What’s on? Eight festive things to do in Manchester this December

It’s officially that time of year. The markets are back and your flatmates have started to hum All I Want for Christmas under their breath. So, before you’re sick of the sound of Michael Bublé, we’ve rounded up the best festive activities to do in Manchester, whether you’re living the luxury life or counting every penny.

Alternatively, if your student loan is completely MIA come December, consider this your official list of things to beg your parents to treat you to as an early Xmas present.

Creative workshops (£££)

The Big Manchester Bake experience offers a Christmas theme for you to channel your inner Mary Berry. You get 90 minutes to bake and decorate a festive wreath cake and then a winning pair will be crowned. For the artists out there: K Craft Studio offers various workshops like Christmas candle making, preserved Xmas tree decorations, and wreath-making.

Bake-off tickets from £47.90 and K Craft from £35.

Concerts and sensory cinema (£££)

If you’re feeling cultured, treat yourself to a Christmas Candlelight concert featuring classic festive soundtracks from Love Actually and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

For those with cash to splash, Taste Film is showing Home Alone 2 paired with a six course menu based on the movie, so you really get the full experience of Kevin’s adventures. Because nothing beats gourmet dining while watching a kid get abandoned (again).

Concerts from £20, Taste Film from £82.50.

Bar Hütte (£££)

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Think Alpine après-ski vibes, but swap the snowy slopes for Deansgate’s skyline. Bar Hütte offers private karaoke hüttes to belt out those Xmas tunes in, as well as wreath-making workshops, hot cocktails and fresh pizza. It’s the perfect way to beat the Manchester chill.

Karaoke start from £40 for a group of eight, and £50pp for workshops.

Escape to Winter Island (££)

Neatly renamed for the festive period, Freight Island has transformed into the UK’s largest heated outdoor and indoor winter wonderland. It has new traders and events to suit all tastes, including an 18 piece Christmas house band and a carvery that’ll leave you in a food coma.

Outside, The Twilight Trail offers an enchanting light installation soundtracked by La Discothèque across the 6.6 acre Mayfield Park, where you can even toast your own marshmallows.

Trail tickets from £11.

Christmas Market and Ice Rink (££)

For the 26^th year of the market, Manchester has brought in over 200 stalls across nine locations. Be sure to check out the viral Yorkshire pudding wraps from Porky Pig and the Instagrammable pistachio croissants from the Flat Baker. Don’t miss the rink at Cathedral Gardens to watch your friends stack it on the ice, and wrap it up with a snap at the St Ann’s Square photo booth.

Ice skating from £14, photo booth £6.

Peak District (£)

With return trains to Edale and Castleton for under a tenner, the Peaks are the perfect city escape to enjoy the winter scenery. Take in the fresh air and frosty views then warm up with a hearty meal at a local pub.

Grab a winter warmer (£)

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a festive drink in hand, and Manchester’s got you covered. Pop into The Oast House winter teepee or check out A Miracle on the Avenue, a bar offering German-market inspired food, drinks and OTT festive decorations.

For those wanting to go all out, the Winterhood takeover at Diecast includes a singalong cabaret, mulled negronis and immersive club performances.

Christmas parade and lights (free)

If you’re broke but still feeling festive, this one’s for you. On December 8th, watch 400 performers – including stilt walking elves and a giant polar bear – parade through the city.

Starting at 1pm from Manchester Cathedral, it’s a free way to soak up the Christmas magic. While you’re there, check out the illuminated sculptures scattered across the city, including the iconic 2.3 tonne giant Santa.