Christmas events for kids in Manchester 2026

25 Christmas events across Manchester, Salford and Trafford: grottos, Santa visits, light trails, pantos, festive crafts and Christmas markets with things for children. Soonest first.

• Manchester Christmas MarketsMon, 9 Nov 2026 +43 · Albert Square & city centre · Free
• Skate Manchester ice rinkMon, 9 Nov 2026 +54 · Cathedral Gardens · From £5 (community slots)
• Northern Lights Manchester: Christmas light trail at Heaton ParkThu, 19 Nov 2026 +42 · Heaton Park · Peak and off-peak ticket tiers - see booking page
• Candlelight Concert at Trafford Palazzo: Christmas MoviesThu, 19 Nov 2026 +1 · Trafford Palazzo · £10 per person (all proceeds to Destination Florida)
• HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto at the Trafford CentreFri, 20 Nov 2026 +34 · The Trafford Centre · Child £20 off-peak / £25 standard; adult £8 / £10
• Candlelight Concert at Trafford Palazzo: Christmas ClassicsFri, 20 Nov 2026 · Trafford Palazzo · £10 per person (all proceeds to Destination Florida)
• The Magic of Christmas at Freight IslandSat, 21 Nov 2026 +14 · Freight Island (Depot Mayfield) · Adults from £14.50, children from £29 (includes a gift) + booking fee
• RHS Glow at RHS Garden BridgewaterThu, 26 Nov 2026 +27 · RHS Garden Bridgewater · From £9.25 (super off-peak); all tickets under £20; under-5s free but need a ticket
• Billy Elliot the MusicalWed, 2 Dec 2026 +37 · Palace Theatre Manchester · Paid tickets — see the booking page
• The Jolly Christmas Postman at The LowryFri, 4 Dec 2026 +29 · The Lowry · From £17
• Stan's Secret Santa Saturday!Sat, 5 Dec 2026 · Manchester Museum · Free
• Dick Whittington — Manchester Opera House pantoSat, 5 Dec 2026 +28 · Manchester Opera House · From £13
• Hallé: The Snowman and FriendsSun, 6 Dec 2026 · The Bridgewater Hall · Child £18.75, adult £29, family of 4 £73.25 (incl. £3.25 booking fee)
• Santa Sundays at the Museum of IllusionsSun, 6 Dec 2026 +2 · Museum of Illusions Manchester · Included with admission (from £15)
• Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in ConcertMon, 7 Dec 2026 +1 · The Bridgewater Hall · £37.25–£72.25 (incl. £4.75 booking fee)
• Sleeping Beauty — the Contact Christmas pantoThu, 10 Dec 2026 +19 · Contact · From £13 ("The Pinch"); under-16s £17–£18; under-2s free on a lap
• Hallé Christmas Family Concert: A Festive World AdventureSun, 13 Dec 2026 · The Bridgewater Hall · Child £18.75, adult £29, family of 4 £73.25 (incl. £3.25 booking fee)
• Disney On Ice: Discover the MagicWed, 16 Dec 2026 +4 · AO Arena · Paid tickets — see the booking page
• Candlelight Concert at Trafford Palazzo: Christmas HymnsThu, 17 Dec 2026 · Trafford Palazzo · £10 per person (all proceeds to Destination Florida)
• Christmas Family Day at the RNCMSun, 20 Dec 2026 · Royal Northern College of Music · £10–£16; under-2s on a knee free
• A Very Messy Christmas at The LowryWed, 23 Dec 2026 · The Lowry · From £10
• Christmas Carol Singalong at the Bridgewater HallWed, 23 Dec 2026 · The Bridgewater Hall · From £18.50
• Hallé: How to Train Your Dragon 2 in ConcertWed, 30 Dec 2026 · The Bridgewater Hall · £34.50–£57.50 (incl. £3.25 booking fee)
• The Nutcracker (Varna International Ballet)Sat, 2 Jan 2027 · The Bridgewater Hall · £41.50–£58 (incl. £4.75 booking fee)
• Snow White (Varna International Ballet)Sat, 2 Jan 2027 +1 · The Bridgewater Hall · £41.50–£58 (incl. £4.75 booking fee)

Christmas across the North West →← All days out in Manchester