There’s loads of festive film favourites showing at Manchester‘s huge new rooftop cinema right through until Christmas.
In case you haven’t heard, Backyard Cinema has brought its immersive moviegoing experience to the north for the first time ever, and it arrived on the rooftop of Depot Mayfield in the heart of the city centre at the end of last month
Here in Manchester for a limited time only, the impressive 330-capacity indoor cinema venue not only features a cosy purpose-built cinema room, but it also comes complete with an Enchanted Forest, two bars, a whole host of different street food trucks, and even a live music stage too.
Having popped-up on what was the 150-year-old former Mayfield Railway Station platform, the whole magical Backyard Cinema experience transports you to a theatrical land – using film sets, themed tunnels, and live actors to bring it all to life.
Manchester’s huge new rooftop cinema is showing loads of festive film favourites / Credit: Backyard Cinema
The station’s old waiting room has been converted into a pizza and pints bar, while a huge fairytale-style shopping street now takes up most of the platform space with snow-covered shop windows, and a Tavern bar with a castle turret jutting out of it – including Dr Portelli’s Antiques and Curiosities, which is a mock-shop filled with colourful glass bottles and trinkets.
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Inside the cinema itself, audiences are taken on a magical journey to a cinema like no other.
The cinema room is filled with custom-made giant bean bag seating for guests to get cosied up in, and there’s even ushers walking around serving seasonal cocktails and sweet treats to create the most magical place to watch a movie.
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If all of this didn’t sound exciting enough as it is, there’s of course a full lineup on the agenda to suit absolutely everyone.
Backyard Cinema has brought its immersive moviegoing experience to the north for the first time ever / Credit: Supplied
Movie lovers have already been able to catch a series of brand-new releases, including the acclaimed Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks (2022), the new Top Gun: Maverick (2022), and The Batman (2022) – but, with the festive season right around the corner, the cinema has now begun showing everyone’s favourite classic Christmas films.
During these last few weeks of November and throughout December, you can settle down to watch screenings of cult-classic Christmas films like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th Street.
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Die Hard, The Grinch, Gremlins, Bad Santa, The Best Man Holiday, and The Greatest Showman are also all on the agenda during the festive season.
Backyard Cinema Manchester at Depot Mayfield is open every right through until 2 January 2023, with screening times at 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm – although these will vary depending on the day.
‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
The magnificent grounds of Tatton Park will be transformed into a ‘glittering winter adventure’ this festive season.
With spooky season now a thing of the past, and Christmas merely a few weeks away, families will soon be whisked away into a world of folklore, enchantment, and enthralling performances as they enter the gardens of the stunning Tatton Park in Cheshire for an immersive, festival-like experience known as Yuletide.
Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a “truly magical experience” where folklore stories come to life through storytelling and live music.
A ‘glittering winter adventure’ is set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
All set to transport visitors right into the heart of Yuletide tales, the exciting new event – which opens next weekend, and runs through until late December – is produced by Wild Rumpus, who you may know for other magical local events such as ‘The Lanterns’ at Chester Zoo (2018-2022) and Just So Festival.
The highlight of this new event has to be The Glittering Trail, where beautifully-illuminated puppets and performers bring legendary stories of Yuletide to life as visitors wander through the park’s popular Japanese Gardens and make the most of the stunning winter landscape.
Families can gather around an open fire to toast marshmallows, all while they watch live performances that add even more magic to the evening.
Yuletide will be running at Tatton Park on selected dates from Saturday 16 November through to Monday 23 December, and tickets are on sale now – with adult tickets costing £20, children paying just £12 each, and free personal assistant passes are also available.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Daisy Jackson
Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama.
The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.
Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop.
Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students.
There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.
With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers.
All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide.
A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity.
Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied
“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”
The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces.
The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
21st November 2022 
