44 festive things to do in Sale
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Let the Christmas in Sale 2024 holiday season begin!
From festive light switch-ons to the annual canal boat parade, here is a list of things to do in Sale to keep your spirits merry and bright.
Of note: this events guide is regularly updated, so bookmark it for future reference! The event listings are in chronological order from their start dates.
Festive pop-up
🗓️ Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Market Sundays, 10.30am-4pm throughout November and December
📍 Unit 5, Stanley Square
Four of your favourite Sale independent businesses have teamed up for a special festive pop-up.
Featuring:
Books and gifts from B for Butterfly Books
Contemporary art and products from Bug and Bee Creations
Willow creations from Willow Goat Crafts
Earrings, candles and eco gifts from Shine
© Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop
Charity Christmas Card Shop
🗓️ 13 - 28 November 2024
📍 Sale Library, 2 Tatton Road, Sale M33 7EB
The Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop is back at Sale Library for 2024. The card shops are renowned for giving 100 per cent of sales back to the charities they support, including Stockdales in Sale.
You are encouraged to buy charity cards, wrapping paper, toys and novelties from the charity Christmas shop this year to help raise as much money as possible for local charities.
The Sale Christmas charity shop is open in line with Sale Library opening hours.
Sale Moor Village Christmas Light Switch On 2024
🗓️ 15 November
Sale Moor Village is set to dazzle even brighter this festive season with an upgraded Christmas lights display, thanks to the hard work of local community group We Are Sale Moor and the Sale Moor Lottery.
Ashton on Mersey Village Christmas Light Switch On 2024
🗓️ Saturday 23 November, 11am-5pm
Always a lovely community event, expect stalls, entertainment, Santa on his sleigh plus - of course - the switch on itself!
Reusable advent calendar workshop
📍 Slug & Lettuce Waterside, Sale M33
🗓️ Sunday 24 November, 1-3pm
🎟️ £35
Join Common Room Social Workshops and craft a beautiful, reusable advent calendar that you can enjoy year after year. Starting with a plain 25-drawer Décopatch Mache Advent Calendar, you'll have the opportunity to transform it into a stunning, bespoke festive centrepiece.
Whether you want a classic Christmas theme, a modern twist or something entirely unique, this workshop will provide you with all the materials and guidance you need.
© The Royle Tearoom
Christmas wreath making & festive afternoon tea
📍 The Royle Tearoom, 135 Northenden Road, Sale Moor, M33 3HF
🗓️ Dates: Sunday 24 November (1-3pm) | Thursday 28 November (evening) | Thursday 05 December (evening) | Sunday 08 December (1-3pm)
Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas wreath-making workshop and afternoon tea at The Royle Tearoom. Secure your place with a £5pp deposit. Book into the tearoom to book or call 07951 822053.
© Canteena Bar & Grill
Craft Beer Christmas Party
🗓️ Saturday 23 November from 3pm
📍 Canteena Bar & Grill, Stanley Square, Sale M33 7ZZ
🎟️ Tickets £5 (plus booking fee)
Get ready to jingle and mingle at the Canteena Craft Beer Christmas Party, promising to be a festive afternoon of brews, cheer and good times!
🍻 Brewers include Cloudwater Brew Co., Tiny Rebel and Salt.
Perfect for both beer aficionados and those just looking for a good time. This looks like it would be a great afternoon catching up with mates before Christmas.
Christmas at The Bridge Inn
📍The Bridge Inn, Dane Road, Sale M33 7QH
The Bridge Inn is hosting various festive activities this year, including:
Christmas launch party - Friday 29 November, live music from 7.30pm
Breakfast with Santa, every Saturday in December, 9-11am
Christmas market, Tuesday 12 December from 4pm
The Sale Artisan Christmas Market
📍The Sale, 131 Marsland Road, Sale M33 3NW
🗓️ Sunday 24 November 2024, 12-6pm
🎟️ Free entry
The Sale is hosting its first family-friendly Christmas market this year, in conjunction with The Trader Markets. Expect a live band, mulled wine, hog roast, over 40 festive artisan market stalls plus the pub’s Christmas light switch-on!
