A Christmas-themed musicals bingo event with bottomless drinks, karaoke, and more is happening in Manchester this weekend, and there’s still time to grab tickets.
If you’re after some feel-good festive fun now that Christmas is practically upon us, then you’ll probably want to get yourself to GRUB on Saturday.
Unfamiliar with GRUB? It’s a street food market and social hub just outside the city centre at the Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill, and it’s known for hosting a jam-packed lineup of events and for being home to a wide range of rotating food and drink vendor pop-ups that hook Mancs up with some of the best eats from right across the globe.
And if you haven’t had the chance to head on down there yet, then this weekend couldn’t be a better – or more festive – excuse to just that.
‘Disco Bingo’ is one of GRUB’s best-loved events, and this Saturday, it’s turning all Christmassy.
For anyone who’s ever been to one of the massively-popular ‘Disco Bingo’ afternoons before, then this Saturday’s festive edition will combine everything you know and love about the normal recurring event, but with a yuletide twist.
For those who haven’t been, consider this your early Christmas present.
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You can expect to hear all your favourite festive bangers, with lyric challenges, karaoke, guess the intro, bottomless brunch, and classic bingo hall vibes, as well as some added Christmas party extras and never-seen-before seasonal challenges too.
Taking place this Saturday 16 December from 1pm, as mentioned, tickets are still available to get your hands on and prices start from £6.
There’s a Christmas-themed bottomless bingo brunch happening in Manchester this weekend / Credit: GRUB
There’s two different tickets to take your pick from.
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The ‘Standard Ticket’ costs £6 each, and includes a house drink on arrival (beer, wine, cider or spirit & mixer), while the ‘Bottomless Ticket’ sets you back £25 and means you can enjoy 90-minutes of bottomless drinks (fizz, mimosa, house pints, cider), plus a special Christmas mimosa while you play along.
Anyone choosing ‘Bottomless Ticket’ will only get served their drinks if they’ve also ordered some food, so you’ll need to make sure you arrive in good time and place your food order with the street food traders before your server comes to the table to take your drinks order.
GRUB’s doors will open from 1pm, with the Christmas Disco Bingo event kicking off from 2pm to 5pm, and the Bottomless pouring running from 2pm-3:30pm.
Major Christmas lights switch-on event announced at Manchester’s iconic Printworks
Daisy Jackson
Printworks has announced details of a major Christmas lights switch-on event, with celebrity guest Will Mellor.
Set to be the biggest switch-on event in Manchester city centre, the celebration will include a festive singalong and live entertainment, plus a 16ft digital tree and plenty more.
And as part of the wider festive celebrations at Printworks, there’ll be 25 prizes to be won all the way through December, including hotel stays and other goodies from the businesses based in the landmark building.
The Printworks Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 29 November, kicking off at 4.30pm with a performance from the brilliant roaming brass band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Then there’ll be a family Christmas singalong at 5pm on Printworks’ interactive gaming screen, where Mancs can belt out classic Christmas hits together.
At 6pm, the almighty 16ft digital Christmas tree will be officially switched on by TV legend Will Mellor, along with a new festive display appearing overhead on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Printworks will host its Christmas Lights switch-on event in November. Credit: Jason Lock Photography
Expect to see Santa’s sleigh flying across the building, and Santa Claus himself pointing out passers-by and revealing if they’ve made the naughty or nice list.
The event will finish with a one-hour DJ set from Jack Clark to keep visitors in the festive spirit. Throughout December, visitors to Printworks can enter daily prize-draws at the digital Christmas tree, with big prizes up for grabs.
Daniel Davis, Centre Manager, said: “Families loved last year’s festive switch-on, which brought light to the city when the citywide celebration was cancelled. We’re thrilled to bring it back even bigger and brighter.
“With our incredible digital ceiling and new interactive features, we’re giving visitors a Christmas experience like no other full of music, magic and surprises.
“Our 16ft digital tree is something truly unique to Manchester, and with 25 prizes up for grabs throughout December, there’s a real reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re joining us for the switch-on or popping in for a festive meal or film, we can’t wait to celebrate with the community.”
The Christmas switch-on event at Printworks in Manchester
4.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
5pm – Family singalong
5.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
6pm – Christmas switch-on with Will Mellor
6.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up curling rink is set to open right beneath the skyscrapers in Manchester city centre this winter.
The Curling Club, already a top winter attraction down in London, has revealed plans to launch at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers later this month.
The alpine-themed winter village will be one of three across the UK, with two other Curling Clubs down in London.
As well as the state-of-the-art curling lanes, where Mancs can slide and shove their stones along the rink to giant bullseyes, there’ll be plenty more entertainment for the party season.
The Curling Club will bring apres-ski bars to the New Jackson district too, with DJs, dancers, and festive food.
Daren Whitaker, founder and chairman at Renaker – the developer behind The Curling Club at New Jackson’s site – said: “As the city centre’s first dedicated curling venue, the Curling Club will be an excellent addition to Manchester’s already strong competitive socialising scene.
“We are excited to be hosting The Curling Club in our New Jackson neighbourhood, bringing our residents together for a fun and unique experience and creating a lively destination for the wider community to enjoy.”
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre. Credit: Justin De Souza
Trevor Bowers, chairman of The Curling Club, said: “This winter marks a milestone for The Curling Club as we expand to three incredible locations.
“Chelsea Winter Illuminations allows us to create something truly magical in a beautiful and adored area of London, while Manchester opens the door to new audiences, and Vinegar Yard gives us another exciting year in London Bridge. It’s our biggest and boldest season yet.”
Eve Muirhead, Olympic gold medallist and Team GB’s Chef de Mission, also returns as ambassador of The Curling Club, and will lend her experience and insider knowledge across all sites.
Tickets for The Curling Club Manchester are now on sale, with bookings available for groups between two and four people starting from £30 for 30 minutes – head HERE to get yours.
Emily Sergeant -
12th December 2023 
