The award-winning, world-famous nature documentary series Planet Earth is heading back to Manchester with a live concert experience.
The hit BBC series, narrated by the legendary David Attenborough, will be at the AO Arena in October with a full live orchestra.
Audiences will be whisked away to forests, oceans and deserts with breath-taking footage from the latest series shown on an enormous 4K LED screen.
We’ll see animal dramas that are funny and thrilling (and yes, sometimes a little sad – who could ever recover from the cliff-jumping baby goslings?).
The latest Planet Earth series and the concert will document how the natural world is adapting to an ever-changing planet, where humans play a critical role.
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And the Planet Earth III Live in Concert experience will be further heightened with a music score by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, plus Jacob Shea and Sara Barone for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic orchestra.
Hans Zimmer also worked in collaboration with Brit-winning and Grammy-nominated Bastille, and Mercury Prize Award nominated singer-songwriter RAYE.
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There’ll be just three special performances across the UK this year, including the spectacle arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
The announcement of the new show comes off the back of successful runs for Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II Live in Concert arena tours.
As always, the stunning footage will come from the multi-award-winning team at BBC Studios Natural History Unit.
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Hans Zimmer commented: “Creating scores for any of the BBC’s Natural History series is always an honour for me as there are no more epic stories than those occurring naturally every day in our own planet’s ecosystem.
“For Planet Earth III it’s been a further privilege to work with the incredible world class talents of Bastille who created wonderful vocals on the soundscape for the series, and RAYE with her a beautiful, poignant prequal track.”
The series itself was filmed over 1,904 days, in 43 countries and across six continents.
Mike Gunton, the Executive Producer of the Planet Earth III television series says: “Planet Earth III is about the resilience and adaptability of nature, and the remarkable animals that are changing their lives to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world dominated more than ever by a powerful force: us. It’s full of surprise and wonder but seen from a new perspective”.
Dominic Walker, Global Business Director at BBC Studios said: “After the successful Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II Live In Concert tours, we are delighted to continue our partnership with FKP Scorpio and bring the amazing Planet Earth III to London and Manchester, showcasing the BBC’s ground breaking natural history content on the stage for fans to enjoy once again.”
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Planet Earth III will be at Manchester AO Arena on Sunday 6 October, 2024.
Pre-sale tickets are available from Wednesday 20 February 2024 and general on sale tickets available from Friday 23 February 2024. For further ticket information go to www.Planetearth3concert.com
Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 FREE shows and hundreds of performers
Emily Sergeant
Things are getting all festive in Stockport as more than 50 free shows and hundreds of performers prepare to descend the town centre.
Back by popular demand to kick off Christmas in style, especially after the inaugural event resulted in the busiest Sunday for the Greater Manchester town’s centre since 2019, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning next month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over Stockport for the day, with another new lineup for 2025 promising something for the whole family.
Stockport’s ‘captivating’ Christmas festival is back with 50 free shows and hundreds of performers / Credit: Supplied
Think a giant carnival bee, stilt-walking Christmas Belles, comedy chefs, bouncing snowmen, cocky robins, roaming bands, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Produced by renowned carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway, and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement from midday right through to 5pm, as performers take over iconic Stockport locations.
Head to Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock, and Suffragette Square to make the most of all the festive fun.
Spectacular Sunday always marks the start of Stockport’s festive season, and 2025 is no different.
“Stockport likes to do Christmas in its own way, and our Spectacular Sunday event is about filling the town with energy, music and performance and giving visitors something unexpected at every turn,” explained Totally Stockport CEO, Mark Ross.
“It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the independent spirit that makes Stockport what it is.
“This event shows how we kick off the festive season in a way that’s truly unique to our town, and we can’t wait to see everyone back this November.”
Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday 2025 is taking over the town centre next month on Sunday 16 November from 12pm onwards.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Are you a dog person? Love seeing lots of little pups in the same place? Looking for your dog to make some four-legged friends?
Well you’re in luck, as the Pup Up Cafe is heading back out on a tour of the UK next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t already flipping cute enough as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your fur baby.
If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then both the ‘Jingle Paws’ all-breeds and dedicated ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafes – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – are returning to Manchester in late November.
The adorable events will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
A festive pop-up cafe filled with hundreds of dogs in Christmas jumpers is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Last year, hundreds of different dogs visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.
Whether you’re a dog owner yourself, or just a big fan, everyone’s free to attend to mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on canine-related goodies as early Christmas presents.
There’ll be ball pits, toys, and tunnels for all the zoomies, while the pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos.
With up to 50 dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.
A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.
So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 23 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dog person who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.
Daisy Jackson -
13th February 2024 
