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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
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Christmas Light Switch-On's | Christmas Markets | Ice Skating | Festive Family Fun | Christmas Shows | Santa's Grotto's | Carols and Concerts | Food & Drink | Christmas Shopping | Luxury Hotel Stays and Experiences
1. Bolton Christmas Light Swith-On
The Bolton Light Switch On will be in Bolton Town centre at the Town Hall on Thursday, 22 November 2018
Fun-filled family Christmas light switch on with live entertainment on Victoria Square from 5pm, finishing with a mystery celebrity light switch on and a spectacular firework display.
2. Bury Christmas Light Switch-On
Cbeebies Andy Day and his band The Odd Socks will take to the stage at The Rock this Thursay 8th November, joined by R&B singer Lemar, and Santa himself!
Hosted by Tower FM, the centre's Christmas lights switch-on will run from 5:30-7:30pm, feature a number of local acts, and will have a family trip to Disneyland Paris up for grabs!
3. Oldham Christmas Light Switch-On
The Oldham Christmas Lights Switch On will be at Parliament Square in Oldham Town Centre on Sunday 18 November, 1 - 6pm, FREE
Have the opportunity to meet TV favourites throughout the day, followed by a fantastic firework display to light-up the night sky above the town centre.
4. Rochdale Christmas Light Switch-On
Rochdale’s Festive Market & Christmas Lights Switch On lights up the town hall in a flood of colours! Followed by the big switch-on and fireworks to officially open the festive season.
With fun activities inside for children, hot drinks, food, gifts, unqiue stalls and more, there’s something for everyone.
5. Wigan Christmas Light Switch-On
Wigan Town Centre's Christmas Light Switch On will be on 14th November, 4pm-7:30pm at Market Place! There will be a personal appearance by Kingsland Road and Wigan's Got Talent winner Scott Chapman
6. Visit the UK's original, award winning Christmas Markets in Manchester City Centre, with the biggest and best festive offering to date.
7. Just a short sleighride from the city centre, Tameside Christmas Markets hosts over 20 traditional cabin stalls, offering handmade crafts along with delicious festive treats. And to add an extra sparkle to a Christmas family day out, enjoy the ferris wheel, carousel and donkey rides.
8. Wrap up warm and head to Rochdale Festive Markets to enjoy steaming hot drinks and find unique gifts for your loved ones. There will be mouth-watering food, drinks and gifts with beautiful stalls in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall.
9. Head out of the city to Ramsbottom Christmas Markets; dotted around the beautiful town centre, it features food and craft from local producers. While in Ramsbottom, why not visit the lovely independent shops, cafes, bars and brewery too!
10. Discover unique vintage and handmade gifts for loved ones at the Etsy Made Local Manchester Market. There will be over 40 local Etsy sellers at the People's History Museum from Friday 30th Nov to Sunday 2nd December. Be sure to enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and live music as you explore the treasures
11. Head to Wigan for Standish Christmas Markets, with its indoor craft markets offering the best from North West traders, streets lined with outdoor market stalls and a beer tent operated by the village’s own Albion Ale House.
12. Visit Manchester Ice Rink at their new location at First Street by Deansgate Locks. As well as ice skating, First Street has plenty of food, drink and entertainment options to enjoy.
13. Skate in magical surroundings on the Ice Rink at the Ice Village this Christmas, the UK’s biggest ever ice attraction!
14. New this year Winter Funland are delighted to be bringing a gigantic real ice skating rink. Sessions on the ice will be available during your 4 hour visit to Winterfunland. Skate instructors will be available to assist your family with advice and penguin skate aids for children who need a helping hand.
15. Follow Dunham Massey’s magical, after-dark, illuminated trail through the historic woodland, transformed into a winter wonderland for the first time.
16. Ride the super fun snow slide at Bolton Winter Festival along with a visit to their ice rink, magical Santa's Grotto and festive artisan markets.
17. Experience 10 free light experiences spanning across Salford Quays, from the Plaza between The Lowry and the Lowry Outlet, to MediaCityUK at Quays Culture's Lightwaves.
18. Add a little thrill-seeking to your Christmas cheer with Winter Fundland's indoor theme park at EventCity.
19. Watch the children's eyes light up and their imaginations run wild on a magical night time journey through Chester Zoo.
20. Discover the magic of Santa's Grotto on real snow and experience a Christmas like no other only at Chill Factore.
21. Visit Europe's tallest walk-in Christmas tree for a truly magical Christmas feel at Cheshire Oaks (and grab yourself some designer bargains!)
