Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend
Date published: 15 December 2022
Meet Father Christmas at different events across the borough
Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Santa’s Grotto, Breakfast with Santa, Festive Ice Skating, Christmas Party Nights, Snow White, Meet Father Christmas, Christmas at Lodge Mill, Jingle Bells Christmas Party Nights, Jack and The Beanstalk, Children’s Christmas Parties, Christmas Street Eat Festival, Boozy Bingo Christmas Party, An Evening of Music, DJ Molly, Christmas Fayre, Countdown to Christmas, Messy Church, Whitworth Santa Express, Night of R&B, Dale Christmas Party Night, Candlelit Carol Service, Santa Special, Friends of Hare Hill Park Carols around the Bandstand, Rochdale Ramblers – Saturday Walks, Fireground Museum Open Day, Exhibitions: Paintings & textiles and Liz Collins: Mischief.
- Events happening all weekend
Festive Ice Skating – Littleborough Cricket Club, Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, 1 hour sessions
Littleborough Cricket Club in conjunction with ISK8 Mobile Ice Rinks are bringing a real ice rink to Hare Hill this December.
Festive Ice Skating sessions this weekend
Breakfast with Santa – Gordon Rigg Garden Centre Rochdale, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, 9am
The ultimate Christmas treat! Bring the children along for a festive morning of food and fun with Santa himself.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71009/
Christmas at Lodge Mill – Engine House at Lodge Mill, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December
Local craft and food stalls, free Santa's Grotto, hot food & drinks, including a licensed bar are available plus, the free snow dome.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71240/
Christmas Party Nights – The Cedar Tree, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December
Enjoy fabulous food, fun and live entertainment.
The Cedar Tree's Christmas Party Nights
Santa’s Grotto – Touchstones, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December
Santa and his pesky elf are back at Touchstones!
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71185/
Snow White - Middleton Arena, Friday , Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December
Join Middleton Arena for a truly wicked Pantomime! This magical pantomime features Great Songs, Dazzling Dance Routines, Stunning Scenery, Beautiful Costumes and Amazing Special Effects.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/69877/
Jack and The Beanstalk – Heywood Civic Centre, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, 12noon – 6pm both days
Heywood Civic Centre is bringing its highly anticipated Christmas panto back to the stage following the two-year break.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70306/
Meet Father Christmas – Gordon Rigg Garden Centre Rochdale, Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December,
Visit Santa everyday. Enjoy a visit to the magical grotto with Santa and receive a special gift!
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71006/
Jingle Bells Christmas Party Nights – Mercure Norton Grange Hotel & Spa, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December
Festive party nights for a work's do or family or friends fun including a 3-course meal, five-star red carpet, interactive DJ, sweet cart on arrival, plus more.
Christmas Party Nights hosted at Norton Grange Hotel
Fireground Museum Open Day – Fireground, Maclure Road
Open 10am - 4pm, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December
Fire Museum attractions are on show including historic and recent day artifacts.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71040/
Gallery Exhibition: Paintings & textiles – Littleborough Coach House, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December, 10am – 3pm & Sunday 18 December, 11.30am – 2.30pm
Noreen White & Christine Clarke - Paintings & Textiles.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70748/
Exhibition: Liz Collins: Mischief – Touchstones Rochdale, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December, 10am – 5pm & Sunday 18 December, 10am – 4pm
An exhibition featuring new textile art and selected pieces from the archives of New York-based queer feminist artist.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70162/
- Friday 16 December
Children’s Christmas Party – Fabdance Centre, 6pm – 8pm
Lots of fun and games, Christmas jumpers, pj's or sparkly outfits.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71148/
Boozy Bingo Christmas Party – The Wellfield Club, 7pm
Boozy bingo is back but this time with the biggest Christmas party.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71140/
Christmas Party – The Ashcroft, Whitworth
The Swing Kings will be joining The Ashcroft this December for their Christmas Party. 3 Course meal included.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70806/
An Evening of Music – The Curtain Theatre, 7.30pm
Rochdale's award-winning youth folk group, That's All Folks, and the return of Curtain Theatre favourites String Theory.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71231/
DJ Molly – Malibu’s, 8pm
Malibu's at 17 The Butts is hosting a night full of dancing on Friday 16 December. DJ Molly will be on the decks from 8pm until late.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71284/
For a full list of Friday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=16-12-2022&searchtype=date
- Saturday 17 December
Rochdale Ramblers – Saturday Walks – Blackshaw above Todmorden, 10am
Walk distance = 10 miles.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71127/
Christmas Street Eat Festival – The Butts, Rochdale town centre, 11am – 7pm
Fans of tasty treats and merriment are in for a very festive feast when the event returns to Rochdale town centre for Christmas.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70923/
Christmas Fayre – Butterworth Hall, Milnrow, 1pm
Get your paws on great gifts at the Christmas fayre.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71218/
Messy Church - Moorhouse Methodist Church, 4pm
Christmas Party with games, carols, craft and food.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71280/
Whitworth Santa Express – Whitworth, 6pm – 8pm
Father Christmas will travel through Whitworth village in a custom built sleigh - look out for him from your doorstep or come to one of the allocated stops and meet him!
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71282/
Night of R&B - Malibu’s, 6pm
Head down from 6pm to enjoy R&B until late.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71285/
Christmas Party – The Ashcroft, Whitworth
Technique (Soul and Motown) will be joining The Ashcroft this December for their Christmas Party. Three course meal included.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70807/
Dale Christmas Party Night – Crown Oil Arena, 7pm
Be entertained by a fantastic magician, try your luck on the casino tables and dance the night away to some Christmas crackers!
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71050/
Countdown to Christmas – St. Edmund’s Church Falinge, 7.30pm
A Merry Little Christmas with Cantare.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71035/
For a full list of Saturday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=17-12-2022&searchtype=date&Page=1
- Sunday 18 December
Candlelit Carol Service – Rochdale Parish Church of St Chad, 11.15am
Come and join in the carol singing at this special occasion featuring a wonderful church choir, full peel of bells and historic pipe organ.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71268/
Breakfast with Santa – The Ashcroft, Whitworth, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Mr & Mrs Santa Claus come to share a magical breakfast experience with all the young children and each child will receive a lovely gift.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/70808/
Santa Special - Springfield Park, 12pm – 3pm
Ride the Santa special train and meet Father Christmas at Springfield Park.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71206/
Friends of Hare Hill Park Carols around the Bandstand – Hare Hill Park, 2pm
Get ready for Christmas with carols in the park, accompanied by a brass band.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/69481/
Whitworth Santa Express - Whitworth, 6pm – 8pm
Father Christmas will travel through Whitworth village in a custom built sleigh - look out for him from your doorstep or come to one of the allocated stops and meet him!
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/71283/
For a full list of Sunday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=18-12-2022&searchtype=date&Page=1
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