christmas activites in north west

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I am looking for some festive ideas for places to go, and things to do with two ds aged 6 and 2 in the Manchester, Bolton area. Any recommendations.

Ideas already for things to do include, gingerbread house making, ice biscuits, make wrapping paper by stamping onto brown paper. Visit santa where??

Any ideas guys?

Arndale centre has a santas grotto doesn't it?
You could investigate local farm parks to see if any have Rudolph you could go and visit
Go and look at the Xmas lights
Pick the Xmas tree altogether and decorate it
Make tree decorations - ideas will be on the web
Bake mince pies/ Xmas cake
Make paper chains

Spray leaves of Holly with gold and silver paint in a can
Make snowflakes and decorate for windows

Chillfactore are doing a santa's grotto and snow play that looks fun, but I'm waiting so see if we get real snow to decide whether it's worth it!!

we went to bury on the steam train with santa last year was nice - east Lancs railway. We went on the last train on Christmas Eve! Arndake FC bit rubbish

You can visit Santa at the farm at Tatton park if that isn't too far for you from around the 9th December at the weekends and you also get to see the animals and I think their will be a reindeer or two there this year. DS was 4 when he went last year and loved it. We will be going again this year with DS now 5 and DD 20 months.

we were looking for something different this year to the steam train as Th grotto in Manchester was a bit rubbish and too commercialised but so far can't find much else, not sure DS too keen on a grotto - is it very nice at Tatton Park fantus?

He wasn't too sure last year on the train, but I was thinking if we took him again at least he would know what to expect this time - he doesn't get scared at all but doesn't like unpredictability!!!

Thanks for your replys. We were thinking about trafford centre grotto is it not really worth bothering with.

We did go to windmill farm near ormskirk last year was really good they have little steam train you go to see santa in his shed.

Tatton park sounds nice may give that go.

Its further afield but have seen Ingleborough caves in Yorkshire have a santa in Dec anyone been?

Another vote for the Santa Special on the East Lancs Railway. We loved it last year and it was so festive and fun and Santa and his helpers were great, and the carols and stuff on the train really good.

Oh Ari, you are persuading me to do it again can book online this year too but Christmas Eve gone now, boooo

try gullivers world in warrington for their santa day out - lunch, grotto, rides, pantomine, xmas cookie making etc - im going in dec - cant wait!

We've been a couple of times to Tatton Park and always enjoyed it. Depending on when you go there is usually other things going on aswell. The Christmas fair is on most weekends. It isn't massive but there are lots of little stalls selling all sorts like jewellery, toys and food. You can also look round the house which is beautifully decorated but I think you pay extra for that. The website tells you what's on and when here

Off to Trafford centre today so I will see if ds2 will go in the grotto and report back.

We go to the panto at albert halls, Bolton every year. I love it and it feels very christmassy.

Manchester Xmas markets have a nice atmosphere but maybe a bit boring for your 2 year old.