The city’s first dedicated Ice Curling Rink is arriving at Manchester’s newest social experience Escape to Freight Island at Depot Mayfield next month.
Escape to Freight Island is “so excited” to announce this morning that ‘Ice Curling Lanes’ will be arriving at the brand new Winter Island in just two weeks time, and it’s set to be Manchester’s first dedicated ice curling rink in the heart of the city centre, so if you’re looking for something a little different to do this winter, this’s surely got you covered.
Opening 12th November through to 23rd December, Winter Island Curling Lanes will be open Wednesday to Sunday, with sessions lasting 50 minutes.
There will be a number of COVID-secure procedures in place, including all lanes separated and socially-distanced – with a maximum of six people from one household/bubble only – and curling stones being thoroughly sanitised after each use, so you can “unleash your inner tiger”.
Prior curling experience is not required, but spikes and brushes will be provided, so you just need to bring the will to win.
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We’re so excited to launch Winter Island Curling on 12th Nov! Lanes are open Wed through to Sun & bookings last 50 mins.
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Winter Island will be the UK’s largest fully-outdoor, heated winter seated market and it arrives at Escape to Freight Island on Thursday 12th November.
It will take over the outdoor space of Platform 15 – where more than 80,000 people have visited safely since it opened in July – and it adds to the site’s recently-announced Ticket Hall annex, which has been the much-anticipated second phase for the outdoor food market and entertainment space, and is heralded as a carefully-planned and exciting expansion towards the “true vision” of what is fast becoming the most talked about and innovative venue in the UK.
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The industrial space we all associate with Depot Mayfield has been filled with buzzing bars and restaurants.
And, for the festive season, a 45ft Christmas tree will be installed as the centrepiece, there’ll be a Christmas light projection in the circle area of Winter Island, and a very special installation feature by Lightopia – the stunning light festival from Heaton Park – will extend into Escape To Freight Island for a one off collaboration.
The installation of a new 1500 sqft heated Garden Tent at Winter Island also means you can sit underneath a picture-perfect festive setting.
The Safe + Social Manifesto means ‘Winter Island’ at Escape to Freight Island has been designed as a space where you are able to socialise safely with your party, maintain social distance from others, and remain alert to the risks of coronavirus (COVID-19), while being part of the overall urban festival atmosphere.
You can find more information about Winter Island and book your tickets in advance via the Escape to Freight Island website here.
‘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.
Why Big Santa WON’T be in Manchester when the Christmas Markets open this week
Daisy Jackson
The sheds have taken over the city centre already, with the huge Christmas Markets officially opening on Friday 8 November.
A big character during the festive season in Manchester is, of course, our light-up Big Santa.
He’s taken on a few different forms over the years, from the huge inflatable character who used to scale the Manchester Town Hall to the piercing gaze of the city’s legendary ‘Zippy’.
The newest Big Santa is a large fella sitting on a big present, sporting a white handlebar moustache and holding a Manchester bee in his hand.
Over the years, this festive figure has been joined by several other glowing installations, like twinkling baubles you can walk through and huge stars.
And when the markets were held at Albert Square, they normally opened with Big Santa proudly already in position.
But this year the arrival of the Manchester Christmas Markets doesn’t mean the start of the festive light trail, or the return of Big Santa – so don’t go looking for him on Friday.
That’s because he won’t be installed on his perch at St Peter’s Square until after Remembrance Sunday, with a poignant service being held at the Cenotaph in the square next weekend.
Big Santa won’t be there when the Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday. Credit: The Manc Group
Father Christmas will be installed at St Peter’s Square in the days after Remembrance Sunday.
Speaking of the Manchester Christmas Markets, councillor Pat Karney said: “Nowhere does Christmas quite like Manchester and with more than a quarter of a century of our world-famous legendary Christmas markets under our belts, we reckon we’ve got everyone’s Christmas wrapped.
“The number of people who’ve visited our markets over the years must be well over the fifty million mark by now and twenty-six years on from our first-ever Christmas Market in 1998 we regularly attract visitors from around the globe.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back again to Santa’s favourite city to enjoy the markets and share in all the festive fun. Grab some tinsel, find a friend or round up the family, and come and join us!”
The Manchester Christmas Markets open on Friday 8 November and close on Sunday 22 December, with Big Santa arriving in mid-November.
Emily Sergeant -
30th October 2020 
