And this year, not only is December bringing the festive season along with it, but it’s also brining England’s second national lockdown to an end, with a return to the regional tiered system as part of the UK government’s COVID Winter Plan.
While some of the city’s most-notable festive events have sadly had to be cancelled this year, following the announcement that Greater Manchester will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions, there’s still plenty of ways to celebrate.
You’ll just have to go a slightly different way about it.
With everything from award-winning light and lantern festivals, to drive-in cinemas and virtual Santa’s Grottos though, you won’t be stuck for choice.
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Do note that each event listed is subject to change as a result of any potential further government announcements, so it’s advised to keep informed and check the details of each event just ahead of making any trips to avoid disappointment.
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Lightopia
Heaton Park
Lightopia
The award-winning visual spectacular Lightopia is still set to return to Heaton Park under Tier 3 restrictions this December for a new, socially-distanced edition of adventures, lights, lanterns, sculptures and shows, and with Christmas very much the theme, the festivalwill use the stunning Grade I-listed Heaton Hall as its sparkling backdrop for all its festive merriment.
The event will operate under the ‘rule of six’ and visitors must adhere to this.
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Open to the public every day (except for Christmas Day) between 5pm to 10pm, with last entry is 8.30pm daily, Lightopia will take place from Thursday 3rd December, and extend its run all the way through until Sunday 10th January.
You can find more information regarding proceedings, ticket prices, deals and COVID-safety measures ahead of your trip to the event next month here.
Tickets can be booked via the Lightopia website here.
Virtual Lights Switch-On
Manchester City Centre
Manchester City Council
The annual Christmas Lights Switch-On usually attracts around 20,000 people to Manchester city centre, but things will be a little different this year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as there’ll be no large-scale event.
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That doesn’t mean the city won’t still sparkle though.
Three of Manchester’s NHS frontline heroes are performing the honours of switching on the lights this week – with this year’s illuminations including a trail of light sculptures through the city centre – and while exact switch on dates are still pending, there are plans to live-stream the whole event.
Keep your eye on the Manchester City Council website here for the latest updates.
Christmas movies, live performers and Father Christmas himself will all be at Trafford Park from Friday 4th December, with people invited to drive through Santa’s workshop, watch the elves at work, and enter the ‘snow valley’, before settling in for a movie.
Tickets for ChristmasCity are available to buy now – priced at £40 per vehicle – with a number of COVID safety precautions set to be implemented during the event.
For more information, you can visit the ParkNParty website here.
Christmas at Dunham Massey
Trafford
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Dunham Massey / National Trust
It’s safe to say that Dunham Massey’s outdoor lights trail has become one of the region’s most popular Christmas attractions, as the after-dark event illuminates the house, gardens and parkland with twinkling tunnels, giant sparkling reindeer, colour-changing lakeside reflections and trees glittering with baubles and stars.
The event is expected to get underway on 3rd December, and run through until 10th January 2021.
A spokesperson for Dunham Massey said: “As things stand, Christmas at Dunham Massey is still going ahead. We are working within strict government guidelines and carefully considering the difficulties of opening our places to members and supporters while ensuring we do so in a safe manner.”
You can find more information on COVID-safe precautions and book tickets here.
Winter Festival by The Parking Lot Social
intu Trafford Centre
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Winter Festival by The Parking Lot Social
The Parking Lot Social’s Winter Festival will park up at the intu Trafford Centre from 3rd – 8th December, with drive-in pantomime performances, festive film screenings and Christmas car-aoke.
Guests can have food delivered to their cars from a selection of stalls serving classic gourmet burgers, loaded fries, wood-fired pizzas and hot dogs, alongside sweet winter warmers such as hot chocolate, doughnuts, toasted nuts, gingerbread men and more.
Adding to the festive atmosphere will be a 60ft tall rainbow coloured Christmas tree, a giant DJing Santa Claus, and ‘the coolest reindeer to have ever left the North Pole’.
You can find more information and book tickets via The Parking Lot Social website here.
Santa Claus Calls
Chill Factore
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Santa Claus Calls by Chill Factore
The UK’s leading indoor snow complex Chill Factore is “keeping the magic of Christmas alive” by letting children share their Christmas list with Santa via the power of video call in a virtual grotto you can visit from the comfort of your own home.
The Santa Claus Calls experience will run from Saturday 5th December – 24th December 2020 and each call will last around five minutes.
The experience can be booked from £20.99.
This price includes the call recording and the option to add multiple callers/screens, so that the whole family can be brought together, and you can also text SANTA to 70125 to donate £2 to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity to support seriously ill children this Christmas time.
To book and find out more information, visit the Chill Factore website here.
What's On
Manchester’s ‘super duper’ family festival full of FREE activities is back early next year
Emily Sergeant
A popular festival full of free activities for all the family to get involved with is coming back to Manchester early next year.
Fresh off-the-back of the success of Manchester’s massively popular annual Christmas Parade – which is coming up this weekend, and is set to see tens of thousands of people flock to the city centre’s main shopping streets especially for the occasion – the return of another exciting event has been announced for February half term next year.
Get ready, as Manchester city centre will transform into a giant playground next year as The Super Duper Family Festival brings four free days of fun.
The popular event will feature a series of pop-up play zones at a variety of outdoor spaces and popular venues across the city centre, all of which will be free to use and ready to explore.
Credit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
Taking place from Wednesday 18 February through to Saturday 21 February, this year there will be more immersive play areas than ever before – with nine different zones providing unique experiences for all ages.
Families can dive into high-energy challenges in The Sports Hall at Great Northern, level up in The Arcade at Printworks, whirl and twirl through The Carnival on St Ann’s Square, and get playful in The Playground with Waterloo Road on Exchange Square.
The Super Duper Family Festival is returning from 18-21 February 2026, and you can find more information about everything happening here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho
Danny Jones
Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.
Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.
Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)
MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info
When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?
For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.
MCR Xmas Parade route
As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.
It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.
There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).
You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.
Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)
8am-5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am-3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)
11am-6pm
St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)
As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.
It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.
There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.
With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.
Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.
Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.
Credit: Supplied)
We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.
Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.
Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.
“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.
“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…
Emily Sergeant -
30th November 2020 
