What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 December 2025
Emily Sergeant -
18th December 2025 
The most festive week of them all is FINALLY here.
While you may already have lots of activities planned this Christmas, if you happen to still be looking for things to do, Greater Manchester has got you covered. Our region is looking as seasonal as ever at the moment, with dozens of light trails and Christmas events currently going on for you and your families to get involved with.
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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Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 December
East Lancashire Railway’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and this is your last week to hop on board.
Running 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.
Find out more and grab ticket here.
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The Grotto 2025
Trafford Centre
Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 December
The Grotto has returned to the Trafford Centre for the festive season, and this is your last week to visit.
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.
Find out more and get tickets to The Grotto here.
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Looking for somewhere a bit quieter but still full of festive spirit? We now have a round-up of the best alternative Christmas markets in and around Greater Manchester.
Manchester Christmas Markets may be over and done with, but if you’re seeking something a bit different for your festive day out, Christmas shopping, or even dinner, then there are still a few alternative markets to try this winter.
From a brand-new event where street food traders centre around a flaming mulled wine bar, to one of the region’s best-loved weekend markets that now has a festive twist, there’s absolutely loads going on.
Have a read of our round-up here.
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Skate Manchester 2025
Cathedral Gardens
Monday 22 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
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.
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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Anyone for a light trail?
As a wise someone once said… ‘live, laugh, light trail’.
If there’s one thing we’re not short of in the North West this festive season, it’s light trails or seasonal light-themed events, so we’ve rounded up some of the best for you to visit this week, if you fancy popping down to one.
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Northern Lights
Heaton Park
Monday 22 – Wednesday 31 December
Heaton Park has been transformed into a glowing world of wonder, as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails has made 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 – has descended on our city’s largest park, bringing its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere along with it.
The mile-long route features 16 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
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Christmas at Dunham Massey 2025
Dunham Massey
Monday 22 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026
A magical illuminated trail has made it returns to the historic Dunham Massey, 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’s 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.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
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Land of Lights 2025
Gulliver’s World
Monday 22 December – onwards
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.
Alongside returning favourites, visitors can now experience all-new lanterns filled with light and colour inspired by the wonders of nature.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Lanterns and Light 2025
Chester Zoo
Monday 22 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026
The dazzling Lanterns and Light trail has returned to Chester Zoo for the winter.
Over the past couple of years, Lanterns and Light has proved to be such a success that it’s developed into one of the North West’s biggest and longest-running festive light trails, and all profits from the event support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.
The zoo has transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland with colour-changing forests, glowing animals, show-stopping puppets and, brand-new for this year, a host of new immersive installations.
Find out more here.
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Yuletide 2025
Tatton Park
Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 December
One of winter’s top events, Yuletide, has returned to Tatton Park’s Gardens.
The magical winter adventure has, once again, brough a glittering light trail and theatrical, immersive performance to the famous beauty spot.
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.
Audiences are invited to step into a world of winter folklore, filled with live music, cosy campfire stories, and plenty more.
Find out more and get tickets here.
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Looking for something to do that isn’t all about Christmas?
Sure, it may be ‘Christmas week’, but not everything has to be festive-themed – and thankfully, there’s a few other activities you can be getting up to in our region this week even if you don’t celebrate this particular holiday.
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VOGUE: Inventing the Runway
Aviva Studios
Monday 22 December 2025 – 10 January 2026
This is the history of the runway, told like never before.
Ready to lose yourself in the world of fashion shows past, present, and future? VOGUE: Inventing the Runway has now opened down at Aviva Studios
This spectacular show uses Vogue’s remarkable archive and fashion network to create an experience that brings together the industry’s leading voices.
From Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood, to Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Virgil Abloh, and many many more, you’ll get to be immersed in the journey of fashion on the runway from its origins right through to the modern day.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Chester Zoo £1 Tickets
Chester Zoo
Monday 22 – Wednesday 31 December
Chester Zoo is offering £1 tickets this Christmas to families who may otherwise struggle to afford a festive day out.
Christmas is a time when many of us feel strapped for cash more than ever before, which is why Chester Zoo is embracing the season of giving by offering thousands of locals the chance to visit for a fraction of the price of normal entry tickets.
The discounted tickets will be available for anyone claiming Universal Credit on visits right up until New Year’s Eve, and they’ll need to be booked online in advance.
Find out how to get tickets here.
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Etihad Stadium Christmas Tours
Etihad Stadium
Monday 22 December – onwards
Manchester City are hosting special Christmas-themed tours of the Etihad Stadium this winter.
Having already been given the nod at Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ awards, the club’s Etihad Stadium tours have been given an even better festive upgrade.
From walking out the tunnel welcomed to the tune of Christmas carols sang by the Halle Youth Choir and into the dugout, holding their own press conference, as well as a new VR experience, you’ve never quite done a tour like this.
Give your fellow City fans a visit to their beloved Blues’ home ground like never before.
Find out more here.
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Museum of Illusions
Market Street
Monday 22 December – onwards
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this winter? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Check out our recent visit👇
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Up for a pint of the Black Stuff?
Manchester isn’t exactly short of a pint of places for a pint of Guinness (not sure if you’ve noticed, but we have a LOT of Irish pubs now) – but only three have got the seal of approval from the source themselves.
This week, the iconic Irish brewery released its inaugural Harp Guide, singling out just 35 pubs around the country that are serving a worthy pint of the black stuff.
From a lively city centre pub to a couple of suburban gems, these are the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan.
Find out who made the cut in Manchester👇
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Still need those last-minute Christmas gifts? Planning on hitting the Boxing Day sales?
The Trafford Centre has announced its opening hours over the festive period.
If your idea of a perfect Boxing Day is hitting the shops for a mooch and a bargain-hunt, then you can officially look forward to 12 HOURS of shopping this year as there’s an 8am start on Boxing Day and extra late-night shopping all the way through to 11pm.
Here’s everything you need to know👇
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Featured Image – Chester Zoo | The Manc Group | Tatton Park
