Things to do between Christmas and new year Manchester 2025
There are lots of things to do between Christmas and new year Manchester in 2025. Below you’ll find ideas for walks, events and panto trips. This post is part of a series on Christmas Events North West.
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The Snowy Day, Z-arts – book now for 2025
When: 27th – 30th December 2025
Where: Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA
Join in the fun at Z-arts this winter, for a perfect first-theatre experience.
Discover a world blanketed in wonder in this brand-new dance adaptation of The Snowy Day. Join Peter as he crunches through the snowy streets of his New York neighbourhood in this intimate, icy adventure.
Brought to life by Polka Theatre and Can’t Sit Still, the award-nominated company behind Oh No, George!, The Snowy Day is specially designed for 1–4-year-olds and their grown-ups.
Experience the magic of fresh snowfall this winter in Ezra Jack Keats’ classic, heart-warming tale.
Suitable for children aged 1 – 4 years
Prices: £10 plus 20% discount for Bright Sparks and M15
Book here – The Snowy Day – Z-arts
Christmas at Dunham Massey 2025 – 2025 tickets on sale now
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Where: Dunham Massey, Altrincham
Cost: from Adult Off Peak – £19.00, Child (3-16 Years) Off Peak – £12.50. Prices vary between dates and times.
Masses of twinkling lights and giant glowing deer welcome you to the beautiful and iconic atmosphere of Dunham Massey after dark. Discover new light and sound installations for 2025 as colour-changing batons of light stretch out into the far distance and winding paths pass tunnels of stars. Watch lights dance along the lawn and discover larger-than-life flowers that tower overhead. There’s usually a chance to get a magical glimpse of Father Christmas too.
The trail is approximately one mile long and we’d recommend allowing 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Food, drink and fairground rides are available onsite.
Find our review from 2025 opening night here – Christmas at Dunham Massey
Book your tickets here – Christmas at Dunham Massey tickets
Glow at RHS Bridgewater 2025 – tickets for 2025 on sale now
When: 27th – 30th December 2025.
Cost: Members: adult from £8.75, child from £4.50, Non-members: adult from £13.50, child from £7.25
Take an enchanted walk through RHS Garden Bridgewater, marvelling at spectacular light displays along your way. Weave through yew domes festooned with fairy lights, stroll through the illuminated archways of the Kitchen Garden. At Garden Cottage hit the rainbow dancefloor and lose yourself in a soundtrack of Manchester anthems (chosen by you).
Book here – RHS Bridgewater Glow | Winter Garden Illuminations in Greater Manchester / RHS
Northern lights at Heaton Park – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Cost: Adult tickets from £15-£23.95, Children from £5-£16.50
New for 2025! This might be a new light trail to Heaton Park but the team behind it have been successfully running trails in Newcastle and Leeds.
Expect a 1 mile long trail with around 14 illumination zones. There will of course be plenty of food and drink stalls.
Book here – * Northern Lights Manchester
Raymond Briggs, Father Christmas, Waterside Sale – Book now for 2025
Where: 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Trafford, M33 7ZF
When: 26th – 27th Decemeber 2025
With plenty of live music, songs and playful puppetry, this critically acclaimed adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much loved book is a delightful festive treat for children and families to enjoy.
Book here – Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas
We actually saw this production in 2018. Find our review from then here – Father Christmas at Waterside Arts, Sale
The lion, the witch and the wardrobe, The Lowry – book now for 2025
When: 27th – 31st December 2025
Watch the nation’s favourite novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe come to life on stage in this spectacular production which is guaranteed to delight all ages.
Book here – * The Lion, The witch and the wardobe
Little bear and the Christmas lights, The Lowry – book now for 2025
When: 28th – 31st December 2025
Colour The Clouds Theatre Company are delighted to present ‘Little Bear and the Christmas Lights’. Filled with interaction, puppetry and music this is the perfect first theatrical experience. Get ready to take your little ones on a gentle sensory adventure where they will have the chance to meet Little Bear and her friends and maybe even throw a snowball or two!
Book here – * Little bear and the Christmas lights
A Christmas Carol, Octagon Bolton – book now for 2025
Where: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, BL1 1SB
When: 27th – 31st December 2025
This joyful stage adaptation features toe-tapping music, festive fun and a good splash of magic. This heart-warming and uplifting tale of redemption is the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
Book here – A Christmas Carol | Octagon Bolton
Aladdin, Stockport Plaza – book now for 2025
Where: Stockport Plaza, Mersey Square, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1SP
When: 26th -31st December 2025
Take a magical carpet ride for this glittering production of Aladdin.
Book here – Aladdin
Robin Hood, Opera House Manchester – book now for 2025
Where: Opera House Manchester, 3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Join the most heroic outlaw of them all as the arrow-shooting hero Robin Hood and his trusty band of Merry Men strive to outwit the evil Sheriff. Manchester’s panto will be packed full of action, adventure, and plenty of glitz and glamour. The dynamic duo will be joined by musical theatre performers Landi Oshinowo as The Spirit of Sherwood, Adam Strong as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and returning star Sarah Vaughan as Maid Marion.
