Festive Watch
Long held family traditions make Christmas magical for both children and grown-ups alike! From trimming the tree, to digging out the stockings and leaving a mince pie out for Santa, it’s a season to be treasured. Make yours even more special with a visit to some of these sparkling destinations – all ready to treat and entertain you to make it your merriest Christmas yet.
Celebrate Christmas with family favourites at intu Trafford Centre
intu Trafford Centre transforms into a magical family destination this festive season. Discover an interactive Woodland Wonderland at the enchanting Peter Rabbit™ Christmas grotto, with plenty of new characters and surprises this year. This captivating experience is open from the 14th November – 24th December. You can also enjoy a festive, family day out at the Alpine Village which opens on the 9th November. Snuggle up by the fire in the tepee, whilst you sip hot chocolate, followed by a spin on the carousel or Big Wheel! W: www.intu.co.uk/traffordcentre
Wrap up warm and be enchanted at Manchester’s Ice Village
As the dark nights draw in, Manchester’s magical Christmas season begins. There’s plenty to see and do in the wonderful Ice Village from the 8th November in Cathedral Gardens. The ice-tastic experience includes Manchester’s award-winning Christmas Markets, Santa’s Grotto, Ice Rink, Ice Tiki Bar and a breath-taking Ice Cavern. The Ice Cavern is an amazing interactive ice sculpture attraction which will transport you into a world of mythical beasts and fairy tales. Pay a visit to a unicorn, griffin and a huge ice dragon. You can get your skates on at Manchester’s Ice Rink, with its new clear roof, perfect for any weather, and for those less confident, friendly penguins will be on hand to help. W: www.manchester.gov.uk/christmas
Winter Wonderland captures the thrill of a family Christmas
The UK’s biggest Christmas indoor Winter Wonderland is returning to Manchester on 6th December until 5th January. It will see five amazing festive attractions including: a huge real ice rink, Christmas circus, panto, an indoor funfair and of course, Santa Claus. It’s taking place at EventCity, opposite intu Trafford Centre where there’s over 3,000 free car parking spaces. As well as all these attractions there will be plenty of food and drink available. For parents of young children, there’s space to park any prams, a breastfeeding area and baby changing facilities throughout the venue. Tickets are £23.50pp and under 3’s go free and are available from the website. W: www.winterfunland.com
Sledging, Snow and Santa – enjoy it all at Chill Factore!
Experience a snowy Christmas at Chill Factore’s real snow wonderland. Treat all the family to the ultimate Christmas experience with family fun in Mini Moose Land or Snow Park and visit Santa himself in his grotto. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the festivities this Christmas. All visits to the Grotto are combined with some sub-zero fun. Take on the Downhill Donuts, the Snow or Ice Slide and sledging in Snow Park. If you have little ones aged 3 or under then Mini Moose Land is perfect. You can meet Santa in his Grotto every weekend from 16th November and every day from the 1st December right up until Christmas Eve. W: www.chillfactore.com/christmas
Festive Fun for all the Family at Bents
With Christmas just around the corner, Bents has planned some very special festive events to keep the little ones entertained starting with Father Christmas’ arrival on Saturday 9th November and the Centre’s popular Festive Family Fun Weekend on 7th and 8th of December. Bents’ Little Face of Christmas Facebook competition returns for another year and children can enjoy Tea and Breakfast with Father Christmas at one of Bents popular party events, but be sure to book soon to avoid disappointment! And with a choice of dining destinations, outdoor adventure play area and an indoor beach there’s every opportunity to treat yourself whilst the little ones play. W: www.bents.co.uk
Swing into Christmas in style at Dino Falls Adventure Golf
Gather the family and head off to enjoy the annual Dino Falls Adventure Golf Christmas Hunt starting on the 14th December. Take your little ones on this festive adventure right up until 6th January and find clues to solve the secret message to receive a festive gift! Don’t forget, there’s a brand new Volcano course opening up this winter too! W: www.dinofalls.co.uk
The Snowman flies in to The Hallé for the ultimate festive treat
Bring the whole family to the Hallé’s screening of Raymond Briggs’ classic animated film, The Snowman – an essential part of Christmas. The film is accompanied by the Hallé performing Howard Blake’s magical score live, including a chorister singing ‘Walking in the Air’. In the first half of the concert, start the countdown to Christmas with the Hallé and an Alien Party on Planet Zum-Zee. Get on the Hallé spaceship and prepare for an astonishing musical journey with big screen animation. T: 0161 907 9000 W: www.halle.co.uk
