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
Manchester favourites hosting a heartwarming festive social for those alone this Christmas
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester bar and cafe, Haunt, have announced that they will be hosting a special social to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer to those who are spending Christmas apart from their families and/or friends this year.
Wholesome stuff from a wholesome bunch.
That’s right, friendly neighbourhood ghosts Haunt will be putting on a little free shindig for the 2025 festive period in an effort not only to share the typical kindness with locals based in and around the city centre but to help create “a sense of community, no matter what your situation”.
Announcing the completely open-to-the-public Christmas Eve party over the weekend, the team are looking to provide those who might otherwise be lonely or struggle during the holidays with a warm, arms-wide welcome, plus plenty more.
Writing on their social media account this past Sunday, bar manager JJ said: “People, it’s time to connect this Christmas! We will be providing free coffee and sweet treats from 12-5pm on Christmas Eve, as well as some games and workshops.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this, so it would be amazing to see as many of you there as possible! Also need this to reach the people that need an event like this most, so please share and repost.
“As always, look out for your people, I wouldn’t be anywhere without mine – JJ xoxo”
Come on, who doesn’t love seeing heartwarming stuff like this on their feed, especially when it comes to a time of year where so many suffer quietly amid the majority having a good time?
This isn’t the first time they’ve held a pop-up that’s caught our attention in 2025, either; it was only last month that we were surprised to stumble on a mini padel court in the middle of the room.
Once again, there’ll be brews and fresh bakes, as well as plenty of other activities to keep people entertained on the night.
As described in their post, Christmas can be tough for a lot of people, and if they can make even just one person looking for some kindness and companionship feel better for a few hours this year, then they’ll have done above and beyond their job.
It goes without saying that we love seeing local businesses taking the social and community side of their work like this to heart and putting in serious effort to make a difference.
Well done to JJ, the Chosen Family support group, and everyone at Haunt for setting this up; if you know anyone who might be interested in coming along, please do pass on the information.
You can grab your free tickets via Eventbrite right HERE, and maybe we’ll see some of you there.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Haunt (via Instagram)
What's On
The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.
It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.
However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.
You can see the latest raft of additions down below.
As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.
This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.
Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.
The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
Alex Kingston
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Balvinder Sopal
George Clarke
La Voix
Chris Robshaw
Ellie Goldstein
Thomas Skinner
Vicky Pattison
Stefan Dennis
Ross King
Karen Carney
Lewis Cope
Amber Davies
It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.
The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.
Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.
Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…
If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
5th November 2021 
