Get ready to immerse yourself in the festive spirit as Manchester’s beloved Winter Island returns to Freight Island, transforming the venue into the North’s largest heated outdoor and indoor winter festival. This enchanting experience is set to run from Thursday 14th November until Christmas Eve on Tuesday 24th December, promising a season filled with holiday magic for all ages.
Winter Island has become a must-visit destination during the festive season, for locals alike and visitors in Manchester, offering a spectacular blend of Christmas-themed attractions. New for this year is a Northern Lights Lounge installation in collaboration with WeRoad situated on the mezzanine inside Freight Island. Little guests can also enjoy the Visit Santa Experience at the Grotto located at the Plant Room.
Featuring festive food and drinks, British Street Food Awards Finalist Baldy’s Pies is returning to Freight Island to serve hearty and traditional British pies. Also introducing new festive kitchens for this year, Oh My Churros will be serving giant hand-made Churros with a choice of silky chocolate sauce and winter crumbles; Greek Street will be bringing a winter menu of classic Greek street food with meatballs, moussaka, and classic Gyros; Fuku Express serving winter warmer dishes including Dim Sum and Bubble Tea alongside some of Fuku’s favourite dishes. Back again this season are Formaggi by Lazy Tony’s with their incredible loaded Roasties, Poutine, Italian-American Toasties, and deep-fried Mozzarella; and German BBQ by Smoking Coal serving the city’s finest bratwurst and more. Seconds Christmas Carvery will take place every Sunday through December, serving up a selection of prime meats all locally sourced from a single farm in Cheshire. Along side this, Seconds offers unlimited access to all the trimmings, plus those looking to add extras can opt for giant honey-mustard pigs in blankets.
For a truly indulgent winter treat, the brand-new Cabin Chocolat will be serving delicious velvety hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows, caramel and sweet treats; plus a boozy option available. Festive bars across Winter Island will serving classic spiced drinks including Mulled Wine and Cider.
The feast continues… all of Freight Island’s existing traders will also be up and running as usual with the occasional festive twist – including the premium smashed burgers from Burgerism, giant 22” pizza and slices from Voodoo Ray’s, slab shack from Lazy Tony’s Taqueria, tandoori and Indian street food from Payal, Venezuelan cuisine from Mia’s Arepas, pan-Asian cuisine from FUKU, Mediterranean street food from Mega Gyros, cheesecake on a stick from Oh My Cheesecake, and Patterson’s famous fried chicken.
Winter Island will also feature world-class entertainment, featuring an 18-piece Christmas House Band playing live jazz covers of all of our favourite Christmas hits, every Friday & Saturday evening through December. Plus, DJ sets throughout the week, including Cherrybomb club nights with a festive twist, soundtracked by Christmas musical hits from Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey and Slade. Additional events through the Christmas period include Bingo Lingo, and The Comedy Store.
Throughout the Christmas period, Winter Island will offer a 3-course Christmas dinner to large bookings and private parties. Choose from all the Christmas classics such as Roast Turkey Crown, Honey & Marmalade Glazed Ham, Roast Topside of Highland Beef, plus all the Christmas trimmings. Starters are served family style, and vegan dishes are available too, such as the stand-out Wild Mushroom & Butternut Squash Wellington.
The festivity doesn’t stop there. Also returning for its second edition is The Twilight Trail at Manchester’s Mayfield Park, right next door to Freight Island, and just a short five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station. Running from Thursday 14th November until New Year’s Eve on Tuesday 31st December, this budget-friendly festive attraction offers an immersive winter light show that will captivate visitors of all ages. The Twilight Trail transforms the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park into a twinkling wonderland, complete with stunning visual installations, a mesmerising lantern display, and a captivating soundscape that will enchant and delight.
Find out more here.