Discover Manchester

Dynamic Variation:

Christmas Markets at The National Football Museum

What's On This Week

Whether you're a local looking for a new adventure or a visitor eager to explore, our carefully curated selection of events will ensure your week is filled with unforgettable moments.

Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo

The North West’s must-see festive light experience is back for 2025, with more dates than ever…

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as the West End smash-hit production of The Lion, the…

Skate Manchester

GET READY FOR MANCHESTER’S ULTIMATE WINTER EXPERIENCE! 25 OCTOBER 2025 – 4 January 2026…

Christmas Bricktacular

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

The ultimate indoor LEGO® playground transforms into a festive wonderland this Christmas with…

25 Nov 2025 - 30 Dec 2025

Christmas Letters from Santa

Send a Personalised Christmas Letter from Santa Claus Many of us will know a little girl or boy who…

25 Nov 2025 - 20 Dec 2025

Dining With Distinction: Christmas Dinner

East Lancashire Railway

What better way to enjoy a festive dinner than being hauled by a vintage steam engine through the…

25 Nov 2025 - 23 Dec 2025

Family Escape Room - The Library of Enchantment

A family-friendly escape room. Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a…

25 Nov 2025 - 31 Dec 2025

Santa Special 2025

East Lancashire Railway

You better not pout and you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town! Steam into Christmas on…

25 Nov 2025 - 24 Dec 2025

Snowy's Conservation Crew

Sea Life Manchester

Adventure to the Arctic this Christmas at SEA LIFE Manchester, where Snowy is inviting families to…

25 Nov 2025 - 04 Jan 2026

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

Palace Theatre

West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, comes to Palace Theatre…

25 Nov 2025 - 03 Jan 2026

Candlelight: Rings & Dragons

Manchester Cathedral

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

29 Nov 2025 -

Meet LEGO® Santa - Additional Experience

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Journey to the LEGO® North Pole and meet Santa with a difference! Head into the grotto for a…

29 Nov 2025 - 24 Dec 2025

Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight

Manchester Cathedral

Enjoy a spectacular evening with some of the greatest classical music ever written, including…

29 Nov 2025 -

Love Actually In Concert - The Film with Live Orchestra

Bridgewater Hall

This Christmas, the star studded Love Actually—perhaps one of the most quotable and adored…

03 Dec 2025 -

Adult LEGO Night

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Have you ever wanted to visit LEGOLAND® discovery centre but don't have any little ones in…

05 Dec 2025 -

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero

AO Arena

Disney On Ice returns to Manchester with Find Your Hero, swooping into the AO Arena for multiple…

10 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025

After-hours with the Mermaids

Sea Life Manchester

Come and explore the full aquarium in these limited, intimate evening sessions and you’ll also…

12 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)

Aviva Studios

Let David Hockney take you on a personal journey through sixty years of his art in this vibrant…

16 Dec 2025 - 11 Jan 2026

The Holiday: The Film with Live Orchestra

Bridgewater Hall

Cherished Christmas romcom The Holiday is set to be presented live in concert this festive…

16 Dec 2025 -

Candlelight: Christmas Classics

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

21 Dec 2025 -

Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings

Dearest Reader, Lady Whistledown has already given her verdict: the event of the season is here!…

03 Jan 2026 - 05 Mar 2026

Candlelight: The Best of Ennio Morricone

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

10 Jan 2026 -

Luminiscence UK

Manchester Cathedral

Over 1 Million people have already been dazzled by the experience… Be the next! Luminiscence…

14 Jan 2026 - 26 Mar 2026

Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

15 Jan 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

01 Feb 2026 -

Swan Lake

Manchester Opera House

Lose yourself in the magic of classical ballet this new year. Swan Lake is arguably the…

03 Feb 2026 -

Red Rose Diner

East Lancashire Railway

Step on board our luxury Pullman carriages and sample fine cuisine in opulent surroundings whilst…

06 Mar 2026 - 20 Nov 2026

Gravity - Starring Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman & Rachel Tucker

Manchester Opera House

You’re invited to experience Gravity — a remarkable night that brings together three…

10 Apr 2026 -

Carlos Acosta's Carmen

Manchester Opera House

A flamenco-Cuban-ballet contemporary mashup bursting with energy and inventive choreography…

22 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026

Blue

Manchester Opera House

Kilimanjaro Live & Triple A Entertainment present: Blue – 25th Anniversary Tour + Special…

18 May 2026 -

Sounds of the City

Castlefield Bowl

Sounds of the City is back in July 2026, taking over Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for a…

02 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026

Diesel Midweek Luncheon

East Lancashire Railway

Sit back and relax in our luxury Pullman style carriages while we serve up some traditional hearty…

29 Jul 2026 - 26 Aug 2026

André Rieu

Co-op Live

André Rieu, world-renowned Dutch violinist and conductor, will be bringing his brand new show…

11 Sep 2026 -

The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre The world-renowned shopping and leisure destination has all the must-have…

Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill

Located in the heart of Spinningfields, Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill Manchester blends…

Co-op Live

As the UK’s only music-first arena, Co-op Live boasts the largest floor space of any indoor…

AO Arena

The AO Arena Manchester, managed and operated by ASM Global, is one of the busiest venues in the…

Science and Industry Museum

Explore 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the…

Rochdale Town Hall

Step Inside Rochdale Town Hall The doors are open and there’s so much to explore! The newly…

Selfridges

Selfridges Exchange Square is located in the heart of the city and offers a luxury shopping…

IWM North

Extraordinary Powerful Stories IWM North makes full use of its renowned architecture to…

Coronation Street Experience - Step Onto The Iconic Street!

