Plan your holiday itinerary with ease in Manchester. Our guide has all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering Manchester or seeing it for the first time, this guide ensures a magical holiday.
Popular events this season include the enchanting "Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," which features a blend of rock and classical music, guaranteed to captivate audiences. Another highlight is the classic tale brought to life in "A Christmas Carol," where the story of Ebenezer Scrooge unfolds in a delightful theatrical performance. And the experience of "Macaulay Culkin's A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin" is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique glimpse into festive nostalgia. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Manchester Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Manchester
- Macauley Culkin's A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin (Wallingford)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Uncasville)
- A Christmas Carol (Hartford)
- The Nutcracker (Hartford)
- Pentatonix: Hallelujah It's a Christmas Tour (Uncasville)
- Straight No Chaser's Holiday Tour (Uncasville)
- Santa Express (Thomaston)
- All Aboard the Snow Clipper (Danbury)
- Christmas Markets
- New Year's Eve Fireworks
See these and even more events listed below!
Manchester Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Light Shows
What to Expect:
Immersive wildlife-themed light displays and interactive experiences.
Description:
The Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights features millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns across seven trails, celebrating nearly 100 animal and plant species. Interactive experiences include LED swings, ocean-themed light panels, and illuminated performers. The event also includes a holiday train, ice carving demonstrations, and seasonal treats.
Where: Various | More Info: Holiday Light Shows
Holiday Drive-Thrus
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday light displays along a 2-mile farmland route.
Description:
Drive through millions of holiday lights illuminating acres of farmland, encountering whimsical displays and familiar characters along a 2-mile route.
Where: Various | More Info: Holiday Drive-Thrus
Manchester Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Markets
What to Expect:
Iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls and a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Manchester Christmas Markets offer a vibrant and diverse shopping experience with over 200 stalls across nine sites in the city centre, featuring a wide range of seasonal goods, international food, and drinks.
Where: Manchester | More Info: Christmas Markets
Manchester Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pentatonix: Hallelujah It's a Christmas Tour
What to Expect:
Acclaimed vocal quintet performing festive a cappella arrangements.
Description:
Pentatonix brings their renowned a cappella harmonies to Mohegan Sun Arena with their "Hallelujah It's A Christmas Tour," featuring a blend of classic and new holiday songs.
Where: Uncasville | More Info: Pentatonix: Hallelujah It's a Christmas Tour
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
What to Expect:
All-new version of a classic rock opera with elaborate light shows and pyrotechnics.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents "The Lost Christmas Eve," a rock opera that tells the story of a hard-hearted business executive who rediscovers the love of a son he had long ago cast aside. Filled with fan-favorites, this show proves that it’s never too late to change.
Where: Uncasville | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Straight No Chaser's Holiday Tour
What to Expect:
Acapella group performing holiday hits with flawless harmonies.
Description:
Straight No Chaser brings their Top Shelf Tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena, featuring a harmonious blend of holiday classics and pop favorites, showcasing their flawless harmonies and energetic performances.
Where: Uncasville | More Info: Straight No Chaser's Holiday Tour
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Classic adaptation of Dickens's tale with a talented cast and creative team.
Description:
A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Michael Wilson, brings Charles Dickens's heartwarming classic to life on stage. Join Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they navigate a journey of redemption. The production features a talented cast and creative team, including Hope Clarke for choreography and Tony Straiges for scenic design.
Where: Hartford | More Info: A Christmas Carol
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet performance by The Nutmeg Ballet, featuring Clara's iconic journey and Tchaikovsky's masterful music, igniting the imaginations of children and adults alike.
Where: Hartford | More Info: The Nutcracker
Macauley Culkin's A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
What to Expect:
Exclusive moderated interview and audience Q&A with Macaulay Culkin.
Description:
Join Macaulay Culkin for a special screening of Home Alone, followed by an exclusive moderated interview and audience Q&A. Relive iconic scenes and hear behind-the-scenes stories from the beloved holiday classic.
Where: Wallingford | More Info: Macauley Culkin's A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
Manchester Other Holiday Activities
Santa Express
What to Expect:
Unique holiday experience with Santa visits and gifts.
Description:
The Santa Express is an afternoon train ride where parents and kids can visit Santa Claus and his elves. Passengers will enjoy comfortable seating in restored New England Railroad cars, hot chocolate, and freshly baked cookies. Each child will receive a special gift from Santa's toy bag.
Where: Thomaston | More Info: Santa Express
All Aboard the Snow Clipper
What to Expect:
Personalized gift-giving experience with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Join the Danbury Railway Museum for a personalized gift-giving experience aboard the Snow Clipper. Enjoy the museum's interior, including a Letters to Santa coloring station and model railroads, before a short train ride through historic Danbury Railyard. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for the first gifts of Christmas, and enjoy a walk through the railyard with hot chocolate and treats.
Where: Danbury | More Info: All Aboard the Snow Clipper
New Year's Eve Fireworks
What to Expect:
Family-friendly, alcohol-free event with live music and fireworks.
Description:
Manchester's New Year's Eve fireworks display at Castlefield Bowl features a live DJ set, traditional countdown, and a huge firework display to celebrate the start of 2024.
Where: Manchester | More Info: New Year's Eve Fireworks
Santa Sightings
What to Expect:
Free Santa meet-and-greet with photo opportunities.
Description:
Meet Santa at Five Points Plaza in La Porte, TX, for free photo opportunities and to hand-deliver your Christmas wish list.
Where: Various | More Info: Santa Sightings
Gingerbread House Displays
What to Expect:
Unique gingerbread creations in multiple categories.
Description:
The Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler's Village features over 100 creative gingerbread entries crafted by the public in various categories. The event is a holiday tradition since 1984, showcasing intricate and whimsical gingerbread creations.
Where: Various | More Info: Gingerbread House Displays
Holiday Festivals
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local vendors and family activities.
Description:
Holiday Festivals in Manchester offer a variety of activities and events that bring the community together. Enjoy family-friendly activities, local vendors, and festive atmosphere.
Where: Manchester | More Info: Holiday Festivals
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- East Hartford (5 miles)
- South Windsor (6 miles)
- Glastonbury (6 miles)
- Wethersfield (8 miles)
- Windsor (8 miles)
- Hartford (8 miles)
- Bloomfield (11 miles)
- West Hartford (11 miles)
- Newington (12 miles)
- Enfield (14 miles)
- Mansfield City (15 miles)
- New Britain (15 miles)
- Middletown (16 miles)
- Farmington (16 miles)
- Windham (20 miles)
- Agawam (21 miles)
- Meriden (22 miles)
- Springfield (23 miles)
- Bristol (23 miles)
- West Springfield (23 miles)
- Chicopee (26 miles)
- Ludlow (27 miles)
- Westfield (27 miles)
- Cheshire (27 miles)
- Montville Center (28 miles)
- North Chicopee (28 miles)
- Norwich (29 miles)
- Holyoke (30 miles)
- Torrington (31 miles)
- Waterbury (31 miles)
- North Haven (32 miles)
- West Torrington (32 miles)
- Hamden (33 miles)
- Naugatuck (34 miles)
- Guilford (35 miles)
- New London (36 miles)
- Branford (38 miles)
- Northampton (38 miles)
- New Haven (39 miles)
- East Haven (39 miles)
- Amherst (41 miles)
- Shelton (43 miles)
- Coventry (44 miles)