Events
The Frost Fair at The Whitworth
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December
The Whitworth returns with its bi-annual event, The Frost Fair this weekend, 11am till 7pm with an epic programme of music, entertainment, workshops plus an outdoor cinema, huge dancefloor, craft markets and street food. The Sculpture Terrace located at the front entrance of the gallery will be transformed into an entertainment square, home to the main stage and the largest outdoor dancefloor in the city, plus Mr Scruff, Me Gusta, MC Kwasi, P-RO, PINS, DJ Paulette and A Certain Ratio.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday 4th December
Small Business Saturday is “a grass-roots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support small businesses”. The perfect antithesis to Black Friday and Cyber Monday – spend your hard-earned cash with small businesses this Christmas and put the money back into the local economy, and not into Jeff Bezos’ head-polishing pot.
The Refuge Christmas Fair
Sunday 5th December
This Sunday will see a host of sellers and makers take over the terrace at The Refuge – meaning you can grab all of those much-needed Christmas presents in one fell swoop. Top of the Town Vintage will be selling clobber, HollieGraphik will be flogging music-inspired prints and contemporary homewares and accessories will come courtesy of the Deadstock General Store pop-up. There’ll also be appearances from Northern On The Run with a selection of handmade homewares and jewellery, accessories from Mariel Osborn and beers from Manchester Union Lager.
Indie Winter Market at KAMPUS
Saturday 4th December
KAMPUS residents Bread Flower will host two winter markets this Christmas alongside some brilliant independent traders. There will be festive food and drink provided by the Bread Flower cafe, plus festive fun, food and gifts. The market will be open from 11am to 5pm and is free to enter.
Jekkah MCR Opening Night at Hatch
Saturday 4th December
The new Jekkah pop-up shop in Hatch will be hosting an opening night this weekend, with some top local talent hitting the decks with some serious AFROBEAT, AMAPIANO, DANCEHALL and HIP-HOP from Miss Josie, Slowpo and more. The shop will also be open for a chance to bag handmade and materials all sourced locally from Ghana – from their newest limited collection in store.
Independent Pop-Up Store at NAM
Sunday 5th December
On Sunday 5th December, NAM Audiophile Bar & Restaurant will transform its basement into an independent pop-up store for one-day-only. From 11pm – 5pm a selection of Manchester brands will take-over the space to showcase their beautiful collections and artwork. Joining NAM will be ethical lifestyle and clothing label Io e te, conscious and delicious wine from Le Social, vintage and antique homewares from OneOhSix, illustations by Zandra Rai Arts Co. and Depop dealer Chris Henderson will be bringing the finest vintage garms.
Melanin Markets Manchester
Sunday 5th December
Melanin Markets at Contact Theatre this Sunday will be a day to encourage, promote and celebrate Manchester’s Black businesses and community. The day encourages ALL communities to replace their Christmas purchases with products from Black-led businesses, with the hope that spending Black will become a normalised practise throughout the year. The event is FREE to attend and inclusive to EVERYONE – no need to book, just turn up!
Food & Drink
La Bandera’s New Taster Menu
From Monday 29th November
This week sees the launch of independent Spanish restaurant La Bandera’s new Taster Menu – a 7-course Spanish gastronomic experience, with a fair bit of theatre thrown in there for good measure. Many of the dishes are ‘finished off’ at the table right in front of you – so there’s fire, there sprinkling and there’s quite possibly some of the best Pig’s Cheeks you’ll ever taste in your life. Make sure that you get the accompanying Wine Flight for £30 too.
The Dinner Party Series with Mary-Ellen McTague
From Tuesday 30th November
Tucked away in a secret room on the 3rd floor of Selfridges in Exchange Square is a festive wonderland – providing guests with a magical evening of beautiful food, drink and music. It is in fact a 7-course dinner developed and designed by Mary-Ellen McTague – offering up a “unique, immersive and surreal dining experience” packed full of nostalgic glamour, fun and surprises. It’s all for a great cause too – Eat Well MCR.
