The best things to do in Manchester this Christmas

The Manchester Christmas Parade, now an annual favourite since starting in December 2022, is set to captivate families with an even grander spectacle this year featuring over 400 participants. Highlights include the Elf Express, a magical train of elves, and an array of whimsical acts like stilt-walking elves, dancing mice, giant polar bears, and Segway skiers, all bringing festive cheer to the city centre. The Christmas parade starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral, heading down Deansgate to John Dalton Street and then back up via Cross Street and St Mary's Gate.

Skate Manchester, located in Cathedral Gardens, is a popular seasonal ice-skating rink open from early November to early January, welcoming skaters of all ages and skill levels with 45-minute sessions. Skate hire is included in the ticket price, and beginners can book helmets and skating aids for extra support. Alongside the rink, Cathedral Gardens hosts a Christmas market, perfect for enjoying festive treats and warm drinks after skating.

The Dome is a unique event venue perched atop the ABC Building in Spinningfields. Usually you have to host an event there to be granted access, but during the festive season, you can book various weekend events there. What's more, the already striking venue is getting a Christmas makeover of its own in 2024, with the transparent dome turning into a giant snow globe.

The Midland is a historic Manchester hotel that has hosted movie stars, royalty, and other famous faces through the year. It also boasts Manchester's only setting dedicated to afternoon tea, the opulent Tea Room. During the festive season, this indulgent British tradition makes for an ideal break while out shopping for gifts, to catch up with friends, or treat someone special to an unforgettable experience.

Browsing festive knickknacks with a hot drink in one hand and some dangerously drippy street-food snack in the other is a time-honoured Christmas tradition, and there's no shortage of Christmas markets to explore in Manchester. Our guide to the best Christmas markets in Manchester highlights which one to head to depending on what you're after – food, shopping, family-friendly fun and the like – though to be honest, the holidays are long enough to let you check out all of them.

Though there was no big Manchester Christmas lights switch-on event in 2024 due to all the construction taking place across the city centre, there are still plenty of sparkly festive displays to take in as you stroll around Manchester. The big one is the giant Santa Claus in front of the Central Library, but our personal favourites are the illuminated Christmas worker bees, adding a bit of local pride to the holidays.

The annual Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival returns to Manchester's Bridgewater Hall this December, offering a diverse line-up of shows perfect for the whole family. Highlights include orchestral tributes to film composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams, lively carol sing-alongs, and performances by The Glenn Miller Orchestra. The festival also features The Big Christmas Party, blending festive pop hits with traditional favourites to create an unforgettable holiday celebration.

Diecast, the food court and nightlife spot near Piccadilly, has transformed into a festive winter wonderland called Winterhood, offering a variety of holiday-themed activities and events. Visitors can enjoy drag queen and sing-along cabaret performances, seasonal food and drinks like s'mores hot chocolate and cinnamon dough balls, and socialise in the Winter Beer Hall or dance in the Berlin-style club space. Outdoor attractions include the Tinsel Town Trailer Park with warming drinks, while special events like a Christmas night market will run throughout the season.

Part of the St. John's redevelopment, Courts Club is turning into Winter Assembly from November, offering festive fun with Christmas decor and activities. The outdoor basketball and tennis court have been converted into a family-friendly ice rink, and karaoke chalets are available for indoor entertainment. Visitors can enjoy seasonal treats like boozy hot chocolate and festive grilled cheese, alongside special events such as holiday film screenings.

Freight Island, the massive food and leisure venue next to Mayfield Park, hosts the largest heated outdoor and indoor winter festival in the North each year. The annual Winter Island features a wide range of street food and drinks, along with loads of festive fun, Christmas attractions including Santa's Grotto for children, and other holiday mainstays.

Speaking of Mayfield Park, Manchester's newest green space hosts an enchanting Christmas light trail during the festive period. More than 50,000 lights twinkle across 6.5 acres of open space, bringing a special sparkle to the park after dark. The family-friendly Twilight Trail features spectacular light displays and lantern installations, accompanied by an immersive soundscape.

This Christmas season, the RHS Bridgewater gardens invite visitors to experience Glow, a vibrant trail of lights through their woodlands and gardens, featuring interactive displays like giant petunias, twinkling yew domes, and glittering tunnels. Highlights include the return of the Moonlight Gardener with a new light juggling show and a thought-provoking show highlighting the issue of insect population decline. During your visit can enjoy festive food and drink at the Bridgewater Café, seasonal treats at the Garden Cottage, and warm up at the marshmallow toasting station.

Manchester's premier shopping destination, the Trafford Centre, naturally goes all-in on Christmas. In addition to the various special offers and seasonal treats offered by the on-site retailers, the mall hosts a range of family-friendly things to do at Christmas. You can pay a visit to Santa in his Grotto, skate around Tinsel Town, or wander the outdoor Christmas Trail in the Wilderspool Woods.

Transforming the B.E.C Arena into a festive paradise, Winter Funland is an expansive indoor wonderland packed with exciting rides, captivating circus performances, delicious festive snacks, an abundance of candy canes, sparkling baubles, dazzling lights, and countless other Christmas-themed delights to entertain the entire family. With a variety of activities and decorations, this seasonal fairground promises hours of fun and holiday spirit for all ages.

Comedy star Jason Manford returns for his third year at the Opera House as Prince Charming in “Cinderella”, joined by panto favourite Ben Nickless as Buttons and Myra DuBois as the Wicked Stepmother. The cast also includes Wendy Mae Brown as the Fairy Godmother and Sarah Vaughan as Cinderella, promising a show filled with talent. Audiences can expect all the classic pantomime elements, including laugh-out-loud humour, impressive scenery, dazzling costumes, and interactive fun with boos and hisses.

The UK division of the US fast-food giant Popeyes, which has recently been making a big push into the UK market, has launched its first festive menu this year. The six specials on the Festive Feastin' Menu bridge the distance between New Orleans and Britain, with options including the Festive Superstack Sandwich, sage and onion hash browns, and a mint Oreo shake.

In December, popular axe-throwing destination Whistle Punks in Deansgate will be getting an Axemas makeover, decking out its lanes for added festive cheer. They'll also be adding a special seasonal twist to every game – at the end of each session, players will face the Snowflake Target. If you hit one of the snowy corners, you'll win a free drink!