Shoppers have been advised to travel at certain times in the run up to Christmas to avoid the festive rush and beat congestion
Boxing Day Sales 2024 at the Trafford Centre(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Millions of journeys will be made across Greater Manchester in the run up to Christmas. With just over four weeks to go until the big day, more people are venturing out for festive events and shows, as well as football fixtures and a spot of Christmas Shopping.
While the Christmas Markets have been particularly busy over the last few weeks, this time of year also means extra trips to the shops including the Trafford Centre. As well as shopping, there’s a number of events taking place over the next few weeks including the Christmas Fair, The Grotto, Ice Skating, and the Big Wheel.
Those looking to visit the shopping centre during the festive period are being encouraged to plan their trips and check travel advice. To help them with this, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued some advice on when it best to visit.
As expected, this Black Friday weekend will be busy across the entire transport network, with gigs, markets and football fixtures, but also trips to the Trafford Centre for Christmas Shopping deals. TfGM have said that if you are travelling to the Trafford Centre for Black Friday to plan your journey and consider using public transport.
(Image: William Lailey/PinPep)
The quietest times to visit this weekend using public transport are on Friday 28 November between 2pm and 4pm or after 8pm. If you’re heading down on Saturday, the quietest times are before 12pm or after 6pm.
Bosses have added that as journeys by car will take significantly longer in the next few weeks, it’s best to consider using one of the Metrolink park and ride sites and continuing your journey by tram. The closest park and ride site to the Trafford Centre is Ladywell, with 432 parking spaces.
In addition to Black Friday weekend, the Trafford Centre will be incredibly busy in the run up to Christmas and the New Year, but some dates are expected to be quieter than others. TfGM has said to miss the festive rush and beat congestion to travel their at the following times.
New Christmas lights at the Trafford Centre – including a new Santa in The Orient(Image: MEN)
Before Christmas, quieter times are weekdays before 12pm or after 8pm. Weekends before 12pm, between 2pm and 4pm or after 8pm are also quieter.
On the week leading to Christmas, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23, it’s best to go before 12pm or after 8pm. And on Christmas Eve it’s best to go before 12pm or after 2pm.
After Christmas Day, it will be quiet before 12pm on Boxing Day, as well as the days running up New Years Day (Wednesday 31). Later on it will be quiet after 6pm on Saturday 27 and Monday 29. Hours are different on Sunday, 29 so consider visiting after 4pm.
The queue for Selfridges at The Trafford Centre ahead of the Boxing Day Sales (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
On New Years Eve, it is best to visit before 12pm or after 2pm, and on New Years Day before 2pm and after 4pm. For the first weekend of 2026, it is best to visit before 12pm or 6pm, while on Sunday, 4 January, after 4pm is the best time to visit.
Consider travelling during these times to miss the festive rush and beat congestion:
Black Friday
- Friday 28 November – before 12pm, between 2pm and 4pm or after 8pm.
- Saturday 29 November – before 12pm or after 6pm.
- Sunday 30 November – after 4pm.
Before Christmas
- Quieter times are weekdays before 12pm or after 8pm. Weekends before 12pm, between 2pm and 4pm or after 8pm.
- Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 – Before 12pm or after 8pm.
- Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24 – Before 12pm or after 2pm
After Christmas
- Boxing Day, Friday 26 – Before 12pm
- Saturday 27 – Before 12pm or after 6pm.
- Sunday 28 – After 4pm
- Monday 29 – Before 12pm or after 6pm.
- Tuesday 30 – Before 12pm
- New Years Eve, Wednesday 31st – Before 12pm or after 2pm.
- New Years Day, Thursday 1st January – Before 2pm or after 4pm.
- Friday 2 January – Before 12pm or after 6pm.
- Saturday 3 January – Before 12pm or after 6pm.
- Sunday 4 January – After 4pm.