The best things to do at Christmas in Manchester

The National Theatre spends Christmas at The Lowry for their big seasonal show. Based on Neil Gaiman's novel, ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ there's every possibility that this, despite not being what you might call a traditional Christmas offer, might be one of the most spectacular pieces of family theatre this season. The story of a man going back to his boyhood to spend time with a mysterious friend and a pond he once believed to be an ocean, is recommended for ages 12+.  And while you're there, check out the Lightwaves sculptures around Media City.

Monday December 12 - Sunday January 8

Manchester Camerata presents what has become something of a Christmas tradition at Albert Hall, with their annual Christmas celebration with the AMC Gospel Choir. There's no better concert to take the family to in the run-up to Christmas, the hall itself acting as a partner in creating a wonderful sense of festive wonder.

Sunday December 11

There's a great choice of Christmas films at Backyard Cinema throughout November and December, including ‘Home Alone’ ‘The Grinch’ and the joyous ‘Elf’ but it's not just the films that are the attraction here. Step inside Backyard Cinema and you're in another world, like a cinema version of Narnia. You'll have to travel through some movie-grade sets and make your way through an enchanted forest to find the lost theatre for a start, but once you're there you can relax on huge luxurious beanbags and take in the screening. A perfect yuletide treat for film lovers.

Do you ever feel your heart filling up with joy at the sight of festive Christmas lights? If that's you, prepare to feel it fit to bursting point. Not only will the city centre have its usual adornments to brighten up your shopping trips, Lightopia returns to Heaton Park for its fourth year. It's a genuinely magical journey through light sculptures that dazzle and which will warm your cockles on the coldest of winter nights. Head to the Stables courtyard and outdoor heated canopy, where you can dig into dishes like pulled pork hog roast, vegan scotch egg and stonebaked pizzas.

Thursday November 24 - Monday January 2

Ready to unleash a child’s imagination? Dreamland Imaginarium, coming to Manchester this December, is a multisensory imaginative, interactive world bursting with giant inflatable creatures, different textures, sights, sounds and scents. It's designed for children aged 2–10 years old, where friendly monsters and birds guide them through different lands, like Dreams of Flight or Underwater Enchantment, keeping the little monsters busy for an hour or so.

From Wednesday December 21 

Christmas is an indulgent time and there's nowhere better to indulge yourself than at Salford's wonderful gastro pub, The Black Friar. For the festive season, they've turned their garden into a Winter Tavern, as cosy and warm a space as you could find all holiday, with  a roaring fire, rugs, blankets and candlelight providing that festive feel. They've also teamed up with Highland Park 12 Whisky to help bring the space to life. Hot toddies all round then! 

Who fancies a brand-new festive musical? The fantastic 35two does, bringing us a story set during Christmas 1940. The Blitz has come to Manchester. Trapped beneath the streets, Lizzie Horton takes us on a whistle-stop tour of her life; her formative years, a whirlwind romance with her RAF pilot husband, Bob, and encounters with her pals Mavis, Jim and Ida. It'll be particularly effective performed beneath the iconic brickwork of 53two’s 150-year-old arches. It's suitable for ages 12+, too.

Wednesday 14 - Thursday 22 December

Christmas at HOME promises a stocking rammed with goodies all under one roof. Seasonal cinema comes in the form of the new Guillermo del Toro film, ‘Pinocchio’ as well as the musical version of ‘Matilda’ plus the more usual Christmas treats. The theatres go full-on camp with cabaret duo Bourgeois & Maurice, as well as more family-friendly fayre ‘There’s a Rang-Tang in My Bedroom.’ Luckily for us HOME has pulled all of its Christmas events into one lovely package...

Inside a village hall, the six ladies of The Dewsbury Players decide they're going to put on an amateur production celebrating the life and achievements of the first female speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd. Billed as “a sort of musical’ and starring Maxine Peake, this new play is also co-written by Peake and directed by the former Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange, Sarah Frankcom. If you're looking for something warm and charming for Christmas entertainment, look no further.

Saturday December 3 - Saturday January 14

Looking for gift inspiration? Look no further than Manchester's Christmas markets and best places to buy gifts. Among a raft of special festive events you'll find foodie gifts, hand-crafted pressies and usually a bit of glühwein to help you get into that merry spirit.

If the prospect of a busy Christmas with all of the pressures that can come with it feels a bit too much, one option is to just take yourself away from it all. Launched this month, Everything Retreat is 12 adult-only luxury lodges in the heart of the Ribble Valley countryside. The emphasis is on tranquillity, well-being and relaxation so expect your own outdoor jacuzzi, a woodburning stove and a massive kingsize bed too. A concierge service can supply you with a breakfast hamper and, whilst there's self-catering within the lodges, nearby restaurants are on hand should you want a meal out. It's even dog-friendly.

