Shopping

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

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th December 2025

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.

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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.

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

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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)

Shopping

Lidl reveals one of Manchester’s most-bought items in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl

Lidl has unveiled the most-bought items in each major city around the UK, launching its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ to share the nation’s shopping habits.

The supermarket chain has gathered data on the most purchased items from 10 cities around the country, to see what the top sellers in each city has been this year.

You might be expecting a clean sweep of boring stuff like milk and bread – but no, apparently Manchester has been obsessed with… avocados.

According to Lidl Wrapped, Manchester has developed an avocado obsession, while Leeds residents have collectively purchased more than 133 million peas, and Bristol has invested in 11 tonnes-worth of coleslaw.

To celebrate the Lidl Wrapped for 2025, the supermarket is now rolling out its own wrapping paper range, and opening free gift-wrapping stations at 10 stores nationwide.

Between the 4 and 17 December, you’ll be able to have your shopping wrapped up in Manchester’s exclusive design (which, yes, will have avocados on it) so your Middle of Lidl find can switch into the perfect present.

The pop-up gift-wrapping stations will also have interactive games with prizes, like in-store discounts and a £50 golden ticket.

Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’. Credit: Lidl

You can also buy the wrapping paper in packs of three for just 75p, with all proceeds donated to Neighbourly.

Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB commented: “This year, our customers have shown us once again that the weekly shop is about more than groceries, it’s about moments, surprises, and the little joys that make life easier and bring people together.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re focused on giving our customers even more to value, extra reasons to smile, and plenty of those Lidl surprises that keep them coming back for more.”

The free Lidl wrapping stations will be available from 9am while stocks last between 4 and 17 December.

‘Lidl Wrapped’ top groceries across the UK:

  • Birmingham – Roses
  • Bristol – Deluxe Creamy Coleslaw
  • Cardiff – 15 Welsh Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs
  • Edinburgh – Lighthouse Bay 2 Scottish Salmon Fillets
  • Glasgow – Gelatelli Ice Cubes
  • Leeds – Freshona British Garden Peas
  • Liverpool – All Butter Croissant
  • London – Cucumber
  • Manchester – Ready to Eat Avocado
  • Sheffield – Raku Sushi Sharing Pack

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Featured image: Lidl

Shopping

Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre

Manchester City has opened the doors to its new Trafford Centre store just in time for the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

The club has launched the brand-new store in collaboration with retail partner Stichd.

The Manchester City store offers fans a bespoke City shopping experience, including this season’s PUMA kits, the Christmas collection (with a £5 donation to City in the Community (CITC) with specific products), and shirt printing.

Shoppers will be able to browse a range of sky blue shirts, hats, scarves, and gloves, as well as soft toys, mugs, and other collectibles.

There’s already a City store in the Manchester Arndale, which opened a couple of years ago, but its arrival at the Trafford Centre is a new development.

Other existing stores include sites in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New York City, Seoul and Shenzhen.

Serena Gosling, Director of Retail and Licensing at Manchester City, said: “We’re proud to reveal our latest City Store in the iconic Trafford Centre, Manchester – our third location within the city.

“It provides another touchpoint for fans to interact with the club – at a venue that is a shopping favourite within the North West.

“We know the Trafford Centre attracts huge numbers of local shoppers, and tourists, so we are sure our newest store will provide a convenient location for fans, and of course, at this festive time of year, for those buying presents.

Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre
Manchester City opens brand-new store at the Trafford Centre. Credit: The Manc Group

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the store.”

Will Rodnight, Head of Physical Retail, stichd, said: “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Manchester City through the opening of this third City store in Manchester at the Trafford Centre.

“Our goal is to create an exceptional retail experience that reflects the passion of City fans. This new location adds another fantastic opportunity to connect with supporters in one of the UK’s most iconic shopping destinations, and we can’t wait to welcome them.”

Kate Pearson, Portfolio Leasing Director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, added: “We look forward to welcoming the new City Store to Trafford Centre. This bespoke new retail offering complements our current sportswear retailers whilst also adding a personalised experience for their supporters. We are excited to see their success once the doors open.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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