Christmas is calling at The Quays as it hosts an array of festive celebrations and merry entertainment for all. A Victorian Christmas Market, Christmas-themed exhibitions, theatre shows and the Big Chill Swim Salford are just some of the incredible events taking place at The Quays this winter!
Housed in one square mile of waterfront attractions, The Quays offers an array of exciting attractions for all to see. Boasting some of the UK’s most iconic venues, as well as a selection of top bars and restaurants and hotels, The Quays is a one-stop destination for entertainment, arts, culture and shopping!
Experience the award-winning IWM North, part of Imperial War Museums, with its range of compelling exhibitions, tours and family activities. At weekends throughout December, visitors can drop into the Open Studio sessions at IWM North, for a range of crafty activities. Create your own crafty gift inspired by the Second World War make-do-and-mend spirit or join in with the wartime inspired festivities and make your own special seasonal decoration. Those looking for a little culture can book onto the A Closer Look: Christmas Truce tour, which includes a 20 minute walk and talk around the Main Exhibition Space, taking place on Sunday 15 and 29 December at 3.30pm. Enjoy a host of story time sessions throughout December, including Billy’s Evacuation Adventure, Nancy’s Land Army Adventure and Time for Truce. What’s more visitors can head to IWM North’s shop to pick up gifts and decorations with a difference; all inspired by the designs, styles and wares of the last opulent Edwardian Christmas before the First World War, which was 100 years ago exactly!
Ever wanted to swim the icy waters of Salford Quays? Then head to The Quays on Saturday 7 December and make a splash as hundreds of swimmers from across the region are getting ready to brave the icy waters, for the first ever Big Chill Swim Salford. Part of the Big Chill Swim series, this is the only wetsuit-free winter open water swimming event in the region. Swimmers can enter solely or as part of a team for fun, for charity, of for a bit of Christmas competiveness! For one day only, The Quays will be transformed into an outdoor swimming gala, complete with lane ropes and steps into the water to create a real swimming pool experience! The event is open to all ages and swimming abilities, with a range of different distance races to enter such as: 30m beginner fun swim, team relay, competitive 24m, 48m or endurance 456m races. A brrrr-illiant event that’s not to be missed, for more information on how to get involved visit www.chillswim.com
A spectacular waterside venue housing theatres, galleries, a restaurant, cafe and bar, The Lowry offers visitors the chance to enjoy the very best in visual art and performance and this season is no exception! The festive period sees The Night Before Christmas and War Horse show come to town.
The Lowry Outlet Shopping Centre is bringing the spirit of a traditional Victorian Christmas to The Quays, from Friday 5th December – Sunday 8th December, with its iconic Victorian Christmas Market. The highlight of the shopping season, this magical Christmas market is the place to start crossing off your gift list! Boasting an array of over 100 different producers with uniquely decorated stalls selling artisan food, handmade goods, unique gifts, and bespoke crafts that you won’t find on the high street. The Victorian Christmas Market is the perfect place for a magical, family day out this Christmas. Not only will there be festive fare and shopping to get you into the Christmas spirit, there will also be a host of merry entertainment. Treat yourself to a warming mulled wine while enjoying live music, from the finest regional brass bands and choirs, at the Victorian Bandstand. Treat the kids with an enchanting ride on the beautiful, traditional carousel at just £1 per ride, per person. And watch as Dickensian street performers bring the market to life.
With too much to see for just a day trip, take the opportunity to rest your head at one of the top-quality, yet affordable hotels in the area, including The Old Trafford Lodge at Emirates Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, and the Copthorne Hotel Manchester, which has an array of Christmas packages to indulge in. Throughout December enjoy Festive Carvery Lunches and entertainment evenings, at the Copthorne, including Boogie Nights – enjoy a three-course dinner and boogie the night away to some cheesy tunes and A Christmas Night with Legends, where you can enjoy a delicious three-course carvery whilst listening to a live singer performing some of the classics!
