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Hundreds of sausage dogs will be taking over a cafe in Manchester this weekend

It'll be a sausage mad day.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 3rd March 2025

A pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of sausage dogs is coming back to Manchester this weekend.

Are you a big dachshund fan? Love seeing lots of little sausage dogs in the same place? Looking for your little pup to make some sausage friends? Well you’re in luck, as the Dachshund Pup Up Cafe is back in our city on Sunday.

Having already proved to be a smash-hit success in the years it’s visited Manchester since 2018, the dachshund pop up cafe – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – will be filling another popular city centre venue with so many sausage dogs.

Organisers are expecting more than 250 dachshunds to join in on the fun.

Dachshund Pup Up Cafe
Dachshund Pup Up Cafe
Hundreds of sausage dogs will be taking over a cafe in Manchester this weekend / Credit: The Pup Up Cafe

Sausage dogs and their owners are all invited to descend on Revolution Parsonage Gardens in the city centre from 10am, as organisers The Pup Up Cafe have managed to secure the whole venue the dogs to roam free and enjoy some wholesome fun in a safe space.

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Whether you own a sausage dog yourself or you’re simply just a dachshund fan, you’ll get the chance to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of activities, and stock up on dachshund-related goodies.

The pups themselves will get to enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos, and play to their heart’s content with other sausages.

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It sounds like it’s going to be a jam-packed day to remember, so luckily, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities throughout.

The Dachshund Pup Up Cafe will arrive in Manchester on Sunday 9 March from 10am-1:30pm, with different morning and afternoon sessions during the day, and pp to 50 sausage dogs allowed per session.

Fancy ‘a sausage mad day’ then? Tickets will set you back £10 if you’re a sausage dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dachshund fan who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.

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Read more:

Get your tickets here.

Featured Image – The Pup Up Cafe

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Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 - dates, locations, and essential information

Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.

Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.

There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.

There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.

When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?

This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.

Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.

Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.

Manchester Christmas Markets locations

What's new at the Manchester Christmas Markets for 2025?
Manchester Christmas Markets

There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.

Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.

St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.

The locations are:

  • Albert Square
  • Lincoln Square
  • King Street
  • St Ann’s Square
  • Corn Exchange
  • Exchange Street
  • New Cathedral Street
  • Market Street
  • Exchange Square
  • Cathedral Gardens

You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times

The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.

The only exceptions are as follows:

Albert Square

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Cathedral Gardens

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets

Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group

Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.

The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.

Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.

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Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets

As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.

There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.

Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.

See more on the Bee Network website HERE.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Outside the Palace Theatre Manchester

Every now and then you experience a bit of a full circle moment… and for me, this was one of them.

Back in 2011, when I was a dance-obsessed 14-year-old, taking and assisting classes countless times a week, I became enamoured by a BBC documentary series called Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet. As one of the country’s premier ballet companies – celebrating its 60th anniversary at the time of the documentary – ENB allowed cameras behind the scenes, from the rehearsal room to backstage, giving audiences a previously unseen inside look on what it takes to stage some of the most spectacular productions your eyes will ever meet.

One of the ballets being staged in the year the BBC followed the company was Romeo & Juliet.

Based on a story known around the world and with an unmistakable score by Prokofiev, it’s a ballet I was already fond of prior to the documentary, but seeing the work that went into making the show a reality, up close like never before, it turned into one of my favourites.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several different dance stagings of Romeo & Juliet – but last night, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, was the first time I got to sit in the audience and see English National Ballet’s production live with my own eyes.

And it was just as magical as I was hoping it would be.

ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Laurent Liotardo

Right off the bat, I’m just going to presume you already have somewhat of a grasp on the story of Romeo & Juliet, right? Given the fact it’s arguably Shakespeare’s most famous work and one of the most iconic plays of all time.

And you’ll be pleased to know, even if you’re not seasoned in watching ballet, that the story we all know and love remains largely intact for this production, therefore making it easy for audiences of all ages and interests to follow along and admire.

The two title characters, the star-crossed lovers themselves, were embodied expertly by Rentaro Nakaaki and Julia Conway as Romeo and Juliet, who had the audience captivated from the second they entered the stage – with undeniable chemistry and enviable technique.

Fabian Reimair took on the role of Tybalt with ease, Noam Durand was Mercutio, and Rodrigo Pinto was Benvolio, all while Elvis Nudo and Minju Kang stepped into the shoes of Paris and Rosaline.

But the lead roles are nothing without the wider cast of supporting dancers and character actors, who really help transport you to 14th century Verona and help bring the authenticity a production as epic as this requires.

The world’s most famous story has been expertly reimagined / Credit: Bill Cooper | Laurent Liotardo

Aside from the dancing, it would be remiss not to praise the expert sets and costuming here from Ezio Frigero and Franca Squarciapino.

And I suppose I should also give a shoutout to little-known name, Rudolf Nureyev, who choreographed this version of Romeo & Juliet all the way back in 1977. Something tells me he would’ve had a great career… I could be wrong, though.

Romeo & Juliet really is one of the most tragic love stories of all time, and the power of that is not lost through dance. It’s still as raw and heartbreaking in this production as it always is.

And that is truly a credit to every single person forming part of it – both on the stage and off.

Read more:

ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre until Sunday 25 October, and you can book your last-minute tickets here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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