Things to do in Manchester this Christmas

Looking for fun things to do in Manchester this Christmas? We’ve got loads of Christmas activities for you to enjoy with a certain special someone, the family, or your friends.

Skiddle Staff

Last updated: 10th Nov 2022

Christmas has everything we love - great movies, Christmas dinner, fancy chocolate, the perfect excuse to get drunk in the middle of the day and some cracking events!

Events might not be the first thing to spring to mind when thinking about Christmas, but the most wonderful time of the year often brings plenty.

Just off the top of our heads, there’s live music, mad raves, sophisticated meals out, amazing events that’ll make killer early Christmas presents, and so much more.

So check out these fun, thrilling, and festive things to do in Manchester this Christmas and make this festive period extra special.

The Comedy Store at Escape To Freight Island

Escape-to-Freight-Island

Photo: Escape to Freight Island / Facebook.com

When: Escape To Freight Island, Manchester

Where: Wednesday 21st December 2022

Manchester's Escape To Freight Island opened around two years ago and has since become one of the city’s coolest hangout spots. It hosts all sorts of events, including roller skating, music, foodie events, and more. And now, The Comedy Store is stopping by!

Stop by before Christmas and relax into the Christmas spirit with family and friends as you laugh so hard you wish you’d brought spare underwear. There are plenty of food vendors and bars to make it an evening to remember and kick off Christmas properly.

The Comedy Store | Wed 21st Dec | Escape To Freight Island

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Festive Bottomless Brunch

revolution-Parsonage-Gardens

Photo: Revolution Parsonage Gardens / Facebook.com

When: Friday 23rd December 2022

Where: Revolution Parsonage Gardens, Manchester

One of the main reasons we all love Christmas is the food. But one of the worst things about Christmas is the tidying, cleaning, and cooking for everyone. It’s knackering. So why not squeeze in one last bottomless brunch where all of that’s handled for you? Revolution is hosting a festive bottomless brunch with two hours of bottomless prosecco, Amstel, vodka mixers and cocktails with festive bites. Secure your tickets now, as they’re sure to fly out.

Festive Bottomless Brunch | Fri 23rd Dec | Revolution

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Snow Storm 2 - Ice Kingdom

Snow-Storm-The-Ice-show-Spectacular

Photo: Snow Storm - The Ice show Spectacular / Facebook.com

When: Multiple dates from Saturday 10th December - Monday 2nd January 2023

Where: Trafford Centre, Manchester

Looking for some wholesome fun the whole family can enjoy together? Snow Storm is returning to the Trafford Centre this festive season with an incredible winter show. Bringing new costumes, new songs, and new circus artists, they’ve taken the show up a level and are ready to leave you with your jaw dropped. There will be 16 fantastic ice skaters, the beloved ice bears, special effects and more to engross you in this mystical universe. The show has multiple dates, and we reckon it’d make a lovely Christmas Eve treat.

Find tickets for Snow Storm 2 - Ice Kingdom - here

Twisted Smile ‘We Are The Rave’ Boxing Day Party

twisted-smile

When: Monday 26th December 2022

Where: Gorilla, Manchester

Hosted by Chalkie White, this Boxing Day rave at Gorilla will provide banging tunes to help you wake up and shake off those extra helpings of pigs in blankets. Prepare to get twisted to club classics, house, old skool, funky house and more with Slipmatt, Jonathan Ulysses, Si Frater, and Ricky Isted. All DJs with impressive experience, this rave will be massive.

Twisted Smile ‘We Are The Rave’ Boxing Day Party | Mon 26th Dec | Gorilla

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The Hallé - The Snowman

bridgewater-hall-co-uk

Photo: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

When: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd December 2022

Where: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Manchester's own Halle Orchestra is fusing the thrill and wonder of live music with one of the most iconic Christmas movies this December. A brilliant animated family film, The Snowman follows a boy who builds a snowman and finds that, at midnight, the snowman has been brought to life. At the stunning Bridgewater Hall, you’ll watch the film, and the orchestra will bring the soundtrack, including the instantly recognisable Walking in the Air, to life as you watch.

Click or tap here to discover more Hallé Christmas events.

Find tickets for The Hallé - The Snowman - here

Whisky Tasting

Brock-Du-Pont-un

Photo: Brock DuPont / Unsplash.com

When: Friday 16th December 2022

Where: The Castlefield Hotel, Manchester

Know someone who’s impossible to buy for? This might just be the perfect gift! Take them on a blind whisky tasting and learn about different styles from all over the globe. Appreciate the complexity and craftsmanship that goes into a bottle before tasting its story on your tongue. It’s the perfect gift for Christmas - warming you up when it’s cold, it’s unique, and it gets them a bit tipsy because one of our favourite bits about Christmas.

