Park N Party’s Christmas City has returned to Greater Manchester, screening festive classics at its drive-in cinema.
The immersive drive-in experience has opened its doors and will be showing Christmas blockbusters right through until New Year’s Eve.
This week alone, Christmas City’s line-up includes family favourites like Elf and Home Alone, which families will be able to enjoy together from the safety of their own cars.
There’s romance in the air too, as hit romcom The Holiday hits the big screen, plus screenings of Miracle on 34th Street, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Santa Clause.
The fun continues right the way through until December 31, and next week features some festive family action like Abominable, A Christmas Carol, and The Polar Express.
ADVERTISEMENT
Visitors will also be able to park up for cosy viewings of The Polar Express, The Christmas Chronicles, and A Christmas Carol.
Later in its run, Christmas City will throw a fancy dress extravaganza while screening Disney blockbuster Frozen – and there’ll be prizes for the best-dressed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Christmas City has taken over a new location at the Soccer Dome in Stretford.
It brings the biggest outdoor screen in the UK – a whopping 150 sq metres – to our home city.
As well as the films, visitors will travel through a Christmas Village with live actors and plenty of festive surprises.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kids can post their letters to Santa in the dedicated Christmas post box and explore the North Pole – Santa Claus himself will even be there to greet people.
There are photo opportunities available with scenes from Elf and The Grinch, plus a fully-licensed bar and festive food vendors.
The line-up for Christmas City – December 2 to December 12
The Holiday – Thursday December 2, 8pm
Home Alone – Friday December 3, 8pm
Elf – Saturday December 4, 2pm
ADVERTISEMENT
The Santa Clause – Saturday December 4, 5pm
Miracle on 34th Street – Saturday December 4, 8pm
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Sunday December 5, 2pm
Home Alone – Sunday December 5, 5pm
Elf – Sunday December 5, 8pm
ADVERTISEMENT
Elf – Wednesday December 8, 8pm
A Christmas Carol – Thursday December 9, 8pm
Christmas With The Coopers – Friday December 10, 8pm
Abominable – Saturday December 11, 2pm
The Polar Express – Saturday December 11, 5pm
ADVERTISEMENT
Office Christmas Party – Saturday December 11, 8pm
The Christmas Chronicles – Sunday December 12, 2pm
You can also book a premium Christmas pod, which seats six people, for £66.
Featured Image – Park N Party
Things To Do
Manchester Museum debuts new FREE ‘Human Natures’ exhibition
Danny Jones
A brand-new exhibition has opened over at Manchester Museum and, best of all, it’s completely free to visit.
The award-winning city centre museum has just launched its latest public access exhibit, simply entitled ‘Human Natures’.
Nevertheless, this most recent addition is far from straightforward, as the display asks some deep questions not only of society but of those who go along to view it for themselves.
Debuting on Wednesday, 22 April, Manchester Museum’s Human Natures project will be on for several months and has already seen a healthy amount of foot traffic.
Posting on social media, the team ask: “Are we losing our connection with nature?”
Examining how we take it for advantage on numerous fronts – everything from food and fashion to developing landscape and more –
One of the stories we are showcasing is the work of local collective, Manchester UrbanDiggers (MUD), who cleverly turned a disused bowling green into a community market garden, reconnecting people with nature in urban spaces. More of this stuff, please.
Situated within the Exhibition Hall on the ground floor of the beautiful buildings located at the University of Manchester, other collaborators include Platt Fields Market Garden and even the RSPB.
The native CIC (community interest company) and their work are one of many important organisations that have helped bring this project to life, which will also serve as part of this year’s Universally Manchester Festival – a one-day and equally free celebration that is returning in June.
2026 is technically just the second edition of the modern event, which has been through several iterations over the years.
Put in the simplest terms, Human Natures will explore “stories of overconsumption and overexploitation of animals, plants and minerals, looking at the consequences for climate, biodiversity and people.”
Credit: Supplied
However, it also highlights and critiques how organisations and we as individuals currently collide with these concepts, and how we can work to better interact with the world around us and “create a more hopeful future.”
Rachael Webster, Curator of Botany at Manchester Museum, said in a statement: “It’s often difficult to notice how the relationships we’ve developed with the plants, animals, and landscapes have created problems for people and planet, especially as many of us buy what we need rather than growing or making it ourselves.”
“Human Natures explores a number of complex global issues, from the mechanisation of farming to throw-away culture, which could easily feel overwhelming. So we’re aiming to tell stories that connect with people on a human level, inspiring empathy and hope.”
Once again, Human Natures at Manchester Museum is completely free to attend; you can book your visit right HERE, although walk-ins on the day are also welcome. Meanwhile, another big area of the space itself is closing for a major refurbishment.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MCR Museum)
Things To Do
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd December 2021 