Journey through an enchanting Christmas Woodland
Visit Blakemere Village this Christmas for an unforgettable journey through the Cheshire woodland to find Father Christmas, his festive forest friends and the captivating Snow Princess and her Unicorn. And new for this year: build-a-cuddly-toy experience with Mrs. Claus, yours to take home and treasure! This enchanting 3-hour family event runs every weekend from 30th November – 23rd December. Tickets are priced at £30 per person plus booking fee (under 3s £10) and includes gifts from Father Christmas for children and adults, festive photo opportunities, Mrs Claus’ activity, unlimited festive skating plus magic wand whittling. W: www.christmaswoodland.co.uk
Santa Sleepovers at Gulliver’s World, Warrington
Escape to the most magical winter world with unique Santa sleepovers this December at Gulliver’s World, Warrington. Stay overnight in their cosy, family friendly, themed Hotel and Lodgings. Experience the all-inclusive Christmas Theme Park fun! Enjoy the festive rides & attractions and explore the Winter Wonderland on your way to meeting Santa himself, receiving a free gift before he sets off on his journey around the globe! Join in lots of Christmas activities such as Gully’s Magical Snow Show, Mrs Christmas’ Kitchen and Elf School, as well as seeing unique Christmas shows and characters! W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
Once upon a time stood a fairy tale Christmas Mansion….
Nostalgic family favourites are brought to life at Tatton Park this Christmas as you join the fairy godmother on an enchanting journey through dark magical woodlands and enchanting forests. Find out who is the fairest of them all in the Dining Room and wind up in the Beast’s magnificent Castle Library with Belle before being whisked away to Aladdin’s golden palace. Meander through the Mansion’s grand staterooms into a stunning Winter Wonderland where you’ll enter Cinderella’s magnificent Ballroom for family photos next to her pumpkin carriage.
Guests can follow the sweetie trail through woodland onto the servant’s quarters entering the Witch’s gingerbread house. Before you leave you can say farewell to the fairy godmother who will have a tasty treat for you! W: www.tattonpark.org.uk/christmas
Celebrate this Christmas at Printworks MCR!
Head down to Printworks this season and enjoy a festive feast at one of their many restaurants such as Hard Rock Café, Wagamama, Nandos, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquitos, Peachy Keens and Wasabi. Then get the whole family together and Tee off at Tree Top Adventure Golf, catch a festive flick at Vue Manchester with ticket prices at an amazing £4.99 or maybe break out of one of their escape rooms at Escape Reality Manchester. Endless ideas to make this Christmas extra special! W: www.theprintworks.com
Step into Lyme’s Christmas stories
From putting up the tree to leaving a carrot and mince pie out on Christmas Eve, we all have our festive traditions but how did they differ in times gone by? Take the family on a day of discovery to explore festive memories and stories from the past at Lyme. See the Dining Room transformed for a Christmas Day or experience the sights of a winter wedding in the Drawing Room. A special bearded man will also be stopping off at Lyme this Christmas to meet children, but with spaces filling up fast you’ll have to book soon to make sure you’re on his list. W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme
Santa sprinkles a little magic at Manchester Arndale
Take your little ones to visit Santa in his beautiful grotto at Manchester Arndale! Say hello to the Wish Keeper before starting your magical journey in the snow-covered garden of Santa’s Scandinavian log cabin. Meet the Elves and cast your Christmas wishes into the snowflake wishing well, before you step inside the Grotto to meet the main man. Santa’s grotto will be located on the upper mall near Argos from 21st November until 24th December. Tickets are available for just £5.50 (plus booking fee), which includes a special gift to take home. W: www.manchesterarndale.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE Around the World Celebrations at Gulliver’s World, Warrington
Start the New Year in style at Gulliver’s! Join Gully and the gang in celebrating the new year as it sweeps across the globe. Enjoy the festive theme park rides, attractions and world-wide buffet into the evening as well as a themed celebration every hour and much more. Top the night off with a fantastic firework display above the castle at midnight as the New Year reaches the UK! Make the new year even more special with a sleepover in cosy, award winning, themed accommodation situated right next to the theme park! It’s a New Year’s treat the whole family will love. W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
