The annual Boxing Day fancy dress party in Wigan will still go ahead this year – hosted virtually by United We Stream GM in partnership with Wigan Council.
The town’s fun-loving tradition appeared in jeopardy due to COVID-19, with fears it would have to be cancelled completely for the first time in 42 years.
But it has now been confirmed that the party will go ahead in a different format – moving online as part of United We Stream’s bumper festive programme.
Residents of Wigan Borough and beyond will be encouraged to dress up and tune in from their living rooms, as the event kicks off with a world premiere of new movie ‘42’: inspired by the costumes and memories of Boxing Day fancy dress in the Greater Manchester borough.
Performances from MC Finchy, DJ Kenty, DJ Caino, Kyle H, DJ Harvey, Danny Mac and Jake Slater will all follow.
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Creative directors of The Fire Within AL and AL said: “Wigan Boxing Day Fancy Dress is created by the people for the people, it’s one of the most exciting nights and important cultural traditions in the annual calendar of our Borough. We are buzzing that this year we can keep that tradition going by inviting everyone to share their fancy dress bubble house-parties and stream the fun online together.”
The leader of Wigan Council, Coun David Molyneux added: “We have all had to make changes to our lives this year and Boxing Day will be no different.
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“As this challenging year draws to a close, it’s important to think differently so this uplifting tradition continues to thrive.
“We’re delighted to be working with United We Stream, who will help us to harness the annual enthusiasm, creativity and excitement that people across the country bring to Wigan on Boxing Day.”
Four specially curated productions will take place on December 18, 19, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve as part of the United We Stream Christmas programme.
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December 18 kicks off with a Manchester music documentary: Manchester Music Then and Now: Music Worth Fighting For.
Produced and directed by Marketing Manchester’s Simon Donoghue, the short film “celebrates the people and places who make up Greater Manchester’s contemporary music scene” – featuring a stellar cast of famous Manc musicians.
On Saturday December 19, United We Stream GM will provide the soundtrack to an ideal Saturday night stay-at-home party, bringing together some of the finest moments from their archive of more than 300 talented DJs, performers and artists.
Boxing Day is the Wigan takeover, and a special 24-hour Hacienda House Party will launch on New Year’s Eve – featuring many of the biggest and best-known DJs in the world including; Moby, Todd Terry, David Morales, DJ Paulette and Norman Jay MBE.
The marathon broadcast will begin at 10am on New Year’s Eve, containing a live performance by Haçienda Classical with Manchester Camerata and the AMC Choir.
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Greater Manchester Night-time Economy Adviser and United We Stream executive producer, Sacha Lord said:
“Greater Manchester is known to party. One of the highlights of the calendar, is Boxing Day, and there’s no bigger party, than the Wigan Boxing Day Party.
“Traditionally this is a time when 10,000’s people come out to the streets of Wigan, in fancy dress, tummies full of turkey and their dancing shoes on. The turkeys still happening, but sadly, we won’t be able to take to the streets. That won’t stop the party though and United We Stream GM are bringing the streets to you.
“We hope that these four very different shows will allow you a bit of escapism for a few hours. As always, United We Stream GM will be completely free to watch, and I know for many that money is very tight, but if you can spare a pound or two, that would be great, and your donation will go straight to our chosen, local good causes.”
Gary Neville ‘may or may not’ be actually joining The Reytons on tour
Danny Jones
In yet another absolutely random moment from the ever-ubiquitous Gary Neville, the former footballer turned businessman looks like he might be joining Yorkshire band The Reytons on their upcoming tour.
Believe it or not, we’re not having you on – not even a little bit.
Yes, as per an announcement from this week, Gary Neville looks set to be heading out on the road with Rotherham’s The Reytons as part of their ‘Right Back At It Tour’ next year.
As if the reveal was random and amusing enough as it is, the unsigned and unapologetic Northerners confirmed the news with a hilarious promotional video that we’ve now watched multiple times in disbelief that this actually looks like it happening.
Comments like that say it all: quality content and a genuinely funny way to unveil an already comical bit of music PR that goes on a long list of G Nev saying yes to pretty much anything. First Dragon’s Den and now a UK tour.
Although the full press release itself opens with the Manchester United legend, pundit and local entrepreneur declaring, “I’m in The Reytons”, it does also caveat this with the disclaimer: “*Gary Neville may or may not be actually joining The Reytons”.
We presume this means that the 49-year-old’s various media commitments and other projects mean there could see him pull out, but until they say otherwise, or the four-piece finds someone else to fill in for bassist Lee Holland and his broken arm, we’re taking this lineup change as read.
Oh yeah, this isn’t a random ‘DJ set’ or a quick repping-type gig to get the crowd warmed up act – by all accounts if this ends up happening he’ll be joining them on stage.
To be honest, we don’t know what to think; however, given that Neville has already played guitar live with The Charlatans and then went on to do a b2b set with Tim Burgess himself at Kendal Calling 2024, this really isn’t that surprising.
Set to play a run of nine gigs including London’s O2 Academy in Brixton, Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom and Aviva Studios – the now permanent home of Factory International – in Manchester on Saturday, 8 March, The Reytons are sure to get a warm reception.
After forming back in 2017 and years at slogging away, record deal or no, the band made it to number one in the Official UK Album Charts with What’s Rock And Roll? last year and played a sold-out hometown date at Clifton Park to 20,000 fans. It’s some journey they’ve gone on.
That one might be sold out but if you want to be in the crowd when the ex-England international and Monday Night Football star walks out on stage with a bass strapped around his neck, you can get ready to grab your tickets for their Manc gig when they go live this Friday (20 September) HERE.
No backing, no label, all Reytons – with a little bit of Gary Neville now too, apparently…
Legendary composer Hans Zimmer is coming to Manchester for his Co-op Live debut in 2025
Clementine Hall
Hans Zimmer, the multi-Oscar and Grammy-winning composer and music producer is bringing his brand-new European tour to Manchesternext year.
We all know the work of Hans Zimmer, and even if you think you don’t, you most definitely do.
The man behind the most significant film scores of the past 30 years, from Inception and Dunkirk, to Dune, The Dark Knight, No Time to Die and countless others, there’s simply no denying this legend has been the soundtrack to our cinematic lives for more than three decades now.
Hans Zimmer is now bringing his unprecedented show, ‘The Next Level’, to Manchester but for Co-op Live in another first for the state-of-the-art entertainment arena.
The Next Level promises a completely new show featuring groundbreaking electronic soundscapes and an incredible light production that will be a real feast for all the senses.
Manchester is just one of five dates split across November and December in the UK and Ireland, including Leeds, Glasgow, Dublin and London.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Zimmer said: “For me, every show is a new journey of discovery. With The Next Level, I want to surprise my fans and take them into a sound world like they’ve never experienced before.”
Kicking off the tour in Yorkshire, the new show represents Zimmer’s relentless drive to push artistic boundaries, explore new paths, and continuously evolve his sound.
Following a hugely successful European tour in 2023, when the 67-year-old played the AO Arena and hailed his Manchester date as “the best party in the world” before returning to play it again this past April. This next date it’s sure to be a show you don’t want to miss out on.
‘Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level’ is taking place on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 with general admission going live on Thursday, 26 September 2024 from 1pm.
If you’re a Co-op member, you can also gain access to the pre-sale tickets from Tuesday (24 September) by signing up for the waiting list.
The Manc -
16th December 2020 
