X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke, and local comedian Ben Nickeless are among the names starring in this year’s festive pantomime at Manchester Opera House.
Promising theatre fans “everything you could wish for in a panto”, a festive production of Aladdin is coming to Manchester city centre next month, and will see Alexandra Burke make her pantomime debut as The Spirit of The Ring, joined by local comedian Ben Nickless as Aladdin’s hapless brother Wishee Washee.
Alexandra Burke may already be a household name in the UK – having sold over five million records with chart-toppers such as Bad Boys, Broken Heals, and Hallelujah – but she has now also established herself as one of the UK’s most sought-after West End leading ladies after starring in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess, Chicago, and is currently The Narrator in Michael Harrison’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at The London Palladium.
Rochdale-born comedian Ben Nickless started his working life playing the comedy clubs in the North West, before his career took off in 2006 when he performed his own style of comedy and impressions on the BBC television series Let Me Entertain You alongside Brian Conley and Christine Bleakley, winning his episode.
Ben returns to the Opera House panto, after having already played Muddles in Snow White and Buttons in Cinderella.
Speaking ahead of the panto’s arrival in Manchester, Michael Harrison – Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes – said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Alexandra has agreed to join us in panto this year [as] she’s a first-class performer and her stunning vocals are going to add a whole new dimension to this year’s show.
“Coupled with the quick-wit of the talented Ben Nickless, Manchester audiences are in for a real treat this Christmas.”
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Sheena Wrigley – Theatre Director for the Palace and Opera House Theatres – said: “After having to wait a little longer than usual for the fabulous pantomime to return to the Opera House, this year feels even more special for us all and we cannot wait to see families and friends enjoying the magic once more.
“There’s already a real buzz in the air and adding a truly special performer like Alexandra to the mix only adds to the excitement for this year – it can’t come quick enough.”
Aladdin runs at Manchester Opera House from Saturday 11 December 2021 to Sunday 2 January 2022 / Credit: Visit Manchester / Palace and Opera
Further casting will be announced later in the year.
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Aladdin is produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes, and audiences can expect it to feature spectacular special effects, live music, beautiful costumes and stunning sets.
Aladdin runs at Manchester Opera House from Saturday 11 December 2021 to Sunday 2 January 2022.
Tickets prices start at £13, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – Palace and Opera
Kids & Family
10 of the best North West light trails to visit this winter
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Christmas is fast approaching, meaning it’s time to wrap up warm and get booking your tickets for one of these fabulous, festive, family-friendly light trails, before the rush.
While many of us are still acclimatising to that familiar bite in the air and finally beginning to accept these darker mornings – it doesn’t have to all be doom and gloom.
There are plenty of activities across the North West currently gearing up to light the way through these dark months, as we head towards Christmas.
After all – nothing quite gets you in the mood like witnessing the first twinkly lights of the season, as our local areas are transformed into a vision of festive light and colour. Why not go the full mile and attend one of these amazing trails to maximise on that Christmas magic.
Here are our 10 suggestions…
Ignite Fire Festival – Rochdale
Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire FestivalIgnite Fire Festival returns this winter
The Ignite Fire Festival is set to once again unite thousands of locals and visitors alike in Rochdale, with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including hand-crafted blazing fire sculptures, pyrotechnics, and illuminated installations.
Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet.
This year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising, multi-sensory and immersive night time-trail ‘BODY,’ which will transport visitors on a journey, through the six zones of the human anatomy.
Ignite is a free festival running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.
Read more about it HERE, and click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – Chester
The flying Ford Anglia will even be in attendance
This immersive, multi-sensory, night-time trail is a chance to channel your inner witch or wizard, as you step into an enchanted woodland, under the night sky and transport yourself into a wintery world.
Along down the illuminated winding path, fans will encounter some familiar faces like Hagrid or the weird and wonderful creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, all brought to life through cutting-edge light shows and projections.
The installations will bring iconic scenes to life, as well as providing the perfect photo spots, opportunities for guests to practice their spell-casting skills, engage in a wand duel or summon a Patronus.
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland, with 14 different themed installations including Candy Cane Lane, a giant neon slinky, and shimmering nutcrackers, plus plenty of selfie spots along the route.
The Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November, all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Expect original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December, with reduced capacity and lower audio levels, to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Why not visit the glittering winter adventure at Tatton Park Gardens this winter?
This isn’t your average light trail – here, visitors have the chance to join in with festive mischief, toast marshmallows and discover magical surprises all along the route, it truly is an adventure for the whole family.
