14 things to do with kids in Greater Manchester this Christmas

Christmas is such a magical time for little ones. From Santa to snowflakes, it’s a time of year full of excitement, joy and wonder for kids of all ages. All parents want for Christmas is to see the faces of their little ones light up as they take in the most wonderful time of the year but keeping them entertained throughout the build-up to the big day can sometimes be a challenge. As the Christmas holidays approach, many parents will be left looking for festive activities to captivate the little ones and help make this festive season fantastic. 

Luckily, across Greater Manchester this Christmas you’ll find lots of activities to keep little ones busy and make their Christmas one to remember. Some events are free, while some need you to purchase a ticket. However, they’re all full of seasonal sparkle that little ones will love. 

Get ready for Christmas in Santa's favourite city! Manchester’s famous Christmas Markets return on 8 November 2024, kicking off the season with Manchester’s own Festive Friday. Running until 22 December, these markets are a must-visit for families, with toy shops, sweet emporiums and food stalls all over Manchester City Centre to explore.

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Maybe your kids would like to take to the ice this Christmas! Well, grab your skates because Skate Manchester is back for 2024. With twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread, Christmas songs playing on repeat and so much more, this is a Manchester tradition that makes the winter season. The stunning outdoor but covered ice rink will be in the heart of the city at Cathedral Gardens, from 8 November 2024 to 1 January 2025. This year its new ice path means your family can skate around our beautiful Christmas tree, surely it can’t get more festive than that! Prices start from £12.50 for children under 12.

More information here. 

Treat the family to an enchanting voyage through the magical Irwell Valley with one of the Santa Specials with East Lancashire Railway. Bury Station will be turned into a winter wonderland with singing polar bears, a magic tree, elves and even an appearance from Mrs Claus. Kids will have a ball meeting their favourite Christmas characters and singing along to seasonal songs while they wait for Santa to make his way to your carriage. If they’re nice, he may even bring them a special gift. There will also be mince pies and festive treats for the whole family to enjoy for a truly magical day out. The East Lancashire Railway Santa Special will take place on weekends between 23 November to 24 December 2024.

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Taking the kids to the pantomime is a Christmas tradition in many families and it’s one that is full of laughs and festive fun. This year, Manchester Opera House is showing the Pantomime adventures of Cinderella with special guest star, Jason Manford. With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter.

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Nothing will light up their faces this Christmas like a festive light show and this Christmas season you can let it glow at Salford’s RHS Garden Bridgewater. Glow is RHS Garden Bridgewater’s after-dark showcase, and it promises to be enchanting. The garden will be lit up in breathtaking light displays with a sparkling new trail full of festive colour and glitter. There’s a magical family discovery trail inspired by local folklore, a dramatic fountain display, colourful projections and more. Glow 2024 runs from 27 November to 30 December. With tickets for children between £4.45 and £7.95, depending on if you and your family are members.

More information here.  

Escape to Freight Island has been transformed into a seasonal extravaganza with a whole host of Christmas events and activities for you and the kids to get involved in. Take the little ones to see Father Christmas at the Grotto, Christmas Street food pop-ups. A brand-new edition for this year is the boutique ice skating rink, which will sit on the brand-new mezzanine floor made by CONCRETENE – making this rink another world’s first for Manchester.

Find out more here. 

The immersive light and sound show, running for 31 mesmerising days throughout winter 2024, will transform Mayfield Park into a twinkling, city centre escape. Step into the world of enchantment right in the heart of the city this winter with the Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park. With spectacular light displays, lantern installations and a captivating soundscape guiding you.

More information here. 

This year, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is hosting a LEGO-tastic Christmas that the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy festive-themed activities, rides, build and play zones and a 4D cinema experience at the ultimate LEGO playground. There will be a winter wonderland scavenger hunt, a chance to build a LEGO Christmas decoration, dance parties to rock around the Christmas tree and the chance to win treats on the advent wheel. Plus, you can upgrade your ticket to visit Santa at the LEGO North Pole. The Christmas Bricktacular runs from 30 November up until 24 December 2024 and the event is included with admission, with additional costs to upgrade to meet Santa.

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This winter, Tatton Park Gardens transforms into a captivating world of folklore and enchantment with *Yuletide*, an immersive event perfect for all ages. Visitors will be swept into a festival-like atmosphere where traditional Yuletide stories come to life through captivating storytelling and live music. Running from 16 November to 23 December.

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Cockfield's Farm is the ultimate Christmas destination, offering an immersive festive experience which takes you not only to Meet Santa in his grotto, but in and around the farm collecting stickers from the elves as you complete each activity, taking about two delightful hours. The immersive experience takes your children through a scavenger hunt guided by elves, choose a favourite toy, write to Santa, visit the animals and Mrs Clause’s house and much more. Tickets start at £18, and the farm is taking bookings for each weekend in December on the run up to Christmas.

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The family favourite Christmas event is back! Come along and enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and festive fun and games with the friendly team. While Santa's reindeer are busy in Lapland getting ready for their trip around the world, Santa will be paying us a visit, so make sure you're on your best behaviour! Christmas jumpers at the ready. Serving on weekends from 7 December, from £11.95 per child.

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Come and take a Santa Cruise on the Manchester Ship Canal this Winter with the chance to meet Father Christmas. As he brings a bit of his grotto on board. We will be departing from Salford Quays down the historic ship canal as where guests will have the chance to meet Santa while taking in the views along Manchester’s main waterway. Included on the cruise is an hour-long trip from Salford Quays, with mulled wine and mince pies for adults, cookies and juice for kids, activities and gifts aimed for 2-10-year-olds. Tickets cost from £12 for children. Running through the 2 to 23 December.

More information here. 

After dark, explore Dunham Massey’s magically festive light display, stunning passersby with light-p deer and twinkling displays. The trail is approximately one mile long, and we recommend allowing 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Food, drink and fairground rides are available onsite. Book you and the family in for an evening filled with light and laughter.

Find out more here. 

Prepare to be dazzled as the enchanting world of Firebird takes centre stage this winter in a mesmerizing fusion of ice skating and circus arts. This breathtaking production, featuring a cast of world-class skaters and top-tier circus performers, will ignite the season with a vibrant celebration of light, unity, and happiness. Perfect for all the family on the run-up to the festive season.

Find out more here. 

To find out about more events across the city-region, visit our What’s On page.