SEASONAL · 1-18 NOV
3 NEW THIS WEEKChristmas, done properly 🎄
Grottos, light trails, pantos and festive farm days across Manchester, from the first switch-on to Twelfth Night, with the dates, prices and ages that organisers publish.
PICK YOUR KIND OF MAGIC
What sort of Christmas are you after?
Everything on this page is filed by what it is, going on the organiser's own description. Some things fit more than one, so we've put each where it sits best.
Santa & grottos
Little ones · book early
Grottos, breakfasts with Santa and the elves that come with them.
Show me these
Lights & trails
All ages · wrap up
Illuminated trails, lantern walks and the big switch-ons.
None listed yet
Shows & pantos
Ages 3+ · oh yes it is
Pantomimes, festive theatre, carols and Christmas cinema.
Show me these
START HERE
If you only book three things
One per venue, soonest first. Grottos and light trails sell out first.
🎅 SANTA & GROTTOSSundown Christmas Spectacular 2026
Sundown Adventureland · 14-18 November · daily
Kids ride into Santa's Magical Grotto, meet elves and Mrs Claus, with timed Santa slots at the arena.
from £20.95Details
🎭 SHOWS & PANTOSCarols by Candlelight
Treak Cliff Cavern · 5 dates · 1-15 November
Candlelit carol singing in the Witch's Cave at Treak Cliff Cavern, with mulled wine and mince pies after.
ages 0+Details
Festive Skating
Wentworth Garden Centre · 1-18 November · daily
Pre-bookable 45-minute ice skating sessions at Wentworth Garden Centre, running hourly from 10am.
See listingDetails
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS · 21 DEC - 1 JAN
A plan for every day of the Christmas holidays
- Mon210 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Tue220 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Wed230 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Thu240 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Fri250 on
Christmas itself. Nothing listed yet.
- Sat260 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Sun270 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Mon280 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Tue290 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Wed300 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Thu310 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Fri10 on
Nothing listed yet.
Santa's grottos
1 grottoEVERYTHING ON
5 things on for Christmas 2026
Everything else · 3
1-18 November · daily
Festive Skating
Wentworth Garden Centre · Rotherham
Pre-bookable 45-minute ice skating sessions at Wentworth Garden Centre, running hourly from 10am.
1-18 November · daily
A Trail of Tails: Christmas in the House
Dunham Massey · Altrincham
A Christmas circus trail through Dunham Massey's house, following escaped animals room by room.
14-18 November · daily
Christmas at Gulliver's
Gulliver's Valley · Rotherham · ages 2-13
A festive Christmas experience at Gulliver's Valley theme park in Rotherham, running from mid-November to Christmas Eve 2026.
PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY
What's on, when you need it
Everything open and on in Manchester today, with times and prices.
TOP PICKHuman Natures · free- Fri33 things · Toddler Mornings
- Sat26 things · King Lear