The Visit Manchester Blog

• Looking to escape the wintery weather tonight? Take shelter at The Studio in The Hive, which is hosting a pop-up cinema night showing a screening of Secretary followed by a Mad Men-style office party at Kraak Gallery where audiences can dance the jitterbug to 60s pop, sip cocktails and vodka jelly and play Pin The Beehive on Joan!
• It’s the last chance to see the Ford Maddox Brown exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery this weekend. This first major show of his works since 1964 brings together 140 works from public and private collections of the artist who played a pioneering role in the development of Pre-Raphaelitism.
• On Sunday Manchester will be awash with colour for the Chinese New Year Celebrations. Head down to Chinatown and Albert Square to browse the stalls, enjoy the performances and marvel at the spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. With Manchester's high pole lion dance performance promising to be the most spectacular in the UK so far.

Here’s what our Twitter followers suggest:

• @DannyMahon: Today they could swing by the Pretty Green store on King street for free instore gig at 6pm.
• @LDCManchester: We've a real life Ninja teaching kids moves for our Ninjago weekend
• @flygirldesign: Visit afflecks palace, there's nowhere else like it!
• @Cafe_Blend: Try coffee martinis & liqueur lattes or hot chocolates at Cafe Blend in @TriangleUK all inspired by travels www.cafeblend.co.uk
• @thegibbon: I've said it before but you can't beat a cupcake and coffee at @HLCupcake :)
• @louisebolotin: The Real Food Market at Piccadilly Gardens gets my vote
• @elitetelecom: The free art gallery is severely underrated, they always have great exhibitions on!

And here’s what our Facebook friends suggest:

• Janine Gregson: Go to Chinese celebrations in Albert sq on Sunday :)
• David Brown: Section 25 at gullivers tomorrow
• Andrea Jane Smith: Go for Dim Sum sat or sun at Tai Wu
• Take the Family: we're off to the big saturday at the manchester museum - bug art! - http://events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:b1j-gv2iyhr3-dff5z1/Events
• Joseph Dent: Pangea Festival! Teacup for a brew and cake.
• Lyndsay Alexandra Edwards: Cloud 23 Hilton bar
• Ellivremo Sdrawkcabemanym Divad: Go to the Swan pub in Collyhurst and watch Man United v Liverpool...A real Manchester pub
• HomeSweet Home: Head to Home Sweet Home for a batch of home-made cookies! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-Sweet-Home/147007992003273
• Jackie Hickman: Chinese Year of the Dragon celebrations!

• Saturday is the final day of the National Winter Ales Festival on Oldham Road. At this CAMRA-run event there will be a selection of over 300 beers, real ales in a bottle, ciders and perries on sale, plus food will be available all day until around 9:00pm. It’s a must for all ale fans.
• It’s the opening weekend of 1960’s classic Alfie at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre. Made famous by the Michael Caine film of the 1960’s, Alfie is the work of acclaimed Bolton playwright Bill Naughton. Set in the Swinging Sixties, the performance features familiar Manchester face Vicky Binns who starred in Coronation Street as Molly Compton.
• On Sunday take a relaxing stroll around Stockport’s Handmade Market in the fantastic Historic Covered Market Hall in Stockport Town Centre. Within the amazing glass and iron building you can feast your eyes upon delicious hand baked cakes, stunning, original pieces of jewellery and wonderful pieces of art - you'll struggle to leave empty handed.

Here's what our Twitter followers suggest:

• @Andy17kelly: Harvey Nichols Supper club. Fantastic food
• @The_Printworks: We have a performance from the @RNCMvoice top brass band @The_Printworks tonight at 5.30 in advance of their brass festival
• @LrdBlackAdder: has to be Manchester museum!
• @NewVision12: go to see the New Vision photo exhibition @ 4 Piccadilly Place
• @AManchesterTour: Come on my "women who made mcr walk" Saturday 21st 2pm meet at Peoples History Museum www.manchesterguidedtours.com
• @delaScul: go to teacup Piccadilly cause it’s closing on Sat x
• @HobbitsWife: national winter ales festival at the Sheridan suite. Went on wed & it was fab see @CAMRA_Official for info

 And here's what our Facebook friends suggest:

• Krzysztof Zemlik: Visit the Himalayan Salt Cave - perfect place to relax and treat you body. It’s a different way to spend your time!!! www.himalayan-saltcave.co.uk
• Adam Fowler: This weekend I reckon visitors should visit the travel show at eventcity
• Di Connolly: I used to love going to the Science & Industry Museum & go see some Lowry Art well worth a visit
• Hugh Naughton: Visit the Circus Tavern on Portland St. Smallest pub in the world.

The weekend is upon us once again and if you’re Manchester bound there’s plenty to see and do across the region. Here’s our top 3 ideas plus some alternative suggestions from our Twitter and Facebook friends.

• Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) hosts its Chamber Music Festival this weekend, running from today until Sunday. This year’s Festival explores the repertoire that emerged from the courts and churches of Paris in the early 18th century and the wealth of sumptuous music by the Romantic composers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, all performed by 200 RNCM students, the college's chamber music professors and a selection of world renowned visiting artists.
• This weekend is the last chance to see the fantastic Dark Matters exhibition at Whitworth Art Gallery. This innovative show centred on the theme of shadow, technology and art, brings together works and new commissions from internationally acclaimed contemporary artists. The exhibition has strong interactive and digital elements, giving people new ways in which to access art and making it perfect for families to explore.
• Round one of the National BMX Series comes to the brand-new Manchester BMX centre at the National Cycling Centre in Sports City this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday spectators can watch all age groups compete at the striking new facility as they prepare for the 2012 World Championships in May. Race goers will be treated to Supercross racing on Saturday evening with some of Europe’s finest riders in attendance.

Here's what our Twitter followers suggest:

• @Tourmanchester: I'm doing a tour of the Town Hall on Sunday at 1pm. £6.00 pp (£5 concessions). send me DM to book
• @LowryOutletMall: Our Craft Fairs are on from today through to Sunday with gifts, home-baked goods and more!
• @activeengacad: Full English breakfast at Katsouris defo!
• @steisared1977: Got to be a night at bellvue dogs and a trip to old traford.Try Manchester's finest ales
• @evenflowuk: Night out at great club nights at Retro Bar. Rusty Cage (grunge/alternative) tonight and Nyte Heet (80s rock) tomorrow. Both ace!
• @Jay_Burge: A visit to John Rylands Library (Hogwarts) followed by a pint in The Oasthouse for sure!
• @chrismcguigan: Grown up boys and girls can head to @PalaceAndOpera to catch Pantos On Strike with @Jonny_Wilkes and Paddy McGuinness. #over18s
• @KymSmyth86: Watch MUFC v Bolton at Old Trafford then go for evening meal @RossoRestaurant

And here's what our Facebook friends suggest:

• Pied Piper Promotions: check out Jeramiah Ferrari gigging at The Avenue tonight and In Eccles over the weekend.... busiest Reggae band on the circuit with a new single coming soon :)
• Raymond Migchielsen: Visit Old Trafford, what a great stadium
• Adam Bradshaw: Experience a city centre canal walk from the northern quarter to castlefield. Stopping off to drink and eat en route

• For a touch of nostalgia, music fans should pay a visit Manchester Photographic Gallery where Kevin Cummins is exhibiting a special collection of his iconic photographs of Salford band Joy Division, who form a vital part of Manchester’s musical heritage.
   
• Over at The Lowry, Salford Quays art lovers can enjoy the Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester exhibition. This major exhibition by Valette, who also taught world-famous Salford artist LS Lowry, includes over 50 loans from public and private collectors from around the country and overseas, many on show for the first time.
   
• On Sunday Manchester Velodrome plays host to Revolution, the UK’s premier track cycling series. The event attracts some of the world’s top road and track cyclists and includes unique events that test them to their limits. The racing is fast and the competition intense providing audiences with a thrilling and action packed night at the races.

Here's what our Twitter followers suggest:

• @julianskyrme: Head out to Manchester's most thriving bohemian suburb of #Chorlton, take lunch and visit boutiques along Beech Rd @chorltonlife
• @johnconsterdine: How about a Taxi Tour with Manchester's only Green Badged Tour Guide and Taxi driver, see all the sights and more up to 5 people
• @ciderdave: Joy Division photo exhibition at the photography gallery.
• @HelenTither: I tried @richmondtearoom last week & it is an Alice In Wonderland dream. Peeeerfect escapism from January blues - top scones!!
• @jwoodcreative: Manchester walking tours are a must for all, mcr veterans or visitors alike. I can highly recommend the underground mcr tour!

And here's what our Facebook friends suggest:

• Adam Fowler: How about a spot of indoor skydiving at Airkix
• Jennie Lawrenson: Have some relaxing treatments at www.spasatori.co.uk
• Pied Piper Promotions: I’d recommend hitting up some of the 100's of unsigned bands that will be playing this weekend in and around Manchester and Support local Live Music
• Altrincham HQ: Come to Altrincham for a pub crawl - selected as best place to have a pub crawl in uk by the guardian
• Alexia Obein: go to the sales in market street on Saturday afternoon, Ice skating Saturday night and for Sunday: brunch and cinema or going to the corner house ...!

Santa and his elves leave Rudolph and friends at home and take the Metrolink to work at Manchester Arndale's Grotto, entertaining the commuters along the way.

Visitors can pop in to say hello to Santa and meet his eleves at his Grotto in Manchester Arndale

• It’s the final weekend of Manchester’s famous Christmas Markets so don’t miss your last chance to sample some of the delicious food and drinks on sale from across the globe. Spread across eight city centre locations, the markets are also a great place to pick up some unique last minute Christmas gifts.
• Those looking for some festive entertainment should head to the Dancehouse Theatre to watch Sinderfella. A total sell out hit at London’s Leicester Square Theatre this wicked adult twist on the classic pantomime mixes bawdy cross dressing and feel good party anthems to kick start Christmas with a bang!
• On Sunday pay a visit to the stunning neo-Gothic John Rylands Library on Deansgate for a festive afternoon of Christmas songs and carols. The performance will be led by the Salford Hospitals Choir in the beautiful surroundings of the Historic Reading Room.

Here's what our Twitter followers suggest:

• @Lou_Renny: maybe the town hall click tower...ride the big wheel...visit Man Utd...Xmas markets..go ice skating...shopping,eating,panto,drink
• @TwistedVinyl: @Altvtgmarket Sun 11-3.30, George St, Alty. great chance 4 special xmas gifts, xmas tunes + plenty of mulled wine, we ♥ xmas ☺
• @Dodo_manchester: come and visit the new Dodo concession at @Selfridges manchester, have the best animal charms from Milan.
• @LeePH68: visit @ManchesterCraft #buyhandmade
• @Kate_ONeil: eat @sweetmandarin
• @HiBoden: they should head down to #Hale and visit the #WinterShow at the fabulous @clarkart art gallery...great #art on show.
• @thegibbon: visitors must definitely stop at @HLCupcake for cupcakes/coffee. They can even post their letters to Santa http://pic.twitter.com/QsP5iX4r

And here's what our Facebook friends suggest:

• Adam Fowler: To get warmed up for christmas, head to the trafford centre and do some shopping!
• Alexander: Viol Britpop Legends "Marion" play at Academy 2 tomorrow. Arsenal are visiting Man City on Sunday. Should be enough for a good weekend, eh? :)
• R J Mc Cubbin :I would suggest the Christmas markets in the snow. And then off to the Northern Quarter for a few beverages and a browse before a night on the town in Canal St or Northern Quarter depending on your preference

No visit to the store would be complete without a trip to the enormous new beauty hall located on the lower ground floor and home to a host of new brands such as Jo Malone, Kiehls, and Crème de la Mer as well as Illamasqua and Giorgio Armani, both of which are exclusive to Exchange Square.

Everyday throughout December shoppers are invited to drop by their favourite brands for personal consultations with beauty experts. There is also a new Fake Bake Salon in store where party-goers can pop in before a big night out for a blow dry, fake tan, eyelash extensions, to get their nails done and much more.

This festive season Selfridges is also celebrating the ultimate White Christmas with a selection of exclusive accessories in Winter White. These include a Raoul clutch, the Mulberry Alexa with a festive white twist, and those looking for some festive sparkle should check out Anya Hindmarch’s box clutch, it could glam up any outfit! There is also an exclusive MAC White Colour Set and Christmas nail polishes from Dior.

Selfridges’ Sophie Hedley tells all about the Winter White collection.

Christmas is a magical time to visit Manchester on a shopping trip. Visitors can explore the Christmas markets spread across the city centre - with wares and food from across the globe, visit Manchester Arndale shopping centre in the heart of the city centre, explore the Northern Quarter’s quirky independent stores, browse the many fashionable designer boutiques located throughout the city or visit the famous Trafford Centre.

From £162 visitors can receive a night’s stay at the beautiful Palace Hotel, with a 2-course dinner in the hotel’s Tempus restaurant, accompanied by a bottle of house wine, and breakfast for 2 adults. Plus you will receive a £20 shopping voucher for Harvey Nichols and a booklet stuffed with discounts and offers for the shopping wonderland that is the Trafford Centre.

Travel to the Trafford Centre is easy as you can jump on a bus in the city centre which takes you there direct. Visitors can travel around Manchester all day on Stagecoach buses for just £3.70, which means those using the X50 service to the Trafford Centre, which runs up to every 15 minutes, can also take in some great sites including The Lowry, Old Trafford Football Ground, The Imperial War Museum North and MediaCityUK.

For more information click here

Whether it’s the designer bag you’ve had your eye on or that limited edition scarf – now is the time to buy!

For the more selfless out there, this is a great opportunity to wow your loved ones with gifts you couldn’t normally afford! And if you spend over £100 on beauty and fragrance you get a free gift.

You can also save money on the cost of wrapping as complimentary gift wrapping for your purchases will be available.

For more information click here

The library has been acclaimed as the best example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe and is considered one of the finest libraries in the world.

Part of The University of Manchester since 1972, the building houses over 250,000 printed volumes, and well over a million manuscripts and archival items.

On 18th December the library hosts Hark! its annual afternoon of Christmas songs and carols in the beautiful surroundings of our Historic Reading Room. Visitors are encouraged to join the chorus and help raise funds for Wood Street Mission – the singing will be led by the Salford Hospitals Choir.

If you prefer craft to carols, there is a Christmas Paper Crafting session on 14th December, which encourages visitors to dip their toes into creative waters, in the stunning surroundings of the library.

If you are travelling from outside Greater Manchester, you can access the city easily by train with regular direct services into Manchester Oxford Road, Piccadilly or Victoria stations from across the north.

There are good value Off-Peak Day Return tickets available from Northern Rail and on selected routes you can purchase a Duo ticket: when two adults travel together, one travels for half price.