Whisky Tasting | Fri 16th Dec | The Castlefield Hotel

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Grand Theft Audio Drum & Bass Xmas Party [free entry]

grand-theft-audio-drum-bass

When: Friday 23rd December 2022

Where: Rebellion, Manchester

Manchester-based drum and bass label Grand Theft Audio Recordings is taking over Rebellion for a free DnB, jungle, garage, UK bass, and dub rave. Since it's free, and it's on a Friday, we think it's a no-brainer. We’ve got the Saturday off to recover before Christmas on Sunday, so we might as well have one last biggun with our friends. And every one in five cans of Red Stripe will win you another can for free!

Grand Theft Audio Drum & Bass Xmas Party [free entry] | Fri 23rd Dec | Rebellion

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Saturday Wine Tasting Experience With Three Course Lunch

Malmaison-Manchester

Photo: Malmaison Manchester / Facebook.com

When: Saturday 10th December 2022

Where: Malmaison, Manchester

Know someone who deserves to be treated to one of the best Christmas days out in Manchester? Well, here it is! The beautiful four-star hotel Malmaison invites you to a wine-tasting session with a three-course lunch in their luxury private dining room. From 11-4 pm, you and your loved one will taste ten gorgeous wines, reds and whites, from around the world. At 1 pm, you’ll enjoy your gourmet lunch made of seasonal ingredients with wine to match each dish. A real treat, this is an event to enjoy with someone you love.

Saturday Wine Tasting Experience With Three Course Lunch | Sat 10th Dec | Malmaison

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Under One Roof Accessible Rave - Christmas Party

yes-skiddle

When: Wednesday 14th December 2022

Where: YES Pink Room, Manchester

Christmas is all about togetherness, having fun, and inclusion. So an accessible Christmas party at Manchester’s much-loved YES sounds brill to us! Disco, house, funky house and similar tunes will be playing in the venue’s pretty Pink Room for this accessible rave. Family, friends, carers - everyone’s welcome! Oh, and there’s a free ticket for carers too!

Under One Roof Accessible Rave - Christmas Party | Wed 14th Dec | YES

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Christmas Barrel Of Laughs

The-Frog-and-Bucket-Comedy-Club

Photo: The Frog and Bucket Comedy Club / Facebook.com

When: Friday 16th December 2022

Where: The Alan Hotel, Manchester

Looking for some fun things to do in Manchester this Christmas to get you in the spirit? Frog And Bucket Comedy Club are taking their side-splittingly hilarious shows to The Alan Hotel. Sit back, relax, and laugh so hard you shoot your drink out of your nose. A lovely night out, your ticket includes a two-course Christmas dinner (with a vegan option available), the comedy show, and DJs during the after-party when the show has finished.

Christmas Barrel Of Laughs | Fri 16th Dec | The Alan Hotel

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Jungle Mania / Charity

Night-Day-Cafe

Photo: Night & Day Cafe / Facebook.com

When: Tuesday 13th December 2022

Where: Night And Day Cafe, Manchester

Night & Day Cafe is one of the city’s best small venues and is dripping in musical history. And on the 13th of December, it’s hosting a jungle, breaks, hardcore, and UKG event for charity! Yep, it’s for the great cause - Young Lives Vs Cancer - and tickets start at just £2. It’s cheap, for charity, and at one of the city’s best venues. Why not? Expect to hear tunes from Goldie, Metalheadz, Tim Reaper, and more.

Jungle Mania / Charity | Tue 13th Dec | Night And Day Cafe

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In The Mix Global Presents : The Christmas Eve Eve Special

inthemixglobal

Photo: inthemixglobal / Facebook.com

When: Friday 23rd December 2022

Where: Off The Square, Manchester

If drum and bass isn’t your vibe, this house, minimal techno, tech house, deep house, and funky Christmas Eve Eve party might suit you better. Going down in Off The Square, a small, sweaty independent music and culture project, Tommy Phillips is the disc jockey who’ll be headlining this pre-Christmas shindig. There's also a special guest joining him who hasn't been announced yet, so keep your eyes peeled for more info about that.

In The Mix Global Presents : The Christmas Eve Eve Special |

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There are so many fun things to do in Manchester this Christmas, whether you want to enjoy a day out with a loved one or get messy on the dancefloor until crazy o’clock.

Make this Christmas one to remember and secure your tickets for Christmas days out Manchester now. They won’t last long?

Looking for more Christmas activities in Manchester? Click or tap here to discover more Christmas events in Manchester.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.