.png)
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Jump to:
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. Visit the UK's original, award winning Christmas Markets in Manchester City Centre, with the biggest and best festive offering to date.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Skate in magical surroundings on the Ice Rink at the Ice Village this Christmas, the UK’s biggest ever ice attraction!
9. 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.
10. Discover magic around every corner at A Magical Christmas Movie Experience at Mayfield.
11. Follow Dunham Massey’s magical, after-dark, illuminated trail through the historic woodland, transformed into a winter wonderland for the first time.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Add a little thrill-seeking to your Christmas cheer with Winter Funland's indoor theme park at EventCity.
15. Watch the children's eyes light up and their imaginations run wild on a magical night time journey through Chester Zoo.
16. Discover the magic of Santa's Grotto on real snow and experience a Christmas like no other only at Chill Factore.
17. Explore Greater Manchester's transport heritage and get taken on a journey through the exciting depths of the North West’s transport past!
18. Walk in the footsteps of famous Coronation Street residents, discover filming secrets and hear stories of their favourite characters at the official tour.
19. 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.
20. Head to Corn Exchange to enjoy Escape Hunt, Manchester’s most exciting new escape room experience.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. Join the eccentric Doctor Dolittle, his human companions and his exotic menagerie of animal friends on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail, that holds the secret of life and making the world a happier place - at The Lowry.
24. 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.
25. Join Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey at Bolton’s Albert Hall for their production of Snow White.
26. 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!)
27. Enjoy a unique mix of live music and energetic physical comedy as Släpstick fly in to HOME from the Netherlands. Or, enter the the beautifully strange world of White. Full of birdsong and birdhouses, it gleams and dazzles and shines in the night.
28. Bring all the family to the big screening of The Snowman, accompanied by the Hallé performing Howard Blake's beautiful score.
29. 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!
30. Join the Hallé for an amazing afternoon of festive family fun packed with sing-alongs, jingle-alongs, surprises, laughter and jaw-dropping wonder.
31. 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!
32. 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.
33. Kick off the festive celebrations with a magical ride on East Lancashire Railway’s steam powered Santa Specials!.
34. 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.
35. Meet Prancer and Dancer, Father Christmas's two adorable reindeers at Tatton Park's Christmas Grotto.
36. 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.
37. Get your Christmas wish list ready as Santa's Grotto opens at Manchester Arndale.
38. Enjoy some late night retail shopping at Cheshire Oaks Deisgner Outlet with up to 70% off RRPs!
39. Choose the gift everyone wants this Christmas – the freedom to treat themselves to something they really love with a Manchester Arndale Gift Card.
40. Shop for Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in high street shops.
41. 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 🎄🎅
42. Head to the Christmas Markets and pick up a Great British Sunday Roast wrapped (burrito style) in a Yorkshire Pudding!
43. Enter a magical Christmas Mansion themed to 'Food Glorious Food' and decorated with fresh foliage and stunning decorations at Tatton Park.
44. 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.
45. 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.
46. Relax over a festive afternoon tea in The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant, including mulled wine, traditional sandwiches and cakes.
47. 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.
48. Experience a less traditional, yet equally delightful Christmas Day Luncheon with eight exquisite Japanese and Mexican small plates at Peter Street Kitchen.
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.
Copyright 2018 Visit Manchester. All Rights Reserved
