The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 12 – 18 December 2022
We’re well into December now, and we just can’t get over how festive everything feels across Greater Manchester.
With Christmas cheer having now been firmly spread right across the region, and the big day itself just a couple of weeks away, everyone is getting suitably in the festive spirit, and the events calendar is, once again, absolutely jam-packed with plenty to be getting up to, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.
Here’s our top picks.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2022
Manchester City Centre
Monday 12 – Thursday 22 December
Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 are in full swing.
The iconic annual event – which draws in visitors from all across the globe each year, and has been voted the best Christmas markets in the UK for 2022 – are here once again to spread some cheer right across the city centre.
Open every day until Thursday 22 December, the the main market hubs in will be in Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Market Street.
Other zones, however, are set to open after Christmas Day and run into the New Year.
You can find out everything you need to know here.
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Lightopia 2022
Heaton Park
Monday 12 December – onwards
Lightopia has made a return to Heaton Park this year.
Once again lighting up Manchester and captivating audiences for the fourth year in a row, award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is promising to bring the magic of Christmas back to the grounds of Heaton Park from this Thursday – with a brand-new immersive experience set to take over the park until January.
Through brand-new and unseen audiovisual displays, this year’s festival is a “once-in-a-lifetime adventure” for the all the family to enjoy.
Find out more about Lightopia 2022 and grab tickets here.
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Backyard Cinema
Depot Mayfield
Monday 12 December – onwards
Did you see that Manchester’s newest cinema on the roof of Depot Mayfield has a whole host of Christmas films on the agenda over the next few weeks?
Backyard Cinema brings its immersive movie going experience to the north for the ever first time, and features way more than a cosy purpose-built cinema room, as it comes complete with an Enchanted Forest, two bars, street food trucks, and a live music stage to boot.
Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street are just some of the films you can sit down to watch at the 330-capacity indoor venue.
Find out more here.
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FIFA World Cup 2022
Manchester City Centre
Monday 12 – Sunday 18 December
Can you believe the FIFA World Cup 2022 is drawing to a close this Sunday?
With the last week of matches set to be viewed by millions all across the world, Mancs are right to be wondering where to watch the World Cup in Manchester.
International tournaments are always a special occasion we eagerly await to come around and while we’re sure you could walk into any old pub and enjoy yourself, there are some seriously good venues showing Qatar 2022 this winter – so, with that in mind, we thought we’d put together a list of the best places to watch in our city.
Read our round-up list here.
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Tinseltown 2022
Trafford Centre
Monday 12 December – onwards
Tinseltown is now back at the Trafford Centre for Christmas.
The Stretford-based shopping centre has been transformed into “a magical haven full of festive fun”, and is all set to be the perfect place to spend time “creating memories and celebrating the Christmas season”.
This year’s Tinseltown celebrations include a festive funfair full of exciting rides for all the family, and a huge covered winter ice rink for visitors to glide away on under a sky full of twinkling lights while festive music plays, all before sitting down to watch SNOWSTORM 2 – the “sensational” ice skating show with an international cast of skaters and performers on the 200 sq ft of shimmering real ice.
You can find out more about Tinseltown 2022 here.
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The Art of Banksy
MediaCityUK
Monday 12 December – onwards
The Art of Banksy is currently captivating crowds at MediaCityUK.
The highly-anticipated and long-awaited exhibit is currently showcasing 145 iconic Banksy pieces all amassed from private collections across the globe to create the world’s largest touring collection of Banksy artworks.
Visitors will have the chance to experience the infamous artist’s most well-known works alongside those rarely seen by the public, all on loan from private collectors.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Skate Manchester 2022
Cathedral Gardens
Monday 12 December – onwards
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2022 with twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread, and Christmas songs playing on repeat, Skate Manchester’s stunning outdoor ice rink is in the heart of the city at Cathedral Gardens until 2 January 2023.
With covered rink having a roof to allow everyone to enjoy the ice, whatever the weather, this year, there’s also a brand-new ice path allowing you to skate around the beautiful Christmas tree centre.
Find out more here.
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Miracle on Cross Street
Cross Street
Monday 12 December – onwards
A new Christmas bar has opened in Manchester, and it’s absolute festive overload.
While some venues lean towards alpine throws and a few tasteful candles at Christmas, Miracle on Cross Street has gone the other way entirely and thrown everything shiny and festive into one room, making it completely nostalgic and unflinchingly festive.
