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Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 FREE shows and hundreds of performers

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 30th October 2025

Things are getting all festive in Stockport as more than 50 free shows and hundreds of performers prepare to descend the town centre.

Back by popular demand to kick off Christmas in style, especially after the inaugural event resulted in the busiest Sunday for the Greater Manchester town’s centre since 2019, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning next month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.

Hundreds of captivating performers will take over Stockport for the day, with another new lineup for 2025 promising something for the whole family.

Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 free shows and hundreds of performers / Credit: Supplied

Think a giant carnival bee, stilt-walking Christmas Belles, comedy chefs, bouncing snowmen, cocky robins, roaming bands, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.

Produced by renowned carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway, and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement from midday right through to 5pm, as performers take over iconic Stockport locations.

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Head to Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock, and Suffragette Square to make the most of all the festive fun.

Spectacular Sunday always marks the start of Stockport’s festive season, and 2025 is no different.

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“Stockport likes to do Christmas in its own way, and our Spectacular Sunday event is about filling the town with energy, music and performance and giving visitors something unexpected at every turn,” explained Totally Stockport CEO, Mark Ross.

“It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the independent spirit that makes Stockport what it is.

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“This event shows how we kick off the festive season in a way that’s truly unique to our town, and we can’t wait to see everyone back this November.”

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Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday 2025 is taking over the town centre next month on Sunday 16 November from 12pm onwards.

Featured Image – Supplied

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Lily Allen to play smash-hit new album in full on first tour in seven years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lily Allen playing nwe album West End Girl in full UK tour Manchester gig tickets

Lily Allen has returned with one of the best comeback albums the British music scene has witnessed in decades, and it’s been received so well that she’s set to play the record IN FULL on a new tour – her first in more than seven years – and, yes, she’s coming to Manchester.

The noughties popstar and daughter of fellow musician and actor, Keith Allen, isn’t just having a renaissance, the 40-year-old singer-songwriter is now riding arguably one of the biggest waves of popularity in her career following the release of her fifth studio LP.

West End Girl, released earlier this month, has not only gone down a treat with die-hard Lily Allen listeners but has earned her plenty of new fans too, as well as winning over numerous critics.

Notching multiple five-star reviews, a shout for album of the year from Variety, and even being labelled “one for the history books” by the BBC, the demand to see her back on the road was ready and waiting, and now the genre-hopping Hammersmith heroine is giving the people what they want.

Without giving too much away for those who haven’t listened to it yet, the deeply honest and no-holds-barred material dives into her divorce from ex-husband, David Harbour, of Stranger Things and Thunderbolts* fame.

Leaving no stone unturned, it’s a deeply personal, scorched-earth kind of album that has resonated with a lot of people, it seems.

We’re not going to say any more than that; just strap in, give it a go and thank us later. You can see the full list of her newly announced domestic tour dates, where she’ll be playing West End Girl in its entirety, down below.

Lily Allen UK live tour dates

March 2026

  • 2/3         Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
  • 3/3          Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
  • 5/3          Birmingham Symphony Hall
  • 7/3          Sheffield City Hall
  • 8/3          Newcastle City Hall
  • 10/3        Manchester Aviva Studios, The Hall
  • 11/3         Manchester Aviva Studios, The Hall
  • 14/3         Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
  • 15/3         Cambridge Corn Exchange
  • 17/3        Bristol Beacon
  • 18/3        Cardiff New Theatre
  • 20/3        London Palladium
  • 21/3        London Palladium

Here’s a little taste of just one of the tracks from the acclaimed new album, which is already being heralded as her best to date.

Honestly, there’s plenty more where that came from…

If you’re looking to hear the explosive 14-track diatribe from start to finish in person, she’ll be playing not just one but two nights at the Factory International’s Aviva Studios.

Tickets for all Lily Allen live tour dates, including her Manchester shows next spring, go live on Friday, 7 November from 10am – and given the reaction to the album itself, you can bank on them selling out fast.

You can get ready to grab yours right HERE.

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Featured Images — Charlie Denis/press shots (supplied)

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Festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Are you a dog person? Love seeing lots of little pups in the same place? Looking for your dog to make some four-legged friends?

Well you’re in luck, as the Pup Up Cafe is heading back out on a tour of the UK next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t already flipping cute enough as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your fur baby.

If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then both the ‘Jingle Paws’ all-breeds and dedicated ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafes – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – are returning to Manchester in late November.

The adorable events will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

A festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied

Last year, hundreds of different dogs visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.

Whether you’re a dog owner yourself, or just a big fan, everyone’s free to attend to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on canine-related goodies as early Christmas presents.

There’ll be ball pits, toys, and tunnels for all the zoomies, while the pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos.

With up to 50 dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.

A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.

So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 23 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dog person who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.

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The party is happening from 10am-1:30pm, with different morning and afternoon sessions happening all throughout the day.

Grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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