Families are being invited to join in the magic of Christmas at Heaton Park this season.
From 28 November until 3 January 2016, Santa and friends will be transforming Heaton Park into a festive winter wonderland for all the family to enjoy.
The yuletide delights include a Christmas Fair, a Victorian Christmas experience in Heaton Hall and of course the chance to meet everyone’s favourite, the father of Christmas, Santa Claus in his Grotto.
The fun starts on Saturday 28 November with Santa’s parade. At midday, the special guest, Father Christmas will be arriving at the Heaton Park Tram-stop at Middleton Road, where you can join him and make your way through the park either on foot or by the Christmas decorated land train to Santa’s Grotto.
The Grotto will be open between 12 noon and 4pm at weekends from 28 November until 20 December. It’s free to visit Santa but presents cost from £3 with photo’s starting at £5.
Gary Gore’s Christmas themed funfair will provide festive fun for all the family between midday and 4pm everyday – except Christmas Day – from 28 November until 3 January. Available daily will be small fairground rides and of course seasonal refreshments from EAT Pennine throughout Christmas.
On 28 November Heaton Park Farm Centre will be offering children‘s Christmas themed donkey rides with prices starting at £4 per child.
Also on 28 November, The Co-operative Academy of Manchester Big Band will be performing a free concert in Heaton Hall between 1-2pm. Places are free but must be booked in advance by calling 0161 773 1085.
Christmas tee’s off with Mack Golf’s Heaton Park Golf Centre who are offering a free round of golf – at their pitch and putt or Championship standard golf courses – to anyone dressed from head to toe in full Christmas costume. The offer runs daily between 10am and 2pm from 28 November until 23 December.
You can follow The Star of Bethlehem with the Heaton Park Astronomy Group on Thursday 3 December from 7-9pm. Join the friendly astronomy group at the Heaton Park Bowls Pavilion for a Christmas themed look at the universe. The event is free to attend and suitable for all ages but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. For more details visit: www.hpag.co.uk.
On December 5, get ready, set and go for the annual fancy dress jamboree with Santa’s 5k fun run. All types of Santa’s, elves, reindeer, Christmas puddings, crackers, wise men, shepherds and camels are welcome. For more details about Park Run, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/heaton.
Keeping on track with the Christmas theme, people of all ages can enjoy a festive tram ride on Heaton Park’s Christmas decorated trams. Take a ride from the boating lake or the tram museum with prices starting from £1.50. The rides will be on offer between 12-4pm at weekends from Saturday 5 December until Sunday 20 December.
Heaton Hall is also set to host a lively Christmas dance performance. Whispers of a Christmas Tale – produced by the Tangled Dance Company – invites you to step back in time to an extraordinary Victorian Christmas. The 40 minute performances featuring contemporary dancers and live classical musicians will be held at 1pm and 3pm at weekends from Saturday 5 December until Sunday 20 December. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children and can be purchased at The Stables Cafe in the Farm Centre, or online at Skiddle.com.
Cllr Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Santa and his friends to Heaton Park this festive season. With a wide range of yuletide events, Heaton Park offers something for everyone this Christmas.
“It promises a fantastic day out for the whole family and a magical way to celebrate the fun of the Christmas period.”
You can find out more information about Heaton Park’s facilities and events online at www.manchester.gov.uk/heatonpark
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