MediaCity’s festive season has now officially kicked off and on Thursday 7th December its waterfront will be illuminated by Quays Culture’s striking Lightwaves installation in 15 locations across MediaCity and The Quays.
The free festival of light art returns to MediaCity with a range of immersive exhibitions for all ages, featuring a variety of works from established and emerging local artists that use light, sound and technology to create thought-provoking audio-visual journeys.
As MediaCity’s food and drink offering continues expanding, visitors to Quayside MediaCity will get to enjoy a seasonal soundtrack at its new independent food and drink destination – Central Bay.
The recently opened venue will be hosting live music nights with a festive twist as part of its ‘Central Bay Sessions’ in partnership with music maestros From The Other. Unforgettable performances await at this final event in the music series, hosted at 11 Central on Thursday 14th December. Central Bay’s ‘Disco Christmas’ will see Jenna G on the decks spinning disco, funk and soul classics, alongside dancers Natasha Moonshine & Mariella from 6pm-10pm. Ben Gwynne will also join them on stage to ramp up the party on percussion and Twisted Tubes will be bringing big brass energy with their signature roaming performances.
For those looking for unique and sustainable gifts this Christmas, the North’s first Charity Super.Mkt pop-up, packed with pre-loved gems, will remain open in Quayside MediaCity until December 13th 2023, while festive Makers Markets will return to The Lowry Plaza every weekend from Saturday 18th November until Sunday 17th December – shoppers can expect a seasonal pick of festive food and drink, art and design and modern crafts.
Central Bay’s brand-new bar, 11 Central, will continue serving local craft beers from Salford-based Seven Bro7hers, including bespoke beers brewed in its own on-site microbrewery, as well as artisan gins from Sis4ers Distillery.
Visitors can expect the unexpected from 11 Central’s new a la carte menu featuring British favourites, or head over to the newly added Kargo MKT street food containers to check out festive favourites from across the globe by Rottu Kadai Dosa, Rio-Mex and Hot & Wild. Over the water, Botanist will be getting in the festive mood, with bauble decorating workshops and a bingo lunch, while The Lowry theatre welcomes brand-new seasonal shows including Life of Pi, Edward Scissorhands and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
