A whole host of festive events and food offers are taking over the Printworks this Christmas, and families are being encouraged to make the most of it.
With the Christmas season officially here, and the big day itself fast approaching, there’s still time to escape the chilly weather outside by getting yourself down to Manchester‘s landmark entertainment complex in the heart of the city centre for all sorts of festive fun.
There’s lots of indulgent festive food offers to take advantage of, as well as a handful of special discounted events packages.
Already proving to be proper success though is the venue’s pop-up Santa’s Grotto.
Held in partnership with the Once Upon a Smile charity, free to attend, and now open from 10am-12pm on Saturday 17, Sunday 18, and Wednesday 21 December, families can swap their Santa hats for sombreros at Chiquito and pay a visit Father Christmas and his favourite elf in a pop-up traditional grotto that’s been festooned in Christmas garlands, decorations, and a dash of faux snow.
ADVERTISEMENT
While little ones are queuing, there will also be an opportunity to write their letters to Santa and post them in the special letterbox that goes straight to the North Pole.
There’s a pop-up Santa’s grotto inside Chiquito at Printworks Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Printworks
Elsewhere at the venue, for those who fancy spending a bit more time with Santa before Christmas Day, then you can head over to Hard Rock Café for a special breakfast with the big man himself in what is always a hugely-popular event
ADVERTISEMENT
Families can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast along with festive fun and games from 8:30am-10:30am on 17, 18, and 24 December.
If it’s a cosy movie night that you’re after, then head over to Vue for festive showings of some Christmas movie classics, as the cinema will be screening family favourites like Home Alone, Elf, Muppets Christmas Carol, and The Grinch.
Or if it’s a panto you prefer, Vue Cinema will also be showing some theatrical performances on the big screen, including popular shows like Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story, and CBeebies Panto: Dick Whittington and His Cat.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s also a whole host of festive feasting offers to make the most of / Credit: Printworks
Treetop Adventure Golf is also an ideal place to hit up if you’re looking to enjoy a day of rocking around the tropical mini golf course with all kinds of delicious festive food and drink.
Speaking of food and drink, there’s a wide range of restaurants inside Printworks that are ready to cater to each families’ festive feasting needs.
Frankie and Benny’s is accepting bookings for family Christmas parties and will be serving up a Christmas special kids’ menu, including an Elf on a Shelf burger, and a Jack Frost Christmas Tree for dessert.
Nandos is bringing the festive cheer to families with new limited-edition flavours like the all-new maple and orange spice, PERi-PERi Chicken gravy, and Macho sprouts.
A range of discount event packages are also on offer / Credit: Printworks
Yates has a new set Christmas menu for adults and a festive kids menu filled with classic dishes starting at £7.49 per child, while O’Neill’s is also cheffing up a Christmas party menu and festive buffet menu filled with all sorts of bite-sized delights.
ADVERTISEMENT
Planning a big festive get-together this month?
You’ll be able to make it hassle-free by enjoying a festive buffet Menu at Walkabout – with meals starting from just £9.99 per person and available in Gold, Silver, and vegan packages.
Find out more about everything happening at Printworks Manchester this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Printworks
What's On
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review
Emily Sergeant
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.
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
What's On
Manchester’s smash-hit Pitbull 5km run is back in town this week
Daisy Jackson
A 5km running event where participants dress up as Pitbull is returning to Manchester this week.
Runners will be donning bald caps, drawing on goatees, and shrugging on their suit jackets as they hit the streets for a very silly run.
The Pitbull Party Run has been organised again this year by Slow Run Club, and Run the Street MCR, who’ll be spurring runners on with plenty of daftness inspired by the man himself.
It’s part of a series of shakeout events taking place all week before the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness.
The 5km shake-out run will be soundtracked by non-stop Pitbull party anthems from warm-up all the way through the run to the cool-down.
Last year’s event proved to be a massive hit and had dozens of Pitbull look-a-likes running through the streets – so now they’re hoping to make it even bigger for this year.
Runners will meet outside The Tap House in Circle Square from 6.30pm for a warm-up, ready to run from 7pm.
And all participants will get a free Lucky Saint beer to celebrate finishing the race.
24-Hour Run founder Thomas Lewis said: “We’ve got a great programme of events lined up across Greater Manchester.
“These shakeout events are all about bringing local running communities together while spreading the word about the 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness in November.
“The Pitbull party run got a great reception last year, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with Run The Streets MCR and Slow Run Club to put on this event again.”
The Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness is a charity relay challenge that invites runners of all abilities to take part in a continuous 24-hour relay made up of a 5km loop repeated throughout the 24 hours.
Runners can join for as little or as much as they like, whether it’s one lap or 20. The event takes place from midday on Wednesday 11 November to midday Thursday 12 November.
The 24-Hour Run supports the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night scheme, and last year saw cumulative distance of over 16,000 km covered and raised over £70,000 for the charity.
Tickets for the Pitbull Party Run are £3, which all goes to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to support The Manchester 24 Hour Run’s goal of £100,000.
Emily Sergeant -
15th December 2022 
