Festive Events

Manchester Christmas Markets
18 November - 22 December
Albert Square, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, 
New Cathedral Street, Brazennose Street, Exchange Square

Firmly established as a festive favourite, Manchester Christmas Markets celebrate their 10th birthday this year. The traditional, twinkling chalets will be bursting with gift ideas, seasonal produce and luxury goods from across Europe. Whether you call in after work, make it your venue for a special, social get-together or a family day out, soak up the wonderful sights, sounds and aromas of festive cheer at one of the country’s top, winter attractions. www.manchesterchristmasmarkets.com

Spinningfields Ice Rink
20 Nov 08 – 4 Jan 09
Hardman Boulevard, Spinningfields (off Deansgate)

Manchester’s open-air ice rink returns for 2008 in an exciting new location in the heart of the city centre. Hardman Boulevard at Spinningfields will be transformed into the ultimate winter fun destination with dazzling ice rink, sparkling Christmas trees, contemporary yuletide decorations and plenty of quality eateries in the vicinity. It's an unmissable family friendly experience. For advance bookings call 0870 066 6848* or go to www.quaytickets.com (with booking fee).

Special Introductory Offer (20-28 November): £5 all skaters.
Opening Times:
Sunday - Friday, 10am with last skate sessions at 9pm; Saturday, 9.30am with last skate session at 9.45pm. The ice rink is open on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, check with the Box Office for session times. Closed Christmas Day.

Ticket Prices:
For ticket prices and details of special rates for groups and schools visit www.manchesterlive.co.uk

* Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other providers may vary.

The North Pole – Manchester's winter bar
Next to Urbis, Manchester City Centre
Now open until New Year's Eve

Christmas will be considerably cooler in Manchester this year with the opening of The North Pole – the city's first festive 'pop-up' marquee bar & restaurant, next to Urbis.

Award-winning chef Robert Owen Brown has created a bespoke menu of rich meaty stews and broths to savour throughout the day and night. Acclaimed Northern Quarter bar manager Adam Binnersley has taken care of the drinks with his unique range of spiced winter cocktails, including mulled wine sweetened with Manchester's own Vimto. The restaurant can cater for Christmas parties of any size with special credit-crunching deals on a two-course dinner plus winter cocktail.

Music in the 300-capacity bar will be a laid-back mix including one-off DJ performances and club nights and could be anything from Northern Soul to rare covers of Christmas classics from Kingston, Jamaica.

The North Pole is the creation of Ear to the Ground, the Manchester events organisers who are best known in the city for the Dpercussion festival but who have been involved in a string of major international events in 2008 including the launch of the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool.

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