In the lovely Robert Bolt Theatre at Sale Waterside, Christmas for the family comes in the shape of ‘The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin’ the story of an extraordinary explorer and pioneering problem-solver. Planning his latest mission to the Antarctic he is learning to speak Penguin and hopes that the little ones in the audience will too. The story is told through puppetry and song.

Wednesday November 30 - Saturday December 31

If you like your gift-giving to be ethical, clothing label WAWWA has set up an outlet just in time for your shopping needs. IN a factory just outside the city centre, you can see the brand in action, shop the full range and even pick up a bargain from the seconds rails. With the aim of putting people and the planet above profits, WAWWA contonues to work wioth young people as well, getting them trained up tp be part of the clothing industry but with compassion and sustainability in mind. And the clothes are great, too.

Lovers of a good old-fashioned panto should head to The Met in Bury where thigh-slapping, cross-dressing and someone dressed in a massive cat outfit will be bringing hoops of delight to kids in this version of ‘Dick Whittington’. Watch out for a pyjama performance where you're encouraged to go in your PJs...

Thursday 8 to Saturday 24 December

Red's True BBQ may not be your first thought when considering where to go for a Christmas feast but think again. The house of smokey meats and veggie treats is offering a bottomless feast for Christmas with a meat menu, a veggie one, a load of sides plus cocktails. Cleverly, they've timed the sessions so you can book a 90-minute or a two-hour slot. If you're the designated driver there's even a drink-free choice. Highlights include the fantastic vegan frankfurter and cauliflower wings, plus a meaty cheesy sausage that is worth making the trio for alone.

Available Thursday November 24 - Friday December 30

Love Corrie? This year you can take the ‘Coronation Street’ tour with bells on. Jingle ones. The folk at Granada Studios are turning the street set into a winter wonderland where visitors can hear about classic festive stories from the Street's past, join in with the Carol singers and enjoy tasty treats too. Of course, there'll be some chances to go behind the scenes, too. You can enjoy Christmas on the Cobbles on limited dates throughout December. 

Yes, the sound of a colliery band is synonymous with Christmas in the North but here's a brass band with a difference. The east London collective is well known for being one of the most exciting live bands in the country, mixing their traditional brass sound with more contemporary influences, so you can expect a Christmas night out to remember. With the live music starting at 8pm you might want to book a table and really push the midweek boat out. Look out for their all-new ‘Die Hard’ inspired Yippee-Ki-Yay Burger, available throughout the season.

Thursday December 15

Combining ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ and the ‘Babes in
the Wood’ with an upbeat, sing-along, 80’s panto playlist, this year's Christmas show at Contact features plenty of local talent. Panto isn't really about the plot but, for anyone who does care, this one's about Robin Hood and his gang trying to stop the Sherrif of Nottingham from kidnapping the babes in the wood. So far so traditional, but you can be sure that a Contact Theatre panto won't be quite like your mainstream, ones, making it a perfect alternative this season.

Saturday 10 - Saturday 31 December 

If you like your seasonal fayre to have a South American flavour, Peru Perdu is running a special Christmas group dining menu throughout the main restaurant, offering two courses for £27 or three courses for £32. You'll dine on a selection of small plates, such as Wild Mushroom Empanadas with chilli, garlic and tomato salsa Burrata with mint and basil crema, but large plates are available too with all of the usual seasonal trimmings. 

One of the most beloved of Christmas films, the Raymond Briggs classic gets a screening plus live musical accompaniment from the Hallé Orchestra this year. But there's more, with the first half of the concert featuring ‘Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!’ with Tom Redmond and the Hallé in ‘Dinosaurumpus’, an animated, interactive orchestral adventure, as well as Lorna Gibson’s heart-warming ‘Mr Bear’s Christmas’.

Thursday December 22

This fabulous venue and attached aparthotel are really putting the slay into Christmas this year. Not only do they have an all-new festive menu, they'll be putting on Disco Brunches with Ru Paul favourite Cheddar Gorgeous, plus workshops and family activities which include a festive wreath-making session, jewellery crafts, a Christmas Pawpcorn where you can take your dog to the mini-cini, and much more. 

If your taste in Christmas music is traditional and just the thought of a choir singing yuletide tunes makes you geese pimple, Stoller Hall is the place for you as Kantos Chamber Choir bring their annual carol concert to the venue. With some of the very best choral singers in the North and with a track record that includes performing live with Gary Numan, KCC is a great choice for a Classical Christmas, especially for kids. It's part of a bigger Christmas season happening at Stoller Hall so check out the full line-up.

Sunday December 18