Free Festive fun: Manchester Craft and Design Centre launches Give Handmade campaign with music, booze & more

It’s never too early to be talking about Christmas and as of Saturday 23 November, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is in the full festive swing of things. To kick off their Northern Quarter Christmas Market this year the organisation will be holding a launch event full of gin and music, encouraging the masses to “give handmade this Christmas”. Between 10am and 5.30pm attendees will be treated to festive tunes from the Manchester String Quartet, gin offerings from Didsbury Gin (with the first 150 customers receiving free G&Ts courtesy of the Mancunian brand) and of course an array of shopping options at the Victorian indoor market. In light of heightened awareness of the climate emergency, Manchester Craft and Design Centre will be teaming up with activist group Extinction Rebellion for “festive craftivism” and Manchester Community Choir will be dropping by to get you into the festive spirit in the following weeks, making the festivities last until Christmas Eve. Tickets are required for some events but the launch is free for the public to drop by and enjoy the fun at 17 Oak Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter. Visit their website for full details.