Kids & Family

Much-loved children’s show Gabby’s Dollhouse is bringing its live show to Manchester

This article contains affiliate links.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 3rd December 2025

Much-loved children’s TV sensation Gabby’s Dollhouse is bringing its now world-famous live stage show to Manchester city centre for the first time ever.

Set for its debut UK tour, the smash-hit Netflix series created by the brains behind the 90s and noughties kids classic, Blue’s Clues, has become a global favourite since it first began back in 2021.

After proving highly successful over in the States, ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!’ is now going transatlantic to delight little ones across the pond.

The super family-friendly show lands at Manchester’s AO Arena in early 2026, and we can practically hear the toddlers screaming with joy already.

As the Arena posted on social media, “This a-MEOW-zing new show, inspired by the beloved DreamWorks Animation preschool series, features songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along, from beginning to end.”

ADVERTISEMENT

For anyone unaware of the name or simply looking to introduce their youngsters to something new, Gabby’s Dollhouse is an interactive pre-school programme that blends both interactive live-action with educational and undeniably cute animation.

It follows a girl named Gabby and her cat friends as they go on adventures inside a magical dollhouse.

ADVERTISEMENT

The American show has taken off not only domestically but has now become the most-watched kids’ show on Netflix, so yes, it’s rather popular.

As for this still relatively new stage production, it brings to life an exciting original Dollhouse story featuring unique puppets and dynamic staging, with hit new songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along from beginning to end.

You can see the trailer for the US tour down below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Presented not only by DreamWorks but Universal’s Destinations and Experiences team, the 15-date tour will get underway next spring; you can see the full list of shows here:

‘Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!’ 2026 UK tour dates

We’ve even highlighted all of the Northern shows for you, just in case you can’t make the Manc date.

  • Fri        27/03/26            SEC Armadillo Theatre, Glasgow
  • Sun      29/03/26            P&J Live, Aberdeen
  • Tue       31/03/26            Eventim Apollo, London
  • Wed      1/04/26             Eventim Apollo, London
  • Sun      5/04/26             AO Arena Manchester
  • Tue       7/04/26             Utilita Arena Birmingham
  • Wed      8/04/26             Edinburgh Playhouse
  • Sat       11/04/26            Brighton Centre
  • Tue       14/04/26            First Direct Bank Arena Leeds
  • Thu       16/04/26            Bournemouth International Centre
  • Sun      19/04/26            Plymouth Pavilions
  • Tue       21/04/26            Swansea Building Society Arena
  • Sun      26/04/26            M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
  • Tue       28/04/26            Utilita Arena Sheffield 
  • Fri        1/05/26             Utilita Arena Newcastle 
  • Sun      3/05/26             Utilita Arena Cardiff 

General admission seats go live on Wednesday, 10 December, and if you’re looking to guarantee your family a spot at the AO Arena or any of the other venues, you can join the pre-sale waiting list.

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

Shaun the Sheep Sculpture trail appears across Manchester
It’s to celebrate another live-action stage adaptation of a British kids’ TV favourite.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

Kids & Family

Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Christmas Parade guide 2025

Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.

Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.

Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.

manchester christmas parade start point
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)

MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info

When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?

For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.

MCR Xmas Parade route

As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.

It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.

There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).

You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.

MCR Xmas parade route map
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)

People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.

Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)

8am-5pm

  • Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
  • Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)

11am-3pm

  • Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
  • Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
  • John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
  • Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
  • Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
  • St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)

11am-6pm

  • St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)

As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.

It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.

Thankfully, there are special Xmas pop-up park and ride services on the Bee Network running during this period to ease congestion and help more people get around. You can read more here:

More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled

What’s new this year?

There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.

With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.

Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.

Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.

ADVERTISEMENT
mcr xmas events
who is performing at manchester christmas parade 2025?
Credit: Supplied)

We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.

Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.

Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.

“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.

