The UK’s largest outdoor winter market is coming to Manchester
The Winter Wonderland experience will feature a Christmas forest, a steaming bratwurst grill and traditional hog roast, plus artisanal traders and loads more
A huge outdoor winter wonderland is coming to Manchester’s Escape to Freight Island this winter – and it sounds immense.
Billed as the UK’s largest fully-heated outdoor winter market, the Winter Wonderland experience will feature a Christmas forest, stalls from local artisanal traders, and delicious festive street food to Manchester over the festive period.
From the Great North Pie Co. to a steaming bratwurst grill and traditional hog roast, it’s all going on down at Escape to Freight Island – with further stalls selling mulled wine, hot chocolate, cheese, and hot cider.
Image: Escape to Freight Island
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as the team also have a huge programme of festive events booked over the coming months.
Kicking off with a huge fireworks display on 5 November, there’ll be a mix of ticketed and free events running throughout the period including a bonfire night knees-up, Christmas workshops, karaoke, family raves, cabaret, live music, comedy and movie nights.
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Big bookings to look forward to including a Homobloc takeover (7 November), a night with Craig Charles (28 November), and the return of the Untold Orchestra – who have become well known for different themed musical nights paying homage to iconic musicians.
Image: Escape to Freight Island
The Manchester-based collaborative orchestra will take to Freight’s outdoor stage every Wednesday throughout November and December, bringing all your festive favourites to life with their musical restyling of classic Christmas anthems.
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Tuesday nights, meanwhile, will see the introduction of a new comedy night showcasing some local talent from the Manchester scene as well as a few from further afield.
Last year’s map for the 2020 the Winter Market at Escape to Freight Island / Image: Escape to Freight Island
Further entertainment to look forward to throughout the season includes performances from the likes of Fun DMC, Teachrex, Playhouse Project, Family Gorgeous, Guilty Pleasures and Born to be Wild Child.
Bookings are now live for the Winter Island, with outdoor reservations starting from 5 November. Book your slot here.
Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has announced some final arena shows, including one in Manchester, and he’s donating all profits to cancer charities.
The Bolton-born comedy legend will be playing one more night at the AO Arena as well as extra dates at The O2 in London, The First Direct Arena in Leeds, and plenty more.
What sets these arena shows apart from his record-breaking run, which has seen him sell out arenas for four years now, is that all the profits will be going straight to charity.
Peter Kay has pledged that ‘every single penny’ from his final dates will be going to 12 leading cancer charities.
These will include Children With Cancer UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, plus charities dedicated to 10 different types of adult cancer.
Peter Kay holds the record as the only artist in the world to have performed a monthly residency at the O2, and has performed more than 100 shows on this tour in his hometown, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The star made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show this evening.
Speaking of the announcement, he said: “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to perform for audiences up and down the country.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support over the years, and it feels right to give something back. Every single penny of profit from these final shows will go to help fight cancer and support those affected.
Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
“Unfortunately, just about everyone knows someone who’s been affected by one of the cancers on that list.
“I really hope people can get behind this – come out, have a great night, share a few laughs, and do something good for charity at the same time. It’s a win–win.
“You don’t even have to like me – raising money for these twelve charities goes far beyond that. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Peter Kay will perform one more night at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Sunday 30 November HERE.
The cancer charities Peter Kay will donate his final profits to are:
Inside Anthropologie as beautiful new store opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Anthropologie has finally arrived in Manchester, opening a beautiful new store in the Royal Exchange.
The beloved lifestyle brand is famed for its curated range of clothing, shoes, accessories, activewear, beauty, wellness, furniture, home décor, bridal, and loads more.
Anthropologie has taken over a two-storey unit overlooking St Ann’s Square, which opens today right in time for the Black Friday sales.
Inside, shoppers will find everything from denim to dinnerware, plus delights like martini-shaped handbags, apres ski-inspired glassware, and cosy knitwear.
Brands inside include Damson Madder, Tala, Maeve, Vagabond, and Never Fully Dressed.
There’ll be live music by local artist Maya Blandy, and seasonal drinks from 3pm, for a festive shopping experience.
Inside Anthropologie ManchesterMartini-shaped bags in AnthropologieHomewaresShoes in AnthropologieInside Anthropologie ManchesterTala is in storeThe denim shopBrands include Maeve by Anthropologie
And later down the line, Anthropologie Manchester is hosting a Winter Warmer Day on 9 December, with festive hot drinks and a gift personalisation station – plus a festive goodie bag for the first 100 customers to spend £100 between 9 and 11 December.
Anthropologie was founded in 1992 and has since expanded to have more than 200 stores globally, launching three new UK sites this year (Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow).
Matt Hilgeman, Managing Director of Anthropologie International, said: “We’re excited to open our third and final store for 2025 in the heart of Manchester city.
“As part of our Northern expansion, the new store will showcase a curated assortment of our most-loved brands, exclusive partywear, and our signature ‘Only at Anthropologie’ gifting.
“We can’t wait to open our doors and meet the community.”
Anthropologie Manchester is now from Wednesday 26 November at the Royal Exchange on St Ann’s Square.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
