The Christmas markets have come to Manchester, or at least to Manchester MINILAND!
Determined to bring some festive fun to the city as the national lockdown forces Manchester City Council to postpone or cancel most of this year’s festive events, Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester has added a little seasonal sparkle to its miniature build of the city, introducing the much-loved Christmas markets, Santa Dash, ice-rink and even a carol concert.
And the festive fun doesn’t stop there.
In a bid to brighten the city’s spirits, the leading attraction is inviting all those craving a little seasonal joy to join them in switching on Manchester MINILAND’S Christmas lights on Facebook at 18:30 this Thursday November 19th.
Fans will have the opportunity to join LEGO Santa in pressing the button and lighting up the city’s skilfully recreated landmarks with twinkling fairy lights.
Built from 1.5 million LEGO bricks, MINILAND features Manchester’s most famous buildings, including the city’s town hall, Manchester cathedral and Piccadilly train station.
Fans of Manchester’s world-renowned Christmas markets will look on in envy as LEGO minifigures queue for a mulled wine and bratwurst, whilst others engage in festive song.
In a tribute to the NHS and support of the city’s virtual Christmas light switch on, which has been postponed until December, Manchester MINILAND even sees three members of the NHS stood in front of Manchester Town Hall, where the Christmas light switch on has historically been staged, ready to press the button.
A model remake of the annual Santa Dash sees thirteen miniature bearded fellows all wearing the famous red suit race towards the finishing line, modelled out of giant LEGO candy sticks. Christmas trees, model snowmen and LEGO decorations all adorn the mini cityscape.
“The absence of the Christmas markets and all the annual festivities to which we have become accustomed, whilst entirely necessary, have been felt by all this year. We wanted to do our bit to help raise festive spirits and share a little joy.
What better way than with an alternative Christmas light switch on in Manchester MINILAND where you can get a taste of all that Manchester does best? We would like to invite anyone in need of some Christmas cheer to join us as we stream our alternative Christmas lights switch-on. As well as lighting up Manchester’s landmarks, we will also be unveiling some spectacular festive scenes at MINILAND, designed to celebrate some of the city’s best-loved Christmas traditions.”
(Stuart Jarman, General Manager Merlin Entertainments Manchester Cluster)
The miniature Manchester Christmas build, created by Master Model Builder James Windle, took over 50 hours to create. He is one of only 25 Master Model Builders in the world.
Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester is temporarily closed. For further details on the leading attraction’s reopening please click here.
