Festive Winter Fair at Victoria Baths

Just as the first doors on your advent calendar are being opened, Victoria Baths will be opening the doors to its Festive Winter Fair welcoming all to a day of seasonal shopping and cheer.

Taking place on Sunday 1 December (11am to 4pm), the fair encapsulates the very best traditions of Christmas shopping. The building will be decked out to look its seasonal best and as well as a wide range of Christmas gift ideas from Manchester’s finest makers, crafters and creators, there will be choirs, mulled wine and mince pies. It’s the perfect way to start the festivities!

Visitors will be able to browse and shop from a carefully curated selection of 50 stalls that feature art, decorations, ceramics, clothing, glassware, jewellery and of course lots of Christmas gifts!  Everything takes place under the famous glass roofs of Victoria Baths’ pool halls, so you can be certain that you will be nice and dry, just wear your woollies and knits as it can get cold.

Whether its eye catching ceramics for the tree that you are looking for, or giftable mugs, plates, bowls or sculpture, Al Bishop Ceramics have got you covered.  Dappled Sky’s hand cast characterful ceramics make fun, quirky gifts, whilst the sculptural and delicate forms of Nettleton Pottery are objects of beauty. Meanwhile Jo Williams Ceramics will be showcasing contemporary and decorative ceramics your nearest and dearest will treasure.

Spreading the joy of making is Hoop and Fred, who will have embroidered hoops inspired by nature and local landmarks as well as cute, stylish embroidery kits on their stall. Whilst for Sunny Sundays it’s all about the crochet, with bags, accessories, plant pots and home decorations featured in the collection.

Floral art is a blossoming theme, with makers sharing a desire to be sustainable in their beautiful creations.  Penny & Petals works with both fresh and dried flowers to create stunning designs and Gardens of Iris is your go to for everything from ‘grab and go’ bunches to large displays and everything in between! The beauty of flowers preserved in resin to create coasters, key chains and special one off design pieces are the Cute Things By Aggie.  Or for something completely different there are the amazing colourful paper Pop Art inspired plants by Jon Paul Does Stuff.

Goober the Squishy Artist, Slug and Slime and Sugar Benny are just some of the fabulous artists whose work will be available to purchase, alongside that of Doodles of Beamish, whose colourful stall and artwork is designed to evoke smiles of happiness. Also inviting you into their colourful world is pattern designer Lydia Meiying who has an adorable range of homewares, stationery and accessories.

There is creativity in abundance on display from makers like the Jolly Upcycler, whose upcycled ceramics and fabrics you will fall in love with, and No Seams, who will be selling a collection of unique handmade and reworked clothing and accessories. Totally irresistible are Jitterbugs’ eclectic characters, animals and vehicles that are made from small vintage tins and finds.

Handmade silver jewellery from Dragonfly Silver, timeless pieces by Magpie’s Daughter, the precious metals and gemstones of Sulie Bear Silver and the modern gold designs of Ellis Grey are some of the jewellery designers showcasing their products.

Victoria Baths also has lots of products on sale in its own shop, inspired by the history and beauty of the Grade II* listed building. These include tea towels, art prints, stationery and coloured glass decorations.

And it wouldn’t be a Christmas fair without some foodie goodies. There is lots to add to Christmas stockings or hampers, including Winding River Liqueurs & Distillery or the very seasonal flavours of Top Nosh, with artisan jams, chutneys, mince pies and truffles to choose from.

The Tea Room will be open serving sweet and savoury snacks, as well as traditional mulled wine and mince pies, and local choirs will be adding to the atmosphere with renditions of everyone’s favourite carols.

In the spirit of seasonal goodwill, Victoria Baths is a Christmas collection point for those that would like to donate a gift or food item to a local charity. Unwrapped gifts (bought at the fair or in advance) will be collected on behalf of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services and non-perishable food items will be collected for Manchester Central Foodbank.

The Festive Winter Fair is a wonderful way to get your Christmas shopping done and support small, independent businesses. Plus you can also choose to make a donation to Victoria Baths Trust through your entry fee of £4 (or £3 without). Tickets can be booked in advance here.  If you want to combine shopping with a tour of the building (11.15am) you can book a joint ticket, priced £10.  Entry and tours are free for Under 18s and VB Friends (limited tickets).  Tickets can be booked in advance here.

All proceeds from the Festive Winter Fair help to support the work of Victoria Baths Trust, which oversees the upkeep of the Grade II* listed building and ensures that it remains open as a cultural venue and community resource.  For further information about Victoria Baths visit www.victoriabaths.org.uk