The same argument will happen every year like clockwork – what truly is the greatest Christmas film?
But one thing we can all agree on is that some of the best and most-loved movie soundtracks have stemmed from festive films.
And now all those movie greats will be brought to life on stage at The Bridgewater Hall, with a huge Christmas at the Movies event.
Taking place on Thursday 15 December at the beautiful theatre in Manchester city centre, a live orchestra will be performing songs from festive classics.
Credit: The Bridgewater Hall
The Manchester Concert Orchestra, along with singers Laura Tebbutt and Patrick Smyth, plus the Canzonetta choir, will perform songs from films both new and old.
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Family favourites like The Polar Express, The Chronicles of Narnia, Gremlins and Home Alone are all on the bill.
There’ll also be songs from all-time greats like White Christmas, The Snowman, and It’s a Wonderful Life.
Then modern Christmas classics like Elf, Love Actually and Miracle on 34th Street will all be performed live.
It’s part of The Bridgewater Hall’s bumper festive season, which also includes ballet, family-friendly theatre, and carol sing-alongs.
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Christmas at the Movies will take place from 7.30pm on Thursday 15 December – you can get your tickets here now.
Featured image: Warner Brothers / Universal
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Iconic Manchester United pub reopens after major £400k refurb
Daisy Jackson
An Old Trafford pub that’s long been a favourite with Manchester United fans has reopened its doors after a major refurbishment.
The Tollgate has had a £400,000 investment to become a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub, with gigantic HD screens throughout, tiered seating so you always have a great view of the action, and a menu of classic pub bites to pair with your pint.
There’ll be a big event atmosphere with all key sporting fixtures shown throughout the week, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts, horse racing – you name it, The Tollgate will show it.
The enormous outdoor area has also been refurbished, with new outdoor TV screens and Marston’s ‘Order & Pay’ app letting you order a round from your seat without missing a goal.
You’ll even find screens outside the loos…
Soon, local artist Pic One will be painting a mural onto the side of the pub, making it even more of a landmark boozer for Old Trafford.
The huge new main HD screenInside The Tollgate after its refurbThe Tollgate’s installed a TV box outside
Back inside, you’ll find a regulation dart board and a pool table, with new competition leagues and ‘free to play’ recreational sessions taking place throughout the week.
As well as a smart new interior packed with local sporting memorabilia, The Tollgate has installed market-leading technology, including one particularly gigantic HD screen, along with multiple other HD screens in every area, and a state-of-the-art sound system.
As you pass by, you might spot a huge TV box outside the pub, which has been installed to reflect how big the screen inside is.
The Tollgate is offering fans and customers a chance to shape its future – they’re calling out for locals to provide more photographs and merchandise to decorate the space, including mementos to celebrate the achievements of local sports stars and teams.
United memorabilia on the wallsInside the new-look The TollgateA cosy corner of The Tollgate
On the menus, you’ll find a new menu of perfect pub bites, including sharing combo boxes, chicken wings, nachos, and burgers.
There’ll be bottomless fries on offer for local sports teams who manage to get their hands on a ‘Black Card’, with even more rewards if they win their game.
And all draught beer (and there’s a lot of it) is now available in two-pint cups.
To celebrate its launch, the pub invited a fellow Manchester United icon Ying-Hoi Soo (affectionately known to Reds as ‘Mr Miyagi’) to pull the first pint and officially mark the pub’s opening.
Ying is recognised for his selfless charity work, and The Tollgate plans to work closely with Ying in the future to support this.
The new Grandstand pub concept has been introduced after research revealed that 86% of sports fans prefer to watch games at sports pubs, thanks to their livelier atmosphere, better screens, and community feel.
A huge two-pint beerThere’s a pool tableAnd dart board insideThe food offering
Marston’s picked Tollgate as one of the pubs to receive the Grandstand makeover due to its involvement with local sports teams, community groups and charities.
Pub Partner, Michael McLoughlin, said: “We’ve loved welcoming the community back with open arms!
“The response has been fantastic to our food and drink offers, as well as the new technology to watch all kinds of sports – we’re thankful that our pub is always full of good vibes, and real community spirit.”
Makeup stations, drag shows, and selfie spots to take over Manchester Arndale ahead of Pride weekend
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Arndale has announced details of a huge Pride takeover to warm the city up for Manchester Village Pride.
The centre will be filled with all sorts of installations, dazzling performances, pop-ups, and community projects to kick off the celebrations for another year.
Taking place this weekend (22 and 23 August), ahead of the main event in the Gay Village on the bank holiday weekend, Manchester Arndale wants to start the Pride celebrations in style.
Pose with Pride, in partnership with Manchester Village Pride, will include everything from makeup stations and selfie spots to live performances in the heart of the city.
So whether you’re looking for inspiration for your Pride makeup look, fancy watching a free drag show, or want to chat to some friendly faces from local LGBTQ+ organisations, Manchester Arndale has you covered.
There’s a minimum £3 donation required covering both the makeover and photo activities – but every penny goes directly to supporting Manchester Village Pride and its associated charities.
The Pose with Pride event will take place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, and here’s everything that’s going on.
Visit the Pride selfie station
You don’t need to wait until you’re in the mix at Canal Street to get an iconic photo, not when Manchester Arndale is installing a colourful rainbow archway for the weekend.
You can strike your fiercest post at the Pride selfie station, and receive a digital print to take home on the day.
Get your glam nailed on
There’ll be makeup stations for Pride across Manchester Arndale
Want to look and feel like your best self for Manchester Village Pride? You’ll be able to find loads of beauty and makeup inspiration across Manchester Arndale this week.
There’ll be makeup beauty stations dotted all around the centre, including Sephora, Space NK, BPerfect, KIKO Milano, and Lush.
From rainbow glitter makeovers to Pride-inspired face art, you’ll definitely leave feeling fabulous and very inspired.
Catch a spectacular drag show
The brilliant dance collective Ghetto Fabulous will be taking over the rainbow carpet at Manchester Arndale, with spectacular performances all weekend.
Led by the fabulous Coco Cannelll, the talented troupe will be premiering their brand-new ‘Byoncé’ drag show in Manchester Arndale.
Performances will take place at 1pm, 3pm, and 4.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Share a Letter from the Heart
Manchester Arndale will post the Pose with Pride event this weekend. Credit: Supplied
It’s not just about dancing and slathering yourself in glitter – Manchester Arndale’s Pose with Pride event will also host the Letters to My Younger Self community project and touring exhibition.
Here, LGBTQ+ people and allies are invited to write a letter to their younger self, where it’s words of encouragement, a heartfelt message of resilience, or simply something you wish you’d heard more growing up.
Every letter will become part of a powerful national exhibition celebrating lived experiences across the community.
The Letters to My Younger Self project was originally created by Perthshire Pride and is brought to Manchester in collaboration with Manchester Village Pride.
Find your people and support
As much as Pride is a celebration, it’s also a chance for the community to come together in support of one another.
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A number of local organisations, including George House Trust, Sparkle, LGBT Foundation, The Proud Trust and AKT, will be on hand to offer information, support, or simply a friendly chat.
You can learn all about their work supporting LGBTQ+ communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Manchester Arndale’s Pose with Pride event will run from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 22 August; and 11.30am to 5.30pm on Sunday 23 August – see more HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
9th December 2022 
