What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 27 November – 3 December 2023
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2023 
Can you believe December is finally arriving this week?
There’s no denying that ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ is right around the corner now, so it’s absolutely no surprise that the Greater Manchester events calendar is absolutely pack with all sorts of festive celebrations and activities to get stuck into.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, luckily, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2023
Manchester City Centre
Monday 27 November – Thursday 21 December
It’s that time of year once again… Manchester Christmas Markets are officially open for 2023.
The iconic annual event is an absolute staple in Manchester’s festive events calendar, and always draws in thousands of visitors from all across the globe – with more than 225 stalls across nine sites now lining the streets of our city this year.
Visitors can tuck into a wide range of festive foods and drinks, and shop for Christmas gifts from countless independent traders.
Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 here.
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Land of Lights
Gulliver’s World
Monday 27 November – onwards
Land of Lights has transformed Gulliver’s World in Warrington into an immersive winter wonderland with 12 “vivid dreamworlds” full of dozens of gigantic lanterns that are inspired by animals, mega monuments, and wonders of the natural world.
As the sun goes down and the nights draw in, visitors to the North West attraction can explore an amazing array of light installations as they walk all around the park.
More than 7,000 individual lanterns and hundreds of thousands of LED lights create the spectacle.
Find out more and grab tickets from £12 here.
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Skate Manchester
Cathedral Gardens
Monday 27 November – Sunday 31 December
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2023 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 right up until the new year.
With the covered rink’s convenient roof allowing everyone to enjoy the ice, whatever the weather, visitors of all ages are invited to glide over the ice and admire the glorious Christmas tree right in the centre.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Twilight Trail
Escape to Freight Island
Monday 27 November – Sunday 31 December
Manchester’s newest city centre park, Mayfield Park, has been transformed into a festive ‘Twilight Trail’ for the first time ever this Christmas.
Now open and running right through until the new year, this brand-new immersive experience is made up of several spectacular light displays, unique lantern installations, and a captivation sound-scape dotted around the pristine new park, with each circuit estimated to take around half an hour.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Lanterns and Light
Chester Zoo
Monday 27 November – Sunday 31 December 2023
A brand-new immersive experience has opened at Chester Zoo for the festive season this week.
Lanterns and Light gives visitors the chance to explore captivating light installations and be transported into enchanting lands filled with colour and festivity, all while meeting orangutans, lions, dolphins, and woolly mammoths as they make their way along the trail.
There’s also colour changing displays stretching as far as the eye can see, birds and stars adorning the zoo’s winding paths and trees, and a spectacular Winter Cathedral tunnel of lights.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Black Friday ‘Double Your Money’ Reward
Printworks
Monday 27 – Thursday 30 November
Black Friday may have been and gone, but in a bid to properly celebrate the event, Printworks has launched an exclusive ‘Double Your Money’ sale offer that gives those who download the app the chance to bag half-price gift cards.
Running right up until Thursday 30 November, the offer is available on a first come first served basis, and newbies who download the app can now get themselves a £20 gift card for just £10 – which basically means you’ll have double the money to spend on whatever you want at your favourite Printworks bar, restaurant, or leisure venue.
Find out more here.
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Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 27 November – Sunday 24 December
East Lancashire Railway’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas.
Running right 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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Bar Hütte
Great Northern & KAMPUS
Monday 27 November – onwards
Bar Hütte’s legendary karaoke cabins are back, and they’re bringing Alpine vibes, cosy furnishings, twinkling lights, live music sessions, and flowing drinks.
And this year, there’s not one, but two locations in Manchester city centre.
While Bar Hütte at Great Northern Square is heading back to Deansgate, with 15 cosy private hüttes neatly-positioned under a heated stretch tent and twinkling lights, Bar Hütte at Kampus will also see a new outdoor terrace, comprising of eight snug, wooden karaoke hüttes nestled beneath the trees, and an ‘Aprés Ski Bungalow’ serving as an indoor alpine bar.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Hamilton
Palace Theatre
Monday 27 November 2023 – February 2024
One of the most successful musicals of the 21st century is now on stage in our city.
