A magical display of Christmas light sculptures is coming back to Manchester city centre this festive season.
After captivating visitors in years gone by, it won’t be long before 10 twinkly Christmas light sculptures will once again be brought to life across the city centre.
Among the festive sculptures to keep your eyes peeled for will be some giant walk-through baubles, star-spangled archways, a 36ft Christmas Tree, and a colour-changing word sculpture that spells out ‘Merry Christmas MCR’ – all courtesy of local Blackburn-based company MK Illumination.
This year, the sculptures will all be dotted around Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter’s Square.
It won’t be long before 10 twinkly Christmas light sculptures will once again be brought to life / Credit: Geograph (David Dixon)
Although the new additions are bound to catch the eye, let’s not forget about some old favourites that’ll be returning.
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Other installations include the popular sparkling Manchester Bee and Manchester’s brand-new Santa.
Measuring in at a whopping 12 meters high and weighing 2.3 tonnes, the selfie-loving Santa is difficult to miss, and not only that, but he also has his own Twitter feed too – @MCRSanta.
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You can chat to him, share your selfies, and let him know all your Christmas wishes.
Measuring in at a whopping 12 meters high and weighing 2.3 tonnes, the selfie-loving Santa is difficult to miss / Credit: Manchester City Council
The Christmas light sculpture trail will be installed and switched on from Friday 12 November.
Of course, the lights aren’t the only festive thing returning to the city centre this year, as the iconic Manchester Christmas Markets – which spread festive cheer right across the city centre, and draw in visitors from all across the globe – are back in full force as we know and love them, also from Friday 12 November, after a year of cancellation due to COVID-19.
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Piccadilly Gardens will take over the reigns from Albert Square as the heart of the markets event for 2021, as the Manchester Town Hall regeneration project continues.
The area will become the ‘Winter Gardens’.
You can find out more about all the Christmas and winter markets in Manchester this year here.
Featured Image – Geograph (David Dixon)
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War Child UK announce Foo Fighters charity prize draw for sold-out Manchester gig
Danny Jones
Amidst all the live music madness this week, with the intimate BRITs gigs happening, other big city centre shows and, of course, the mighty Foo Fighters coming to town, it can be hard to keep track of everything – but when we heard about a prize draw for free tickets, we couldn’t let you miss it.
That’s right, the Foos and War Child UK are getting ready to hand out limited pairs of tickets to their recently announced gig at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, which sold out in the blink of an eye.
They’re not even performing as part of BRITs Week lineup, but given it’s such a big moment for the city and an opportunity to raise money for the cause, they thought they’d throw their hats in the ring, so long as you chip in on your end.
So, ‘What’s the deal?’, we hear you ask. Well, look no further:
Put simply, all you have to do is enter the prize draw as advertised; plus, you know you’ll be doing your bit for a good cause, too, which is always an added bonus.
Given that the Ritz is already pretty much at capacity (approximately 1,500), they only have a small number of tickets to give away.
There are just four pairs up for grabs, to be specific, but with hundreds of people having already entered the charitable competition, nearly £17,000 has been raised for War Child UK already.
Incredible stuff.
For anyone still unclear on War Child’s mission, the organisation does crucial outreach not only here in Britain but all over the world, delivering emergency aid, specialist mental health support, and much more to children in need whose lives have been torn apart by conflicts across the globe.
This show, which has already generated huge funds towards those efforts through ticket sales, and local band The Covasettes are now even campaigning to get legendary frontman Dave Grohl to join them on stage after their stage times were shifted to make way for the Foo Fighters gig.
🚨 MANCHESTER UPDATE 🚨
With @foofighters playing the Ritz after us on Friday, our gig will now take place slightly earlier. Get down for doors and give the supports a night to remember!
Once again, the show itself is fully sold out, and there’s little chance you’ll find spares floating around ahead of a truly massive night.
Better still, if you are after one last lucky shot at getting yourself in that room, why not help raise some money for War Child while you’re at it?
As we’re sure you know, the gig itself is on Friday, but if you want to stand a chance, you must donate and choose your number of entries – £10 for one, three for £20, or £50 for a total of 10 entries – before 10am GMT this Thursday, 26 February.
All the artists performing at the BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The BRIT Awards 2026 are right around the corner, and will be taking place in Manchester for the first time – but who will be performing?
The huge music awards have been drip-feeding us announcements all year so far ahead of the actual BRITs on Saturday, 28 February.
With seven names announced to date, it’s already shaping up to be one of the biggest events Manchester has ever seen.
From the world’s biggest pop stars to a producer who’s worked with the biggest names on the planet, the BRIT Awards have called upon some serious stars who’ll be performing for the audience here in Manchester.
Here are all the names that have been announced so far.
Who’s performing at the 2026 BRIT Awards in Manchester?
1. Harry Styles
Harry Styles will be performing at the BRITs in Manchester (Credit: Johnny Dufort)
Harry Styles will finally be performing at the Co-op Live – a venue he’s a major investor in – for the first time this year, thanks to the BRIT Awards.
The megastar will be performing his new single, ‘Aperture’, which has broken a years-long drought of new music from the former One Direction singer.
And given that his upcoming UK tour dates are exclusively in London, this will be a rare chance to see him on home turf… barring the BRAND NEW ‘intimate’ show announcement here in Manchester.
The first name to be announced as performing at the BRIT Awards was solo singer-songwriting superstar of the moment, Olivia Dean.
Olivia Dean has also been announced as a performer for the BRITs (Credit: Jack Davison)
She’ll be taking to the stage at the Co-op Live as a Grammy Award-winner too, having taken home the Best New Artist trophy last week.
Olivia Dean has also announced an unbelievably intimate show in Manchester, too, as part of the wider BRITs Week for War Child concert series, performing at the Albert Hall.
3. Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice are performing at the Brit Awards 2026 (Credit: Press shot)
Wolf Alice – one of the UK’s most celebrated bands – will be performing at this year’s BRITs, hot off the back of their own headline arena tour, which received serious praise across the board.
The group are nominated for three awards this year – ‘Group of the Year’, ‘Alternative/Rock Act’, AND ‘Mastercard Album of the Year’ for their fourth studio LP, The Clearing.
This will be the first time they’ve performed at the Co-op Live, joining the biggest names in the industry for the BRIT Awards 2026.
4. Mark Ronson
Outstanding Contribution To Music winner Mark Ronson (Credit: Supplied)
One of the greatest producers of a generation will be getting a double-whammy at the BRIT Awards 2026 – both a slot to perform, AND the highly coveted ‘Outstanding Contribution To Music’ award.
Mark Ronson has created some of the world’s biggest hits with other top artists, including ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars, ‘Shallow’ with Lady Gaga, and ‘Back to Black’ with Amy Winehouse. He already has two BRIT Awards and nine Grammys – and now he can add a lifetime achievement to that trophy cabinet.
Ronson said: “This is the most meaningful honour of my career. I think of the times I’ve watched artists I revere accept this same award. The idea that I’m now standing in that lineage feels impossible.
“I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I’ve made. The UK artists I’ve worked with—their brilliance and refusal to compromise—shaped not just my work but how I understand what music should do. And more than anything, it’s the crowds here who’ve sustained and shown up for me.
“The fans, the festival crowds, the record buyers and streamers—the love has always been overwhelming. I’m beyond grateful for all of it.”
5. Rosalía
Credit: Publicity pictures
As for the most recent name added to the BRIT Awards’ live music lineup for 2026, that goes to Spanish-speaking and multi-lingual pop superstar, Rosalía, who also just so happened to deliver one of our favourite albums of the year this past November.
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The Lux singer, still just 33, has seen an incredible rise over the last few years and is understandably huge in Latin American and other Hispanic countries, but her presence continues to grow worldwide, so securing her for a mini Manchester gig at the upcoming ceremony is another real coup for the BPI.
With this being her BRITs debut following a number one record that saw her speak in 14 different languages, this genre-bending solo artist’s performance will be one watched all over the planet.
This was back in 2019, and she’s only got bigger since then.
6. KPop Demon Hunters – yes, the real ones
Golden by HUNTR/X is going up up up!
The original song from KPop Demon Hunters by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI has officially hit No. 1 on the Billboard Global Charts. pic.twitter.com/b3xZSZhQfh
In arguably one of the coolest names on the lineup of BRITs performers, singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI – a.k.a. the real voices of fictional girl group ‘HUNTR/X’ from Netflix’s global phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters – have now been confirmed for a very special performance.
This will be a first for the smash-hit animated movie and musical released last August, and it’s not anything like the annual awards ceremony has seen before, either.
Even if you haven’t seen the feature film for yourself, we can promise you’ll have at least heard that one track which has been nominated for ‘International Song of the Year’ – or even if not, you’ll definitely find your toe-tapping along as you watch from home.
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Reacting to being added to the roster, the group of vocalists said,“We are beyond thrilled to be nominated for 2 BRIT awards this year, celebrating the music of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS! We can’t wait to bring a special performance to Manchester. See you soon, UK Fans!”
As if half a dozen names weren’t enough already, another one of 2025’s breakout stars has also been called up to the stage.
Rising pop artist Alex Warren will also be performing in the flesh this month, bringing his folk-influenced solo material to Manc crowds for the very first time.
He was a big success at both the most recent Hits Radio Live and Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball back in December, with the Californian already amassing a strong transatlantic following.
Alex said of the honour: “The UK is where ‘Ordinary’ first broke and changed my life last year. I am so grateful for all the love from my fans there, and I can’t wait to bring a big performance to the BRITs’ stage for the very first time.”
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8. SOMBR
SOMBR is the latest artist announced to be performing at the BRITs in Manchester. (Credit: Supplied)
One of the world’s most talked-about new artists – and the man behind the summer’s biggest and catchiest hits – is next up to perform at the BRITs 2026 in Manchester.
SOMBR, a.k.a Shane Boose, is nominated for two BRIT Awards this year, for International Artist of the Year and for International Song of the Year with his hit ‘Undressed’.
His smash single ‘Back to Friends’ topped Spotify’s global and US charts last year, leading to sold-out headline tours in the US, Europe and Australia.
SOMBR said: “I’m so honoured to be performing at the iconic BRIT Awards. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me this past year. I love the UK and all the British people, it’s my second home!”
9. RAYE
SHE'S BACK 🤩 we're thrilled for @raye to return to The BRIT Awards 2026 stage this weekend 💋
don't miss her performance this Saturday 28th February on ITV1 & ITVX in the UK at 8:15PM and on YouTube globally at 8:45PM GMT pic.twitter.com/yzoyVMgaR3
Announced just days before the actual awards night getting underway, the one and only RAYE has also been confirmed as having now joined the BRITs live music lineup for 2026.
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We’ve only just got over seeing her in the flesh after what feels like literally yesterday at Co-op Live already, but now – fresh off two fantastic nights and five-star reviewed shows across the board – soulful solo star is returning to the arena for another go around the block.
Commenting on making a quick comeback, the multi-award-winning artist said: “We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited.”
Honestly, even if we get a little taste of the show she put on earlier this month, we’re in for an absolute treat and then some…
Gosh, we really are being spoiled, aren’t we?
Oh, and if you haven’t heard about all of the incredible acts coming to town for BRITs Week ’26 (as mentioned previously with Ms Dean), you’re about to scream your heads off even more.
Emily Sergeant -
4th November 2021 