22. A Christmas Tree Festival? Yes please! This tree-mendous annual festival is back with more than 50 individually decorated trees for you to browse and get inspiration from.
23. Take a wintry walk around MediaCityUK this Christmas time to mark the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming tale, The Snowman. A collection of 12 beautifully decorated The Snowman sculptures are waiting to be discovered on this family-friendly trail.
24. Take the kids to see Children’s award-winning production, Stick Man at The Lowry, packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
25. Have a Wicked Christmas at The Palace Theatre this year. Winner of over 100 international awards, Wicked has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade.
26. Channel your inner fairy godmother at Opera House and book tickets to Cinderella, starring Coronation Street’s Connor McIntyre (Pat Phelan) and TV presenter, comedian and actor Les Dennis.
27. Join Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey at Bolton’s Albert Hall for their production of Snow White.
28. Head to the Forgotten Forest of Discos at Contact Theatre - a new and exciting show for children aged 5+ (and the older ones who look after them!)
29. Bring all the family to the big screening of The Snowman, accompanied by the Hallé performing Howard Blake's beautiful score.
30. Tatton Park’s annual Christmas carol singing is a firm favourite. Set in their Stableyard with a live band, you can’t beat it for seasonal atmosphere!
31. Join the Hallé for an amazing afternoon of festive family fun packed with sing-alongs, jingle-alongs, surprises, laughter and jaw-dropping wonder.
32. Enjoy a cracker of a toe-tapping festive show with Christmas Spectacular at Bridgewater Hall. Packed with sing-alongs and dancing, it’s an unmissable Christmas party!
33. Get cozy ready for Christmas with the “King of Waltz” Andre Rieu as he returns to Manchester Arena with his grand show of romance and magic. Of course, he will play wonderful Christmas carols besides his entertaining and fantastic programme of waltzes, film scores, folk songs and musicals.
34. Kick off the festive celebrations with a magical ride on East Lancashire Railway’s steam powered Santa Specials!.
35. Enjoy whizzing down the Downhill Donuts, racing on sledges on Sledge ‘o’ Mania or braving the Luge Slip ‘n’ Slide. Top off your snow adventure with a visit to Santa’s Grotto at Chill Factore.
36. Meet Prancer and Dancer, Father Christmas's two adorable reindeers at Tatton Park's Christmas Grotto.
37. Join the biggest toy parade in the north-west and bring the magic of Christmas to intu Trafford Centre where Father Christmas will take a brief break from his time in the grotto to appear in the procession and welcome the crowds.
38. Get your Christmas wish list ready as Santa's Grotto opens at Manchester Arndale.
39. Step in to the magical winter wonderland of Bruntwood Hall, adorned with decorations and festive cheer. Bring your little ones down to meet Santa in his grotto, whilst treating yourselves to a festive afternoon tea.
39. Enjoy some late night retail shopping at Cheshire Oaks Deisgner Outlet with up to 70% off RRPs!
40. If wild and alternative is your shopping arena, get yourselves to Afflecks and pick up a truly unique gift.
41. Shop for Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in high street shops.
42. Enjoy Christmas shopping at Craft and Design Centre's beautiful historic building, a former Victorian fish market nestled in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter🎄🎅
43. Head to the Christmas Markets and pick up a Great British Sunday Roast wrapped (burrito style) in a Yorkshire Pudding!
44. Enter a magical Christmas Mansion themed to 'Food Glorious Food' and decorated with fresh foliage and stunning decorations at Tatton Park.
45. Treat yourself for a drink (or 2...) at Bar Hütte in Spinningfields with festive favourites, the Gin Apple Winter Toddy and the house special, the Twisted Bombardino.
46. Join Dive NQ this Christmas for the ultimate festive treat! We're talking, giant tipi complete with twinkly lights, heaters, blankets, food and drink stalls.
47. Relax over a festive afternoon tea in The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant, including mulled wine, traditional sandwiches and cakes.
48. Enjoy an array of exciting vegan street food, a bar with vegan wines and cocktails, vegan stalls selling Christmas gifts, festive live music, and vegan winery tastings at the stunning Victoria Baths.
49. Transform Christmas into a world of decadence at Manchester’s most iconic Hotel, The Midland.
50. Experience the twist and delights we have in store at The Lowry Hotel Party Nights.
51. Create the perfect end to your festive visit with a stay at the four star Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford overlooking the world famous Lancashire Cricket pitch.
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