After taking Broadway and the West End (and the world) by storm, Hamilton – the multi-award winning musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda – has been captivating and engaging audiences like no other for close to a decade now, and now it’s touring the UK – with Manchester one of only two lucky cities chosen to stage the smash-hit spectacle.
Despite absolutely unprecedented demand, there’s still a handful of tickets available for different nights over the course of the show’s run in our city, and you can get your hands of them now if you’re interested.
Find out more and grab last minute tickets here.
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NEW OPENING – Fenix
Manchester City Centre
Fenix is one of the most talked-about Manchester restaurant openings of the year.
The lavish new Greek-Mediterranean restaurant comes from the same team behind Tattu, so we were already anticipating another impeccably-designed space, and now that its doors are officially open, the eatery certainly looks to be living up to that expectation.
With no expense spared on making this a world-class venue, its inspiration comes from the beautiful island of Mykonos – from the driftwood dining chairs and stunning stone floors to huge plumes of grasses and carved stone walls.
Find out more here.
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Christmas at Dunham Massey
Dunham Massey
Monday 27 November – Sunday 31 December 2023
Dunham Massey’s legendary light trail is back once again this Christmas, and it’s brought even more festive magic to Greater Manchester.
Having returned to the grounds of the massively-popular Altrincham-based National Trust property for what is the seventh year running now, Christmas at Dunham Massey is described as being a “must-see magical festive trail”.
Just as it does every year, the trail has brought the garden to life with “a million twinkling lights” and “seasonal sounds”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?
It feels like we say this every month, but November genuinely might be our biggest month for new Manchester restaurants of the year so far.
There’s some huge national names like Six By Nico and Gail’s Bakery opening brand new sites, some local favourites like Seven Brothers launching new ventures, and a couple of totally new brands joining the fray.
As we do every month, we’ve rounded up the best new bars and restaurants opening in Greater Manchester this month, and there’s some really good ones to look forward to as we head into the most wonderful time of the year.
You can find out where to put on your list here.
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Santa in the Sky
Cheshire Oaks
Friday 1 December – onwards
Cheshire Oaks’ beloved grotto looks a little different to usual in 2023.
That’s because the big man in red and his trusty elves are taking to the skies once again this year, and are inviting you on a fantastical festive adventure on the outlet’s ‘Big Wheel’.
Open every weekend and on selected weekday dates throughout December, 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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Christmas at Heaton Park
Heaton Park
Friday 1 December – onwards
A brand-new breathtaking light trail is heading to Heaton Park this Christmas, and it’s officially opening this week.
Transforming the popular Manchester park into a twinkling winter wonderland, visitors will get to walk through fields of colour-changing orbs of light, venture among larger-than-life glowing flowers, and even wander through a giant twinkling tunnel as part of the all-new seasonal light display.
Neon strings will reach high into the sky and a laser garden will light up its space with thousands of tiny beams of light.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Festive Sundays
Manchester City Centre
Sunday 3 December
Manchester’s ‘Festive Sundays’ have made a comeback this Christmas after thousands flocked to see the enchanting events last year.
After proving to be a smash-hit success during the inaugural year in 2022, the city centre’s main shopping streets will be filled with “captivating” parades and performances that are set to “surprise visitors of all ages”.
Organised by Manchester BID, the free event series sees roaming performers and illuminated acts take to the streets across St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, and Manchester Arndale every Sunday until 17 December.
Find out more about on the ‘Festive Sundays’ lineup here.
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GRUB’s Sustainable Christmas Market
GRUB
Sunday 3 December
Manchester Christmas Markets just a bit too busy for you? Looking for an alternative that’s just as festive? You’ll probably want to get yourself down to GRUB this weekend then.
The social hub and street food market is rounding up all of its favourite local Manchester makers and creatives for a one-day festive market that focuses on sustainability and championing independent businesses doing brilliant things – with 20+ businesses setting up stalls selling a wide variety of gifts on the day.
You can also get tuck into loads of plant-powered grub from vegan street food businesses, and sip on mulled wine and other boozy winter warmers too.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Featured Image – Cheshire Oaks | Christmas at Heaton Park
