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A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st April 2026

We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.

You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.

This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.

Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.

On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.

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It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.

As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.

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The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026

  • Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
  • Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
  • Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
  • Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
  • Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
  • Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
  • Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
  • Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
  • Friday 11 December – York Barbican
  • Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
  • Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
  • Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
  • Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel

The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.

The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.

Read more:

Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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Scouting For Girls announce two massive anniversary shows, including one in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Scouting For Girls Manchester arena gig tickets

Long-standing indie-pop act Scouting For Girls have just announced two new very special and very big 20th birthday shows, including a stop right here in Manchester.

In fact, their Manc show will be their biggest headline show to date – and by that we mean in the group’s entire history.

Known for the chart-topping ‘Heartbeat’, ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’ and many more, the trio are once again heading up North to roll back the years.

This announcement follows the previous batch of anniversary shows for 15 years since their second album in 2025 and ’26, only this time they’ll be toasting two whole decades of being a band.

scouting for girls new album
Credit: Press shots/Near Wild Heaven Records (supplied)

Heading to Wembley’s OVO Arena and our very own AO Arena, this marks a huge career landmark for the beloved noughties band, who have also just released their latest record.

Dropping their seventh studio LP, These Are The Good Days, on Friday, 27 March, they’re still as busy as ever, both in the studio and when it comes to performing live.

In recent times, they’ve once again become a bit of a festival favourite, as multiple generations know every word to those famous choruses.

And now, 20 years on from signing their first record deal, the lads will be playing those same hits and plenty more for what is set to be one big Scouting for Girls celebration.

They’re even bringing along a fellow throwback outfit with them, in the form of The Hoosiers. Can’t lie, we still listen to ‘Goodbye Mr A’ and the rest of the FIFA 08 soundtrack pretty often.

Writing on social media, the band said: “This is going to be a proper 20th birthday party — ALL of album one, all the favourites, huge sing-alongs, massive nostalgia, and the biggest nights we’ve ever done.

Manchester marks Scouting For Girls’ only confirmed show outside of London in 2027 so far, although we imagine there’ll be plenty of appeal for more dates in no time.

Visiting the city six times since 2020 alone, they clearly still enjoy playing up here, and judging by the reaction from the Audio North team, the love for them hasn’t gone anywhere either.

Scouting For Girls arrive in Manchester on 12 February next year, with the mailing presale window (via their website) going live at 10am on Tuesday, 31 March.

As for general admission tickets, they’ll be available from the same time the following Tuesday, 2 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

They’re not the only nostalgic name visiting Greater Manchester for a milestone show either – and you don’t have to wait until next year to see these lads up close and personal:

Embrace announce intimate live show in beloved Bury music venue
This one will be a much smaller but equally special affair...

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via SJM Concerts)/Scouting For Girls (via Facebook)

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Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A popular comedy festival is returning to our city next month with an impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.

That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.

Following the success of events held over the past couple of years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.

Taking place, once again, at Fairfield Social Club, the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 29 May.

You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup.

Audiences will get to watch Last One Laughing favourite Harriet Kemsley, viral internet sensation and stand-up Tom Lawrinson, and the return of Mark Silcox from BBC’s Man Like Mobeen on the Saturday, as well as the first-ever live show of Sean McLoughlin’s popular podcast, The Sean McTalk Show. 

He will be joined by stand-up comic Josh Pugh, newly announced SNL UK cast member Larry Dean, and French comedian and writer Celya AB on the Sunday, all making for a ‘truly unmissable’ weekend of comedy.

Speaking ahead of the festival’s return, A Lovely Weekend producer John Stansfield said: “With around 20 shows over the course of three days, we can’t wait to pack out Fairfield Social Club with comedy fans for a heck of a lovely time and speaking personally, my favourite weekend of the year.”

The 2026 festival is supported by Found – Fairfield Social Club’s commercial operator – and alcohol free brewery, BRULO.

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A Lovely Weekend will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.

Find out more and get tickets here.

Featured Image – Em Humble (Supplied)

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