The Bridgewater Hall has unveiled its series of Christmas events, featuring family-friendly events, Christmas carol sing-alongs, and magical ballet.
The festive season at the beautiful arts venue will be absolutely packed with seasonal cheer and incredible performances.
Several of the events are geared towards younger theatre-goers, including Raymond Briggs’ animated classic The Snowman and the Halle’s Family Concert.
On Christmas Eve, people will be invited to sing along to Christmas classics, with an orchestra and a choir.
Here’s everything included in The Bridgewater Hall’s Christmas events series.
A Dickensian Christmas – 11 December
A Dickensian Christmas at Bridgewater Hall. Credit: Publicity picture
This event will feature a selection of Victorian carols, classics, and readings from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Songs will include Joy to the World, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and In the Bleak Midwinter, plus carols like Good King Wenceslas and O Come All Ye Faithful.
The soundtracks from the greatest Christmas films of all time will be brought to life by the Manchester Concert Orchestra at The Bridgewater Hall this month.
Songs will come from the likes of Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Snowman, Gremlins, White Christmas, The Polar Express, E.T., and Miracle on 34th Street.
It’ll be festive overload when the ultimate Christmas party returns to The Bridgewater Hall, with special guest singers Kerry Ellis and Ricardo Afonso.
They’ll be joined by Jingle Bell dancers for an extravaganza of music, song and dance, including Step Into Christmas, Fairytale of New York, and Let It Snow.
Horrible Histories – Horrible Christmas – 20 December
Hit children’s brand Horrible Histories will be back on the stage with a Christmas tale this year.
They say: “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!”
Warm up your vocal cords and get ready for the biggest, most festive sing-along of the year.
Jonathan Cohen will lead audiences through Christmas songs and seasonal classics like Frosty the Snowman, Merry Christmas Everyone, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and a whole host of carols too.
The UK’s most renowned big band is returning, swinging back in time playing Glenn Miller’s own arrangements of favourite wartime chart toppers and hits from the forties, directed by legendary band leader Ray McVay.
Expect songs like In the Mood, Little Brown Jug, Moonlight Serenade, American Patrol and The Dam Busters March.
One of the world’s best-loved ballets will be back at The Bridgewater Hall, sweeping audiences away to a fairytale world where toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins.
It’s the first time the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet have performed in the UK.
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
Sponsored
Free Britpop karaoke event comes to Printworks this week ahead of Oasis reunion
Thomas Melia
A Britpop-themed karaoke event is making its way to Printworks this week and is expected to attract a ‘Wonderwall’ of Oasis fans.
Didn’t get tickets to see one of Manchester’s biggest musical exports at their upcoming ‘Oasis Live ’25’ tour dates? Don’t ‘Slide Away’, sing your heart out at Printworks instead.
Anyone who missed out on the biggest reunion of the year but still wants that cathartic crowd-singing feeling can soak it all up at Manchester‘s leading entertainment complex with this all-new fan-led event.
Printworks is hosting a free event featuring karaoke and live music in the lead up to Oasis’ epic hometown shows and everyone is invited.
The free Oasis sing-along will be hosted by Oasis tribute band Whatever Oasis Tribute, who will be performing two live shows at 6pm and 7pm.
You’ll definitely want to warm up your vocal chords as they’re playing all your favourite Oasis bangers, from ‘Wonderwall’ to ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, and everything in between.
Of course, being home to Europe’s largest digital ceiling, it would be rude not to make the most of it and what better way to use it than by screening lyrics to the Burnage band’s hits ‘Up in the Sky’.
There will be lots of other activities taking place at this immersive fan event too, expect free giveaways and even a Britpop-themed visual art display voiced by Happy Mondays star and Manc royalty, Bez.
As you look up in this city centre venue, you’ll see vibrant displays of iconic imagery relating to the golden era of 90s British music and culture appearing on the digital ceiling, narrated by everyone’s favourite maraca-playing icon.
Expect Union Jack motifs, recognisable fashion trends, and even kaleidoscopic colours that evoke the feeling of this very important decade.
Printworks will be screening iconic 90s imagery on their digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
And don’t worry, you won’t have to be ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants’ to get a taste of the Britpop action, as this illuminated and interactive ceiling spans 1,000 sqm, oh and ‘She’s Electric’ too.
In the spirit of all things Oasis, Printworks vendor Big Licks is offering a complimentary small tub of soft-serve ice cream to anyone wearing a bucket hat on the day of any upcoming Oasis shows.
Tank & Paddle will also be giving away free shots to bucket hat-wearers on Thursday 3 July to celebrate the sing-along event.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Oasis are part of Manchester’s DNA, and we wanted to give our visitors a way to experience that connection – even if they didn’t get tickets.”
Printworks’ free Britpop-themed event is taking place on Thursday 3 July, featuring live music from Oasis tribute band Whatever, free karaoke, a Britpop display voiced by Bez, and lots more.
Daisy Jackson -
7th December 2022 