We’re talking candy canes, tinsel, baubles, lights, trees, presents, stockings, and ‘Santa Stop Here’ signs – and even the walls are wrapped in shiny patterned wrapping paper.
There’s a full menu of winter cocktails being served up too, like an apple pie martini and an espresso-ho-ho martini.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Christmas With Paddington
Trafford Centre
Monday 12 – Saturday 24 December
Paddington has dug out his Christmas hat and headed to the Trafford Centre.
The shopping centre’s grotto is always a highlight of the festive season each year, but it’s now bigger and better than ever before with Paddington’s arrival.
Proper festive fun for all the family, the Christmas with Paddington grotto experience – which is curated by award-winning experiential events company Bakehouse Factory – includes fun photo opportunities for all ages, the chance to travel through snowy festive trees and scenic street scenes, and so much more.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Arley Hall & Gardens
Monday 12 December – onwards
The hugely popular woodland trail inspired by the forbidden forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise has officially returned.
After what was undoubtedly a massive success back in 2021, with people travelling from all across the UK to see what it was all about, organisers of the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience have announced it’s back at the Grade II-listed Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire.
Potter-heads can “walk into the depths of a dark forest”, and “discover fantastic beasts and iconic Wizarding World moments illuminated like never before”.
Find out more here.
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Winter Island
Escape to Freight Island
Monday 12 December – onwards
Escape to Freight Island has brought its highly-popular Winter Island back to Manchester, just in time to get you in the mood for the festive season.
Having landed at Depot Mayfield‘s premier event space and cargo park, this year’s Winter Island is promising visitors everything from DJs, live entertainment, and Massaoke, to Christmas workshops, pop-up markets, and all the festive food you could hope for.
Food and drink to be scoffed from some of the best local and independent traders.
From Manchester favourites like Northern Soul grilled cheese and the award-winning Great North Pie Co. to Ancoats chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana, who will be letting you create your own boozy hot chocolate (the best kind), there’s so much to tickle your festive fancies.
Find out more here.
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Bar Hütte
Great Northern Square
Monday 12 December – onwards
Popular après-ski village Bar Hütte is officially back in the city centre.
After what was an undeniably successful run in 2021 and the plenty of years prior, Bar Hütte is better than ever this year, with 15 cosy Alpine cabins dotted across the Great Northern square courtyard to bring a lively, festive, and vibrant atmosphere.
Inspired by some of the coolest après ski bars in Europe, there’s everything from live music and free-flowing festive drinks, to the chance to try out the bar’s legendary ‘shot skis’, as well sing-along to all of your favourite tunes inside a private wooden karaoke cabin that’s festooned with twinkling tights.
Find out more here.
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Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway
Tuesday 13 – Thursday 24 December
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is inviting families to catch a ride on one of its famous Santa Special steam trains this Christmas.
The heritage railway’s much-loved festive event has not only become an essential part of Christmas for many in the north west, but this year, it’s bigger and better than ever before – with families set for a truly special festive day out.
You’ll first get to meet some old favourites and new characters, including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess, all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears. The festive fun will then continue on the Santa Special steam trains on an 80-minute “enchanting voyage” through the magical Irwell Valley.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Santa in the Sky
Cheshire Oaks
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 December
Cheshire Oaks’ beloved grotto looks a little different to usual as Santa and his trusty elves are taking to the skies and inviting you on a fantastical festive adventure on the outlet’s all-new Big Wheel.
The Santa in the Sky experience is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas as a family this winter, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Open every weekend throughout December, with 10-minutes flights taking place from 10am-1pm, included in the ticket price is four spaces on the Big Wheel flight with Santa and his elves, and you’ll also get to sip on a mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy a festive cookie, as well as get a little gift to take home with you from Santa.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Festive Sundays
Manchester City Centre
Sunday 18 December
It’s the last of this year’s ‘Festive Sundays’ this weekend.
Commissioned and produced by Manchester BID in partnership with Manchester City Council, Festive Sundays have seen roaming puppets, supersized penguins, and illuminated bands take to the city’s main shopping streets, every Sunday up until this weekend.
Created by Walk the Plank – the creative minds behind the Manchester Day Parade – this Sunday will see the return of the Toy Procession, which is set to bring fun and festive Christmas characters to the city centre.
Find out more here.
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Featured Image – Road to Victory | ELR | Bar Hutte