Selfridges is to pull out all the stops once again this Mother’s Day, with a bumper programme of events to celebrate the most important women in our lives.
The huge retailer will run a series of workshops, pop-ups and experiences across both its sites in Manchester.
Visitors to the luxury department store in either Exchange Square or at the Trafford Centre will be able to book in for beauty masterclasses, join art workshops (with a mimosa in hand, naturally), and browse the beautiful blooms in the pop-up Frog Flowers.
There’s even an experience geared specifically towards new mums, offering a day of pampering as well as the chance to buy something special for the new arrival.
All weekend at Selfridges Trafford there’ll be DJs performing to shoppers, with someone on the decks between 12pm and 5pm.
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Mother’s Day falls this year on Sunday 19 March, but the events at both Selfridges sites in Greater Manchester will run from 15 March until the day itself.
Your full guide to Mother’s Day events at Selfridges
Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square
Frog Flowers pop-up – 15-19 March
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The Northern Quarter’s renowned Frog Flowers will be hosting a pop-up space on the ground floor of Selfridges, where shoppers can pick up beautiful Mother’s Day blooms.
The floristry studio also has a permanent presence over at Selfridges Trafford.
Mother’s Day Beauty Workshop Series – 15-18 March
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The beauty area on the lower ground floor is set to host loads of beauty and fragrance workshops from some of the world’s best-loved brands.
On 15 March, heritage brand Penhaligon’s will hold a beauty workshop (£20 tickets are redeemable against a purchase on the day), at both 12pm and 5pm – you can call 0161 838 0606 to book in.
Then La Prairie will host a caviar discovery masterclass, where guests can experience the brand’s iconic Skin Caviar Collection and learn about the benefits powered by Swiss skincare science. These will take place at 11am and 5pm on Thursday 16 March, with £25 tickets – call 07741130653, or email [email protected] to book.
It’s over to Armani on Friday 17 February, with three Spring Glow masterclasses planned to introduce the brand’s new My Way Parfum. The fashion and beauty giant will showcase a fresh, glowing spring look, created using its Armani glow products and brand new eye tints, and inspired by the bottle. Tickets are £10 for 12.30pm, 4.30pm and 6pm masterclasses, redeemable against products – call 0161 838 0613 to book.
On Saturday 18 March at 12pm and 4pm, Dior city artist Vicky O’Connor will host a masterclass showcasing the new Dior collection, creating a soft everyday look, along with a fragrance experience to celebrate Mother’s Day. Tickets are £35, again fully redeemable against products purchased on the day – call 0161 838 0636, or email [email protected] to book now.
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You can see more and book the events at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square here.
Selfridges Manchester Trafford
Mother’s Day Beauty Workshop Series – 15-18 March
Estee Lauder will kick things off in Trafford on Wednesday 15 March with a masterclass that will showcase their new lip collection, teaching ticket-holders how to create the perfect pout. Guests can also expect a tailored interactive foundation match, and find their perfect skincare recommendation. Tickets are £15 for 2pm and 4pm events – call 0161 629 1182 to book.
Showcasing their La Privee collection with a journey into the La Colle Noir will be Dior’s experience on Thursday 16 March at 4pm and 7pm. Guests can expect an interactive sensory experience into Dior fragrance, with a blind smell experience of the raw ingredients and flowers, hosted by Dior’s regional MUA Martin Aitken. Tickets are £30 and can be booked by calling 0161 629 1182.
Skincare legends Keihl’s will be teaching people all about their natural and effective formulas of cult products like Midnight Recovery and Super Multi Corrective collection – tickets are £10 (fully redeemable against Keihl’s products) and can be booked by calling 0161 629 1146.
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Mother’s Day Brunch and art workshop – 18-19 March
A series of art-filled brunches will take place on the upper level of Selfridges Trafford – guests will begin with a mimosa or prosecco before letting their creativity run free with art workshops.
These will take place between 10.30am and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday (anyone coming on Sunday will need to wait outside the customer entrance on Regents Crescent, Upper Level, as the store won’t actually be open yet). Tickets for that are £25.
You can see more and book the events at Selfridges Trafford here.
New Mum experience
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New mums can be pampered in the perfect way with Selfridges’ concierge services.
The £135 new mum experience includes a personalised blow-dry in your preferred style at Aveda, a luxurious facial by the experts at Dermalogica, and a one-on-one consultation with a children’s brand specialist and £50 gift card.
