Santa’s Workshop Village is coming to Freight Island

The Magic of Christmas is a brand-new daytime festive experience at Freight Island, Manchester — a family adventure through Santa’s Workshop Village, built around six magical moments: Arrive, Discover, Create, Celebrate, Believe and Continue.

Every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Weekend dates are £14.50 for an adult and £29 for a child, Peak Week (18–23 December) is £17.50 adult / £32 child, and Christmas Eve is £25.50 adult / £40 child.

Yes — every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Each adult needs an adult ticket and each child needs a child ticket. One adult ticket does not cover any children.

Each booking can include a maximum of 3 children per accompanying adult.

Yes — everyone coming to The Magic of Christmas needs a ticket, including babies and infants.

Tickets are on sale now on Skiddle. Buy tickets →

The Magic of Christmas runs on selected dates between 21 November and 24 December — weekend dates through most of the season, then every day during Peak Week (18–23 December) and on Christmas Eve. See the full calendar in the Dates & Tickets section above.

The venue is open 9am–6pm on event days, with the last sold session at 4:30pm. Each visit starts with a 15-minute arrival slot and lasts around 90 minutes.

Sessions from 9:00am to 9:45am are SEN sessions.

Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ — easily reached from Piccadilly Train and Metrolink stations. Open in Google Maps.

No — just show your ticket’s QR code on your phone.

Absolutely — it’s designed as a family experience from the ground up, with interactive workshop zones, a grotto, and play spaces built for little adventurers.

Wander through Santa’s Workshop Village and its ten themed stops, visit the grotto, and take in twinkling lights and festive detail at every turn.

Yes — expect hot chocolate, mulled wine and festive treats from Freight Island’s on-site vendors.

The Magic of Christmas is an indoor-outdoor experience, so wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking.

The event will go ahead in most weather conditions. Some areas are covered, but we recommend bringing a raincoat or umbrella.

Limited parking is available nearby at Mayfield Car Park and other city centre locations.

Yes — the event is held at Freight Island, which is wheelchair accessible.

Yes, available on request by emailing accessibility@freightisland.com with proof of ticket purchase and qualifying accessibility documentation.

Yes — sessions from 9:00am to 9:45am are SEN sessions, with arrival slots at 9:00, 9:15, 9:30 and 9:45am. These are also the quieter options if loud sounds or lighting effects might be a worry.

Yes — accessible toilet facilities are available on-site within Freight Island.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Permitted: mobility aids and smartphones.

Prohibited: paints, weapons, outside food or beverages, bikes, professional photo equipment, and tripods.

Of course — we encourage you to capture the magic. Professional photography and video recording are strictly prohibited without prior written consent.

Dogs are welcome throughout The Magic of Christmas but must be kept on a lead.

Yes, prams and strollers are welcome, though we recommend baby carriers in some narrower areas of the Workshop Village.

Sensory note: this experience may include some loud sounds and strobe lighting.

Yes — Christmas After Dark is our evening experience at Freight Island, running alongside The Magic of Christmas for those wanting a more grown-up night out.