Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend

Date published: 15 December 2022


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 visits Springfield Park model train
Santa visits Springfield Park model train on Sunday

 

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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