Mother’s Day beauty looks
Available at both stores is The Mum and Me beauty concierge package.
Over the course of 90 minutes, you can have an extra special makeover for you and your mum.
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season
Emily Sergeant
Father Christmas will be paying a very special visit to one of Manchester’s best tourist attractions this festive season.
And you can now book tickets to take the little ones to meet him.
Now that Halloween has passed and November is here, things are really starting to get all festive across Manchester – especially with the Manchester Christmas Markets and Skate Manchester opening from this Friday – so it really won’t be long before Santa sets off on his present delivery rounds. But before then, he’ll be making a special stop in our city first.
That’s because the Science and Industry Museum is inviting you to meet Father Christmas in the atmospheric surroundings of Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery.
Starting later this month from Saturday 21 November and running on selected dates throughout December, this is your chance to meet the main man himself and his friendly elves in one of the most unique settings in the city – set against a backdrop of iconic locomotives and historic engines.
Formerly a shipping shed for the world’s first inter-city steam-powered passenger railway, Power Hall will once again become a hub for deliveries – only this time, for Father Christmas’ presents.
Visitors will get to explore Power Hall and discover the story of the packages and goods that used to arrive there, before making their way up the platform to meet the big red man and receive a special science-themed gift.
Not only that, but on two special dates – Saturday 21 November and Wednesday 23 December – visitors will be invited to enjoy even more Christmas cheer, as the museum welcomes classic Victorian-costumed carol singers to add to the magical atmosphere.
You can meet Father Christmas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum this festive season / Credit: Science Museum Group
A number of accessible events will also be running, including BSL supported sessions on the afternoon of Saturday 12 December, and relaxed performances to accommodate a quieter experience and slightly longer time with Father Christmas on both Sunday 29 November and Friday 18 December.
If you want to make a day of it, you’ll also be able to explore the rest of the museum’s free interactive galleries and displays as part of your visit, tuck into some festive food in the museum cafe, and pick up discounted souvenirs in the gift shop before you leave.
Tickets for the Father Christmas at the Museum experience are now on sale, setting you back £15 per child (including a gift) – with accompanying adults going free.
Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire Festival
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The run up to Christmas is officially here – deck the halls, dig out your gloves, and get yourself across to Rochdale for a free, festive, family-friendly evening.
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by The Trade Centre UK, is set to once again light the way towards Christmas, together with the festive lights switch-on, this November.
Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising the best year yet with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
The gardens and square surrounding the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, as well as the parkland and walkways on Broadfield slopes, are all preparing to be transformed into a vision of festive light and colour.
However, this year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising night time-trail, ‘BODY.’ This multi-sensory and immersive trail will transport visitors on an educational but exciting journey, through the six zones of the human body.
Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet, led by the award-winning, worldwide outdoor art sensation – Walk the Plank.
The Fire Garden is also a must-visit during the festival, illuminating the slopes and gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall with intricate, hand-crafted fire sculptures and pyrotechnics.
‘BODY’ is a new installation at Ignite Fire Festival in RochdaleIgnite Fire Festival returns this winter
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes fire shows and flaming hot circus performances from some of the north’s top talent, alongside ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Then there is the ultimate Christmas activation – Santa’s coming to town.
On Sunday 22 November, Father Christmas and his helpers, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Faisal Rana, are paying us a visit to officially switch on the festive lights in front of the town hall at 5.30pm.
Not forgetting the fabulous, flame-cooked, hot food available each night of the festival, accompanied by warming mulled wine and other seasonal beverages, facilitating the full seasonal experience.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Ignite Fire Festival has become a real success story for the borough, drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
“This 2026 line-up will build on that success with new attractions, creative performances and family-friendly experiences. It will be a fantastic celebration for residents and visitors alike, setting the stage perfectly for our Christmas lights switch-on.”
Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said they are delighted to be returning to Rochdale, stating: “The Body is unlike anything we’ve brought to Ignite before. An immersive fire and light experience that combines art, science and creativity to help people discover the incredible human body in a fun and engaging way.
“Set against the stunning backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall Square and gardens, it promises to be one of our most exciting attractions yet. Even if you’ve visited Ignite before, this year’s festival will feel completely new.”
This festival is made possible by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op.
Ignite is a free festival that will be running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.
Click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival, in Rochdale.
Daisy Jackson -
15th March 2023 
