Bumper programme of Christmas events lined up at Manchester’s beautiful Bridgewater Hall

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

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. 

Find out more and book tickets here. 

Christmas at the Movies – 15 December

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. 

Book your tickets here.

Christmas Spectacular – 19 December

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. 

Find out more and grab tickets here.  

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!”

You can get your tickets here.  

Christmas Carol Singalong – 24 December 

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. 

Tickets are available now here. 

Last Night of the Christmas Proms – 26 December 

You can extend the Christmas celebrations slightly beyond Christmas, with the Last Night of the Christmas Proms event on Boxing Day.

The Manchester Concert Orchestra will be performing a stellar selection of great classics.

Book your tickets here.

The Music of Zimmer vs Williams – 27 December 

It will be a battle of two musical scores legends on 27 December, as the work of Hans Zimmer and John Williams is performed in an epic concert. 

Expect soundtracks from Gladiator, Jaws, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception, Jurassic Park and more. 

Grab your tickets here. 

Glenn Miller Orchestra – 28 December

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.

Find your tickets here.

The Nutcracker – 2-3 January

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.

Pick up tickets here.

Featured image: The Bridgewater Hall