And this year, not only is December bringing the festive season along with it, but it’s also brining England’s second national lockdown to an end, with a return to the regional tiered system as part of the UK government’s COVID Winter Plan.
While some of the city’s most-notable festive events have sadly had to be cancelled this year, following the announcement that Greater Manchester will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions, there’s still plenty of ways to celebrate.
You’ll just have to go a slightly different way about it.
With everything from award-winning light and lantern festivals, to drive-in cinemas and virtual Santa’s Grottos though, you won’t be stuck for choice.
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Do note that each event listed is subject to change as a result of any potential further government announcements, so it’s advised to keep informed and check the details of each event just ahead of making any trips to avoid disappointment.
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Lightopia
Heaton Park
Lightopia
The award-winning visual spectacular Lightopia is still set to return to Heaton Park under Tier 3 restrictions this December for a new, socially-distanced edition of adventures, lights, lanterns, sculptures and shows, and with Christmas very much the theme, the festivalwill use the stunning Grade I-listed Heaton Hall as its sparkling backdrop for all its festive merriment.
The event will operate under the ‘rule of six’ and visitors must adhere to this.
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Open to the public every day (except for Christmas Day) between 5pm to 10pm, with last entry is 8.30pm daily, Lightopia will take place from Thursday 3rd December, and extend its run all the way through until Sunday 10th January.
You can find more information regarding proceedings, ticket prices, deals and COVID-safety measures ahead of your trip to the event next month here.
Tickets can be booked via the Lightopia website here.
Virtual Lights Switch-On
Manchester City Centre
Manchester City Council
The annual Christmas Lights Switch-On usually attracts around 20,000 people to Manchester city centre, but things will be a little different this year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as there’ll be no large-scale event.
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That doesn’t mean the city won’t still sparkle though.
Three of Manchester’s NHS frontline heroes are performing the honours of switching on the lights this week – with this year’s illuminations including a trail of light sculptures through the city centre – and while exact switch on dates are still pending, there are plans to live-stream the whole event.
Keep your eye on the Manchester City Council website here for the latest updates.
Christmas movies, live performers and Father Christmas himself will all be at Trafford Park from Friday 4th December, with people invited to drive through Santa’s workshop, watch the elves at work, and enter the ‘snow valley’, before settling in for a movie.
Tickets for ChristmasCity are available to buy now – priced at £40 per vehicle – with a number of COVID safety precautions set to be implemented during the event.
For more information, you can visit the ParkNParty website here.
Christmas at Dunham Massey
Trafford
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Dunham Massey / National Trust
It’s safe to say that Dunham Massey’s outdoor lights trail has become one of the region’s most popular Christmas attractions, as the after-dark event illuminates the house, gardens and parkland with twinkling tunnels, giant sparkling reindeer, colour-changing lakeside reflections and trees glittering with baubles and stars.
The event is expected to get underway on 3rd December, and run through until 10th January 2021.
A spokesperson for Dunham Massey said: “As things stand, Christmas at Dunham Massey is still going ahead. We are working within strict government guidelines and carefully considering the difficulties of opening our places to members and supporters while ensuring we do so in a safe manner.”
You can find more information on COVID-safe precautions and book tickets here.
Winter Festival by The Parking Lot Social
intu Trafford Centre
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Winter Festival by The Parking Lot Social
The Parking Lot Social’s Winter Festival will park up at the intu Trafford Centre from 3rd – 8th December, with drive-in pantomime performances, festive film screenings and Christmas car-aoke.
Guests can have food delivered to their cars from a selection of stalls serving classic gourmet burgers, loaded fries, wood-fired pizzas and hot dogs, alongside sweet winter warmers such as hot chocolate, doughnuts, toasted nuts, gingerbread men and more.
Adding to the festive atmosphere will be a 60ft tall rainbow coloured Christmas tree, a giant DJing Santa Claus, and ‘the coolest reindeer to have ever left the North Pole’.
You can find more information and book tickets via The Parking Lot Social website here.
Santa Claus Calls
Chill Factore
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Santa Claus Calls by Chill Factore
The UK’s leading indoor snow complex Chill Factore is “keeping the magic of Christmas alive” by letting children share their Christmas list with Santa via the power of video call in a virtual grotto you can visit from the comfort of your own home.
The Santa Claus Calls experience will run from Saturday 5th December – 24th December 2020 and each call will last around five minutes.
The experience can be booked from £20.99.
This price includes the call recording and the option to add multiple callers/screens, so that the whole family can be brought together, and you can also text SANTA to 70125 to donate £2 to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity to support seriously ill children this Christmas time.
To book and find out more information, visit the Chill Factore website here.
What's On
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
What's On
New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Manchester City Council have confirmed that a special firework and lights display will be held right in the centre of town this New Year’s Eve.
Better still, the festivities will be continuing over on Albert Square, as the recently restored ancestral home of the Manchester Christmas Markets will be hosting a celebration of its own.
Yes, for the first time ever, we’re being given the choice of two different NYE events at two of the most stunning central points in the city – the other being the Central Library.
Hosted by former presenter at The Manc, Joe McGrath, as well as DJ Jimmy the Gent, there’ll be tunes and plenty of family-friendly fun from St Peter’s Square right up until the big countdown, when the stunning light display will go off and ring in the New Year.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
The all-ages, alcohol-free event kicks off at 10pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square and bag searches in operation.
Of course, hot drinks and food will be available as the MCR Christmas Markets proper wrap up for 2025, and the fireworks and light displays themselves will be launching right off the top of the library roof.
It’s going to be fantastic.
As for over on the other side of the Town Hall, the Markets will still be in full swing, with bratwurst, beers and cheer aplenty, and so will the truly massive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country, in case you hadn’t heard.
That’s right: in case you hadn’t put two and together quite yet, if you’re lucky enough and you don’t mind heights, you might just get to watch the NYE 2025 fireworks going off all over Greater Manchester from the top of the wheel. How magical would that be?
Honestly, it’s been so great seeing Albert Square looking back to its stunning and buzzing best.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said of the plans: “We all know how much Mancunians of all ages love to get together and party, which is why we’re thrilled this year to give them not one but two celebrations to take their pick of this New Year’s Eve.
“Whether you’re a Ferris Wheel fanatic with a head for heights, or a music-loving feet-on-the-ground firework fan, it promises to be a brilliant night out. So get yourselves ready to have some fun and dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”
Promising to work closely with local councillors and therefore businesses and residents in turn, they’re promising to keep any inconveniences and nuisances to a minimum; they want everyone to be able to enjoy the night as much as possible.
You can find out more information, including timings, accessibility, road closures and parking suspensions in the full Council statement right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
30th November 2020 