Christmas wreath making workshop
🗓️ Monday 25 November and Monday 02 December from 7.30pm
📍 Pray Tell, Stanley Square
🎟️ £60 (limited to 10 spaces per workshop, so hurry!)
Learn the art of making an eco-friendly Christmas wreath with Oates Floral to get you into the festive spirit. All materials provided, as well as a little tipple and festive treats to tickle your taste buds!
The Belmore Christmas Light Switch On
🗓️ Thursday 28 November from 5pm
📍The Belmore, 143 Brooklands Road, Sale M33 3QN
Magic Voices Choir will sing all your favourite Christmas carols. Plus, there's the Abberettes take you back to the '70s and '80s.
There will be an outside bar and hot food stalls. If you'd prefer to stay warm, The Belmore is serving a festive three-course meal for £29.95 in their restaurant area.
The Christmas light switch-on will take place at 7pm.
Christmas Shopping Night
🗓️ Thursday 28 November, 6-9pm
📍 Emporium M33, 3-7 Tatton Road, Sale M33 7EB
Enjoy a glass of something fizzy while gift shopping, plus vendors will be sharing discounts on the evening too! Your one-stop shop for inspiring, creative gift ideas!
📍 Emporium M33, 3-7 Tatton Road, Sale M33 7EB
© The Dean Trust Ashton on Mersey School
Christmas Market
🗓️ Thursday 28 November, 6-8pm
📍 The Dean Trust Ashton on Mersey School, Cecil Avenue, Sale M33 5BP
Various stalls will be in attendance, including handmade gifts, cakes and jewellery.
Manchester Made Craft Fair
🗓️ Saturday 30 November, 11am - 5pm
📍 The Chambers at Waterside
🎟️ Free entry
You chance to purchase high-quality contemporary crafts made by designer-makers from Greater Manchester. Expect a varied mix of crafts including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, print and woodwork.
Illuminated Boats Cruise
🗓️ Saturday 30 November 2024 from 4.45pm
FREE
The annual festive boat cruise from Sale Cruising Club is back for 2024. Starting at The Bridge Inn around 4.45pm, festively decorated boats will make their way up the Bridgewater Canal past Sale Town Hall.
This is always a popular, busy event, so please be careful if you’re standing next to the canal!
© Mile Shy Club
🎅🏼 Santa Dash
🗓️ Sunday 01 December 2024, 9am (family) and 10.30am
📍 Sale Water Park, Rifle Road, Sale, M33 2LX
🎟️ SOLD OUT
MileShyClub’s Sale Santa Dash returns!
Expect Christmas tunes on the day from Sale District Scout and Guide Band. Everyone is welcome and no one gets left behind!
Christmas crafts and music
🗓️ Sunday 01 December, 12.30-2.30pm
📍 Hiya, Stanley Square, Sale M33 7XZ
Donations of new gifts for the Home Start Christmas appeal are welcome.
This event is organised by KingsWay Church (M33 5NE), The Village Methodist (M33 2PP) and The Avenue Methodist (M33 4PL).
Christmas sing-a-long, festive crafts and two-course roast dinner
🗓️ Sunday 01 December, 1-3pm
📍 Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club, Little Ees Lane, Sale M33 5GT
🎟️ £15 (adults) and £13 (children - including activities)
Kick-off the Christmas month with this family-friendly event! Activities for children include festive paint-a-pot, Christmas crafts and a chance to decorate their own Christmas cupcakes.
To book, WhatsApp Andrea Fitzgerald on 07557 051322.
© Paul Blakemore
The Bear
🗓️ 01-29 December | Various times
📍 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF
🎟️ Tickets £14.50-19.50
Ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a polar bear's lap? Or ride on its back? Have you ever tried to give a bear a bath? Or clear up its poo?! Looking after a bear is exhausting stuff.
One night when she's fast asleep, an enormous snowy white bear climbs into Tilly's bedroom. It has a big black tongue and a yawn as big as your head. But Tilly's not scared.
