King Street Townhouse is far and away one of the best and most beautiful hotels in Manchester, and it gets even more magical at this time of year.
The boutique hotel in the heart of the city centre, right by Albert Square, has been decked out with twinkling lights and a huge tree ready for the festive season.
And there are loads of reasons to pop in to King Street Townhouse this winter, even if you’re not staying overnight in its stunning hotel rooms.
There’s a seasonal twist on its legendary afternoon tea, which features playful and nostalgic twists on classics like a Baileys eclair, a cranberry scone, and a spiced winter berry and white chocolate cake that’s topped with a tiny gingerbread man.
There’s also a festive high tea, which features mini turkey and cranberry burgers and sage, onion and chestnut sausage rolls.
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Festive afternoon tea at King Street TownhouseFestive fizz and bar snacks at King Street Townhouse
After work, you can pop in to King Street Townhouse to unwind with their festive cocktails and bar snacks, including classic winter drinks like mulled wine and hot toddys, but also a Mrs Claus (rose liqueur, Tanqueray gin, cranberry juice and milk), Campfire Mule (whiskey, lime, maple syrup and ginger beer) and Winter Wonder (vodka, apple juice, elderflower, egg white, cinnamon syrup and nutmeg).
And the hotel’s stunning rooftop South Terrace is open for drinks throughout November and December as it transforms into a Festive Cocktail Bar.
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There’ll be live music on 1, 8 and 15 December, with performances setting the soundtrack to your festive evening.
There’s a full winter lunch menu that’s perfect for work lunches or catching up with friends, featuring dishes like steak sandwiches, beef and bone marrow burgers, Caesar salads and brown crab hand-rolled cavatelli.
Food and drinks at the King Street Townhouse’s restaurant The Tavern
And for snacks while you’re enjoying the festive atmosphere, there are delights like Pollen sourdough and focaccia, savoury bread pudding with goat’s cheese, and Cobble Lane charcuterie.
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For the best celebration of the season, round up your loved ones for a night in the King Street Tavern, which has its classic British fare on offer with a little seasonal flare.
Hand raised game pie, stuffed cornfed chicken, and Lyme Park venison, plus a full grill menu and delicious desserts like carrot cake and a baked apple and almond tart.
To find out more and book your visit to King Street Townhouse this winter, head HERE.
Major Christmas lights switch-on event announced at Manchester’s iconic Printworks
Daisy Jackson
Printworks has announced details of a major Christmas lights switch-on event, with celebrity guest Will Mellor.
Set to be the biggest switch-on event in Manchester city centre, the celebration will include a festive singalong and live entertainment, plus a 16ft digital tree and plenty more.
And as part of the wider festive celebrations at Printworks, there’ll be 25 prizes to be won all the way through December, including hotel stays and other goodies from the businesses based in the landmark building.
The Printworks Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 29 November, kicking off at 4.30pm with a performance from the brilliant roaming brass band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Then there’ll be a family Christmas singalong at 5pm on Printworks’ interactive gaming screen, where Mancs can belt out classic Christmas hits together.
At 6pm, the almighty 16ft digital Christmas tree will be officially switched on by TV legend Will Mellor, along with a new festive display appearing overhead on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Printworks will host its Christmas Lights switch-on event in November. Credit: Jason Lock Photography
Expect to see Santa’s sleigh flying across the building, and Santa Claus himself pointing out passers-by and revealing if they’ve made the naughty or nice list.
The event will finish with a one-hour DJ set from Jack Clark to keep visitors in the festive spirit. Throughout December, visitors to Printworks can enter daily prize-draws at the digital Christmas tree, with big prizes up for grabs.
Daniel Davis, Centre Manager, said: “Families loved last year’s festive switch-on, which brought light to the city when the citywide celebration was cancelled. We’re thrilled to bring it back even bigger and brighter.
“With our incredible digital ceiling and new interactive features, we’re giving visitors a Christmas experience like no other full of music, magic and surprises.
“Our 16ft digital tree is something truly unique to Manchester, and with 25 prizes up for grabs throughout December, there’s a real reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re joining us for the switch-on or popping in for a festive meal or film, we can’t wait to celebrate with the community.”
The Christmas switch-on event at Printworks in Manchester
4.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
5pm – Family singalong
5.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
6pm – Christmas switch-on with Will Mellor
6.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
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.
Daisy Jackson -
25th November 2024 
