Tinsel Town

Tinsel Town forms part of the Trafford Centre’s Christmas offering with a festive fairground lighting up the winter nights. With spinning teacups and flying elephants wearing santa hats, it’s not exactly the place if you’re looking for high-octane thrills. However, it’s a lovely way to burn off some of that December excitement – although the candy floss will bring it rushing back. Make sure you buy tokens for the rides – they aren’t included in the entry fee.

As well as the funfair, there’s an ice skating rink which is payable separately. In keeping with the rest of Tinsel Town, it’s probably more geared towards families which means it’s a calmer first skate for little ones. Skating under the twinkling lights is always a magical experience at this time of year and you can warm up afterwards with a hot chocolate.

There are plenty of other Christmas activities at the Trafford Centre, all located near each other if you want to make a day of it. They include the big wheel outside the Trafford Centre’s Great Hall and Santa’s Grotto which includes candy cane land and the chance to play in some fake snow. There’s also an illuminated winter walk through Wilderspool Woods, the only bit of greenery around apart from motorway verges. It also has a Freight Island pop-up on the food front so that’s good news.

Around the other side of the Trafford Centre, you can watch Gandey’s Snowstorm Firebird. It’s a fresh take on their usual circuses and takes the usual acrobatics and laughter onto the ice in a mix of skating, slapstick and circus skills.