Cheap Christmas days out Manchester
Christmas events can be really expensive but they don’t need to be. This guide will share all the discounts I find for Christmas events in Manchester and also the cheapest options available for light trails and visits to Santa. So read on if you want a magical Christmas for your kids without spending a small fortune. This post is part of my series of posts on Christmas events North West.
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There are currently some great offers on some of the Christmas events across Greater Manchester and I’m looking for more offers to add here all the time.
41% off Ice skating at the Trafford Centre tickets
This year there is an undercover ice rink at the Trafford Centre (there is also a Christmas fun fair but I imagine the cost of rides can soon add up!).
The ice rink is open from the 22nd November – 5th January and you can get tickets for as little as £9.99 each on some dates (the cheapest ice skating I can find in Manchester.
Book here – * Ice skating at the Trafford Centre
Gandey’s snowstorm, The Trafford Centre, up to 42% off
Selected dates in December 2025, bringing them down to £12 per person.
Step into the frost-kissed realm of Snowstorm, Wish, where world-class figure skaters, jaw-dropping circus artists, and breathtaking visuals come together in a magical blend of storytelling, artistry, and adrenaline.
Book here – * Gandeys snowstorm wish
Polar Express – Victoria Warehouse – up to 63% off!
Selected dates in November & December 2025.
This is a multi-Room, magical immersive walkthrough experience. Perfect for Families at O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester.
Book here – * Polar express
Cheapest light trails in Manchester
Glow at RHS Bridgewater is £8.75 for members (adults) or £13.50 for non-members. Children from £4.50 – £7.25. Book here – Glow
The Twilight trail, Mayfield Park is from £8 per adult and £5 for kids 3- 12 years. Book here – The twilight trail
Lightwaves at Salford Quays from the 4th – 7th December 2025 is free. Full details here – Lightwaves Salford 2025
Cheapest Santa’s grotto in Manchester
Santa’s Grotto at Moss Bank Park cafe
When: 29th November – 23rd December 2025
Where: The Hive at Moss Bank Park , Moss Bank Park, Bolton, BL1 7NJ
Meet the magical man himself and enjoy a cosy chat in his festive grotto. Capture the moment with a special photo and make memories to treasure.
Every child gets to choose their own gift — either a toy or a sweet treat, with options like giant pinwheel lollies, chocolates, and more!
Enjoy a special festive treat — kids eat free from our children’s menu when any adult orders a main dish from our menu. (One free child’s meal per full-paying adult.) Santas Grotto Ticket must be shown to the team when ordering.
£10.95 per child.
Book here – Santa’s grotto
Sail with Santa – Hollingworth Lake – book now for 2025
When: 6th – 23rd December 2025
Where: Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough, Greater Manchester, OL15 0DQ
Take a magical boat trip with Santa this Christmas aboard Hollingworth Lake’s Lady Katherine! Hop aboard Santa’s floating grotto, take a trip across beautiful Hollingworth Lake and post your Christmas list in the elf post box!
All children will get to meet Santa and receive a gift. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wrap up warm and dress appropriately for the weather.
Duration – 10 minutes, Tickets from £5
Book here – Sail with Santa
Free Christmas events Manchester
I have a full guide to all the free Christmas events in Manchester which includes all the Christmas light switch on events and more. Read the full guide here – Free Christmas events Manchester.
Manchester Christmas parade 2025
Where: across Manchester city centre
When: 7th December 2025
It promises to be jingle bells all the way on the day with a parade filled with music and laughter that will see the return of Manchester’s very own, spectacular Elf Express, complete with VIP passenger Santa hitching a ride on his way to the North Pole, together with his trusty team of elves.
Full details here – Manchester Christmas Parade
Ignite Fire Festival and Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch On 2025
Where: Rochdale Memorial Gardens, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
When: 21st – 23rd November 2025, 5-8pm (light switch on 23rd), Torchlight procession 21st
Step into a world of fiery displays, blazing sculptures and glowing installations created by the award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
Full details here – Ignite – Fire Festival and Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch On | Rochdale Borough Council
Fletcher Moss Christmas trail, Broad oak heart trail – details for 2025
20th December 2025 – 5th January 2026
Follow the hand-painted hearts around Fletcher Moss using your trail sheet.
Find out more here – Broad oak heart trail
Lantern parade, Stanley square, Sale – 2025 details
When: 6th December 2025. 5-6pm
Where: starting Waterside plaza and finishing in Stanley Square.
Sale town’s skies will be illuminated by an intriguing carnival of light this Christmas. Celebrating nightime nocturnals, this year’s lantern parade will be led by illuminated magical animals and more! With music and merriment join us for a magical night walk through the town.
