The Bridgewater Hall, one of Manchester’s finest music venues and concert halls, has announced a busy programme of Christmas events this year.
The beloved landmark has a schedule that includes something for all ages, from family-friendly shows and carol singing to epic orchestral evenings.
Over the course of the festive season, the Bridgewater Hall will host the music of the world’s greatest composers, travel back in time with nostalgic swing nights, and welcome in fans of all ages to get into the festive spirit.
This year’s schedule includes appearances from Sir Karl Jenkins, Horrible Histories, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and loads more.
Have a read below for the five big Christmas events at Bridgewater Hall this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins
Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins
The Bridgewater Hall will welcome a musical icon this Christmas, with a very special evening with Sir Karl Jenkins.
He’ll be conducting a spell-binding night of carols and festive classics, brought to life by the Manchester Concert Orchestra and presented by John Suchet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Expect choirs, a full orchestra and a timeless evening of live music to get you into the Christmas spirit.
There’ll be music from Sir Karl’s hit festive albums Joy To The World and Stella Natalis, including Silent Night, Dulci Jubilo, Healing Light and plenty more.
Can you think of a more magical way to ring in Christmas than with traditional carol singing on Christmas Eve? Because we can’t.
The ultimate night of carolling will hit the Bridgewater Hall this winter, led by the inimitable Jonathan Cohen and featuring West End star Louise Dearman.
Belt your heart out to the likes of The Twelve Days of Chrismtas, Winter Wonderland, Frosty The Snowman, and plenty more beloved carols.
The Music of Zimmer vs Williams returns to Bridgewater Hall this Christmas
Composers don’t get much more iconic than Hans Zimmer and John Williams, who between them have crafted the most legendary movie music soundtracks of all time.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 70-piece Manchester Concert Orchestra will be performing a selection of these in an almighty concert, where you’ll hear live renditions of soundtracks including Star Wars, Interstellar, Harry Potter, The Holiday, Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T., and loads more.
This night will be an epic head-to-head battle between two of the film industry’s composing greats.
The legendary Horrible Histories team will bring Horrible Christmas to the Bridgewater Hall in December, taking audiences on a festive romp through British history.
From Victorian villains to medieval monks, partying Puritans to terrible Tudors, and even a visit from St Nicholas himself.
ADVERTISEMENT
The show will follow a Christmas that’s under threat from a jolly man in red (clue – it’s Santa), and one brave child’s mission to save the day.
It’ll be a night packed with family-friendly laughs, villains, and seasonal cheer.
Wrapping up the seasonal programme at the Bridgewater Hall is The Glen Miller Orchestra, stepping back in time to relive the music that defined an era.
The UK’s most celebrated big band will perform war-time chart-toppers from the 1940s, harking Manchester back to the golden age of swing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Special guest Ray McVay will join the orchestra on stage, adding to the concert’s vintage charm.
And for the second half of the show, the band will don the iconic US Army Air Force uniforms of the Second World War for a truly immersive experience.
A free wedding show is returning to the spectacular Grade I-listed Rochdale Town Hall
Daisy Jackson
A beautiful wedding show is returning to the Grade I-listed Rochdale Town Hall next month, and it’s totally free to attend.
Rochdale Wedding Show (RWS) will bring together 40 different suppliers, showcasing everything from flowers and wedding cars to catering and cakes.
There’ll be food tastings, live music, and breathtaking wedding fashion to get stuck into when the event returns to Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday 17 May.
Organisers Rochdale Borough Council have brought together a huge line-up of businesses to help couples get inspired and organised for their big day.
Companies will be showing off the latest trends in bridalwear, menswear, and everything in between when it comes to wedding fashion.
Then you’ll be able to meet and browse suppliers for your flowers, your wedding transport, photography, venue dressing, cake design, hair and make-up, entertainment, jewellery, music, decorations, and even lighting.
And even if you’re in the very early stages of planning, you might be able to find your perfect wedding venue at the Rochdale Wedding Show, along with masses of inspiration to get started.
Many suppliers will be offering exclusive ‘show only’ offers on the day too, so you could make some big savings.
Experts will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions, whether you’re looking for something traditional, a more contemporary theme, or a civil ceremony.
If the surroundings of RWS have caught your eye, good news – you can get married at the Rochdale Town Hall itself, and you will be able to take a look around the building on the day.