Book here – Robin Hood
Hansel and Gretel, Millgate Arts Centre, Saddleworth – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Where: Millgate Arts Centre, Saddleworth, OL3 5DY
Expect stupendous production values and a side-splitting, original script – reasons why Saddleworth’s Panto has become known as… “the best little Panto in the country”.
Book here – Hansel and Gretel – MILLGATE ARTS CENTRE
Dick Whittington, Salford Arts theatre – book now for 2025
When: 27th – 31st December 2025
Where: Salford Arts theatre, salford, M5 4BS
Dick Whittington seeks his fame and fortune ….along the way he fights the evil King Rat with the help of his friends.
Book here – Dick Whittington
Aladdin, Middleton Arena – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 29th December 2025
Where: Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester, M24 1AG
Join our hero Aladdin, his mother Widow Twankey and his brother Wishee Washee as they embark on a magical adventure and try to defeat the evil Abanazar and his plan to become master of the world. With help from the Genie Of The Lamp and The Spirit Of The Ring, will Aladdin save the day and marry the beautiful Princess Jasmine? There’s only one way to find out
Book here – Aladdin
The Pied Piper of Hamelin – The Met, Bury – book now for 2025
Where: The met, Market Street, Bury, BL9 0BW
When: 27th – 28th December 2025
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is packed full of sensational sets and overflows with holiday cheer and audience participation for all ages. Expect pantomime dames, laugh-out-loud comedy, audience participation and much more.
Book here – The Pied Piper of Hamelin | The Met
Winter family trail with Speechly the Pineapple, Dunham Massey – Details for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
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
Gandey’s Snowstorm wish, Trafford centre – Book now for 2025
Where: Trafford Centre, Grand Hall Entrance, M17 8AA
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
This winter, prepare to be transported into a shimmering world where dreams glide, twirl, and soar. Welcome to Wish, a heart-racing extravaganza unlike anything you’ve seen before.
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. Set against a dazzling winter backdrop, this show is a celebration of light, unity, courage, and joy — a timeless tale told through ice, movement, and pure imagination.
Witness gravity-defying aerialists spinning high above the rink.
Be captivated by flawless skaters carving emotion into ice with every turn.
Feel your heart race as fire meets frost in a sensational display of elemental performance.
All of it set to a soaring score that will echo long after the final bow.
From £11.99 per ticket
Book here – Snowstorm Wish
Skate Manchester – book now for 2025
Where: The Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Glide through our ice path and admire the glorious Christmas tree right on the rink, surely it can’t get any more festive than that!
Rain or shine we’re open! Our covered ice rink allows you to enjoy your skating experience whatever the weather, so you can skate without the (distinct) possibility of getting soaked in a sudden, very British downpour!
Book here – Skate Manchester
Snowy’s conservation crew at SEA LIFE Manchester – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Snowy is inviting children and their families to take part in an interactive trail through SEA LIFE Manchester as you meet some fin-tastic creatures along the way.
Book here – * Snowys conservation club
Christmas bricktacular, Legoland Discovery Centre – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 30th December 2025
Families can enjoy a packed programme of festive-themed activities alongside access to rides, LEGO build and play zones, and 4D cinema experiences. Build and decorate LEGO gingerbread houses to display for others to admire, create unique LEGO snowflakes, and rock around the LEGO Christmas tree at pop-up dance parties with mascot friends.
Young builders can take part in a festive scavenger hunt through MINILAND, spin the advent wheel to win treats, and capture magical moments at awesome photo opportunities throughout the attraction.
Full event activities available on weekends and during school holidays throughout the festive period.
Book here – * Christmas Bricktacular 2025 | LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester
Winter holidays at Manchester Museum of science and industry – details for 2025
When: 27th – 31st December 2025
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
Ice skating at the Trafford Centre – temporary Christmas Ice Rink – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Embark on a 45 minute ice-skating adventure and glide into the festive spirit on the shimmering ice rink, surrounded by festive cheer and sparkling lights. Skate under the stars with friends and family, before warming up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Tickets for ice skating and the Christmas fairground must be purchased separately. Ice skating tickets are £18.70 for everyone 13+ and £15.40 for children for a 45-minute ice skating session.
Book here – Christmassive – The Trafford Centre
Christmas fun fair at The Trafford Centre
When: 26th – 31st December 2025
Step into the magic of Christmas at this festive fun fair. Includes rides and Christmas market food and drink huts.
£2.75 per person
Book here – Christmas at the Trafford Centre
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
Advent trail, John Leigh Park, Altrincham – 2025 details
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 – 2025 details
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
Always looking for inspiration for family days out across the North West? Join the Family Days Out North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best family days out across the region. Join here.
New year’s eve family events Manchester
If you’re specifically looking for things to do on New year’s eve then you need this guide – New year’s eve family events Manchester.
Nearby things to do between Christmas and New year
There’s lots going on in Cheshire & Lancashire too.
Find all the Things to do between Christmas and new year Cheshire here.
Find all the Things to do between Christmas and New Year Lancashire here.
