The UK’s largest heated outdoor and indoor winter festival, Winter Island, will return to Escape to Freight Island this festive season. It launches on Saturday 12th November and will run through December until the end of the year.
Winter Island will transform the inspiring food hall and its outdoor space into a magical festival-inspired winter wonderland featuring a Christmas tree forest, festive traders, and a pop-up market There’ll also be a schedule of curated Christmas workshops and the finest live entertainment.
Various festive food and drink specials will be available from Escape Freight Island’s much-loved resident traders, including Burgerism, Carnival, Lucky Foot, Voodoo Ray’s, The Smoking Coal, One Star Döner Bar, Mi & Pho, Forever Changes and The Jane Eyre bar.
Additional seasonal offerings will also be available thanks to guest appearances from some of Manchester’s most exciting street food heroes, including banging grilled cheese from Northern Soul. Ancoats’ chocolatiers Cocoa Cabana will be offering guests the chance to build their own hot chocolate and even treat themselves to a boozy cocoa. Furtherfestive stalls will be offering Hog Roast, Bratwurst, to artisanal cheeses, festive cocktails and more.
A Mulled Wine Barrell Bar will serve the classics, as well as a locally inspired Vimto mulled wine. A new Après Bar from Grey Goose will enhance the existing bar line-up, plus a brand-new pub-inspired Freight Tap Room serving the finest draft and craft beers.
In true Escape to Freight Island’s fashion, guests can expect jam-packed entertainment and programming from DJs and live performances pumping up the festive season, featuring Norman Jay MBE, Greg Wilson, Dele Sosimi, DJ Paulette, Crazy P, Krysko, and a special takeover from Flash at Pikes Ibiza.
Live performances will see spectacular rosters from Massaoke, Hip Hop Karaoke, The House and Garage Orchestra, AMC Gospel Choir, The Incredible 11, Finesse. Also happening throughout the season, is the Festival of Football, for those who want to keep up with the World Cup where all England games will be shown on the big screen.
Winter Island will also host its very own winter market over in the heated outdoor space. Perfect for gifting this season, the winter market will be home to Gra-Design who specialises in handcrafting, minimalistic contemporary homewares and ceramics; MissPrint for exceptional stationary, gift wraps and cards; Rare Finds Flea Market for vintage and handmade pieces; Zara Cakes for tasty treats; and screen printing available for t-shirts, bag printing and more.
For those who want to get creative, Winter Island has teamed up with various workshop organisers. Wonderhaus will craft Jewellery, Macrame, Jesmonite; Cork and Canvas as well as Cork and Clay will offer their signature art classes; Sally Guilford from Salford Makers will host a screen-printing class; plus, wreath and candle making available.
A series of family fun happenings will be going on in a dedicated family zone featuring the likes of Santa’s Grotto, pop up pantomimes, cinema club and more, as well as hosted events with Teach Rex, Our Kids Social, Circus House.
Winter Island opens on Wednesday to Sunday only from Saturday 12th November, and opens seven days a week from Wednesday 7th December until Friday 30th December. Opening hours are 4pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 1am Friday, 12pm to 1am Saturday, 12pm to 10pm Sunday. Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. New Year’s Eve special will be announced soon.
Booking in advance recommended to secure preferred dates and times for a table. Walk-ups available and subject to availability.
Book now: HERE