With dazzling puppetry, delicious music, dreamy storytelling, and dozens of laughs, The Bear is an unforgettable experience for the whole family and a perfect introduction to theatre. So come join Tilly and her great big white friend on a wild and magical adventure.
Suitable for children 3+, running time 55 minutes (no interval).
Based on Raymond Briggs’ book The Bear c.1994 published by Puffin Books.
Licensed by the Raymond Briggs Estate c/o The Agency (London) Ltd.
© The Old Plough
Festive wreath making
🗓️ Wednesday 04 December 2024 from 6.30pm
📍 The Old Plough, 56 Green Lane, Ashton upon Mersey, Sale M33 5PG
Make your own Christmas wreath at this workshop hosted by The Old Plough and florist Two Petals.
Tickets £40, enquire at the bar to book.
Winter Wonderland
🗓️ Thursday 05 December, 5-7pm
📍 Kids Planet, Stanley Square 2 Springfield Road, Sale M33 7XS
Open to the whole community, this event includes small business stalls, an appearance from Father Christmas, activities and a raffle.
© US Four
US Four Christmas Movies
US Four is once again hosting a selection of festive films in December. Three screens, free entry.
Film schedule:
Friday 06 December from 4pm - Elf
Sunday 08 December from 2pm - How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Tuesday 10 December from 4pm - Elf
Thursday 12 December from 4pm - Home Alone
Sunday 15 December from 2pm - How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Tuesday 17 December from 4pm - Elf
Thursday 19 December from 4pm - Home Alone
Sunday 22 December from 2pm - How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Monday 23 December from 2pm - Elf
🎥 🍿 Note: These events are always popular and book up quickly. To book, message US Four directly on social media, call 0161 962 4314 or pop in!
📍 US Four, 245 Marsland Road, Sale M33 7UJ
Oakfield Croft, Sale © Care UK
Christmas Fair
🗓️ Friday 06 December 2024, 1-6pm
📍 Oakfield Croft, 1 Oakfield, Sale M33 6NB
🎟️ Free entry
Open to the whole community, guests will be able to browse stalls selling a range of goods including handmade gifts, decorations, beauty products, art, tasty treats and more from local businesses and Oakfield Croft residents will be holding their own tombola stall. There will also be festive music from a choir, along with the chance to interact with feathery friends at a special owl experience from Owl Adventures. This is an opportunity to learn about owls, along with demonstrations and even handling the animals.
There will also be a variety of tasty treats available, including everyone’s favourite festive treats, mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Festive wreath making workshop & festive afternoon tea
🗓️ Friday 06 December, 6.30-9pm
📍 Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club, Little Ees Lane, Sale M33 5GT
🎟️ NOW SOLD OUT
Led by Andrea's Kitchen, every attendee will go home with their very own 12” wreath made under expert tuition from Bloom & Gorgeous.
Get together with friends or family, have some delicious food and drinks and enjoy getting creative. Bar will be open for fizz, Christmassy cocktails, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
© Wow Enterprises (logo by cartoonist Rick Eades)
Sale Christmas Comic Con
🗓️ Saturday 07 December 2024
📍 Stanley Square, Sale Library and Emporium M33
🎟️ FREE
Sale Christmas Comic Con will bring together pop culture fans, comic creators, TV stars and cosplayers for a day of fun, fantasy and fandom.
Carnival of Light Parade
🗓️ Saturday 07 December 5-6pm
📍Stanley Square, Sale
Join Stanley Square, in partnership with Our Kids Social and Waterside, for their annual lantern parade. This year, there’s a 'carnival of light', celebrating night time pollinators with illuminated magical moths, a haloed hare, a giant beaming bear, music and more.
Sale Brass Band and Sale Youth Choir will be performing in Stanley Square from 2.30pm. Plus, enjoy a performance from Prime Dance from 5.30pm.
Winter Wine Fair from Cork of the North
🗓️ Saturday 07 December, 6.45-9.45pm
📍 Cadman's Dance Centre, 11 Ashfield Road, M33 7DY
🎟️ Tickets £25
Cork of the North's biggest tasting event of the year is back!
