One of Manchester’s most iconic charities is bringing back its most iconic fundraising challenge.
After We Love MCR Charity went on to make history back in 2021 with what was the first – and what it thought at the time was “probably the last” – firewalk on St Peter’s Square in the heart of Manchester city centre, the organisation has now confirmed its bringing the “one-of-a-kind” event back for more in just a couple of months time.
After all, when more than £15,000 was raised for the charity’s vital work supporting Manchester communities last year, then why not go for round two?
ANNOUNCEMENT 📢
The #WeLoveMCR Sponsored Firewalk returns! Join 100 brave 'soles' on 700 degree coals & fundraise for #Manchester causes in this one-of-a-kind event! 🔥🔥🔥
📌 historic St. Peter's Square 📅 Thursday November 2nd 🎟️ REGISTRATION OPEN 👇 https://t.co/616xJ58mfP
And if having 50 “brave soles” walk over 700-degree hot coals with dozens of spectators cheering them on wasn’t impressive enough last time round, this year, the We Love MCR Sponsored Firewalk is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
That’s because the charity‘s upping the stakes by putting on not one, but two, lanes of fire for walkers to conquer – if they’re brave enough, that is.
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A ‘one-of-a-kind’ charity firewalk event is return to Manchester city centre / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
Part of an ongoing series of ‘mind-over-matter’ challenges, this isn’t the first time We Love MCR Charity has turned heads and raised eyebrows with its fundraising missions as of late, as over the last 18 months, the charity has persuaded hundreds to complete Manchester’s longest-ever abseil off a 22-storey tower block, and even take an ice-cold dip in Sale Water Park.
With the Firewalk set to make its grand return to the city centre on Thursday 2 November, Mancs are now being encouraged to, quite literally, “step out of their comfort zone” and onto hot coals, as sign-ups are now open.
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With specialist training provided for all participants, just like last year, places for this exclusive event are limited to 100 sign-ups on a ‘first-come first-serve’ basis, with a 16+ age limit, and an entry fee of £20 to cover expert provider costs.
Firewalkers are also asked to set a minimum sponsorship target of £200.
Daredevil Mancs are “brave soles” are being encouraged to sign up / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
“I wasn’t quite sure what I was letting myself in for,” admitted 2021’s top firewalking fundraiser, Ruth Denton, “But I can honestly say the We Love MCR Firewalk has been one of the best things I’ve done in a long time and I’d encourage anyone looking for a challenge to sign up.
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“It’s amazing to think I’ve raised so much money for such an amazing charity, and I have witnessed first-hand the amazing work We Love MCR does.”
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 17 – 23 November 2025
Emily Sergeant
November is passing us by faster than we’d like, so I guess that’s why they say time flies when you’re having fun, right?
Greater Manchester is looking as festive as ever now, as there’s now dozens of light trails, and Christmas events to be getting involved with, not to mention the iconic Manchester Christmas Markets have kicked off for 2025 too, so there’s loads to do throughout our region this week.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2025
Manchester City Centre
Monday 17 November – onwards
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s that time of year once again… Manchester Christmas Markets are here for 2025.
The iconic annual event is an absolute staple in Manchester’s festive events calendar, and always draws in thousands of visitors from all across the globe – with hundreds of stalls across several sites now lining the streets of our city this year.
Visitors can tuck into a wide range of festive foods and drinks, and shop for Christmas gifts from countless independent traders.
Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 here, and check out the full round-up of drinks prices from all the traders here.
A magical illuminated trail will make its return to the historic Dunham Massey this winter, once again filling the grounds with twinkling lights and dazzling installations.
Christmas at Dunham Massey has become one of the North West’s most popular festive light trails, created by award-winning light trail producers, and for 2025, there’ll be a whole host of brand-new installations to see.
Visitors will get to walk through multicoloured landscapes of laser beams, while a projection on the facade of the historic house at Dunham Massey will narrate festive stories.
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2025, ready for families, friends, and festive fun seekers to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas, Skate Manchester is festive staple in Cathedral Gardens, and skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.
This year, there’s also a giant turbine by Octopus Energy that’s partially-powering the rink too, and you can skate around it while enjoying the ski scene in the globe.
