Free Christmas things to do with the kids in Manchester in December 2021
and live on Freeview channel 276
It’s the most wonderful - and expensive - time of the year.
Gone are the days when you just had to join a queue and pay a pound or two to meet Santa at a garden centre - Christmas events can now cost a packet.
To help ease the burden a little, we’ve pulled together a number of fun things you can do for free this December in Manchester.
Frost Fair
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Hide AdThe Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester, Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December, 11am to 7pm daily.
With music, entertainment and workshops as well as an outdoor cinema and the city’s biggest outdoor dancefloor, there is tons to see and do for all ages on offer.
Buy a gift at the craft markets, enjoy a mini disco (from 11am each day) for little ones, a host of DJs for the grown-ups and round off the weekend with fireworks on Sunday evening.
Find out the full programme at the Whitworth website here.
Festival of Christmas trees
Quayside (formerly the Lowry shopping centre), on from now til Saturday 5 December
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Hide AdTake a break from Christmas shopping to browse dozens of decorated trees and a model village, as part of a big display donated on behalf of the Francis House charity. Organisations including Manchester United, the Co-op and local Women’s Institutes have been involved in the decorating, and trees and signed gifts will be auctioned off for the hospice: see here.
Christmas Extravanganza
Manchester Central Library, Saturday 11 December from 10-4pm
One for all the family, with choirs singing songs and carols, Christmas crafts for children and mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive treats to warm up parents in the cafe. Santa is also expected to put in an appearance!
Etsy Pop-up Christmas Fairs
People’s History Museum, Spinningfields, Manchester, Thursday 2 December to Sunday 5 December, and Thursday 9 December to Sunday 12 December
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Hide AdPop in for free and browse some unique, handmade local gifts from the Etsy Manchester crafters. Each fair features different makers and if you make a purchase, the museum receives a donation. The museum itself is also free entry with an option to donate.
- Got an event? Let us know about it by emailing [email protected]