The Crafty Cheese Man vs The Wandering Palate
Thursday 2nd December
Jonathan Pearcey AKA ‘The Crafty Cheese Man’ has recently returned from Oviedo in Spain after being a judge at the World Cheese Awards and, obviously, has the inside track of what’s hot and what’s not in the world of cheese. He’s the most cheesy person in Manchester, with a knowledge that’s unsurpassed, and he’ll be heading down to the fabulous Wandering Palate in Monton for a fun, informative and INCREDIBLY tasty evening.
A Taste of Winter: An Urban Forage in Manchester
Sunday 5th December
This group foray to Fletcher Moss Park on Sunday will be a serious test of perseverance and application in the pursuit of worthwhile tasty edible wild foods. You’d be forgiven for having low expectations at this time of year, but both the variety and quantity of excellent edible wild foods on display is often surprising. A hearty foray will be followed by some wild food sampling washed down with a warning tipple or two.
Arts & Culture
‘First Time’ at Contact Theatre
From Tuesday 30th November
Conceived, written and performed by theatre-maker, HIV activist ans star of Channel 4’s ‘It’s A Sin’ – Nathaniel Hall – ‘First Time’ aims to smash through the stigma of HIV. A critically acclaimed ‘hilarious’ and ‘heartbreaking’ hit autobiographical show about growing up positive in a negative world.
The Lawrence Chaney Show at Cruz101
Thursday 2nd December
Lawrence Chaney, winner of the best season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, will be heading to Cruz101 this week for an evening of fabulous drag, hilarious comedy and the very best local queens supporting the show.
Lightwaves at Salford Quays
From Friday 3rd – Sunday 12th December
Lightwaves Festival will illuminate Salford Quays with its most ambitious line-up to date from this Friday – attracting thousands of visitors with its trail of illuminated installations that animate and transform the surroundings. This year will see the arrival of the epic FLOATING EARTH, by Luke Jerram. The centre piece of the festival, this awe-inspiring artwork lets visitors see our planet floating on the surface of the water in three dimension.
The NQ Grotto at Ducie Street Warehouse
Saturday 4th December
Ducie Street Warehouse will transform into a fairy tale land, known as Mancunia, as it presents The NQ Grotto – a series of immersive Christmas performances which will see Santa and his elves busy preparing for Christmas within the unique setting of the Warehouse’ towering atrium. Promising a Christmas event like no other, guests can take in a dance with the Ice Princess, a singalong with Mrs Claus, story time by the Snow Queen, fun time with Brother & Sister Elves, Holly & Ivy and of course, a chance to meet Santa himself.
Die Hard Immersive 80s Office Party Screening
Saturday 4th December
There’s clearly no better way to watch Die Hard than in a re-creation of a Christmas party in the 80s – it was after all – set during one on the 25th floor of LA’s Nakatomi Plaza. So Stretford Public Hall’s stunning ballroom is set to be transformed into one – and there’ll be food and drinks aplenty to help you enjoy yourself. Get dressed up in your favourite power suit or cheap polyester threads, or don a vest and enter their ‘Best Vest’ competition.
Music & Clubs
An Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre: 2001
Friday 3rd December
No Strings Attached will this week host a LIVE Orchestral Rendition of ‘DR. DRE: 2001’. This is no ordinary Orchestral event. Expect a full standing crowd, with performances from various DJ’s, lyricists and singers as well as a full Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre’s: 2001 album, followed by other of Dre’s west coast classics. The combination of a traditional Orchestra merging with a modern live hip-hop music event.
Bicep – Live at the Warehouse Project
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December
Bicep will be LIVE at the Warehouse Project on both days this weekend, joined by electronic auteur Jon Hopkins and LOADS more. Apparently the Sunday show is a re-scheduled one from last year – and there’s actually tickets available for this one – while Saturday is sold out. You can probably find re-sale tickets somewhere for Saturday if you’re gagging for it – it’ll be a banger – trust us.
90s Baby Ibiza Trance at Albert Hall
Saturday 4th December
90s Baby is back, baby! And they’ve mixed things up a bit this time with an ‘Ibiza Trance Anthems’ theme and special guests including Judge Jules, Chicane, Southside Spinners and loads more. If the list of names on the line-up mean anything to you then you’re in for a big treat, and even if they don’t – I guarantee that you’ll know their songs. You probably listened to them whilst sat at a bus stop back in ’98, drinking White Lightning, smoking ciggies and snogging.