70 wines on show - reds, whites, rose, fizz, dessert wines and ports – and you are welcome to sample as many as you like!
There will be some very special offers and exclusive discounts to take advantage of on the night, so don’t miss out. Ticket numbers are limited, so please book your places quickly to avoid disappointment.
Christmas Tree Festival 2024
🗓️ Friday 06 (2pm-6pm) | Saturday 07 (10am-5pm) | 08 December (12-5pm )
📍 St Paul's Church, Springfield Road, Sale M33 7YA
Free admission, live music, refreshments, children's trail, crafts and raffle.
Father Christmas Grotto
🗓️ Saturday 07 December 10am-12pm and 2pm-4.30pm | Sunday 08 December, 2pm-4.30pm
📍 St Paul's Church, Springfield Road, Sale M33 7YA
🎟️ £5 per child
Carols Around the Dovecote
🗓️ Saturday 07 December 2024 from 12.30pm
📍 Walkden Gardens, Derbyshire Road, Sale M33 3EL
🎟️ Free entry
Friends of Walkden Gardens’ annual event returns for 2024, with local school choirs performing across the afternoon. Includes stalls, German beers, sausages and mulled wine.
Walton Park ‘Santa Train’
🗓️ Saturday 07 December, 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm
📍 Walton Park, Sale
🎟️ £4 (includes small gift) - AM slot (11am-1pm) or PM slot 1-3pm)
Walton Park Trains is hosting its Santa rides once again! Always popular, you can buy tickets from Walton Perk directly.
Be quick - there's a limited number and once they are gone, they are gone!
Christmas Fair
🗓️ Saturday 07 December, 12-2pm
📍Raglan Road Preschool Playgroup, The Scout Hut, Raglan Road Sale M33 4AW
🎟️ Free entry
Expect games, festive crafts, tombola and a raffle. Please note: this is a cash only event.
Brooklands Health Club Christmas Market
🗓️ Sunday 08 December 2024, 11am-2pm
📍 Whitehall Road, Sale M33 3NL
🎟️ Free entry
📍 Brooklands Health Club, Whitehall Road, Sale M33 3NL
Christmas market
🗓️ Wednesday 11 December, 11am-3pm
📍 Jackson House, Gibson Road, Sale M33 7RR
🎟️ Free entry
Stalls from local businesses including Wire and Wood Jewellery, B&V Trading, EZ Hampers, Hops & Boogie and Manchester Honey Company. Plus, Springfield Primary School will be singing carols.
© Everything4
Santa's grotto visit and 90-minute stay and play
🗓️ Thursday 12 - Sunday 15 December 2024, various times available
📍 Everything 4 at Let Loose Play Centre Sale, Stanley Square M33 7ZX
🎟️ Tickets: One child and one adult £16.50 | family ticket (four people) £30 | additional adult £2.50
What to expect:
Your child will meet and spend time with Santa in his grotto.
You will be greeted at the door by a toy soldier and enter to see the big man himself along with one of his elves.
Each child will receive a small gift.
When you arrive, children will be taken to write their wish list letter to Santa and post it in the very cheeky talking postbox.
The opportunity to take your own photographs.
After you have visited Santa you can then stay and play in the play area.
Breakfast with Santa
🗓️ Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 December 2024, 10am-12pm
📍 The Sale Pub and Kitchen, 131 Marsland Road, Sale M33 3NW
🎟️ £10
Meet Santa, plus enjoy breakfast and a drink. Children will also receive a gift.
Friends of Ashton Village Christmas Party
🗓️ Saturday 14 December from 7.30pm
📍Ashton upon Mersey Golf Club, Sale M33 5QQ
🎟️ Tickets £25 (includes food and entertainment)
Help to raise valuable funds for Ashton Village’s Christmas lights!
© Makers Market
Sale Makers Market
🗓️ Sunday 15 December 2024, 11am-4pm
📍 Stanley Square and School Road
FREE
The final Makers Market of 2024, which promises artisan stalls, entertainment, food, crafts, homewares and Christmas treats.
