The full Christmas programme at The Bridgewater Hall has been announced, with plenty of festive events on the bill over the coming weeks.
The beautiful concert hall’s line-up includes singalong Christmas carols and live orchestras bringing movie magic to life.
You’ll be able to see soundtracks from blockbuster films and TV shows like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones performed by a full symphony orchestra.
The music of legendary film composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams will then go head-to-head in an epic concert celebrating their scores.
And it’ll be Christmas overload with All I Want for Christmas… Live!, a brand-new show combining festive pop hits with singing, dancing, and even fireworks.
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The upcoming concerts at Bridgewater Hall make for a perfect Christmas night out – here are some highlights.
The Music of Lord of the Rings and Beyond
Sunday 10 December
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It’s one of the biggest film franchises of all time, with an epic score – and the music of The Lord of the Rings will be performed by a full symphony orchestra at this Bridgewater Hall event.
J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit will also be included, along with fantasy TV show Game of Thrones.
There’ll be a stunning choir on hand too to deliver a concert full of the greatest movie music of all time.
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All I Want For Christmas…Live!
Tuesday 19 December
A brand-new show presented by Raymond Gubbay, All I Want For Christmas…Live! will blend festive pop hits and traditional favourites.
There’ll be a dazzling live ensemble including The Manchester Concert Orchestra and four headline singers, plus dancers, fireworks, lights, and incredible live music.
Christmas Carol Singalong
24 December
What better way to welcome Christmas Eve than by singing your way into the big day, with a huge carol singalong?
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Jonathan Cohen will lead his audience through the very best seasonal classics in a family-friendly extravaganza.
Expect to be belting out songs including Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Merry Christmas Everyone, Frosty the Snowman, and carols like Good King Wenceslas, O come, all ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
The Music of Zimmer Vs Williams
Wednesday 27 December
The worlds of two of the world’s most legendary film composers of all time – Hanz Zimmer and John Williams – will collide this winter at the Bridgewater Hall.
This epic concert will celebrate the movie scores of both men, whose CVs including E.T., Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman Begins, Star Wars, and many more.
Rochdale to be filled with fiery sculptures for return of dazzling Ignite Fire Festival
Daisy Jackson
A magical trail of fire sculptures and light installations will return to Rochdale this month, spilling across the square and gardens around the almighty Rochdale Town Hall.
Ignite Fire Festival will be back in town this winter between 21 and 23 November, for three free nights of spectacular shows, light trails and family-friendly entertainment.
That’s alongside an ice rink and Christmas market, too.
It’s all in the lead-up to the festive lights switch-on and will include a 20-strong drumming collective, blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
This year’s Ignite Fire Festival will be the biggest yet, Rochdale Borough Council has promised, with artworks created once again by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The event will kick off on the Friday of the festival with a torchlight procession to officially launch the new Broadfield Slopes, which has been carefully restored to deliver new pathways and parkland in the town centre.
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent and ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Rochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Walk the Plank / Alan Hamer
There‘ll also be hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.
Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village will also be open and running until 4 January, although advance booking is advised.
Councillor Sue Smith says: “Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas Light’s Switch On has been a huge hit with audiences across Greater Manchester.
“This year, with the addition of a new illuminated trail around our beautifully restored slopes area, the ice rink and the return of a Christmas Market it really will be the ultimate winter experience.”
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will open from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November, with dazzling shows between 5pm and 8pm.
One of the installations from last yearDisplays will be open to walk through each eveningRochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Andy KruczekExpect flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent.Credit: Rochdale Borough CouncilBack again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’. Credit: Supplied
Then there’ll be the Christmas lights switch-on taking place from 5.30pm on the Sunday, with Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The festival is also supported by The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes, who will have plant equipment at the event to inspire future careers in the construction industry and highlight opportunities available.
BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider is also supporting, and will have a presence at the festival.
Find out more about Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale HERE.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
Daisy Jackson
One of the coolest Christmas party venues in the UK will reopen its doors in Greater Manchester this winter, whisking you away for an apres-ski-inspired party.
All the vibes of a classic apres-ski experience will be brought to a pop-up Yurt Village, each one decorated with log fires, Christmas trees, ski racks, fur throws, and even cable cars.
Spending your Christmas ‘do at the YurtBar pop-up in Sale means you could have an evening packed with steins of beer, live music, and ski shots, surrounded by your loved ones (… or colleagues).
And to celebrate its triumphant return to Manchester, we’ve got a lovely 20% discount for The Manc readers – find out how to claim yours below.
Each yurt in the YurtBar’s pop-up village is a different size, so there’s the right event space for everything from a 350-strong private Christmas party to a table for six for a birthday night out.
An apres-ski yurt village is returning to Greater Manchester for Christmas party season
They’re all named after and inspired by iconic European ski resorts, like Chamonix, Val D’Isere, and Avoriaz.
On arrival at the festive Yurt Village you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink before tucking into an Alpine-themed three-course meal by The Hog and Apple.
That includes a festive arancini ‘snowball’, slow-cooked beef daube with mash, cabbage and a sticky bourguignon sauce, and an Alpine sharing board for dessert with a chocolate log, Aperol spritz cheesecake, and lemon posset pots.
And to get the party started there’s a full cocktail bar, plus live music with a DJ and saxophonist.
You’ll be able to document your festive celebration in a photobooth with an Alpine themed backdrop, as well as a 360 degree videobooth.
Billed by previous customers as ‘the best night of the year’, YurtBar bookings are now open for minimum tables of six.
The Manc readers can get an exclusive 20% off their booking by using the code yurtbar20 – book your party HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
20th November 2023 
