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There’s a HUGE retro vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston

Dust off your leather jacket and get ready to buy another one too.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 22nd April 2025

A fair dedicated to all things vintage and vinyl is making its way over to Urmston this weekend, packed with lots of unique stalls and vendors.

Whether you’re after another leather jacket to add to your collection or hunting down a rare LP, this event covers all bases.

The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming back to Urmston for 2025 and is a must-visit for any fans of vintage clothing, record collectors and anyone after a fun day out in Greater Manchester.

This unique day-long fair is returning to The Venue, one of Urmston’s large event spaces, this weekend.

There’ll be 25 independent traders and shoppers with everything from retro homeware to jewellery and accessories.

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Anyone thinking of attending this vintage fair will be greeted with plenty of cute and quirky gift ideas, perfect for yourself or that one friend who is living their best retro lifestyle.

There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Grab a bargain and a snazzy new addition for your wardrobe at Urmston’s vintage fair.
There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Rare pieces and interesting vinyl finds on hand at the vintage fair in Urmston.
Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

Alongside the stalls selling vintage goodies this year brings the arrival of all-new craft workshops, where visitors will be able to make and create retro lampshades or a tealight lantern with all materials provided.

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These exciting classes will be ran by none other than creative mastermind Sarah from The Gingham Flamingo, a company which sells lots of fascinating handmade fabric garments.

After all that vintage retail therapy, ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is treating you to some lovely ways to soak up the atmosphere even more with a vintage bar, street food vendors and barista -style coffee cart.

Michelle Barratt, founder of So Retro Events. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover hidden treasure and soak up the retro atmosphere, and we’re very excited to bring interactive workshops to our even for the first time!”

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There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
There will be plenty of quirky pieces to add to your wardrobe.
There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Lots of friendly faces and unique vintage finds in Urmston this weekend.
Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

So if you’re a lover of all things vintage or just fancy a different kind of day out, head over to Urmston this weekend and get ready to step back in time.

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The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming to Urmston on Saturday 26 April from 10am to 3pm and all you have to do is pay a small fee of £2 on the door upon arrival. The workshops are an additional £20.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

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Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them ‘into hiding’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them 'into hiding'

The ever-popular trail of inflatable monsters around Manchester has been disrupted by the weather this week – and some of the spooky creatures are still in hiding.

Every year, these gigantic colourful ghouls pop up on rooftops and at landmarks all over town, creating a fun and free family-friendly Halloween trail through the city.

But this year, the arrival of the monster trail coincided with something else – the arrival of Storm Boelo.

It’s meant that many of the inflatable beasts have had to go into hiding over last weekend’s Halloween In The City celebrations, and some still haven’t been reinstated.

The popular Halloween celebration also had to be drastically scaled back for the ‘safety of visitors, performers, staff and everyone involved in the event’.

Currently, you’ll be able to spot plenty of monsters to keep you busy around town, with creatures on display at sheltered indoor spots like Printworks, Corn Exhange, and Medlock Square.

Other hardy critters still standing include the ones at Selfridges, Treehouse Hotel, and the AO Arena, plus the big orange fella draped over Kampus.

Organisers of the trail are hoping to get more MCR Monsters back up and spooking as the day goes on, and they’ll remain on display until this Saturday, 31 October.

Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them 'into hiding'
Medlock Square
Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them 'into hiding'
Selfridges
Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them 'into hiding'
AO Arena
Some of the monsters who survived the storm. Credit: The Manc Group

In a statement shared last week, organisers said: “Due to the severe weather conditions forecast for Manchester this weekend, the difficult decision has been made to close Halloween in the City activities from 12pm on Saturday 24 October and throughout Sunday 25 October.

“The safety of visitors, performers, staff and everyone involved in the event is our absolute priority and with strong winds and storm conditions forecast, we believe this is the most responsible course of action.

“We understand this will be disappointing for visitors looking forward to celebrating Halloween in the City this weekend and we thank everyone for their understanding.”

You can keep on eye on the MCR Monsters Instagram for more updates on the trail around Manchester.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

What's On

Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 - dates, locations, and essential information

Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.

Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.

There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.

There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.

When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?

This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.

Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.

Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.

Manchester Christmas Markets locations

What's new at the Manchester Christmas Markets for 2025?
Manchester Christmas Markets

There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.

Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.

St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.

The locations are:

  • Albert Square
  • Lincoln Square
  • King Street
  • St Ann’s Square
  • Corn Exchange
  • Exchange Street
  • New Cathedral Street
  • Market Street
  • Exchange Square
  • Cathedral Gardens

You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times

The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.

The only exceptions are as follows:

Albert Square

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Cathedral Gardens

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets

Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group

Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.

The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.

Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.

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What is the 2026 mug design? And how much do they cost?

Zippy is the star of the show, as the retro-style mug designs show Manchester’s favourite giant Santa surrounded by gift-wrapped presents, fir trees, and a snowy Manchester cityscape with the Town Hall and its unmistakable clock tower to one side.

Designed by the Council’s in-house design studio, the mugs are the latest in a series of collectable Christmas mugs designed by them each year for Manchester’s world-beating Christmas Markets.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 mug design / Credit: Manchester City Council

There are two different souvenir mugs to collect – both share the same retro design, but each one is a different colour and shape.

This year, the price of the mugs is the same as last year, with customers asked to pay a deposit of £3.50 when they buy a hot chocolate or Glühwein.

Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets

As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.

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There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.

Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.

See more on the Bee Network website HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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