Santa's Floating Grotto
🗓️ 19-23 December 2024 (various times available)
📍 King's Ransom car park, Britannia Road, Sale M33 2AA
🎟️ Tickets: £15 per child (adults free) | Family ticket for 3 children: £35
Santa Claus is returning to his enchanting floating grotto on the Bridgewater Canal, thanks to Grip Adventure!
Bring the whole family to meet Santa, share your holiday wishes, snap festive photos and choose a special toy from Santa's Toy Shop.
Christmas Tree Festival
📍 St Martin's Church, Sale M33 5QQ
🗓️ Thursday 28, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November, 10am-4pm and 6-8pm and Sunday 01 December, 12-4pm
Free entry, seasonal refreshments available.
Santa's Grotto
📍 St Paul's Church, M33 7YA
🗓️ Dates TBC
St Paul’s Santa's Grotto has been running for decades in Sale and is a very popular event in the festive calendar.
Each child will not only get to meet Santa, but they will also receive a Christmas craft pack and a gift.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday 21 December, 11am-1pm
📍 Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club, Little Ees Lane, Sale M33 5GT
🎟️ NOW SOLD OUT
ComedySportz Improvised Adult Panto
🗓️ Saturday 21 December 2024
📍 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF
🎟️ Tickets £10 (16+)
Bored of the same pantomimes every year? ComedySportz is back this Christmas for more totally improvised pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed as the gang create brand-new pantomime adventures using audience suggestions... and a sprinkling of fairy dust. Oh yes they do!
Chill Out Christmas Meal (all ages - with Santa)
🗓️ Sunday 22 December, 12-2pm
📍 Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club, Little Ees Lane, Sale M33 5GT
£16.95 per adult
£14.95 per child (including activities)
Take a break from wrapping presents and come and relax at this festive event to get you in the mood for the big day!
Enjoy a delicious traditional Christmas roast and choose from a fabulous dessert table for pudding!
Children can make and build their own ice cream brownie Sundae. Festive paint a pot and Christmas crafts and they can decorate their Christmas cupcakes.
Ticket cost includes a visit with Santa with gift for the children.
Festive tunes, bar will be open for all drinks needs!
Pre-booking and pre-payment are essential - WhatsApp Andrea Fitzgerald on 07557 051322 to reserve a place.
Christmas walks
If you’re going to eat your body weight in mince pies, you might as well try to walk some of them off! Sale is lucky to have some fantastic green spaces to stroll around. Which one will you choose?
Wander around Worthington Park (M33 2DQ) and take in its natural beauty. The park has some lovely features including the JP Joule memorial, the sunken garden and a playground.
You probably don’t want to walk the entire 65km route along The Bridgewater Way, but why not take in some fresh air on part of the route? Pop to Walton Perk for a pick-me-up while you’re there - open throughout Christmas this year!
Walkden Gardens (M33 3EL) looks great whatever the season, it’s a tranquil beauty spot on hand to help you escape from festive stresses this year!
Explore Sale Water Park(M33 2LX); it has a lake, woodland, meadows and the River Mersey.
Christmas shopping
Sale has loads of great independent shops for you to choose from this festive season. Highlights include…
If you like to do all your Christmas shopping at once, head over to Emporium M33, Sale’s ‘shop small’ destination.
If you want to buy a beautiful gift for someone, you can’t go wrong with something from The Sculpts. This independent company designs and makes exquisite hand-illustrated gifts that include decorative alphabet tiles, bone china mugs, stunning art prints and gorgeous tote bags.
Images © The Sculpts
Treats for the grown-ups
You should have no shortage of festive food and drink options in Sale this Christmas.
Treat yourself to dinner at one of Sale’s best restaurants: The Perfect Match on Cross Street. After all, it is the season to eat well and be merry.
Looking for a gift for a beer lover? Hops & Boogie have you covered, with a wide selection of takeaway ales available.
Christmas stressing you out? Prepare yourself with a self-care treat at The B Company on Washway Road.
And if the thought of cooking your own Christmas dinner fills you with dread, treat yourself to a festive lunch at a Sale restaurant!
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