What's On

A lavish black-tie banquet is happening beneath the wings of a Concorde plane in Manchester

It's to mark 20 years since the iconic aircraft's final flight.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th September 2023

Manchester aviation fans will be able to tuck into a lavish banquet-style dinner beneath the wings of an old Concorde plane next month.

In what is a bid to properly mark the 20th anniversary of the final Concorde flight to depart the Northern hub, Manchester Airport has announced its plans to host a special celebration under the wings of the the iconic aircraft at its Runway Visitor Park.

Tickets are now on sale, and available for the general public to get their hands on.

The supersonic aircraft famously caused a stir when it first flew into Manchester all the way back in 1980, with thousands of people lining the streets and parking up on the roads around the airport to catch a glimpse.

Its final commercial flight from Manchester took place on 22 October 2003, and then, just one week later, the flagship aircraft in British Airways’ Concorde fleet touched down in our city for one last time.

ADVERTISEMENT

The aircraft was flown in to be put on display at the airport, where it remains to this day.

A lavish black-tie banquet is happening beneath the wings of a Concorde plane in Manchester / Credit: Runway Visitor Park

The black-tie event to celebrate the plane’s 20th year will start with a drinks reception in the Concorde hangar, before guests are seated for a four-course meal, Manchester Airport explains.

ADVERTISEMENT

Soprano vocalist Gemma Ashley will provide the musical entertainment on the night, while diners will also get to hear exclusive accounts from former Concorde pilot, Captain John Tye, as well as Concorde’s most frequent flyer, Fred Finn, before getting the chance to board the aircraft themselves for a tour.

The evening will then be rounded-off with a demonstration of Concorde’s famous nose droop.

“Concorde is an iconic aircraft,” Runway Visitor Park’s Manager, Paul Emblow, commented as the anniversary event was announced.

ADVERTISEMENT
The flagship aircraft touched down in our city for one last time in October 2003 / Credit: Manchester Airport

“Its story is intrinsically linked with the story of Manchester Airport, and of the Runway Visitor Park, as for most of its years of active service, Concorde was a regular visitor to Manchester and its iconic silhouette even appeared in the airport’s former logo, such was its resonance with passengers and planespotters.

“The Runway Visitor Park now provides a permanent home for British Airways’ flagship G-BOAC, which transported members of the Royal Family among other famous faces.

“It’s the perfect setting to celebrate the anniversary of its retirement.”

Read more:

The exclusive Concorde 20th Anniversary Gala event takes place on Friday 27 October from 6pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £90 per person.

If you fancy it, you can grab yours here.

Featured Image – Manchester Airport

What's On

Thousands of FREE tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at AO Arena have been released

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There are thousands of free tickets up for grabs to attend ‘The Big Night of Musicals’ in Manchester next year which features a variety of theatre classics.

The curtain has risen once again as returning favourite, The Big Night of Musicals, is coming to AO Arena for a fourth year.

Hosted once again by the one and only Jason Manford, this event contains segments from some of the world’s greatest theatre productions.

Fronted by The National Lottery, this showcase is a thank you to all players whose money has supported more than 20,000 theatre-related projects totalling £1.3 billion.

These funds have been used on many performing arts resources including restoring theatres and enabling hundreds of musical-related projects to commence.

This isn’t something to be missed out on as the bill is shaping up to be one of the event’s biggest to date featuring stars from the West End and some of the most notorious shows.

Attendees can expect to hear some familiar favourites in the likes of Bat Out of Hell, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, Mean Girls and more.

There’s even an exclusive preview of the upcoming theatre adaptation of a Disney superhero as snippets from ‘Hercules’ will be performed live.

Guests even have a chance to be in the same room as musical theatre legend Carrie Hope Fletcher as she takes on the role of Calamity Jane in the theatre show of the same name.

Dear Evan Hansen is also on the bill and if you aren’t free for the musical ensemble, it’s running at Palace Theatre Manchester from 18-22 February next year and tickets are available right now.

Read more:

This event has a super varied lineup too, from throwback pop bangers to Wild West heroines, this night really caters to everyone.

In true musical style, there will be big, bold performances and, of course, lots of excellent surprises all set to make a fantastic night of live music at the AO Arena.

All National Lottery players have the chance to reserve up to four tickets, the only cost is proof they’ve purchased a product from the National Lottery and a £2 booking fee per ticket.

Tickets for the ‘Big Night of Musicals’ on 25 January are already on sale you can try your luck at grabbing some free seats HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (Supplied)

What's On

The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.

The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.

With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.

With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.

The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.

Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.

This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?

In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.

With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.

Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.

Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin Compston
Vicky McClure leading the dance routines

This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.

The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.

This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.

Read more:

So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?

Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.

Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity Picture via Supplied

More What's On

City Centre

Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back next month to kick off 2025

Paul McCartney will play in Manchester this weekend. Credit: credit MPL Communications - photographer MJ Kim

Audio

Paul McCartney at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour

Boroughs

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 December 2024

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches