SEEKING an alternative to the same-again city centre Christmas Markets? We’ve hatched a plan for you. Or rather Hatch have. The Food, drink and retail oasis down Oxford Road under the Mancunian Way has conjured up Urban Narnia, inspired by the characters created by CS Lewis. Running until Thursday, December 20, it’s a ‘bespoke Christmas pop up experience’ that sees Hatch more than doubling in size to create this new family-friendly, festive destination.
There’s festive trees, twinkling Christmas lights, heaters, blankets and a whole programme of events and entertainment. Lots of indie shopping opportunities but we’ll concentrate on the additions to the already impressive roster of food traders.
Popping up in extra shipping containers especially for Christmas are Cottonopolis with a Yule version of their street food brand ‘Japanese Junk’. They are serving up a range of Asian-inspired festive drinks including a hot, mulled, spiced plum sake. Foodwise they a4e offering their pork belly bao with peanuts, mustard and pickles, katsu chicken burgers and wagyu kuro burgers as well as super snacks like vegetable gyozas and prawn cracker nachos.
Electrik, the gang that successfully brought Yadda Yadda to Hatch, have transformed a double stacked shipping container into an all new Urban Narnia Bar.
There’s also a new stage at Urban Narnia, plus extra seating and blankets, and if you want to get hands on sign up for the Urban Narnia Christmas Tree Shop, which is hosting mini-masterclasses from Christmas tree decorating to wreath making workshops, as well as selling festive firs.
For a full list of events visit the Hatch website. Urban Narnia culminates in a suitably seasonal finale on December 20 – the Mince Pie and Mulled Wine Mingle. And before you know it Christmas is upon us.
