What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 19 – 25 December 2022
Emily Sergeant -
15th December 2022 
The most festive week of the month is finally here, and Greater Manchester has well and truly got itself in the Christmas spirit.
With Christmas cheer spread right across the region, schools soon to be out for winter break, and the big day itself rounding out this week, the region’s events calendar is absolutely jam-packed with all sorts of festive activities to get you in the mood, 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 19 – Thursday 22 December
Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 are sadly coming to an end this week
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 – have been spreading festive cheer right across the city centre since early November, but this is your final week to make the most of the action before they disappear for another year.
The the main market hubs in Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Market Street are set to close this week, but some other zones, however, are to stay open after Christmas Day and run into the New Year.
You can find out everything you need to know here.
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Skate Manchester
Cathedral Gardens
Monday 19 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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Winter Island
Escape to Freight Island
Monday 19 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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Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 19 – Thursday 24 December
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is inviting families to catch a ride on one of its famous Santa Special steam trains this week.
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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Backyard Cinema
Depot Mayfield
Monday 19 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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Winter Village at Cheshire Oaks
Cheshire Oaks
Monday 19 December – onwards
The Winter Village at Cheshire Oaks is back this year, and it’s even had a bit of a bit of a makeover too.
Just less than an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, Cheshire Oaks is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK and is home to over 400,000 square feet of retail space, with more than 150 boutiques, restaurants, and cafés to choose from, which makes it the ideal place to head on down to and grab the last of your Christmas presents.
Not only that, but the Winter Village now offers even more indoor seating options alongside the option to book one of the popular Christmas huts, so you can take a break from shopping and snuggle up to enjoy a festive drink and bite to eat.
You can find out more here.
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Axemas at Whistle Punks
Great Northern Warehouse
Monday 19 December – onwards
Fancy throwing some candy cane-themed axes this Christmas?
A trip to Whistle Punks at Great Northern Warehouse is always an unforgettable experience, with each 70-minute session designed for both newcomers and axe-throwing pros alike, and top tricks taught by instructors before you take part in head-to-head tournaments to decide who is the throwing champ in your group, but through the Christmas period, everything is a little more festive.
There’ll be mulled wine on offer, plenty of mince pies and pigs in blankets, and special Prosecco receptions available for those who enjoy the high life.
Tickets start from £22 per person, and you can find out more and book your session here.
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Lightopia 2022
Heaton Park
Monday 19 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 bringing the magic of Christmas back to the grounds of Heaton Park 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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Bar Hütte
Great Northern Square
Monday 19 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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Winter at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 19 December – onwards
Exhibitions that explore the power of music, and give you the chance to try out an interactive “hands on” gaming experience are just some of the activities on offer at the Science and Industry Museum this winter.
With winter officially here, the Science and Industry Museum is not just an ideal place to escape the cold in the heart of the city centre, but there’s also a whole host of immersive experiences and exciting activities you can get stuck into when schools are out.
The award-winning museum is inviting people to take a journey from the Sun back to the Earth in a brand-new science show led by the museum’s team of expert Explainers, while standout exhibition, Turn It Up: The power of music, is a world-first event giving those curious the chance to explore the science of music’s mysterious hold over us through a series of “immersive musical experiences and interactive activities” at a specially-commissioned ‘musical playground’.
There’s also still time to head on down and check out the stand-out interactive gaming experience, Power UP, and so much more.
Find out more about what’s on at the Science and Industry Museum here.
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Christmas on the Cobbles
MediaCityUK
Monday 19 December – onwards
One of TV’s most famous streets has had itself a festive makeover, and fans can hear the stories of Christmas past on a behind-the-scenes tours.
Fans of the iconic long-running Manchester-based soap are encouraged to wrap up warm as they head out on an expert tour Coronation Street “dressed in its finest festive grandeur”, and festooned in lights and decorations, to hear stories of Christmas past and spread yuletide cheer.
There’ll be carol singers dotted around the street’s famous sites, and festive treats like mince pies and gingerbread lattes to feast on.
Find out more and book here.
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Winter Story Trail
Glossop
Monday 19 December – onwards
A picturesque town on the outskirts of Manchester has brought its high street to life in a magical way this Christmas with a festive window trail.
Glossop – which is a bustling market town nestled in the rugged hills on the edge of the Peak District – has launched its very-own Winter Story Trail dedicated to the late Dame Hilary Mantel, who lived in the area as a young woman, and the trail is shining a light on “the art of storytelling”.
24 local writers have been paired-up with a local shop, and have each created a 150-word winter tale based on that business to make the trail.
Find out more here.
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Christmas With Paddington
Trafford Centre
Monday 19 – 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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Miracle on Cross Street
Cross Street
Monday 19 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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Horrible Histories Christmas
The Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 20 December
You can discover the story of how Christmas came to be what it is today in a new Horrible Histories stage show in Manchester later this week.
Parents and guardians who are keen to keep the kids entertained but still educated while schools are out can grab tickets to a special Christmas-themed Horrible Histories stage show that tells “the terrific tale of Christmas”.
The impressive stage show is described as a festive celebration in the most “wonderful, funny, and moving way you’ll ever see”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Christmas at Printworks
Manchester City Centre
Monday 19 – Saturday 24 December
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 food offers to take advantage of, as well as a handful of special discounted events packages.
Find out more about what’s happening at the Printworks this Christmas here.
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Featured Image – ITV Attractions | Horrible Histories | Printworks