“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…

ADVERTISEMENT
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 1 – 7 December 2025

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Manchester City Council (supplied)/The Manc Group

Kids & Family

Plans for more than 400 affordable homes available by ‘social renting’ coming to Wythenshawe

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Plans for a slate of more than 400 new affordable homes in Wythenshawe, which will also be made available for ‘social renting’, are now said to be moving forward following the official submission of three different applications this month.

Development group and so-called ‘placemakers’, Muse, have teamed up with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) to deliver not just one batch of new properties but a trio of new living locations in the town centre.

More importantly, all 422 of these prospective homes will be available via social rent, i.e. low-cost housing provided and leased by local authorities and/or housing associations, which are typically aimed at those on lower incomes and facing other adversities.

While Wythenshawe has plenty of council houses and social housing already, thanks to the WCHG, these latest proposals could see thousands more Greater Manchester natives given the opportunity to be part of the area’s next big overhaul.

As per a recent press release from the team behind the project: “The plans represent the first phase of housing within the wider masterplan, which will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, alongside new community facilities, green spaces and places to work and socialise.

It’s also worth noting that this undertaking, which will span over the next decade and a half or so, is part of the Greater Manchester region’s overarching goal to increase the level of high-quality domesticity throughout the 10 boroughs.

Besides various other projects in different up-and-coming areas like Stockport, Strangeways, Bolton, as well as here in the city centre, the area is also being hit with a major regeneration scheme.

Subject to planning approval, Wythenshawe will see the Brotherton House, Alpha House and C2 The Birtles buildings transformed into a modern residential complex, comprising a mix of apartments and townhouses aimed at local people with “differing requirements”.

This follows other ambitious plans, including the development of a brand-new cultural hub right in the heart of the town centre. Exciting times for Wythy.

You can see the map for where the developments are in relation to each other down below.

new social housing wythenshawe town centre
Credit: Supplied

Developers have promised that homes will be affordable, high-quality and energy-efficient, “with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote interaction, health and wellbeing”.

Brotherton House – a now abandoned former office building – will be turned into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with a further 109 rooms for people in later life and those living with dementia. Find out more HERE.

Moreover, if fully green-lit when the planning permission process is completed, the overview also includes 81 apartments and 25 two and four-bedroom townhouses, plus landscaped gardens and green spaces to encourage local wildlife and nearby residents to spend more time outdoors.

Already under demolition, neighbouring Alpha House will also be flattened and rebuilt to provide 125 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.

Meanwhile, the venue currently known as C2 The Birtles (next to the old market square), which holds existing retail and office spaces, will be replaced with around 81 one and two-beds, along with a new ground-floor retail space to complement the wider Civic offering.

Read more:

Local councillor and leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said of the plans: “Delivering truly affordable homes – with a focus on social rent housing – was one of our key priorities when we set out the vision for the long-term transformation of Civic.

“The town centre is the beating heart of this community, and that means building homes that are affordable to as many people as possible, creating a long-term sustainable community of people who are proud of where they live.

“These planning applications represent an exciting milestone for Wythenshawe – and it’s great to be working alongside Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to realise these important developments.”

As for WCHG, their executive director, Andrea Lowman, added: “We’re delighted to see the first phase of new homes progressing, marking a major step forward in delivering the high-quality, affordable housing that local people have told us they need.

“This phase will bring forward homes that support residents at every stage of life, creating a strong foundation for a vibrant, sustainable town centre that meets the needs of our communities now and in the future.”

Greater Manchester reveals £11.7m plan to tackle empty homes across the region

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

Featured Images — Wythenshawe Community Housing Group/Muse (supplied)

More Kids & Family

Art & Culture

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 1 – 7 December 2025

Petition to get rid of VAT on energy bills in the UK

Bolton

A Greater Manchester campaigner is calling on the government to get rid of VAT on energy bills

Christmas list

Christmas

Kids can now send their Christmas lists to the North Pole as Royal Mail’s Santa Mail returns for 2025

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches