Anyone any top tips for a good Santa/Grotto/Events around Manchester?

[ohforfoxsake]

We haven't lived here that long, so would really appreciate advice on getting the children (3 - 9) out and about doing all things festive.

We usually go to Santa at Harrods, we've been to Lapland UK for an outdoorsy type thing in the past, and always go to panto, so I'm looking for different things around the North West to get them (by which I mean ME) all festive and fun.

TIA

That's brilliant - thank you

Tatton Park is Beautiful at Christmas, they decorate the Farm and my two Ds's loved it, they also have a Christmas Market on in December where you can buy lots of homemade goodies and crafts.

I took my oldest Ds to the Arndale grotto a couple of years ago but neither of us were that impressed but i've been told the Grotto in Oldham shopping centre is loads better.

Tatton Park! Of course! I'd forgotten about that - despite going there numerous times in the summer.

Any more for any more?

Any Panto recommendations? I prefer a smaller one as opposed to big glitzy ones with Bobby Davro and Ross Kemp (possibly the worst one I'd ever seen!)

Will check out what is on at the Opera house, any other theatres? Local maybe.

Not took the Ds's to any Panto's yet but i'm open to any suggestions this year!

OHHH and the All-in-One garden centre does a brill "Supper with Santa" it's always V. popular so it's another that needs to be booked early but well worth it.

ohforfoxsake i cant think of anything worse than being in the same room as Davro AND Kemp...dickheads the pair of em' :)

The Lowry normally have a good Panto on.

Check out the Bridgewater Hall/Halle Website - they do some Christmas concerts for DC or adults. They had a sing a long with Jonathon Cohen of Playaway fame a couple of years ago which was brilliant!

They have German markets on in Albert Square and St Annes Square which are good. Ice skating rink in Spinningfields and other snow stuff for little ones in Piccadilly. Think it all starts end of November. We normally get the train into Manchester and spend the day feeling Christmassy.

There is a steam train with Father Christmas on that runs on the East Lancs railway.

Erm will think of some more later - how old are your DC and which end of Manchester are you?

We usually do all of these:

Panto at Stockport Plaza. Probably as naff as most other pantos but not such huge names.

Live reindeer outside John Lewis Cheadle

Tatton Park - as above

MAnchester Christmas markets - ditto!

Brookside Garden Centre has fab little steam train ride which drops you off at Santa's grotto - go after 3pm when it's dark and lit up.

I think they have carols by candlelight at Dunham Massey - can't remember?

Pre-kids my favourite was the Lymm Rugby Club panto - lots of semi naked men, rudeness and beer. Alas those days are long gone

We took DS for his first grotto visit last year to the Arndale...........hmm, was cute, but will look for somewhere else this year! Oldham? REally? I can't imagine that!! But might try it seeing as I grew up near there.

All In One garden centre? Where's that please?!

Oooh yes Brookside Garden centre- love that one

Bents Garden Centre nr Leigh, Greater Manchester (just off East Lancs) is fabulous for kids in the run-up to Christmas (great cafe too, although pricey)

Bents

Here's the link for All in One and they're doing Breakfasts this year, ohh I just fancy a bacon butty with Santa x www.allinone.co.uk/instore/supper_with_santa/

Hmm, nice think it might be a bit too much for DS this year I wish I could find a really nice Father Christmas

The steam engine train from bury to ramsbottom is a good one anytime but as mentioned above does a Santa theme at xmas, is def worth a trip and ramsbottom would I imagine look quite nice at Xmas ( have only been in the summer).

There's an amateur panto at Sale Waterside in January. It's not perfect but it's more intimate than the big theatres, the jokes are more local and it's very good value for money. The kids all get to go on the stage at the end.

The chill factor did do a session of half an hours snow play combined with a visit to Santa, not sure if they still do.

ooh thanks will look at that too!

Also the panto at Altrincham Garrick.

Salemum I forgot about the chill factor!! Dh took our boys there last Christmas Eve cos I thought it would be nice for them to play in the snow....little did i know that we would end up having tons of the stuff!! they had a brilliant time and was well worth the money :)

Oh wow, very excited now!! Will have to ring Grandma too, expect she and Grandad will also want to attend that one

well santa special all booked for Christmas eve - am so excited!! 4 adults and one child hee hee hee

Santa Special good

Have seen a few pantos at the Lowry (one year had Darren Day in it )

The Christmas markets are lovely (Gluhwein especially )

If you fancy further afield, the Wild Boar Park in Chipping (near Cliheroe) does a good Grotto with real baby donkeys, it is gorgeous there.

Bury Met have the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe on in December for age 5+ as well, we're booking that, may try and combine the Santa Special with it.

Oh yes, Christmas markets much better sans enfants

Wow! This all took off when I wasn't looking!

Thanks everyone, I'll catch up now