Coronation Street is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and…

Manchester City Football Club Stadium and Club Tour

Manchester City Stadium Tour is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

Old Trafford Tour & Museum

Old Trafford Tour & Museum offers a behind the scenes look at the world’s most iconic…

RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS Garden Bridgewater is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions…

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

********* LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is the ultimate indoor LEGO Playground and offers an…

Sea Life Manchester

********* Come face-to-fin with thousands of creatures at SEA LIFE Manchester, including majestic…

Scranchester Food Tours

A truly immersive food tour of Manchester. Your local guide will take you on a multi-stop tour…

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The funniest pub tours in the country, absurd yet factual roller-coasters staggering across three…

Sightseeing Manchester - Open-Top Bus Tour

Sightseeing Manchester is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales & Chester Tour from Manchester

King Edward built a castle in Conwy, King Arthur slayed a giant in Eryri (Snowdonia), and the Romans…

Windermere & the Lake District - Day Tour from Manchester

The Lake District is where people go to rejuvenate their senses. The soaring mountains refresh…

The Edwardian Manchester

A 5-star luxury hotel with spa in Manchester’s city centre The Edwardian Manchester offers its…

The Midland Hotel

Set in the heart of Manchester, this Grade II listed building exudes elegance and history. Following…

Hotel Gotham Manchester

Boutique 5* hotel, Rooftop Private Members Bar, GILT Club & 2AA Rosette Honey Restaurant. Hotel…

INNSiDE Manchester

INNSiDE Manchester stands in a stunning building in one of the city’s most vibrant…

Holiday Inn The Niu Loom

Discover Manchester with ease! Holiday Inn – the niu, Loom Manchester North is right next to…

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly is set to fly the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s…

Stockport

Situated just 10-minutes south of Manchester city centre by train, Stockport is well worth a visit…

Rochdale

Rochdale is a borough in the north of Greater Manchester, comprising of Heywood, Middleton, Milnrow…

Bolton

Bolton is friendly town full of character in Greater Manchester, Ideally located close to the…

Bury

Just north of Manchester, the borough of Bury is a great combination of award winning attractions…

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Seasonal guide
5 minute read

Plan your New Year's Eve Celebrations in Greater Manchester

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, Manchester and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester are the best places to celebrate. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with your partner, gather the family for a memorable night, catch up with friends, or even enjoy a solo adventure, there’s…

4 minute read

What's on at the Theatres this Christmas

This festive season, Manchester transforms into a dazzling hub for Christmas theatre shows, welcoming families and theatregoers. From enchanting family favourites to spectacular musicals and pantomimes, Manchester theatre Christmas 2025 promises unforgettable nights out and magical festive memories.

3 minute read

Experience the Magic of Christmas at Trafford Centre’s Spectacular Events

Step into a whirlwind of Christmas magic at Trafford Centre. This year, they’re pulling out all the stops to deliver a sparkling line-up of events, dazzling activities, and moments you’ll remember forever. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect present, looking for magical activities, or want to…

Seasonal guide
6 minute read

Discover 10 Lovely Winter Walks in Greater Manchester

Winter’s the perfect excuse to get outside and stretch your legs. Grab your friends or family, hop on a train, tram or into the car, and see what Greater Manchester and its neighbouring towns have to offer. Whether you want a tougher route or an easy lakeside walk, there’s plenty to discover this…

3 minute read

Experience the Magic of Christmas in Rochdale

Rochdale, Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture, is transforming into a sparkling winter wonderland brimming with Christmas spirit. From enchanting light displays and bustling artisan markets to ice skating and magical meetings with Father Christmas, there’s something for everyone in Rochdale this…

Seasonal guide
18 minute read

Gift Ideas and Experiences in Greater Manchester This Christmas

Finding the perfect gift isn't always easy, but this festive season, Greater Manchester has plenty of ideas and inspiration. From experiences to enjoy now to ones worth booking ahead of the new year, it's the perfect time to try something new and support local businesses along the way. With 25% off…

2 minute read

Northern Lights Manchester with John Lewis: Festive Magic Illuminates Heaton Park

Manchester is gearing up for a spectacular new festive tradition as Northern Lights Manchester prepares to illuminate Heaton Park for its debut season — joined by John Lewis as Headline Sponsor this Thursday. Running from 20 th November to 31 st December 2025 , guests can embark on a stunning…

Seasonal guide
15 minute read

Christmas Feasting in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester truly comes alive at Christmas, transforming into a haven for festive food lovers and families seeking magical moments. Whether you’re after elegant fine dining, a whimsical afternoon tea, or a cheerful breakfast with Santa, the city’s vibrant restaurants and venues offer…

News
2 minute read

Top 5 Family-Friendly Theatre Shows and Activities at Z-arts this November 2025

Looking for the perfect family day out in Manchester this November? Z-arts in Hulme, the UK’s only dedicated arts centre for children and families, is celebrating 25 magical years with a packed programme of laughter, live music and imaginative indoor adventures. Join the fun celebrations happening…

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