Yuletide at Tatton Park / Credit: Tatton Park / Emma Croman
One of winter’s top events, Yuletide, is returning to Tatton Park Gardens this weekend.
The magical winter adventure will once again bring a glittering light trail and theatrical, immersive performance to the famous beauty spot.
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This unique fusion of Christmas light trail and winter family festival is now in its third year, and will debut brand-new features and performances for 2025. As visitors wander the Yuletide event, they’ll be treated to everything from sparkling light installations to impressive fire juggling shows.
Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World / Credit: The Manc Group
The magical Land of Lights has returned to Gulliver’s World once again.
After proving to be a huge success the past two years, the one-mile trail showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, creating a wondrous, wild, and magical atmosphere that’s suitable for all ages, and this year, there’s even some new additions.
Ready to skate around Cheshire Oaks this Christmas?
That’s right, back by popular demand, the Winter Village is officially open at Cheshire Oaks for another year, and the newest addition this season is the HUGE ice rink.
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You can skate inside under twinkling lights, or head outside and whizz around the lit-up oak tree, with brilliant views of the big wheel – the perfect photo opportunity. Whether you’re a first-timer, or a seasoned pro, everyone is welcome on the ice.
Christmas has taken over Freight Island, as Winter Island and Twilight Tales open for the festive season.
Twilight Tales is a brand-new outdoor immersive light and story experience, with interactive installations, marshmallow toasting, a Moth Drinks bar, and more.
While Winter Island has returned for another year, bringing you the most delicious festive comfort food from traders like Nell’s, Ornella’s Kitchen, the all-new V. Goode Pies, and Oh My Cheesecake to finsih things off and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Believe! The Polar Express Experience has landed in Manchester.
Having taken over Victoria Warehouse, this is an immersive walk-through experience, inspired by the timeless Christmas classic. You’ll be taken through the story in its entirety, stepping into the Polar Express carriage as a passenger and arriving to a festive Northern Lights display at your final destination – the North Pole, of course.
Photo opportunities are available throughout the experience too… yep, even with the big guy himself, so make sure to get snapping.
Put Big Light On Festival / Credit: Joel Chester Fildes (via Bolton Council)
Bolton’s festival full of fantastic immersive light art installations is back by popular demand and set to shine on the town centre this week.
Curated by artistic events company, Things That Go On Things, Put Big Light On Festival is returning for another year of festive magic, and there’s some huge and impressive art installations set to descend on the Greater Manchester town’s centre.
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This year’s lineup will feature magical creations from a diverse range of artists.
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is returning to Manchester this weekend.
Manchester Art Fair will transform Manchester Central into the North’s biggest art gallery, and more than 180 individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces will be joining together under one roof along with around 11,000 art lovers.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists in a bid to find that perfect piece to take home.
This year’s event also features an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too, so there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
Ignite Fire Festival / Credit: Andy Kruczek & Rochdale Borough Council
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 Fire Festival is back in Rochdale this weekend for three nights of spectacular shows, light trails, and family-friendly entertainment.
Rochdale Borough Council has promised that this year’s Ignite Fire Festival will be the biggest yet, with a 20-strong drumming collective, blazing fire sculptures, illuminated installations, and with artworks created, once again, by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The event will kick off with a torchlight procession to officially launch the new Broadfield Slopes, which have been carefully restored to deliver new pathways and parkland in the town centre.
Find out more about this jaw-dropping festival here.
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Northern Lights
Heaton Park
Thursday 20 November – 31 December
Northern Lights / Credit: Supplied
Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails makes its Manchester debut.
Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot – descends on our city’s largest park this week, and brings its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere along with it.
The mile-long route will feature 16 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.
The Grotto is returning to the Trafford Centre for the festive season this week.
This year, the shopping centre is taking things up a notch too, as The Grotto is described as being a ‘joyful’ and ‘interactive’ adventure where you’ll become part of a magical mission – saving Christmas cheer.
To make the experience accessible to all, specially-tailored Whispering Winter sessions with softer lighting, quieter music, and fewer visitors will create a calm and inclusive environment for every child to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
East Lancashire Railway’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas.
Running right through until Christmas Eve, ELR’s ‘Santa Specials’ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make “enchanted memories” that last a lifetime.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West, and there’s still some tickets left available.
Emily Sergeant -
6th September 2023 
