10 Christmas Things to Do In Manchester In 2020

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so it’s time to pop on your Santa hat and get festive!

Although things may be a little different this Christmas, you can still have plenty of fun with your pals as a student living and studying in Manchester.

Whether it’s a wander around Manchester to look at the glittering Christmas lights or a few bevvies in a tepee in the city centre, you won’t be bored this Crimbo!

There’s so much on offer in a fabulous city like Manchester and you’re lucky to be smack bang in the middle of all the action.

We’ve done our research and gathered a list of the top 10 Christmas things to do in Manchester 2020, so without further ado, let’s go!

1. Christmas At Dunham Massey

Christmas things to do in Manchester in 2020

Pretty festive lights are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit, which is why you and your mates need to visit Dunham Massey!

Still going ahead from the 3rd December, Dunham Massey is nestled between Manchester and Cheshire and is drenched in wonderful Christmas décor.

Whether it’s a quiet walk along the lakeside with a mulled wine, or visit the crystal and fire garden with its bright orange flickering flames.

Although slightly outside of Manchester, Christmas At Dunham will deffo be worth the drive for some seriously festive vibes.

2. Sing Festive Tunes!

singing is a great christmas thing to do in Manchester

All I want for Christmas is youuuuuuu! Sound familiar? Good.  Because it’s a banger of a tune!

When spending Christmas in your fabulous student accommodation, why not have a festive sing along with your pals.

You could even make it into a bit of a karaoke competition if you’re feeling brave enough, just make sure you’ve got those vocal chords warmed up!

3. Cook A Christmas Dinner

cook a christmas dinner for your student flatmates in Manchester

Calling all culinary masterminds! It’s time to put your skills to the test, because nothing says Christmas like a big juicy festive dinner.

Whatever you and your pals food preferences, cooking a festive dinner for the student flat isn’t actually as hard as it sounds, or as expensive!

We’d recommend buying mostly frozen ingredients so you don’t break the bank, like frozen roasties, frozen Yorkshire puddings etc.

It can be great fun cooking a Christmas dinner, especially when all your mates muck in and get involved!

Just make sure you’ve got a few glasses of Bailey’s on the go, some festive tunes and some Christmas crackers and you’re pretty much good to go.

4. Online Murder Mystery

online murder mystery for Christmas

Staying in deffo just got fun, with this intriguing online murder mystery opportunity!

Perfect for those who love a whodunnit, can you solve the “Who Sleighed Santa” case?

Running on the 5th, 12th and 19th December, dress up or dress down and solve the crime in the comfort of your own cosy student accommodation.

Buy your tickets here, and get ready to use your detective skills for something a little different this Christmas!

5. Go Christmas Shopping!

Christmas shopping in Manchester in 2020

Since non-essential retail will be reopening on December 3rd, many people will be choosing to do their Christmas shopping online, or visit the High Street.

Whatever your preference, the streets of Manchester are bound to be more quiet than usual during this festive period.

Take a trip to Manchester’s famous Arndale shopping centre (only a 10-minute walk, if you’re staying at Manchester Court), or mooch around the shops at into Trafford Centre and see if you can pick up a bargain!

Make sure you’re not breaking the local Tier rules though! If you want to read up on the rules for the new tiered system around the UK, click here!

6. Lightopia

Lightopia is one of the best Christmas things to do in Manchester in 2020

Are you ready to lose yourself in shimmering Christmas lights at Lightopia in Heaton Park?

With amazing light installations, interactive exhibits and a pretty illuminated trail, a trip here is bound to get you in the festive spirit.

There are some new additions to feast your eyes on including a Christmas showcase, astronomy display, musical city and Manchester skyline, pretty cool right?

Wider footpaths will help with social distancing and there will also be three entry points to reduce queuing.

Adult tickets are roughly around £20, you also might want to make sure your phone is fully charged because this will deffo be a great Insta opportunity.

7. ChristmasCity

ChristmasCity is a great thing to do in Manchester in 2020

This one’s a little pricey, but way worth it, and if you split it with your mates it’ll end up being cheaper!

Christmas City drive-in cinema is around £40 per car, but if you split this with flatmates it’ll be about a tenner each which is quite the bargain, right?

Watch classic Crimbo films from the comfort of your own car with the likes of Elf, The Grinch, Home Alone and Polar Express on screen!

Located in Trafford Park, it’ll take you about 15/20 minutes to drive there from central Manchester, but it’ll be well worth the drive.

8. Decorate Your Accommodation

Decorate your accommodation for Christmas in Manchester 2020

Is there anything better than decorating your cosy student accommodation and blasting some Christmas tunes in the background?

Grab yourselves a mini Christmas tree, or cover your room with tinsel, because bright tacky Christmas decorations truly are the best, hooray!

We’d recommend popping to the nearest Poundland to grab a few Christmas decoration bargains because you don’t want to be spending a fortune on baubles.

It might be a good idea to have a Secret Santa within your accommodation, it’ll be bags of fun and you can buy funny gifts for your mates to spread some festive cheer!

9. Have Dinner In A Teepee

Fun christmas things to do in Manchester is to have dinner in a teepee

Reserve your table at The Oast House in central Manchester and have a festive meal in The Curious Teepee – back by popular demand!

It’s the coolest place to celebrate with your flatmates or those in your bubble this Christmas with plenty of Insta opportunities too.

With warming fire pits, cosy throws and a whole bunch of festive lights, you’re bound to get into the Christmas spirit with your mates here.

We’d recommend booking way in advance because it’s a super popular venue every year, so be prepared, get a booking, and get ready for loads of mulled wine.

10. Look At The Christmas Lights

christmas lights in manchester

This may be bit of an obvious one, but why not have a stroll around your local area and see who has the best Christmas lights this year?

People can actually get super competitive about Christmas lights, so why not judge them for yourselves!

You could also head into the city centre and check out the lights, which was turned on by NHS frontline workers this year.

We hope this list has given you some inspo, although things may be a little different this year, you can still have loads of fun as a student living in Manchester with your mates!  Are you a vegetarian and wondering what to cook for your mates this year? Check out our latest blog here!

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