After a successful launch in 2023, the UK’s best-loved pregnancy, baby and parenting event, The Baby Show with Lidl GB, is heading back to Manchester Central this week, 7-9 June.
The enormous event will be a one-stop-shop for everything tiny human-related, from feeding equipment to car seats to baby-grows to buggies.
There’ll be live talks, a chance to meet brands from across the industry, and even a buggy testing track where you can put your new wheels through their paces on a range of terrains.
Exhibitors will be offering fantastic prices on products too, with those appearing at The Baby Show including MAM, Obaby, Venicci, iCandy, Cybex, Egg, BabyBjörn, Mamas & Papas, Maxi-Cosi and more.
Plus, a New Kids on the Block area will give start-ups, emerging businesses and boutique brands the opportunity to showcase their goods, such as MarBra, Baby Sensor, Ruffle + Romper and Bubble Tots.
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Over on the Live Talks Stage you can expect to hear insights from names like health and fitness expert and Baby2Body CEO Melinda Nicci; Jenni Dunman from Daisy First Aid; Lucy Shrimpton, founder of The Sleep Nanny; and Rober Titzer, infant researcher at The Infant Learning Company.
All talks across the three-day event will provide expert advice on subjects all new and expectant parents face, such as birth, sleep, feeding, child development, weaning, health and fitness, and what to buy, and will all be completely free of charge.
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There’ll be a buggy testing track at The Baby Show by Lidl GBParents and expectant parents can browse essential itemsThere’ll be loads of different brands taking part in The Baby Show with Lidl GBThe buggy testing track in actionCredit: Supplied
The Lupilu Changing Area, proudly sponsored by Lidl GB, will allow visitors to try out award-winning nappies and wipes for free – and the brand was recently crowned the Best Family Brand in the 2024 Loved By Parents awards.
There’ll be complimentary baby food, provided by Lupilu, in The Baby Feeding Café as well as bottle-warmers and microwaves, and a private area for those who wish to breastfeed in private.
Mallory Reynolds-Trout, show manager at The Baby Show with Lidl GB says:
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“Last year we launched the show in Manchester to huge crowds of new and expectant parents who travelled far and wide to shop for their impending arrivals – showing a huge appetite for more.
“The Baby Show is the biggest parenting event in the country, and we’re thrilled that it was such a big success in 2023 and this year it’ll be even bigger.
“We’ll have a buggy testing track, a stage where visitors can listen to expert advice, a baby feeding café and over 250 exhibitors showcasing their latest products, along with some great offers.”
We have 100 pairs of complimentary tickets* to give away to the show. Use code “MANCSCOMP” to claim yours now.
Visitors can also add-on a Baby Show goody bag for only £6, containing goodies worth over £75. For more information, visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk/manchester.
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*T&Cs apply. A £2 transaction fee is applied to every order.
Featured image: Supplied
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Rochdale to be filled with fiery sculptures for return of dazzling Ignite Fire Festival
Daisy Jackson
A magical trail of fire sculptures and light installations will return to Rochdale this month, spilling across the square and gardens around the almighty Rochdale Town Hall.
Ignite Fire Festival will be back in town this winter between 21 and 23 November, for three free nights of spectacular shows, light trails and family-friendly entertainment.
That’s alongside an ice rink and Christmas market, too.
It’s all in the lead-up to the festive lights switch-on and will include a 20-strong drumming collective, blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
This year’s Ignite Fire Festival will be the biggest yet, Rochdale Borough Council has promised, with artworks created once again by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The event will kick off on the Friday of the festival with a torchlight procession to officially launch the new Broadfield Slopes, which has been carefully restored to deliver new pathways and parkland in the town centre.
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent and ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Rochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Walk the Plank / Alan Hamer
There‘ll also be hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.
Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village will also be open and running until 4 January, although advance booking is advised.
Councillor Sue Smith says: “Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas Light’s Switch On has been a huge hit with audiences across Greater Manchester.
“This year, with the addition of a new illuminated trail around our beautifully restored slopes area, the ice rink and the return of a Christmas Market it really will be the ultimate winter experience.”
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will open from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November, with dazzling shows between 5pm and 8pm.
One of the installations from last yearDisplays will be open to walk through each eveningRochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Andy KruczekExpect flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent.Credit: Rochdale Borough CouncilBack again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’. Credit: Supplied
Then there’ll be the Christmas lights switch-on taking place from 5.30pm on the Sunday, with Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The festival is also supported by The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes, who will have plant equipment at the event to inspire future careers in the construction industry and highlight opportunities available.
BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider is also supporting, and will have a presence at the festival.
Find out more about Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale HERE.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
Daisy Jackson
One of the coolest Christmas party venues in the UK will reopen its doors in Greater Manchester this winter, whisking you away for an apres-ski-inspired party.
All the vibes of a classic apres-ski experience will be brought to a pop-up Yurt Village, each one decorated with log fires, Christmas trees, ski racks, fur throws, and even cable cars.
Spending your Christmas ‘do at the YurtBar pop-up in Sale means you could have an evening packed with steins of beer, live music, and ski shots, surrounded by your loved ones (… or colleagues).
And to celebrate its triumphant return to Manchester, we’ve got a lovely 20% discount for The Manc readers – find out how to claim yours below.
Each yurt in the YurtBar’s pop-up village is a different size, so there’s the right event space for everything from a 350-strong private Christmas party to a table for six for a birthday night out.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
They’re all named after and inspired by iconic European ski resorts, like Chamonix, Val D’Isere, and Avoriaz.
On arrival at the festive Yurt Village you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink before tucking into an Alpine-themed three-course meal by The Hog and Apple.
That includes a festive arancini ‘snowball’, slow-cooked beef daube with mash, cabbage and a sticky bourguignon sauce, and an Alpine sharing board for dessert with a chocolate log, Aperol spritz cheesecake, and lemon posset pots.
And to get the party started there’s a full cocktail bar, plus live music with a DJ and saxophonist.
You’ll be able to document your festive celebration in a photobooth with an Alpine themed backdrop, as well as a 360 degree videobooth.
Billed by previous customers as ‘the best night of the year’, YurtBar bookings are now open for minimum tables of six.
The Manc readers can get an exclusive 20% off their booking by using the code yurtbar20 – book your party HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
4th June 2024 
