9 min readMediaCity’s festive season has now officially kicked off and on Thursday 7th December its waterfront will be illuminated by Quays Culture’s striking Lightwaves installation in 15 locations across MediaCity and The Quays.
The free festival of light art returns to MediaCity with a range of immersive exhibitions for all ages, featuring a variety of works from established and emerging local artists that use light, sound and technology to create thought-provoking audio-visual journeys.
As MediaCity’s food and drink offering continues expanding, visitors to Quayside MediaCity will get to enjoy a seasonal soundtrack at its new independent food and drink destination – Central Bay.
The recently opened venue will be hosting live music nights with a festive twist as part of its ‘Central Bay Sessions’ in partnership with music maestros From The Other. Unforgettable performances await at this final event in the music series, hosted at 11 Central on Thursday 14th December. Central Bay’s ‘Disco Christmas’ will see Jenna G on the decks spinning disco, funk and soul classics, alongside dancers Natasha Moonshine & Mariella from 6pm-10pm. Ben Gwynne will also join them on stage to ramp up the party on percussion and Twisted Tubes will be bringing big brass energy with their signature roaming performances.
For those looking for unique and sustainable gifts this Christmas, the North’s first Charity Super.Mkt pop-up, packed with pre-loved gems, will remain open in Quayside MediaCity until December 13th 2023, while festive Makers Markets will return to The Lowry Plaza every weekend from Saturday 18th November until Sunday 17th December – shoppers can expect a seasonal pick of festive food and drink, art and design and modern crafts.
Central Bay’s brand-new bar, 11 Central, will continue serving local craft beers from Salford-based Seven Bro7hers, including bespoke beers brewed in its own on-site microbrewery, as well as artisan gins from Sis4ers Distillery. Visitors can expect the unexpected from 11 Central’s new a la carte menu featuring British favourites, or head over to the newly added Kargo MKT street food containers to check out festive favourites from across the globe by Rottu Kadai Dosa, Rio-Mex and Hot & Wild. Over the water, Botanist will be getting in the festive mood, with bauble decorating workshops and a bingo lunch, while The Lowry theatre welcomes brand-new seasonal shows including Life of Pi, Edward Scissorhands and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Image credit: Pulse by Loop
The full lineup of activities includes:
Lightwaves Salford
Staged across MediaCity and Salford Quays, visitors are invited to experience the free Lightwaves Festival, a trail of dramatic light art installations that animate and transform the urban waterside. Children and families can enjoy illuminating works from leading artists which are thought-provoking, surprising, and playful.
With 15 works spread across the area including three brand new commissions by Quays Culture, visitors can enjoy a host of other captivating showcases including CETUS, a luminescent artwork by Berlin-based artists Loomaland, taking the form of a six-metre whale shark; Pulse, an immersive mirrored installation spanning 50 metres along MediaCity Piazza by UK-based artists Loop and Play; The Nectory, a multi-sensory experience by artist Alison Smith with Dr Chris Hassall which allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature and increase appreciation of delicate ecosystems, and Fire Garden, which blends moving sculpture with fire and light in an exhilarating spectacle by award-winning pioneers of outdoor art, Walk the Plank.
Running from Thursday 7th Dec – Sunday 10th December
Salford Quays and MediaCity
Free
More information: here.
The Botanist Baubles and Lunch
Give your Christmas decorations a personal touch this year, at The Botanist’s Baubles and Lunch event. Enjoy your choice of lunch dish whilst you get creative painting your own festive design on a Christmas bauble, ready to hang on your tree throughout the festive season or gift to a friend.
Tickets are priced at £20 per person and include a dish from The Botanist’s limited menu, a bauble and painting equipment.
18th December
More information: here.
Botanist Bingo
Test your luck and enjoy a night of Botanist Bingo filled with games and prizes.
First Wednesday of every month, 1st November – 20th December
More information: here.
Central Bay Sessions: Disco Christmas
Soundtrack your Christmas drinks at 11 Central with the Central Bay Sessions’ ‘Disco Christmas’. Jenna G is on the decks spinning disco, funk and soul classics alongside dancers Natasha Moonshine & Mariella. Ben Gwynne takes to the stage to ramp up the party on percussion and Twisted Tubes will be bringing big brass energy with their signature roaming performances.
Thursday 14th December, 6-10pm.
More information: here.
Quayside Makers Markets
Every weekend from Saturday 18th November until Sunday 17th December, local makers, bakers, and artisans will tempt visitors with a seasonal pick of festive food and drink, art and design and modern crafts. Pick up festive tasty treats and bespoke homemade Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
28th October – 17th December
Quayside Plaza
More information: here.
