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.”
Rock legends Rush announce massive Manchester arena gig for 50th anniversary
Danny Jones
Legendary classic rock band Rush has announced a massive Manchester arena gig as part of their ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, with this being their first return to Europe in over a decade.
The Canadian veterans haven’t been back to Britain in a long time, but with their ’50 Something’ tour now confirmed, they’re finally making their return to the likes of Manchester and more.
Known for tracks such as ‘Tom Sawyer’, ‘Limelight’, ‘Spirit of the Radio’, ‘Fly By Night’, ‘Working Man’ and countless others, they have a discography that spans a whopping 19 albums, with their last studio LP, Clockwork Angels, released back in 2012.
Touring it a year later – the same year they were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – that was the last time they played here in the UK or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter; safe to say it’s a big deal to have them back.
With co-founders Geddy Lee (bass, keyboard, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) still going strong, the pair will pay tribute to their late, great drummer and fellow songwriter, Neil Peart, who sadly passed away back in 2020.
As you can see, the remaining and seasoned members of the original lineup will be joined by German musician Anika Nilles, who’ll be handling the percussion on the de facto reunion tour.
Better still, they’ll also be joined by the experienced Loren Gold, who previously toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey and The Who, as well as Chicago and more, on the keys.
Now that’s some pedigree right there.
Detailed in the official reveal by Co-op Live, where they will be making their debut, “the show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits and fan faves.”
JUST ANNOUNCED: Rush 12 March 2027
The show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits & fan faves.https://t.co/Z8qFTJXQvZ@coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 Wednesday 25 February General Sale: 10:00 Friday 27 February pic.twitter.com/AXpswzBAsG
Their Co-op Live, Manchester gig is one of just four shows across three domestic cities here in Great Britain, so Manc Rush fans can count themselves lucky to be included in the run.
Besides the rest of their world tour dates this year, you can see the rest of the schedule down below.
Rush UK tour dates 2027
8 March, OVO Hydro – Glasgow
12 March – Co-op Live, Manchester
16 and 18 March – O2 Arena, London
As always with gigs at this venue, official Co-op members get early access, with tickets going live at 10am this Wednesday, 25 February.
However, exclusive artist presale for the Rush Fan Club and ‘RushBackstage’ members begins even earlier at the same time this Tuesday (Feb 24), as do VIP packages.
For those interested in simple general admission, tickets will be available from 10am the following Friday, (27 Feb) – you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig
The Manc
If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.
Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.
Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.
Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.
Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.
The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).
Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.
The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)
Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.
I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.
They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.
The Manc -
16th December 2020 
