What's on in the UK
What’s On For Kids: Christmas Events in Cheshire & Manchester 2026
There are lots of magical Christmas events happening across Cheshire and Greater Manchester from Stockport to Warrington and Macclesfield to Knutsford. Find great family friendly festive events or winter fun in our guide to what’s on for kids over the Christmas holidays.
SPOTLIGHT – CHRISTMAS AT ALDERFORD
Christmas at Alderford is a truly enchanting celebration, offering festive fun for the whole family in a beautiful lakeside setting.
Alderford’s Santa Island Experience – Climb aboard a magical vessel as you set sail across the twinkling waters of Alderford Lake in search of the hidden island where Santa and his mischievous elves are waiting
Ice Skating – Experience the thrill of ice skating at Alderford Lake’s real undercover ice rink
Woodland Ice Bar – Handcrafted entirely from ice, the bar promises an enchanting experience, where guests can sip on a signature warming Christmas cocktail or delicious hot chocolate , while surrounded by stunning ice sculptures, twinkling lights and immersive festive décor.
What’s On For Kids Christmas Event Roundup Guides 2026
PANTOS & FESTIVE FAMILY THEATRE
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON EVENTS
Family Friendly Christmas Events in Cheshire & Manchester 2026
Grinch Meet & Greet Disco at Cockfields Farm (Ashton under Lyne, near Manchester) 27th Nov
Get ready for a mischievous, merry night on the dance floor because the Grinch is hosting the ultimate festive party at Cockfields Farm! Join Cockfields Farm for a special evening event packed with farmyard fun, holiday tunes, and plenty of Grinchy shenanigans.
Christmas Skating at The Lambing Shed (Knutsford) 28th Nov – 24th Dec
A brand new Christmas experience is coming to The Lambing Shed. The barn will be transformed into a magical Christmas skating rink, complete with Christmas trees, lights, decorations and a whole lot of festive atmosphere.
Castaway Play’s All New Alpine Retreat (Congleton)
Reserve your Christmas 2026 tickets now for the BEST Christmas experience in the North West and see why Castaway Play Alpine Retreat Experience sells out every year.
The event also includes lots of hands on activities and family fun. Children can choose a toy from Santa’s Toy Shop, decorate gingerbread with Mrs Claus, play in the winter woodland, and enjoy a snowball fight area.
Families can race in the sleigh challenge, make reindeer food for Christmas Eve, and even build their own bear to take home. A souvenir photo with Santa is available as an optional extra, and the ticket also includes access to favourite play areas.
Cockfields Farm Park Christmas Experience
Cockfields Farm Park’s award winning Christmas experience returns for 2026. The full experience starts will combine all your favorite parts from the last five years into one magical event and the Cockfields Express to take you on a journey to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.
- Winter family trail at Dunham Massey National Trust (Altrincham) 13th Nov – 28th Feb
- Manchester Christmas Ice Skating Rink (Manchester) until 4th Jan
- Big Wheel at The Trafford Centre (Manchester) until 4th Jan
- Twilight Tales at Mayfield Park (Manchester) 13th Nov – 23rd Dec
- Yuletide at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 15th Nov – 23rd Dec
- Christmas at Gullivers World (Warrington) 15th Nov – 24th Dec select dates
- Bramall Hall Elf Trail (Bramall, Stockport) 20th Nov – 21st Dec
- The Christmas Mansion at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 22nd Nov – 31st Dec
- Enchanted winter walk Quarry Bank (Styal, near Wilmslow) dates 27th Nov – 22nd Dec
- Christmas ice rink at The Trafford Centre (Manchester) 22nd Nov – 4th Jan
- Operation Elf at Quarry Bank (Wilmslow) 27th Nov – 4th Jan
Chester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival (Chester) 28th Nov – 4th Jan
From the end of November, Chester Cathedral will be aglow with more than 80 majestic Christmas trees. The annual festival allows visitors to escape from the hustle and bustle of the festive period and lose themselves in astonishing tree lined winter walkways.
- Festive ice skating at The Lambing Shed (Knutsford) 28th Nov – 24th Dec
- BeWILDerwood Sparkly Lights & Panto Trail 29th Nov – 23rd Dec
- Cookie Making at The Ice Cream Farm 29th Nov – 24th Dec
- North Pole Adventure at the National Forest Adventure Farm (Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire) 29th Nov – 24th Dec
- Gandey’s Snowstormm Wish at the Trafford Centre (Manchester) 5th Dec – 4th Jan
- The Great Gingerbread Hunt + Santa’s Grotto at Merseyway Shopping Centre (Stockport) select dates 6th – 21st Dec FREE
The Snowy Day at Z Arts (Manchester) 12th – 30th Dec
‘The Snowy Day’ is specially designed for 1-4 year olds and their grown-ups, featuring one dancer, original music and an enchanting set. Discover a world blanketed in wonder in this brand new dance adaptation, inspired by the award winning picture book by Ezra Jack Keats at Z-arts this winter.
- Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Elf Hunt (near Congleton) 13th Dec – 4th Jan
- Tegg’s Nose Country Park Local Nature Reserve Elf Hunt (Macclesfield) 13th Dec – 4th Jan
- Interactive model railway at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 13th Dec – 4th Jan
Cheshire & Manchester Christmas Events by Day 2026
- The Trafford Centre Christmas Parade (Manchester) 15th Nov
- Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday (Stockport) 16th Nov FREE
Step Into Christmas (Macclesfield) 29th Nov
Welcoming Christmas to Macclesfield. Get ready to Step into Christmas in Macclesfield Town Centre. Expect music, magic, activities and entertainment all day long, kick starting Christmas in Macclesfield.
- Light Up Bramhall (Bramhall) 30th Nov
- The Snowman accompanied by a live orchestra at Stockport Town Hall (Stockport) 30th Nov
- The Snowman accompanied by a live orchestra at Oldham Queen Elizabeth Hall (Oldham) 1st Dec
Storytime with Santa at The Dunham Barn (Dunham Massey) 3rd, 10th, 17th Dec
This group session at The Dunham Barn is perfect for under 3s and preschoolers who aren’t yet ready for individual meet and greets. Join Santa and his elf for an hour group session with meet and greet, Christmas themed story read by one of the elves and a gift from Santa.
- Stockport Christmas Fair (Stockport) 4th Dec
- Storytime with Santa at The Ice Cream Farm 5th Dec
- Gandeys Snowstorm-Wish ice skating performance at The Trafford Centre (Manchester) 5th Dec – 4th Jan
- The Christmas Orchestra at Chester Cathedral (Chester) 6th December
- Holmes Chapel Christmas Fair (Holmes Chapel) 7th Dec
- The Snowman accompanied by a live orchestra at Buxton Octagon (Buxton) 11th Dec
- High Legh Park Christmas Charity Tractor Run (Knutsford) 12th Dec
- Nothern Chamber Orchestera Christmas concert at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 12th Dec
- Knutsford YFC’s Christmas Charity Tractor Run (Knutsford) 20th December
- Stableyard Carolling at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 21st Dec FREE
- The Snowman Film live with orchestra at Chester Cathedral (Chester) 23rd Dec
- The Christie Charity Tractor Run – Woodford, travelling through Poynton, Marple, New Mills, Hayfield and Disley 27th Dec
- The Traffords Christmas Trail (Manchester) dates tbc
