band The Lilacs are set to headline day two of Stranger Ways Festival.
Arkayla are one of the headliners for The Yard's new outdoor festival.
Arkayla are one of the headliners for The Yard’s new outdoor festival.
Credit: Supplied

And of course this festival falls during Oasis’ massive reunion tour, so it would be rude not to have a tribute act, or two, performing at this outdoor festival – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Carpets and The Oasis Experience.

Now, as far as tribute bands go, that’s up there with one of the best and quietly clever names we’ve heard since we came across, well… Stranger Ways.

Speaking of Oasis, every ticket purchased for The Yard’s outdoor festival, Stranger Ways, gets entered into a prize draw to win tickets for one of the Burnage boys’ Wembley gigs with an overnight stay.

Erm. Yes. Please.

Read more:

Stranger Ways Festival is taking place at The Yard across 19 and 20 July – To access the full lineup and grab your tickets, you can find everything you need to know HERE.

Anyone who has managed to bag themselves those precious Oasis tickets is in luck too, as if you can show proof on arrival to The Yard, you can guarantee yourself free entry.

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

Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

News

Manchester Airport is hosting a summer sale with bargain return flights for under £80

Danny Jones Danny Jones cheap flights Manchester Airport summer sale

If you’re in need of a sunny escape but are looking to keep things within your budget as much as possible, the current summer sale on flights at Manchester Airport should get your attention.

Best of all, not only can you make the most of this opportunity right now and whisk yourself away pronto, but the deals for a complete return trip.

And when we say this is an offer you can’t refuse, you really will have a tough time resisting the urge on this occasion, because some of the flights in question will set you back less than £80.

We reckon it’s time you book in some annual leave, don’t you?…

Flight deals from Manchester Airport – Summer 2025

So, you’re obviously wondering, ‘Where can I fly to? And for how much?’ Well, let’s not waste any more time. Here’s what is on offer.

1. Majorca – Balearic Islands

mallorca manchester flights
Monika Guzikowska via Unsplash (supplied)

First up is Majorca, where you can fly via Ryanair on Wednesday, 9 July and return a week later on 16 July from just £28pp return. With more than 90,000 making the trip to the regular Spanish destination last month alone, its reputation speaks for itself.

Whether you want to be at the heart of the party scene in Magaluf, popular parts like Palma or Cala Millor, or more family-friendly areas like Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia, there’s something for everyone.

2. Naples – Italy

How about visiting the home of the now four-time Italian football champions and the land where pizza itself was invented? Napoli is on many people’s travel bucket lists, and now you fly there with Ryanair on Saturday, 12 July and return on 25 July from just £49pp return.

flights to napoli
Tom Podmore via Unsplash (supplied)

It’s the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and the isle of Capri, where fresh gelato, ice cream and Aperol flow like the Sarno River, not to mention it has some of the best street food in the world. With Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii also looming over the city, the place needs little advertisement.  

3. Brindisi – Italy

Sticking with Italy, why not consider a trip to the Puglia region, which you can fly to (once again with Ryanair) from just £49pp return. 

This particular part promises some of the country’s best sandy beaches and a balmy Mediterranean climate, as well as plenty of wine, olive oil and fresh-baked focaccia. It was even the home of Ernest Hemingway for a time, with the city even naming a beach after him.

Brindisi Puglia
Stefn79 ph via Wikimedia Commons

4. Beziers – France

How about visiting a French region that’s not only known for centuries of fine wine, a stunning coast with top-notch seafood and popular resorts like Valras and Cap d’Agde, but is also twinned with… Stockport?

That’s right, located in the southwest of the country, this underrated destination already has connections to Greater Manchester, not to mention famous water parks, white beaches and an archaeological site named Ensérune, located just outside the city. Return flights start from £56pp.

beziers france stockport
Pixabay (supplied)

5. Jerez – Spain

Jet2.com are up next are they’re offering you return travel to Jerez from just £77pp, departing on 12 July and returning on 26 July.

Southern Spain is usually as pretty busy in the summer, but Jerez’s position on the country’s Atlantic coast – between southern Portugal and the Strait of Gibraltar, rather than on the Med – means it’s not too crowded, plus it’s well worth a visit to nearby Cadiz.

flight offers manchester spain
Jordi Vich Navarro via Unsplash (supplied)

6. Pula – Croatia

Over to Croatia now, and you get to one of the best value-for-money parts of the country compared to tourist traps like Dubrovnik or the Dalmatian coast, starting from as little as £59 per person, flying with Jet2 on Thursday, 10 July and coming back on 24 July.

Two weeks on the Istrian peninsula may not be as well-trodden as its counterparts, but the view across the Adriatic and some of the world’s best preserved Roman arenas should at least be considered.

flight offers croatia
Pixabay (supplied)

7. Rhodes – Greece

From ancient Greece to ancient Rome, Rhodes is known as one of the greatest cities that ever was, and besides the heaps of history to be soaked up, there are also 300 days of sunshine, plus plenty of shopping in the Old Town, stunning classical architecture, not mention the famous ‘Butterly Valley‘.

Once again with Jet2, return flights are going for £58pp and upwards.

cheap flights to greece from manchester
Pixabay (supplied)

8. Paphos – Cyprus

Last but not least, we’ve got more gorgeous Grecian territory for you in the form of Paphos in neighbouring Cyprus, which still remains one of the most affordable holiday destinations going – and that’s even before the summer sale on flights from Manchester Airport.

You’ve got beach resorts and some of the best Mediterranean cuisine at your fingertips. Fly with Jet2.com this July and return from just £58 per person too.

flights manchester to paphos
Pixabay (supplied)

Read more:

We all need a break sometimes, and with prices like these and the weather across Europe looking great this season, no one could begrudge you getting away from it all for a bit.

You can visit either of these flight operators online or, indeed, check out the Manchester Airport website for more information.

Meanwhile, these aren’t the only destinations that might tickle your fancy this summer, especially if you’re prone to those lazy lounging on a beach type holidays.

12 underrated beaches you can fly to from Manchester for as little as £28
This isn’t the only sale on flights from Manchester Airport

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

Featured Images — Supplied/Alex Liivet (via Flickr)

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