Full details here – Lantern Parade, Stanley Square Sale | Our Kids Social
Altrincham Lantern Parade & Nativity Journey
When: Saturday, 13th December 2025
Full details to follow. Find them here – Altrincham Lantern Parade & Nativity Journey
Advent trail, John Leigh Park, Altrincham
When: 6th December to the New year.
One again they’ve teamed up with Altrincham Baptist Church and friends of John Leigh Park to give you an Advent Trail full of wonder.
Perfect for all ages this trail is a festive journey to explore and enjoy!
Full details here – Advent trail
Nativity trail, Stamford park with St George’s church, Altrincham
When: 6th December through to the New Year!
Follow the clues on their Nativity Trail, discover the missing word, and return to the café for a small prize!
Full details here – Nativity trail
Stalybridge Street Fest – details for 2025
When: 25th November 2025 5-9pm
Where: Armentieres Square
Expect family fun, live music and tasty food and drink.
Full details here – Stalybridge Street Fest – November 2025
Wonderland family festive fun day, Z-Arts
When: 7th December 2025. 11am – 2pm, drop in
Where: Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA
Wintry Storytelling – listen to some new and well-loved festive stories.
Arts & Crafts – create a festive decoration to take home.
Christmas Games – try out your hand playing some festive themed games.
Wonderland Disco Room – come and have a dance with us in our winter wonderland disco!
Full details here – Wonderland family festive fun day
Winter holidays at Manchester Museum of science and industry – details for 2025
When: 20th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Discover the science behind shadows, draw faces of friends and family in the Silhouette Station and play with colourful projections in a shadow skyline. Plus, join our expert Explainers and put your mind to the test with brain-boggling illusions in our science show.
Get that festive feeling this December as you step inside the newly reopened Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery.
Model railways and toy trains have been a staple under the Christmas tree for generations—visit Power Hall and see the real-life locomotives that inspired these childhood favourites. Be inspired by these iconic engines and create your own using super-sized building blocks in the Revolution Manchester gallery.
Full details here – Winter holidays | Science and Industry Museum
Christmas at Salford Museum – 2025 details
There are lots of free Christmas events at Salford Museum.
Victorian Storytime – 9th December 2025, Free but booking required
Festive card making workshop – 1-2pm 12th December 2025, free drop in
Christmas Carols with Salford Cathedral Choir – 13th December 2025, free drop in
Christmas Decoration Workshop – 1-3pm 19th December 2025, free drop in
Festive mark making – 10:30 -11:30 am 19th December 2025, £1 per child, booking required
Musical Christmas Piano Performance – 10:30 – 11:30 am 21st December 2025, free drop in
Full details of all of these events here – Christmas at Salford Museum
Free winter festival at Ordsall Hall – 2025 details
When: 14th December 2025
Taking place throughout the interior of Ordsall Hall, as well as our magnificent gardens, our popular annual winter event returns for yet another year. We will be offering a fantastic selection of crafts, activities and refreshments suitable for the entire family.
There will also be a live choir and festive music happening throughout! The entire building will be decked out for the holiday season so it’s the perfect day to come explore all we have to offer during this magical time of year.
Be sure to keep an eye out because you may even spot Father Christmas himself roaming the grounds and enjoying the festivities!
Full details – Ordsall Hall winter festival
Winterfest at Hulme Community garden centre – 2025 details
When: 6th December 2025, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Where: 28 Old Birley Street, Manchester, M15 5
A day of festive winter family friendly fun! Make a winter wreath, an ivy crown or a tree decoration. Stalls, live music, mulled wine, and delicious food from the Garden Cafe.
Full details – Winterfest at Hulme Community garden centre
Free for National Trust members
Animal crackers Christmas at Lyme – details for 2025
When: 28th November – 24th December 2025
The third year of Animal Crackers sees Fox returning with his host of wild and wonderful friends, alongside a mystery guest.
Join in the theatrical fun as Animal Crackers takes you on a self-guided visual journey of mischievous merrymaking through the house designed by The Strange Train Company.
Full details here – Christmas at Lyme| Cheshire | National Trust
Winter family trail with Speechly the Pineapple, Dunham Massey – Details for 2025
When: 13th November 2025 – 28th February 2026
Embark on a magical winter journey with Speechly the Pineapple as he explores the estate while the house is closed! Follow the frosty trail through ancient woodland and sleeping garden, uncovering clues of the season with surprises along the way. Perfect for young explorers.
Full details – Winter Family Trail with Speechly the Pineapple
More things to do in and around Manchester this Christmas
Find cheap Christmas events in Cheshire here.
I’m working on more guides like this for Lancashire so I’ll link them here when they are ready.
Find my full guide to Christmas events Manchester here.
Find my guide to New Year’s Eve events for families in Manchester here.
