We all know that famous Ian Brown quote by now – “Manchester’s got everything except a beach”.
Well, Manchester might not have one, but Bolton does.
It may not be what you’d expect from an industrial, former mill town – but a ‘seaside experience’ complete with a giant sandpit and all the retro games you’d expect from a trip to the beach are arriving in Bolton town centre this August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Bolton Food & Drink Festival.
With the festival having already kicked off today, and set to run for the next four days, Bolton Council and the town’s Library and Museum Services have taken to social media to share photos and spread the word of the new attraction.
The post has already amassed hundreds of interactions, shares, and eager comments.
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As well as a giant sandpit, which takes centre stage at the experience and surrounded by candy-striped deck chairs, there’s also a paddling pool with a hook-a-duck game.
There’s even a Victorian ‘strongman show’, face painting, a space hopper track, and so much more to make the most of.
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The Seaside Experience is free for all festival-goers to attend.
The retro seaside experience is popping up in the town as the hugely-popular Bolton Food & Drink Festival is finally returning this weekend after a year of postponement due to COVID-19 – which saw the annual festival go online for 2020.
The Seaside Experience is free for all festival-goers to attend over the Bank Holiday weekend / Credit: Bolton Museum and Library Services
World-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations, and a collection of outdoor bars, live music and street entertainment are creating the usual festival atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.
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Over the course of the four-day festival – which is designed to be COVID-secure with a thorough risk assessment in place – families will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities.
Visitors can also relax in the new picnic zone in the nearby Queens Park.
Keen to learn a little bit more about the food vendors, cooking demonstrations, and other activities happening this weekend?
You can find everything you need to know about Bolton Food & Drink Festival 2021 here.
Featured Image – Bolton Library and Museum Services
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Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them ‘into hiding’
Daisy Jackson
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.
Medlock SquareSelfridgesAO ArenaSome 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.
Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more
Emily Sergeant
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
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 GroupHong 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.
Emily Sergeant -
27th August 2021 
