Now that October is here, you know what that means? We’re really not that far away from the big festive ‘C word’.
Sure, it may still feel like a little bit early to some of you to be talking about Christmas now, but the Trafford Centre is really getting into the seasonal spirit as it has this week announced that its popular grotto experience will be returning next month.
This year, the shopping centre is taking things up a notch too, as The Grotto is described as being a ‘joyful’ and ‘interactive’ adventure where you’ll become part of a magical mission – saving Christmas cheer.
The North Pole’s magic runs on the spirit of Christmas, but something’s gone wrong this time.
According to the Trafford Centre, The Cheer-o-Meter has been malfunctioning and dropping fast, and without a high-enough cheer reading, Santa’s sleigh won’t be able to fly and Christmas deliveries will be grounded – so this is where you all come in.
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Visitors’ magical journeys through The Grotto will start at Gingerbread Lane as they write their letters to Santa and get briefed for their mission, all before they then head into the Merrymarker Studio to giggle, shout, and complete in colourful challenges to power up the Cheer-o-Meter.
Then finally, in Santa’s Study, visitors will get to seal their letters and get ready for a magical photo moment, all before meeting Santa himself.
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The Trafford Centre has announced the return of its ‘festive wonderland’ grotto this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
“Christmas is our favourite time of year at Trafford Centre, as it’s all about creating unforgettable memories for our guests,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“The Grotto was a huge success last year, with so many families telling us how magical it felt, so we’re thrilled to welcome it back. Tickets are already in high demand, so book early to ensure your family can experience the wonder of meeting Santa this Christmas.”
To make the experience accessible to all, even more Whispering Winter sessions will also be available this year.
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These specially-tailored visits feature softer lighting, quieter music, and fewer visitors to create a calm and inclusive environment for every child to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Tickets to The Grotto at the Trafford Centre are now on sale and selling fast – with prices starting from £27, plus booking fee for children (including a Christmas gift), and £9.50 plus booking fee for adults.
Magical Christmas experience in Manchester will bring The Polar Express to life
Daisy Jackson
A magical new Christmas experience is coming to Manchester this winter, bringing The Polar Express to life.
The fully immersive walkthrough experience will invite you on an enchanting journey to the North Pole, as you whizz past beautiful landscapes – all without actually leaving Manchester.
The all-new BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience brings the beloved story to life, following the Hero Boy and Hero Girl.
Taking place at the O2 Victoria Warehouse, the experience begins in Hero Boy’s bedroom, before you step foot into the iconic The Polar Express carriage as a passenger.
Then you’ll be glued to the windows as you whizz through the Caribou Forest, past icy lakes, and dazzling Northern Lights displays.
Entertaining passengers every step of the way are beloved characters like the Conductor, Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and the mysterious Hobo.
You can get your golden ticket punched, warm up with a complimentary hot chocolate and a cookie, and be swept along by the festive tale.
Passengers will meet beloved characters from The Polar ExpressYou can visit the nice-o-meterAnd meet Santa himself
At the ‘North Pole’, the magic continues, with a Pyjama Party, a Letter Writing Station where you can send a note to Santa, visit the Naughty or Nice Machine, and craft a special Christmas decoration to take home.
You’ll even get the chance to meet Santa Claus himself…
While THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride has welcomed over 1.7 million riders in 2024, BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Experience is a brand-new experience – no moving train, no stations.
Instead, the wonder of the story is brought off the tracks and into a hands-on environment.
The magic of The Polar Express will be brought to lifeFollow Hero Boy on his journey to the North Pole
Photo opportunities are available throughout the experience, and little ones (or grown-ups, we’re not judging) are encouraged to wear pyjamas to fully embrace the story.
BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS comes from Warner Bros., Discovery Global Experiences, Rail Events Inc., and Plus Live Events.
BELIEVE! THE POLAR EXPRESS takes place between14 November and 31 December at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, with tickets now available and expected to sell out quickly HERE.
A Relaxed Performance Day for guests with neurodiverse conditions will also be held.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2025 
