A festive ghost walk, Victorian banquet and Santa's grotto - why you should visit Rochdale this Christmas

Enjoy all the essential festive fun without travelling into the city centre

When planning your annual Christmas outings, there are certain things that are an absolute must do.

Visiting the Christmas markets, meeting Santa, watching a panto and indulging in festive food - check, check, double check.

And, even better when you can tick all these jolly activities off your list in one convenient location.

Rochdale is one of the stand out places to visit across Greater Manchester this Christmas, with more events than you can shake a candy cane at.

From the festive ghost walk to carol concerts, shopping to fine dining, as well as three beautiful grottos, there's plenty for the whole family to enjoy - and you don't even need to venture into the city centre.

Get in the festive spirit

Starting on Saturday, November 30 the Christmas artisan market is back, packed with stalls stocking seasonal gifts, fresh local produce, delicious street food and even live music.

The Festive Extravaganza is also taking place at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre on Saturday December 7.

Here, families can enjoy a day packed full of activities including slime making, Bricks 4 Kids where you can build your own Lego toys to add to the Christmas scene, festive storytelling and face painting.

There will also be dance and music performances throughout the day from the likes of Footlights and the Rochdale Music Service.

For a touch of class, head down the road to Rochdale Town Hall which is hosting a Royal Christmas Ball.

Taking place on December 20 and 21, the beautiful hall will be transformed for a Victorian themed soirée.

Complete with delicious culinary treats, Victorian entertainers and festive decorations, this eloquent dining experience is not to be missed.

If you fancy something a bit different, and are possibly still clinging on to Halloween, then why not take part in a festive ghost walk?

Running on December 5 and 19, the walk takes you from The Baum on Toad Lane at 7:30pm where you will be told tales of terror and ghosts that are right on your doorstep.

Meet Santa

It wouldn't be Christmas without a visit from Saint Nick himself, and thankfully he will be taking time out of his busy schedule to stop by the Rochdale Exchange centre.

From Saturday, November 30, he will be appearing from 11am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.

Then from December 18 to Christmas Eve, he will be there every day.

Visits to Santa cost £3 per child which also includes a present, and anyone wanting to take photos will be asked to make a £1.50 donation.

All proceeds are split between Springhill Hospice and Manchester Children's Hospital.

There will also be a quiet hour held every Sunday from 1pm to 2pm where children with autism or those who find visiting Santa a daunting experience can visit when it's less busy.

If you can't make those dates then not to worry as there is another Christmas grotto at Rochdale Town Hall.

As you navigate through the wintery wonderland and hear a story from the man himself each child will then receive a small gift.

Kids can can bring along their Christmas lists and send them off in the special post-box which goes direct to the North Pole.

Entry costs £8 per child with under 2s going free.

The grotto will be open from Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 12, every day apart from Saturday.

Opening hours are from 2:30pm to 7:30pm, apart from Sunday when the grotto will open from 10am to 5pm.

To book tickets contact townhall.bookings@rochdale.gov.uk or call on 01706 924797 .

Santa will also be visiting Touchstones Rochdale on 14 and 21 December, with a grotto and the chance for children to take part in a festive craft activity too.

Get those vocal chords ready

Nothing says Christmas, quite like belting out the many festive tunes we all know and love.

Rochdale Town Hall will be opening its doors for the annual Christmas service on Thursday, December 5.

The Rochdale Music Service will be performing traditional songs in the Great Hall from 7 to 9pm.

Musician, Jonathan Scott will be also be treating music fans at the town hall to a special lunchtime organ concert on Wednesday, December 18 at 1pm.

Bringing their dulcet tones to the Wheatsheaf Shopping centre, the popular all male The Chorus of Others will be performing their Christmas classics on Saturday, November 30.

Festive feasting

If there's one time of year to allow yourself to indulge it's over the festive period, and there is plenty to choose from at Rochdale's many restaurants.

Dine in one of the town's most historic buildings at The Medicine Tap, housed in the Grade II listed Old Post Office which first opened in 1927.

Now the stylish cook house and bar prides itself on serving traditional cuisine, including a delicious three-course Christmas meal for just £25 per person.

They are also holding an indoor artisan gift market on December 4 from 6 to 9pm, raising money for Springhill Hospice.

Just a short walk from the town hall is La Mancha, which serves authentic Spanish delicacies, giving visitors a taste of the sunny Mediterranean away from the cold winter air.

With an abundance of restaurants surrounding Rochdale including The Garden, Vicolo del Vino and The Baum there are plenty of fine places to dine out for every taste and atmosphere.

Remember to also call into The Flying Horse Hotel – Greater Manchester’s Pub of the Year for the second year running, awarded by CAMRA.

Shop 'til you drop

Some towns are lucky just to have one shopping centre, but Rochdale boasts two exceptional destinations just metres apart from each other for all your Christmas present needs.

There’s also a growing range of award winning independents including Buckley’s Menswear and Chantilly.

Located in the centre of town the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre is coming up to its 30th anniversary having opened its doors back in 1990.

With such stores as Argos, New Look, Peacocks and a wide variety of health and beauty salons you can find everything you need for the big day.

Just next door the Rochdale Exchange has plenty of restaurants and shops including River Island, Daniel Christian Menswear, Boots, The Fragrance Shop and W H Smith.

If you are keen to buy local this holiday season then make sure to check out Small Business Saturday on December 7.

From 9am to 5:30pm at the Rochdale Exchange, local independent businesses will be selling their products and services including hand made Christmas gifts and decorations.

He's behind you!

There's nothing quite like a Christmas panto and this year you have a choice of two rib-tickling shows to choose from.

The Heywood Civic Centre will be hosting Aladdin starring Emmerdale's Peter Amory as the evil Abanazar and CBeebies star Joe Chambers as Aladdin from December 20 to 30.

Expect songs and plenty of laughs in an attempt to get out of the cave with nothing but an old but magical lamp.

Across the other side of town, Cinderella will be shown at the Middleton Arena from December 2 to 31.

With special effects, amazing costumes and plenty of singing and dancing all that's left to find out is whether or not Cinderella will live happily ever after.

You can find tickets for Cinderella here and Aladdin here .

What do the organisers have to say?

Rochdale town centre business improvement district manager, Paul Ambrose is excited to get Christmas underway in the town.

He said: “There’s such a lot going on in Rochdale in the coming weeks so we’re encouraging everyone to come and support our businesses, shop local and experience the festivities here.

"Markets, concerts, carol services, magical Father Christmas experiences, live music and more, on top of three hours free parking and fabulous independent shops.

"There’s plenty going on and we’ve some great restaurants and bars too."

How to get to Rochdale

Located just to the north of Manchester, there are plenty of options for travel to the town.

Visitors can take the tram with direct Metrolink routes from Manchester Victoria, Newhey and Milnrow.

Train stations on the Manchester Victoria to Leeds line are at Mills Hill, Castleton, Rochdale, Smithy Bridge and Littleborough.

There are bus services linking Rochdale with all surrounding towns and Manchester City Centre.

Finally, if you're driving to Rochdale town centre, council car parks are free for the first three hours.

To find out about all the events on offer visit rochdaletowncentre.co.uk