Santa, Spinningfields, this weekend

Thanks to a hearty overhaul, Manchester' s financial and business district is no longer just for bankers. It's got waterfalls, pretty illuminations in blues and whites, canal views, acres of pedestrianised space to run around ... and now Santa and a host of carol singers too.

This weekend, Santa will present in a grotto (11am-4pm) in Hardman Square as carols are sung by the Central Manchester & Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust choir between 1pm and 3pm on both days.

Ha!Ha! bar (there's one in Liverpool docks, and it does catch all Brit-style fair, like bangers and herby mash, burgers and so on) and Cafe Rouge (a slightly dodgier bet to my mind, although the nicoise salad isn't awful) are both offering a 'Kids Eat Free' deal, which should save you a couple of quid on lunch too.

Whitworth Art Gallery events

The Whitworth Art Gallery is bucking up it's kiddy ideas lately, with the following range of events....

Sundays

Every sunday 1.30- 3.30pm is 'colourful sunday' art session, during which you can make a 'punk peg doll' . Cool. All ages. Drop in session.

Every 2nd sunday of the month 10.30-11.30am is 'a toddler-tastic art session' for the under 5s featuring story telling, and painting. Book on 0161 275 74 50 or email novae.lee@manchester.ac.uk

Tuesdays

Jan 8, Feb 5 and 12, Mar 4 and 25, April 1 , 11am - 12.30pm are a selection of 'arty picnics' for under 5s (you bring the food, they provide the art materials. Under 5s. Drop in.

Wednesdays

Feb 13, 2-4pm is an 'amazing animation' session, which outlines loads of animation and stuff in a show inspired by Blake's paintings. All ages. Drop in.

Mar 26 2-4pm is 'sticky walls' the chance to make your own 3D wall paper. All ages. Drop in.

Thursdays

Apr 3, 2-4pm Make your own t-shirts inspired by the gallery's art works at 'terrific t-shirts'. genius name. All ages. Drop in.


Saturdays

Feb 16, 2-4pm is an 'amazing animation' session, which outlines loads of animation and stuff in a show inspired by Blake's paintings. All ages. Drop in.

Mar 29 2-4pm is 'sticky walls' the chance to make your own 3D wall paper. All ages. Drop in.

Apr 5, 2-4pm Make your own t-shirts inspired by the gallery's art works at 'terrific t-shirts'. genius name. All ages. Drop in.

Image from the Whitworth's new 'Flights of Fancy' show, about 1920s and 30s decorative textiles.

Parent & Toddler cinema screenings

Mondays:
This Monday (10th December) there's a parent and baby show of The Golden Compass at 2pm at the Apollo in Altrincham.

Tuesdays:
Dec 11 sees two screenings of the Golden Compass (just what mums want to watch. Daniel Craig innit!)
Odeon Trafford at 11.30am
Odeon Warrington at 10am

Wednesdays:
Dec 12 Odeon Rochdale at 11am for more Golden Compass action.

More to follow. or let me know if you know of other cinemas that offer this service.

The Santa special train from Bury.

We went on this at the weekend and it was better than the start of the first Harry Potter when young Hazza first hits the platform bound for Hogwarts. There were elves smoking fags, cowboys, indians, santa, a brass band, and all the light gleaming through the holly overhead, casting the whole scene in a really beautiful, magical light.

The three of us paid £24 between us (me, young Art and his dad) and for the price we got a steam ride for about 40 minutes, through tunnels lit with festive illuminations, as well as the peaks and troughs of the Ramsbottom and Bury area.

On the train, Santa turned up pretty quick and handed Art a police car, with siren (i think all 3-5 year old boys got the same thing).





A brass band followed, playing two snappy carols in each carriage before one of the many elf-clad volunteers (who ranged in age from 15 - 85) handed us a bag with a mince pie and a surprisingly llarge bottle of harveys Bristol Cream sherry.

Truly amazing. Click here for more info.