The biggest hits from the world of country music will be performed at an enchanting concert in Manchester, with the stage illuminated by thousands of candles.
Candlelight Concerts, which brings the music of the biggest artists in the world to life in magical settings around the UK, is now delivering an evening of country hits as you’ve never heard them before.
Expect to hear songs from the likes of Dolly Parton, Luke Combs, Shania Twain and loads more, performed by a cast of world-class vocalists and an incredible live band.
The event will be taking over the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester this July, filling the historic stage with flickering lights and the sound of pure country and Western and bluegrass.
Country By Candlelight will be urging fans to grab a Country Girl and a glass of Tennessee Whiskey to dance the night away.
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Guaranteed to heal your Achy Breaky Heart, Country By Candlelight will feature a soundtrack that includes Kenny Rogers, Rascal Flatts, John Denver, Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton and plenty more.
Country by Candlelight is coming to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
It’ll be the best and biggest of country music but performed like never before – live, and by candlelight.
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The events are some of the most popular and memorable in Manchester, with other Concert by Candlelight events including Pink Floyd, Queen, Elvis, Adele, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift – to name just a few.
Country by Candlelight will be at the Bridgewater Hall on 29 July 2025.
To book your tickets for Country by Candlelight, head HERE.
A free open-air cinema is opening in the heart of Manchester’s skyscraper district
Daisy Jackson
A free open-air cinema is opening in Manchester city centre this summer, screening everything from film to sporting and cultural events.
Audiences will be able to recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views – the glittering towers of New Jackson.
With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline and food delivered to your seat from the acclaimed Medlock Canteen, Screen on The Square will be a go-to hangout for Mancs this summer.
This new opening at New Jackson will also have its own licensed outdoor bar.
It’s all launching at New Jackson this weekend, Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.
Films on the schedule will include family favourites like Big Hero 6, Frozen, and Finding Nemo; cult classics such as Cool Runnings, Grand Budapest Hotel, and Back to the Future; and major musical blockbusters such as Mamma Mia and La La Land.
As well as a packed programme of film screenings, Screen on the Square will be showing major summer events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the UEFA Women’s EURO competition.
There’ll be family-friendly matinees and morning screenings, as well as later evening movie nights.
Screen on the Square will take place on The Square at the base of Deansgate Square towers
Screen on The Square will run from Saturday 21 June until Sunday 14 September, at The Square at Deansgate Square in New Jackson.
It’s the latest cultural and community offering from the new neighbourhood, which has transformed Manchester’s skyline with world-class skyscrapers.
The New Jackson district includes Deansgate Square, The Blade, Three60, Crown Street, and Contour, and (once fully complete) will bring 6,400 homes. The neighbourhood already includes public spaces, a primary school, play area, NHS medical centre, health and wellness clinic, hair salon, cookery school, padel courts and loads of independent restaurants and bars.
Full listings for Screen on the Square are below, and HERE.
Screen on The Square programme*
Saturday 21 June, 3pm – Wall-E
Saturday 21 June, 7pm – Back to the Future
Sunday 22 June, 10am – Big Hero 6
Sunday 22 June, 7pm – Tron: Legacy
Friday 27 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Saturday 28 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Sunday 29 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Wednesday 2 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Iceland v Finland
Wednesday 2 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Norway
Thursday 3 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Belgium v Italy
Thursday 3 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Portugal
Friday 4 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Denmark v Sweden
Friday 4 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Poland
Saturday 5 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Wales v Netherlands
Saturday 5 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v France
Sunday 6 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Norway v Finland
Sunday 6 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Iceland
Monday 7 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Belgium
Monday 7 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Portugal v Italy
Tuesday 8 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Denmark
Tuesday 8 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Poland v Sweden
Wednesday 9 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Netherlands
Wednesday 9 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: France v Wales
Thursday 10 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Finland v Switzerland or Norway v Iceland
Friday 11 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Italy v Spain or Portugal v Belgium
Saturday 12 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
Saturday 12 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Sweden v Germany or Poland v Denmark
Sunday 13 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
Sunday 13 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Wales or Netherlands v France
Wednesday 16 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Thursday 17 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Friday 18 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Saturday 19 July, 3pm – Sing
Saturday 19 July, 5.30pm – Mamma Mia
Saturday 19 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Sunday 20 July, 10am – Kids’ Morning: School of Rock
Sunday 20 July, 7pm – La La Land
Tuesday 22 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
Wednesday 23rd July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
The countdown is on to the grand opening of JD’s brand-new flagship store, with the sports fashion brand preparing to open in the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June.
The new store will be JD’s biggest ever, delivering world-class shopping experiences that will ‘serve the community and redefine what’s possible’.
JD was born right here in Greater Manchester, first opening in Bury in 1981, and has gone on to be a leader in sports fashion and lifestyle retail.
With this new flagship store, shoppers will be able to discover the hottest drops from global sportswear giants like Nike, adidas, On Running and PUMA, plus JD exclusives like Unlike Humans.
The landmark new opening will be celebrated in a big way this weekend at the Trafford Centre, with none other than eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt attending the grand unveiling.
Then there’ll be the chance to win prizes, shop rare and sought-after sneakers, and get items customised.
The new JD store officially opens its doors tomorrow – Saturday 7 June – from 10am, with loads of exciting experiences planned.
JD to open largest-ever flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this weekend
Usain Bolt will be in store, with select fans having the opportunity to show off their running skills in front of the fastest man on the planet.
Lucky shoppers will be put into teams to race for prizes, and will have the chance to try and beat Bolt’s record on the Puma Nitro 100 metre spring challenge.
YouTube giants Beta Squad will also be there throughout the opening morning, bringing their energy and humour live and direct.
Meanwhile, Nike is bringing the ‘Nike AM95: The Vault’, giving sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on a sold-out OG Heat product.
At exactly 1.10pm – a throwback to the ‘110s’ nickname – there’ll be the OG Mandarin up for grabs, along with a limited run of the OG Pink Foam, which will be on sale from doors opening at 10am.
A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world
Crep Protect will be hosting demos and giveaways; Unlike Humans will be there with their ice cream truck serving matcha and vanilla mochi; and you can get any Unlike Humans item you buy customised by Matt B Customs for free.
James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, commented: “This new store at Trafford Centre is set to be a true statement of intent. It’s our biggest, boldest space to date – and it’s happening in the city where our journey began.
“This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail.
“And JD’s opening at Trafford Centre isn’t just about creating a dynamic new shopping destination – it also brings new jobs to the area, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing investment in the local communities it serves, which is at the heart of JD’s mission.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the world’s largest JD to Trafford Centre. This mammoth, flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for retail as a whole.
“With expert staff on hand, immersive displays and bespoke services, the new JD store will be a destination in its own right – promising an incredible in-store experience.”
JD’s new flagship store has been fuelled by the brand’s Forever Forward mission that propels youth culture forward.
Expect groundbreaking releases, creative partnerships and cutting-edge cultural experiences.
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JD will open its flagship store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June from 10am.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd May 2025 
