Salford is aiming to be top of everyone’s Christmas celebrations list this year.
There’s a sack full of events right across the city from fantastic family activities and theatrical extravaganzas, to carol concerts and Santa trails.
City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “We have a packed programme of family fun this Christmas to get everyone in the festive spirit. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoys these fantastic events and has a great Christmas and New Year.”
The fun has already started in New Bailey where Manchester Ice Rink, the city’s largest outdoor rink, has chosen to set up. It’s open every day (apart from Christmas Day) until January 3 and you can even buy gift vouchers for a Christmas present with a difference.
In Swinton, six weeks of Christmas festival fun starts on Saturday 28 November with a Frozen show hosted by the Snowflake Sisters while in Eccles Santa will be welcoming visitors to his grotto every Saturday from now until Christmas, along with Christmas markets, games, carols, festive food and drink. There’s also free parking at John William Street car park on Saturday 12 and 19 December.
MediaCityUK is pulling out all the stops for Christmas this year. Little ones can visit the CBeebies Christmas Igloo on the first weekend in December while Lightwaves 2015, a free digital light festival, will light up the night from December 12 to 27.
Look out for a family of giant, luminous bunny rabbits alongside a dazzling interactive artwork that reacts to the movement of crowds and a towering psychedelic maze.
Blackleach Country Park is offering families a chance to follow the reindeers’ hoofprints to find Santa amidst the winter wildlife on Sunday 6 December.
Or, if you prefer indoor attractions, enjoy ghost stories, carol concerts and a Christmas grotto at Ordsall Hall, Salford’s famous Tudor manor house.
Festive shows at The Lowry include Snow Child, Mr Popper’s Penguins and The Sound of Music. Fresh from her success on BBC 1 The Voice 2015 Lucy O’Byrne stars as Maria Von Trapp in a brand new production (14 Dec – 2 Jan) with its unforgettable score.
There’s so much happening in Salford this festive season and these are only some of the highlights. For details of all events, visit the website www.visitsalford.info
The Christmas Festival at Swinton Square
Saturday 28 November for six weeks, free
Frozen show hosted by the ‘Snowflake Sisters’, Princess Parade, Swinton Lions and Sidney the Swinton Squirrel.
www.swintonsquare.co.uk/event/details/the-christmas-festival/
Santa Run at MediaCityUK
Sunday 29 November
From 10.30am
Lowry Plaza
www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/running/mediacityuk-santa-run
Christmas Shopping Cruise:
Worsley-Trafford Centre circular
29 November
www.shop.visitsalford.info/29-November–Christmas-Shopping-Cruise-Worsley-Trafford-Centre-Circular-10-00am-i125.htm
New BBC Philharmonic concerts to tackle the Monday blues
Monday 30 November, 5.45pm, entry by donation
Peel Hall, University of Salford
www.salford.ac.uk/news1/piano-duo-re-sono-perform-at-the-next-chamber-series-concert
Christmas Extravaganza at MediaCityUK
Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 December, free entry
Text Santa Christmas Fayre on Thursday 3rd December 11am-3pm.
The Makers Market (11am-5pm)
CBeebies Christmas Igloo (11am-4pm.
Ghost Stories for Christmas at Ordsall Hall
Friday 4 December, 7:30 pm
Tickets £10 (£8 concessions)
MAPAS Carolathon at ASDA in Swinton
Saturday 5 December 8am to 8pm, free
12 hours of non-stop carols!
A Musical Christmas Celebration at Salford Museum and Art Gallery
Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December, 12pm to 4pm
Free entry, £4 to meet Father Christmas
Small Business Saturday
Saturday 5 December, free entry
Eccles town centre
Support the campaign and do your Christmas shopping locally. Discounts, special offers and goodies on offer.
www.salford.gov.uk/smallbusinesssaturday.htm
Christmas concert at Ordsall Hall
Sunday 6 December 2pm to 3.30pm, free
On the Santa Trail at Blackleach Country Park
Sunday 6 December, 12 midday to 2pm, free
Please dress warmly. Meet at Visitor Centre at Blackleach Country Park, John Street, Walkden, M28 3QG
City of Salford Carol Service
Wednesday 9 December, 7.30pm, free by ticket only
Salford Cathedral, Chapel Street
Greater Manchester Police band, Salford schoolchildren and the BBC Philharmonic.
Call 0161 909 6513 or email carolservice@salford.gov.uk to book
Mr Popper’s Penguins at The Lowry
Thurs10 December – Sun 10 January
Churches Together’s Carols round the Cross
Saturday 12 December, 11am to 12 noon, free
Eccles Cross
Lightwaves, Salford Quays/MediaCityUK
12 – 27 December open daily: 16:30 – 22:30 (except Christmas day)
24 and 27 Dec 12 noon – 6pm
Get lost in a maze of magical illuminations and reflections. Three major installations, pop-up performances, make-your-own-artwork workshops, artist talks and an online performance
www.quaysculture.com/current-projects/lightwaves-2015/
Christmas Grotto at Ordsall Hall
Sunday 13 December, Sunday 20 December and Monday 21 December, 1pm to 4pm
Come and meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift!
£4 per child, book on the day – timed tickets
The Sound of Music at The Lowry
Mon 14 December – Sat 2 January
Starring Lucy O’Byrne (from The Voice) as Maria Von Trapp and Peak Practice, Casualty and Coronation St’s Gray O’Brien as the dashing Captain Von Trapp. www.thelowry.com/event/the-sound-of-music1
Ghost Night with Simply Paranormal at Ordsall Hall
Friday 18 December, 9pm until 2am on Sunday 19 December
£55 book via website
www.simplyparanormal.co.uk/collections/paranormal-events/products/ordsall-hall-salford-manchester-friday-8th-january-2016
Teenage Market
Saturday 19 December, 10am to 4pm
Eccles Shopping Centre
Popular market where young people make and sell their wares which includes cakes, gifts, jewellery, food and drink.
Snow Child at The Lowry
Tue 22 December – Sun 3 January
A lonely couple yearn for a child of their own. They build a small figure from ice and snow, and wish very, very hard and bring the magical snow child to life!
www.thelowry.com/event/snow-child
A Christmas Extravaganza with Olaf
Tuesday 22 December, 2pm to 4pm
Eccles Library
Festive face painting, a special Christmas story time and magical music provided by MAPAS. Elves’ workshop, where children can make crafts and decorate gingerbread men. Special appearance from Frozen character Olaf to give each child a book. Mince pies and coffee for adults.
Manchester Ice Rink
Open every day except Christmas Day until Sunday 3 January
From 10am until 9pm at weekends and 3pm until 9pm Monday to Friday
New Bailey, Irwell Street, Salford, M3 5EN
www.manchestericerink.co.uk
The Frozen Experience
The Lowry Outlet
Selected dates and times between now and 20 December
Tickets £4 per child (with one adult free), additional adults at £4 per person
A sing- along Frozen inspired music show, with a meet and greet session and photo opportunities with the characters.
Eccles Christmas Wonderland
From now until Saturday 19 December
Saturdays 10am to 4pm, Tuesdays and Fridays 11am to 2pm
