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Tobbogan slide, ice rink, and Santa train coming to ‘Tinsel Town’ at the Trafford Centre this Christmas

The Trafford Centre has announced the arrival of its next large-scale outdoor event.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th November 2021

Tobboganing, ice skating, and riding a Santa train are just some of the things you could be getting up to at Trafford Centre this Christmas.

Now that temperatures are dropping and the festive season is right around the corner, the Trafford Centre has announced the arrival of its next large-scale outdoor event and is inviting visitors to “grab the gang for some festive fun” at ‘Tinsel Town’.

Tinsel Town opens on Saturday 13 November, and runs through to 3 January 2022.

So wrap up warm and explore a winter wonderland that’s full of rides and festive fayre – including the chance to glide on down the UK’s longest tobbogan slide, take a spin on the big wheel at the festive fairground, hitch a ride on the Santa train, and shimmy and skate around a brand-new magical ice rink.

The Tinsel Town takeover follows the success of both ‘Summer Social’ – which saw in excess of 200,000 visitors and local celebrities enjoy some fun in the sun this past August and September – and the recently-finished Halloween festival, SPOOKFEST.

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And of course, no Christmas is complete without a visit to the big man himself, so get ready to share your festive wishes with Santa in his twinkling tipi from 19 November – 24 December.

The Trafford Centre has announced the arrival of its next large-scale outdoor event just in time for Christmas / Credit: Trafford Centre

The festivities won’t be stopping there either, as there’ll be a giant covered hangar to shelter from the winter weather, and a chance to sampling some mulled wine and other delicious delights from traditional Bavarian Huts.

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Independent street food vendors will also be on hand, including Oh My Glaze, Old School Dogs, The Thai Food Van, Epic Pizza, Bouji Baker, and Clean Traits.

If you are planning on popping down to Tinsel Town this Christmas, then make sure not to miss SNOWSTORM – a 90-minute “sensational” ice skating show live from the heated theatre big top with an international cast of ice skaters and incredible circus artists on 600 square feet of shimmering real ice.

Speaking ahead of the opening of Tinsel Town, Zoe Inman – Director at the Trafford Centre – said: “Eat, drink, skate, slide and be merry at the Trafford Centre this Christmas by making special memories at Tinsel Town, before enjoying some Christmas shopping and feasting.

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“With late night shopping until 11pm from 20-23 December, festive music on the malls, and spectacular Christmas lights to enjoy, a visit to the Trafford Centre isn’t to be missed.”

Tobogganing, ice skating, and riding a Santa train are just some of the things you could be getting up to / Credit: Trafford Centre

Tinsel Town will be situated outside The Orient, opposite The Great Hall entrance.

You do not need to pay general admission to sit and enjoy food and drinks in the hangar, visit Santa in his tipi, or watch the SNOWSTORM show, but you will need to pay for the fairground and ice rink.

For full details, how to book, and opening hours, visit the Trafford Centre website here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre

What's On

Wet Leg are BACK and coming to Manchester very soon

Danny Jones Danny Jones Wet Leg Manchester gig tickets Victoria Warehouse

One of the best up-and-coming indie bands around is returning after what feels like forever, but it’s actually only been a few years; either way, Wet Leg are back and coming to Manchester.

Their self-titled debut dropped back in 2022 and was met with an overwhelming reaction, picking up three Grammy Awards at a BRIT for Best British Group at the first time of asking.

It did slap, to be fair.

More importantly, fast forward three years and they’re back with a release date for their sophomore record, moisturizer, a brand new single by the name of ‘catch these fists’, as well as a small handful of new tour dates – including a gig at a brilliant Manchester music venue, of course.

The Isle of Wight-founded five-piece, fronted by charismatic duo Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, will be heading out on a couple dozen live shows across Europe and the festival season circuit, as well as a one-off gig (for now) in the US at The River in LA.

However, just five of those are domestic headline dates, with the gang preparing to delight crowds in London, Birmingham and our friends over in Leeds.

Guess we’ll just have to go to both.

Here in Manchester, Wet Leg will be playing the cult favourite venue, O2 Victoria Warehouse, which just wrapped up this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival programme.

As for the new album, moisturizer is due to release on 11 July, and from the small teaser we’ve been given courtesy of their new single, it sounds like there’s been some experimentation; the guitars and attitude are being dialled up even further, and they’re just as confident as ever.

An absolute jam, as expected.

Best of all, you don’t have to wait long to see them live again, as they’ll be heading out across the country just next month and are scheduled to arrive in Old Trafford on Thursday, 29 May.

Tickets for the Manchester gig and all other Wet Leg UK tour this May will be available for early access to those who pre-order the album online from 10 am local time on Wednesday, 9 April.

General sale goes live at the same time on Friday, 11 April. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

You will absolutely be seeing us there.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Iris Luz (supplied)/Audio North

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A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International are hosting a careers festival in Manchester this week, designed to empower young creatives. 

The huge free event on Thursday 3 April will take over Aviva Studios, offering everything from speed mentoring to CV clinics to expert talks. 

Attendees will be able to have a free headshot taken, meet employers and like-minded creatives, and generally get a feel for how to build a career in the creative industry.

The Career Festival will boost Manchester’s creative future by supporting the next generation of creators, investing in their skills and confidence. 

It’s all geared towards young people aged between 16 and 24 who face challenges in finding sustainable careers within the creative industries.

On the day, attendees will be able to receive one-on-one career advice from top industry professionals in speed mentoring sessions, learning from experts in marketing, media, production and more. 

They’ll also be able to network with organisations, training providers and employers including Crew gal, Walk the Plank, and Gate Films.

Expert talks will give advice on how to break into the industry, while a CV clinic will help to hone CVs into a stand-out that’ll get a foot straight in the door, along with free headshot portraits. 

A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Mark Crayden Photography

And the whole time attendees will be surrounded by other creatives, building a network that could launch them towards their next big opportunity. 

The TikTok Creative Academy, delivered by Catch22 and funded by TikTok, is a free employment program designed to provide vital support to young people aged 16-24 seeking to enter the creative industries.

It’s been specifically targeted towards young people who experience barriers to employment, whether that’s because of challenges like mental health and limited educational attainment, or involvement with the criminal justice system.

The programme itself has a free employment course, offers targeted supports, and opens the door to the industry, fostering networking and career development. 

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Supplied

It also offers practical skills development and emphasises creative abilities to help young people thrive. 

Quote from TikTok Creative Academy Senior Service Manager, Hilda Dotsey: “At Catch22, we are acutely aware of the challenges that young creatives face when it comes to finding sustainable employment in the creative industries and we are about to mark the 1000th person supported into work, training or further education through TikTok Creative Academy. 

“With lack of industry insight and experience cited as one of the key barriers to quality creative careers, it is fantastic to be partnering with Factory International once more. 

“This event, which celebrates our third year of delivering the programme, will open up pathways for Manchester youth, linking up the next generation of creative talent with industry experts and Manchester’s top creative voices.”

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International: Career Festival will take place at Aviva Studios from 1pm to 4pm on Thursday 3 April. 

You can find out more about Catch22 and the services available HERE. 

Read more: MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space

Featured image: Mark Crayden Photography

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