After dark, visitors are transported to an alternate reality with glowing installations and secret spaces throughout the gardens, encountering mythical creatures, inspired by ridiculous winter rituals.
The experience centres around a wonderful celebration of folklore, festive traditions and seasonal rituals, where guests should expect the unexpected with acrobats, puppets, curious characters, storytelling, live music and performances.
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This is such a special celebration of the season for all ages to get involved with, which practically guarantees getting you in the Christmassy mood.
After dark, the Lanterns & Light trail is set to completely transform Chester Zoo as we know it, into a brand new experience complete with festive lights, wildlife-themed displays, animal puppets and even adults-only evenings, for the very first time.
This year, the trail has been reimagined, with some mesmerising installations including the spectacular Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
Throughout the trail, visitors can expect to see some new life-sized animal puppets including parrots, dolphins and a giant polar bear, brought to life by specialist performers.
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Alongside the new additions, the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden are set to return, where guests can toast marshmallows and warm up with festive food, or hot drinks by the fire pits.
Oh and if that wasn’t enough – there will also be a chance to meet Father Christmas and explore the funfair, all while helping fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work.
This exotic event will be running between Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with two adults-only evenings, on 19 November and 8 December.
Last year, more than 140,000 people visited the trail, so be sure to book ahead.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Christmas at Dunham Massey, meaning you can be well assured that they know how to put on a fabulous festive event.
Christmas at Dunham Massey is a staple winter tradition for many in the North West and we can see why – designed by award-winning light trail producers, the gardens are completely transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, colour, fire, and immersive sounds.
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For 2026, the accessible, mile-long trail, promises a brand-new array of bewitching light installations, photo opportunities and projections on the historic house, in addition to the return of Father Christmas and the festive fairground.
This trail is built for all ages whether you want to bring a date, friends or your family – you are bound to enjoy the wide range of seasonal delicacies available from mulled wine, hot chocolates and plenty of food stalls to choose from.
While this trail is dog-friendly, there are accessible sessions available where only assistance dogs are allowed to join along.
The RHS Bridgewater’s 2026 celebration of light, ‘Glow,’ follows a brand-new route through the woodland, with two new breathtaking light art commissions – an enchanted forest and an immersive sunrise to sunset display.
These are in addition to a magical moon feature, the stunning Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden and the dynamic light show ‘Halo.’
This winter walk begins with a lovely selection of cafés, serving up some seasonal treats and the opportunity to toast marshmallows on the fire.
Get your tickets HERE and allow yourself to start getting excited.
How will you possibly pick which experience to go to? Whichever you settle on – be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X announce huge arena show in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Animated K-pop sensation KPop Demon Hunters will take to the stage in Manchester as part of a huge global arena tour.
Fans of Netflix smash hit KPop Demon Hunters will have the chance to see HUNTR/X live in Manchester next year, as the group brings its highly anticipated Golden World Tour to the AO Arena.
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey will arrive in the city next autumn, as part of a UK tour which will also visit Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Announced by Netflix and AEG Presents, the KPop Demon Hunters Golden World Tour will kick off globally in June 2027, with almost 50 cities and more than 150 performances planned across 2027 and 2028.
Promising to be much more than a traditional concert, the production will bring the world of KPop Demon Hunters to life through cutting-edge technology, live-action performers, spectacular stunts and the film’s hugely popular music and choreography.
Fans can expect appearances from HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira and Zoey, alongside the Saja Boys and Derpy Tiger, in an immersive experience designed to make the audience part of the action.
The show will feature music from the Netflix film, including its record-breaking hit Golden, with fans invited to sing and dance along as HUNTR/X take on their next adventure.
Since its release in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most popular film of all time, attracting more than 670 million views. Its soundtrack has also become a global phenomenon, with more than 15 billion streams worldwide.
The track Golden has enjoyed huge international success, becoming the first K-pop song to win both an Oscar and a Grammy.
Tickets for the KPop Demon Hunters Manchester show at AO Arena will go on general sale at 10am on Friday 20 November 2026.
There will also be opportunities to access tickets earlier, with the Mastercard presale beginning at 10am on Wednesday 18 November, followed by the FOR THE FANS presale at 10am on Thursday 19 November.
KPop Demon Hunters UK tour dates 2027
The UK leg of the Golden World Tour will visit four cities in October:
Tuesday 12 October – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 16 October – Utilita Arena Birmingham (matinee and evening)
Tuesday 19 October – AO Arena, Manchester
Friday 22 October – The O2, London
Saturday 23 October – The O2, London (matinee and evening)
Further international dates are expected to be announced.
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2021 
