Our top tips for making the most of the week ahead, with brilliant things to do across the whole of Greater Manchester… For even more ideas, visit our What’s On page. 

Festive Sundays

Plan your festivities with Christmas in Manchester 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Manchester is putting on its best display of colourful Christmas lights, world-famous Christmas Markets, and events to take you through the Festive period. Our guides to Christmas are now live, including our round-up of 51 Things to do in Manchester this Christmas, information about Manchester Christmas Markets, which are now open until 22 December, and new for this year – Festive Sundays with events taking place every Sunday until Christmas.  

Visit our dedicated Christmas in Manchester page for ideas and inspiration! 

RHS Garden Bridgewater is illuminated with Glow 

Opening this week, RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford will be lit up with an unmissable dark spectacle of lights with Glow 2022, showcasing the gardens as you’ve never seen them before with a wonderful bright new route. New for 2022, visitors can weave their way through yew domes festooned with fairy lights, explore a magical discovery trail inspired by local folklore, alongside colourful projections, and hundreds of twinkling lights.  

A Christmas Carol comes to Bolton 

Firm festive favourite A Christmas Carol will open this week at Bolton’s Octagon theatre. The much-loved story of tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge is brought to life in a brand-new stage adaption and will feature live music and festive fun, and promises to deliver a heart-warming and uplifting tale of redemption. The show runs until 14 January 2023, tickets start from £15.  

Watch fun animated films at the UK’s largest Animation Festival 

Manchester Animation Festival is now open at HOME, bringing a series of events and screenings of short films to the city until Friday 18 November. As one of the UK’s largest festivals showcasing animation, you can expect unique animations, alongside masterclasses, talks from industry experts and exclusive panel discussions. Plus, they’ll be family-friendly days including Danger Mouse Monday and Wind in the Willows Wednesday. 

Learn about Dandy Style with a special trans and non-binary takeover 

Following the sell-out launch of Trans Vegas in July, the popular event returns to host a special tour at Manchester Fashion Gallery’s new exhibition Dandy Style. Led by E-J Scott, dress historian and curator of the Museum of Transology, the tour will look at the exhibition from a trans and non-binary prospective. The tour will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Krishna Istha (writer of Sex Education), Libro Bridgeman, and Orlando (a performer and dandy), who will discuss identity and the fashion that has informed who they are today. 

New Opening: Gooey Christmas Café, Selfridges 

Manchester’s viral sensation, queue-round-the-block, bakery and café, Gooey, is heading to The Trafford Centre this Christmas opening a 30-seat Gooey Café within Selfridges. Gooey’s insta-famous warm, gooey cookies and sugar-coated stuffed brioche doughnuts will be available, as well as a selection of barista-served coffees, soft drinks, and boozy hot chocolates. 

Book Now: Betty! A Sort of Musical at the Royal Exchange Theatre 

Opening on 3 December, Betty! A Sort of Musical tells the story of Betty Boothroyd, the first female speaker of the House of Commons. Featuring Maxine Peake as Betty, the show promises to be a heart-warming celebration of the human spirit and the unexpected rewards that can come from thinking ‘outside the dispatch box’. Runs until 14 January 2023.