Charity Super.Mkt
The UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store, Charity Super.Mkt, has opened its doors for the first time in the North at Quayside MediaCity, bringing slow fashion to Salford and offering a curated collection of the most appealing second-hand apparel from charities. Shoppers can discover hidden gems and the perfect sustainable Christmas gifts for loved ones, including vintage clothing, the best of band tees, forgotten football tops, desirable denim, and everything in between. Shoppers can make a day out of it with a ping pong table and sofa area in the store, as well as guest DJs at the weekends.
Open until 13th December: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Thu 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Quayside MediaCity
More information: here.
11 Central
A brand-new bar from the family behind Salford-based Seven Bro7hers and Four Sis4ers opens its doors at Central Bay this winter. Visitors can enjoy local craft beers from Seven Bro7hers, including bespoke beers brewed in its own on-site microbrewery, or sip on gins from Sisters Distillery on the waterfront terrace, complete with DJ sets and live music. Gin lovers can even take part in distilling sessions and gin tasting experiences, and foodies can feast on the gastro-licious a la carte menu featuring British favourites such as Beef Wellington and Sunday Roasts.
Opens 17th November
Central Bay, Quayside MediaCity
More information: here.
Kargo.MKT
Showcasing the best up-and-coming food and drink talent in Salford, Kargo.Mkt is the must-visit waterside foodie destination this season. Enjoy unrivalled views of Manchester’s most iconic waterfront landscape while tucking into unmissable Christmas specials from across the globe including the Crimbo Burger and Turkey Loaded Fries from What’s Your Beef, Battered Pigs in Blankets from Super Fry Guys and Christmas Tacos from Rio Mex. Plus, four new ‘Future Food Stars’ join the line-up at Kargo.Mkt taking up occupancy in the street food containers, including Rottu Kadai Dosa, Rio-Mex, Hot & Wild.
Central Bay, Quayside MediaCity
Open Monday-Sunday, food served from 12pm
More information: here.
Bauble Painting at Kargo.MKT
Join us for a fun, festive, cosy craft evening led by local artist Holly Greenwood. Visitors can design and paint their very own ceramic Christmas baubles and leave with 2 hand painted decorations, perfect for your Christmas tree. All ages are welcome, no artistic experience necessary. Holly will guide you through and provide you with design ideas, techniques and tips.
Thursday 30th November, 6:30pm-9pm
Kargo.MKT, Central Bay
More information and tickets: here.
Snow Queen Mini Disco at Kargo.MKT
The magical Kids Disco is back by popular demand. Join us at Kargo.MKT for an enchanting morning of dancing and fun.
Sunday 3rd December, 10am-12pm
More information and free tickets: here.
The Midnight Princess Mini Disco at Kargo.MKT
Embark on a magical morning at Kargo.MKT before the clock strikes 12. Come along to The Midnight Princess for a royal Kids Disco, where dreams come alive in a whirlwind of enchanting dances and fairy-tale fun.
Sunday 17th December, 10am-12pm
More information and free tickets: here.
Japanese Woodcut Printmaking at Kargo.MKT
Immerse yourself in the ancient art of Japanese Woodcut printmaking and create your own unique Christmas-themed prints under the guidance of local artist and printmaker, Rachel Evans, from Little Lion Studios. Rachel will guide you through the process of designing your Christmas themed print, intricately carving them into a high-quality wood block and then using ink and all the traditional Japanese woodprint materials to print them onto Washi Paper.
Thursday 19th December, 6:30pm-9pm
More information and tickets: here.
NYE with OKS at Kargo.MKT
Our Kids Social is bringing all the New Year’s fun to the NYE party at Kargo.MKT! With Kargo.MKT’s legendary silent disco headsets playing its kids' pop channel and Helen from Hyperreal DJS spinning the tunes on the dance floor, this event promises serious good time morning vibes. Plus all the NYE arts and crafts you come to expect from its fab family parties and a glitter bar to add a bit of NYE sparkle to everyone this New year.
Sunday 31st December, 10am-12pm
More information and tickets: here.
Shows at The Lowry Theatre
There’s something for everyone at The Lowry this winter – and the highlight has to be the five-star hit show Life of Pi based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel. Older children and adults can discover the hauntingly beautiful dance production of Edward Scissorhands based on the classic Tim Burton movie, while little ones can get in the Christmas spirit with Gingerbread Man – The Panto by the Barton Theatre Company which promises to be a tasty treat for all the family. And while at The Lowry, don’t miss the family favourite Julia and Axel – Thirty Years of Favourite Stories exhibition, a celebration of some of the world’s best-loved children’s books including The Gruffalo, Zog and Room on the Broom. Plus, Going on a Bear hunt.
