This Christmas you can celebrate the festive season by watching a live orchestra perform the music from the Lord of the Rings and beyond, at the Bridgewater Hall.
If you’re looking for something extra special to do this festive season, or you’re wondering what to give your friends and loved ones as presents, the Bridgewater Hall has you covered.
The huge concert venue in Manchester city centre has an extraordinary line-up of seasonal festivities for music and concert lovers to enjoy and here’s what’s on offer…
The music of Lord of the Rings and beyond
Fans could experience the epic and inspirational music from Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Game of Thrones and beyond as the worlds of TV, film and fantasy are brought to life by a full symphony orchestra and stunning choir.
Get your tickets now for this unmissable concert featuring the greatest movie music of all time.
And, if you’re not a fan but you know someone who is, this would make the perfect Christmas gift. The Lord of the Rings and beyond concert will take place on Sunday, December 10th at 3.00pm. For tickets, click here.
All I Want For Christmas… Live!
This one’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, if you’re not already. All I Want For Christmas… Live! has it all.
Raymond Gubbay Limited will present a brand-new show that promises to bring joy and laughter to audiences of all ages.
This concert boasts a spectacular blend of festive pop hits and traditional favourites, featuring a dazzling live ensemble band and four headline singers, dancers, fireworks, lights, and incredible live music.
Unwrap the sound of Christmas with this unforgettable gift that will stay with you forever. All I Want For Christmas… Live! will take place on Tuesday, December 19th at 7.30pm. For tickets, click here.
Christmas Carol Songs
Concert-goers can sing their way into Yuletide as Jonathan Cohen leads them through the very best Christmas songs and seasonal classics in one irresistibly family friendly extravaganza.
Songs will include White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas Everyone, Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.
Plus, carols for all including Good King Wenceslas, O come all ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David’s City and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Get involved in festive traditions and sing-along to some magical festive cheer. The Christmas Carol Song concert will take place on Sunday, December 24th at 3.00pm. For tickets, click here.
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas
Horrible Histories proudly presents the terrific tale of Christmas. Raymond Gubbay will present this family friendly production from the Birmingham Stage Company.
When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas?
From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, join us on a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas, as they all join forces to save the festive season!
It promises to be a celebration of Christmas in the most wonderful, funny and moving way you’ll ever see. Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas will take place on Tuesday, December 26th at 3.00pm. For tickets, click here.
The Music of Zimmer Vs Williams
Manchester Concert Orchestra will give an unforgettable, grand concert celebrating the very best epic scores from two of the greatest film composers of all time.
Be transported through some of the best blockbusters ever made at this magnificent concert.
Music from their most loved films will include E.T, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises, Star Wars and many more.
The Music of Zimmer Vs Williams will take place on Wednesday, December 27th at 7.30pm. For tickets, click here.
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region. Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas. There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats. The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement. Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.” Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.