That includes the accommodation inside the nearby Rochdale Register Office, which includes a 70-seat ceremony room, the Red Rose Suite, which holds marriage and civil partnership ceremonies.
Classic and contemporary wedding cars will be on display at Rochdale Wedding ShowEnjoy a taste of wedding bands and DJs at Rochdale Wedding ShowA complimentary glass of fizz and canapes will be served to guests on arrival.Hair and beauty experts will be at Rochdale Wedding ShowToastmaster Alan CalowLooking for inspiration? At the show there will be many ideas for things you may not have even considered having at your wedding, yet!Meet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersExperts will be on hand to offer advice and answer questionsThe bar on the first-floor bar will also be open for love-themed cocktailsMeet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersMeet beautiful, stylish and inspiring suppliersCompanies will be exhibiting the latest collections and trends in bridal wear, formal menswear and everything in betweenVisitors are welcome to try the acclaimed Martlet Kitchen restaurantRochdale Wedding Show will be in the stunning Rochdale Town Hall, itself a popular wedding venue
Guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of fizz and canapes, and in between wedding planning, visitors are welcome to try the acclaimed Martlet Kitchen restaurant, where there’ll be hearty Sunday roasts with all the trimmings on offer.
The first-floor bar will also be open for love-themed cocktails, including a Passion Fizz, Blushed and Frisky, and Love Bite, plus other drinks and snacks.
Events manager Charlotte Preston says: “Rochdale Wedding Show is the ultimate afternoon out for anyone looking to look at their options ahead of the big day.
“Whether you are in the early stages of planning or your wedding is rapidly approaching, this is a must-attend event to get ideas and inspiration, meet the experts and relax with friends and family.”
No need to book tickets, entry is free, just turn up and browse – you can find out more HERE.
National Trust’s popular Manchester blossom trail returns with dozens of Bloomtown events this spring
Emily Sergeant
The blossoms are blooming everywhere you look, and the National Trust’s popular Bloomtown programme is back once again.
Each spring, the most beautiful blossom covers the UK in swathes of pink and white.
From ornamental magnolias in gardens to hawthorn scattered across the countryside, you really don’t have to go far to experience the beauty of this season, as there’s plenty of blossom to discover right on our doorstep in Greater Manchester.
Whether you’re walking through the city centre on your way to work, enjoying a spot of lunch in the park, or going on a little local adventure with your family, the National Trust’s interactive Bloomtown map is filled with more than 50 of the best places to see blossom – with trails that will take you on a journey through several floral hotspots.
You can follow the Bloomtown Trail everywhere from Manchester city centre, to Salford, Trafford, Rochdale, and Stockport, or get creative and use the map to explore and create your very-own route.
The National Trust’s popular Manchester blossom and Bloomtown trail has returned this spring / Credit: The Manc Group
That’s not all either, as the National Trust has also organised a whole host of themed events and activities to help you appreciate the blossoms in all their glory.
You can get involved in everything from walks and bike rides, to poetry, dance, storytelling, creative workshops, and so much more at hotspots like Castlefield Viaduct, Dunham Massey, and Lyme Park.
Bee Pedal Ready are hosting a series of Bloomtown bike rides – including one this weekend (Saturday 25 April, followed by others in May) – where you can bring your own bike or borrow one for free and explore some of Manchester’s best blossom-lined routes.
A special Blossom-themed parkrun will take place at Heaton Park next weekend (Saturday 2 May), or there’s also a hands-on ‘blossomify your kit’ workshop at the park’s Lakeside Cafe this Saturday (25 April) morning too.
One of the most creative events on the lineup has to be the poetry and writing walks through the city’s pocket parks and green spaces, where you’ll be given a related writing prompt at each blossom stop.
First timers and experienced poets alike are welcome of the event on late May bank holiday Monday (25 May).
Bloomtown then ends in a finale weekend with dance performances and music created from the electrical signals of plants on Saturday 30 May at Castlefield Viaduct (booking required), as well as a free celebration for all ages on Sunday 31 May at The Whitworth Art Gallery – featuring blossom-themed storytelling, arts and crafts, bike rides, free books, drumming, dance, and more.
The Bloomtown programme is underway until 31 May, and you can find out more about all the themed events and book your tickets on the National Trust website here.
Daisy Jackson -
17th October 2025 
