5 things to do in the North West this weekend
NOT sure what to do with your weekend? Whether you feel like getting festive or just enjoying your days off, we’ve compiled a list of events and activities across the North West.
1. Bolton Winter Festival
Date: Thursday 1st December – Sunday 8th January
Location: Bolton Town Centre, Victoria Square, Bolton
Bolton’s Winter Festival opens to visitors this week, offering something for all the family with its popular ice rink, giant Christmas tree and snow slide. Santa’s Grotto, festive artisan markets, a Santa Express ride and a range of entertainment will also be on offer along with live music from some of the best local artists.
2. Festive Brass
Date: Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th December
Location: Corn Exchange Atrium, Manchester
The Horwich RMI Brass Band will be bringing the best in Festive music to Corn Exchange this Saturday and Sunday. Formed in 1912, the brass band hit dizzy heights in 1922 when it became Champion of Great Britain the Colonies but later collapsed in 1931. The recently reformed band is now keen to regain its stature with performances on December 3,4,10 and 11.
3. The Lanterns at Chester Zoo
Date: Friday 25th November – Friday 23rd December
Location: Chester Zoo, Upton, Chester
As this weekend marks The Lantern Company’s fifth year at Chester Zoo, the display promises to be even more magical than before. See your favourite animal lanterns return for another year, plus new characters and lanterns for you and your children to enjoy. From zoo favourites to local woodland creatures and a host of puppets and festival characters, the illuminated enchanted forest has something for all ages in the run up to Christmas.
4. Winter Arts Market
Date: Saturday 3rd December
Location: Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool, Merseyside
Merseyside’s largest arts and crafts market is returning for one day only this weekend. Staged in the breathtaking surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral, the market will see the space transformed into a bustling independent shopping experience perfect for unique Christmas gifts.
This year’s market will feature work from more than 200 of the region’s best artists and designers selling paintings, jewellery, textiles, glassware, homeware, screenprints, handmade beauty products and lots more. As part of the Winter Art Markets, the Cathedral will also play host to a food fair offering everything from homemade jams and chutneys to handcrafted chocolate and unique blended teas.
5. Wyre Estuary Country Park Health Walk
Date: Sunday 4th December
Location: River Road, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire
Taking place every four weeks, this urban and rural walk through the Wyre Estuary Country Park is designed to help keep locals fit and healthy, whilst enjoying the scenic routes of Lancashire too. With surfaced paths, lanes and tracks and some gentle slopes, this walk is ideal for beginners and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs as well.
