Out And About - December

Manchester Christmas Markets in Manchester city centre
Now – Tuesday 21 December
FIRMLY established as a festive favourite, Manchester’s Christmas Markets are considered to be among the very best in Britain and Europe. Soak up the sights, sounds and aromas as you browse the twinkling chalets, bursting with gift ideas and seasonal produce from across Europe. Call in after work or make it your venue for a special, social get-together or festive family day out.
Venues: Albert Square, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Brazennose Street, Triangle, Exchange Square, King Street. For more information visit www.manchestermarkets.com. Free

Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway
Wednesday 21 - Saturday 24 November, 10am - 4pm
STEP on board the beautifully decorated vintage carriages and watch the steam train gently chugging along the wintry countryside of the Irwell Valley. It’s a merry old time as brass bands play Christmas carols, costumed characters entertain families and the railway comes alive with hundreds of twinkling lights.
Climb aboard and soak up the magical atmosphere as the steam-hauled Santa Train travels from Bury to Ramsbottom and back and Santa and his little helpers slowly make their way through the train handing out a gift to each child and a mince pie and sherry to the adults.
It’s a Christmas steam adventure waiting for you to climb aboard.
East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury, BL9 0EY, www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk, 0161 7467790, suitable for all the family, Adults (aged 16 and over) £12.50, Children (aged 3+) £10.50, Children (aged under 3) £10.50 (seated) £7.50 (unseated)

Ice Rink at Spinningfields
Now – Monday 2 January
Monday - Sunday 9am - 9.45am (Mum's & Tot's Only), 10am - 10.45pm, Christmas Day-closed, Boxing Day 11am - 5.15pm, New Year's Eve 10am - 12.15am
SPINNINGFIELDS has been transformed into a winter wonderland with an open-air ice rink, giant Christmas tree and new Moose Bar.  Try your skating skills out on the open air rink before sipping a well earned drink at the rink side. The festive Canadian log cabin is complete with comfy sofas to rest your weary legs serving hot cocktails, mulled wine and spiced cider.
Family tickets and group rates are available. For prices, session times and to book tickets call 0843 208 1847 or visit www.spinningfiledsicerink.co.uk.

Victorian Carousel at Trafford Centre
Now - Sunday 8 January
BARTON Square welcomes back the traditional Victorian Carousel throughout the festive season, take a ride and gallop around with family and friends.
The Trafford Centre, Trafford, Manchester, M17 8AA, www.traffordcentre.co.uk, 0161 749 1717/18, Visit website for more information

Family Christmas Family at Tatton Park
Sunday 18 December, 3pm - 4pm
BRING your friends and family to the outdoor stableyard carols and join in the singing to the accompaniment of The King Edward Musical Society. Shops will be open until 5pm for last minute Christmas shopping.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN, www.tattonpark.org.uk, 01625 374400, Car entry charge £5.

Sleigh Ride 4D at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
Throughout December, 10.20am- 4.40pm
WATCH Santa, one of his little helpers, and - of course - Rudolph face trials and tribulations as they make sure that all presents get delivered in time for Christmas morning.
MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester), Liverpool Road, Castlefield,M3 4FP, www.mosi.org.uk, 0161 832 2244, Suitable for ages 4+ (at parent's discretion), Adults £4, concessions £3.

A Victorian Christmas at Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate
Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 December, 11am to 3pm, Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 December, 11am to 3pm and Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 December, 11am to 3pm
JOIN the festive fun during the Christmas weekends. Enjoy last minute shopping and a warming mince pie in the restaurant.
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4LA, www.nationaltrust.org.uk. No need to book. Free (normal admission prices apply). Suitable for groups.

Win Lego Prizes at Legoland Discovery Centre
Thursday 1 - Saturday 24 December, open from 10am - 7pm
THIS Christmas Alex Bidolak, the master model builder at the centre in Manchester, has built a giant advent calendar with Lego bricks and behind its 24 colourful doors are 24 amazing prizes worth £1,278 in total.
The Universe section of the attraction will be transformed into Santa’s workshop where guests can take part in festive Lego builds making snowmen, candy canes and mini Christmas tree scenes.
The workshop will also feature the giant Lego advent calendar offering a prize a day behind each door.  Kids just have to build three festive models to enter the draw for the chance to win. Prizes include various Lego sets like a Lego Harry Potter Hogwart’s Castle, Technic Supercar and Lego Star Wars Death Star.
Legoland Discovery Centre, Barton Square, Traffod Centre, Manchester, M17 8AS. www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCentre.co.uk, 0871 222 2662. For more information and ticket prices visit the website.

Christmas Playhouse at The Lowry
Saturday 3, Saturday 10 and Saturday 17 December, 11am – 12.30pm
GET creative this Christmas by joining us for fun art workshops celebrating the festive season. From cool cards to dazzling decorations – there’s a different activity each time.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, www.thelowry.com 0843 208 6000. Suitable for children age 5 – 11 years. Capacity 20, Tickets £3.50 (£1.75 Salford residents) For more information please visit the website.

Enchanted Christmas at Hat Works
Sunday 4 December, 11am - 4pm
FESTIVE family fun, including carol singing, Christmas workshops, a visit to Father Christmas and lots more.
Hat Works, Wellington Mill,Wellington Rd,South,Stockport, SK30EU, www.hatworks.org.uk, 0161 355 7770 ,suitable for all ages Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book – drop in, £1 per child, £3 per accompanying adult. £2 to visit Father Christmas.

Meet Santas Reindeer at Urban Exchange
Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 December, 11am – 4pm
TWO of Santa’s real live reindeer, Donner and Vixen, will be on hand to greet children. In addition, every weekend in December (until18 December) Santa will be giving out treats to children and there will be sherry and mince pies for the grown-ups. Festive workshops will focus on making Christmas baubles for the tree, gifts and decorating biscuits. There will also be a free gift wrapping service for purchases from any of the stores.
Great Ancoats Street, Manchester. For more information on Urban Exchange visit www.urbanexchange.co.uk.

Christmas Carols By The Tree at Dunham Massey
Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, noon – 1pm, 1.30 – 2.30pm, 3 - 4pm
HAVE a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie followed by carols in the elegant Edwardian dining room.
Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ, www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Booking essential 0844 249 1895, Suitable for accompanied children aged 7+, adults £8.50, children £8.50.

Carol Service at Chadkirk Chapel
Sunday 11 December, 4.30pm
ENJOY a repertoire of traditional family festive carols to celebrate the Christmas season..
Chadkirk Chapel & Country Estate, Vale Road, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 3LD, www.chadkirkchapel.org.uk, 0161 474 444, Booking essential, Suitable for children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult, Free.