Christmas at Castlefield Viaduct
- Published:
- 15 November 2023
Visit Castlefield Viaduct this Christmas for winter wanders and moments of peace above the busy city streets.
Step out of the busy city streets and into a winter wonderland of nature and peace.
With lantern lit wanders, a chill out space and festive plant tours, Castlefield Viaduct is the perfect spot to take a time out this season and experience a bit of quiet before you dive back into the parties and presents.
Christmas opening times
The viaduct is open all the way through the winter holidays until Saturday 2 January. There are the regular booked morning tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or you can simply take a winter wander after 12.30 those days and all day Wednesdays, weekends and Bank Holidays. The viaduct is closed Christmas Day (Monday 25 December) and Boxing Day (Tuesday 26 December). Castlefield Viaduct will be closed 2 January - 10 February 2024 to refresh the gardens and make sure everything is ready for spring and summer.
The Winter Garden Tour
Wednesday 13 December, Friday 15 December, Thursday 28 December, Friday 29 December – 2pm
Free – booking essential
Ages: 12+
Get out of the busy city streets and join Castlefield Viaduct for a tour around some festive flora.
Nature has long associations with this time of the year from holly and ivy to mistletoe to wreaths and chestnuts. Your guide will tell you the stories behind some of the plants on the viaduct and introduce the beauty of winter in the garden.
Lantern Lates
17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024
3.30pm – 5pm (Last entry 4.30pm)
Free - Drop-in
As the nights draw in Castlefield Viaduct transforms into a magical, sparkling grotto.
From 3.30pm to 5pm every day, drop in to wander along the light trail and visit the garden in the sky in a different way. It’s the perfect time for a moment of rest above the busy city, take in Greater Manchester’s 21st century skyline and maybe even spot a bat or two.
Cosy Corner
11 December 2023 – 1 January 2024
Free - Drop-in
Warm up and chill out… After a walk through the winter garden take some time out in the Castlefield Viaduct Cosy Corner.
This December the visitor building will be transformed into a relaxing spot with books, board games and easy crafts plus the spectacular views of the wild viaduct and Castlefield below. Take a break from the rush, settle in with a good read or simply watch nature go by.
Drop in Cosy Corner Christmas activities:
🎄Monday 18 - Card decorations
🎄Tuesday 19 - Clay decorations
🎄Wednesday 20 - Planting
🎄Thursday 21 - Card decorations
🎄Friday 22 - Clay decorations
🎄Saturday 23 - Planting
🎄Sunday 24 - Card decorations
🎄Saturday 30 - Clay decorations & planting
🎄Sunday 31 - Clay decorations