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.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester later this month… and there’s some spooky surprises in store.
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, or you just fancy releasing your inner child, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only at the end of the month.
The museum will become your playground once it’s closed for the day as you settle in for a unique evening of live music, giant interactive games, and spooky surprises for Halloween.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also get free access to the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, which just opened earlier this year, and get to indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming extravaganza.
Especially for spooky season, you can look forward to some very special one-off events too, like stellar performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, a cosmic cabaret with live vocals, and a monster mash-up soundtrack guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit.
There’ll also be a chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster popping up the museum as part of Halloween in the City’s iconic Manchester Monsters trail.
And as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be open on the night, serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions.
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’
Emily Sergeant
A weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ is returning to Manchester next month.
Taking over Manchester Central in early November, The Good Clothes Show is set to make a return to our city for one of the most fashionable weekends of the year, and will bring together dozens of brilliant independent brands, vintage and pre-loved treasures, hands-on workshops, catwalks, expert talks, and more all under one roof.
Visitors can expect an extensive shopping lineup of independent fashion brands, local artisans, contemporary labels, vintage specialists and pre-loved sellers.
At the heart of the weekend is a huge programme of opportunities to ‘learn, make, mend, and transform.’
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
You’ll get to try everything from darning, sashiko, and crochet, to creating makeup bags, transforming shirts, and upcycling football tops. Or if you fancy something completely different, there’ll be a chance to make a fascinator from scrap materials, create a statement necklace, or give tired old shoes a spectacular new lease of life.
No matter whether you’re a complete beginner or already quite handy with a sewing needle, organisers say The Good Clothes Show it’s all about learning new skills and leaving inspired.
And this year, TV star Leigh Francis is joining the fun as the show’s special guest for the weekend too.
Get ready for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ / Credit: Supplied
There’s plenty happening beyond the shopping and workshops, as you can take a seat beside The Good Catwalk, get ideas and advice at The Style Stop, hear from fashion voices and changemakers, or simply stop for a glass of sparkling and compare shopping finds.
And it’s not just about the grown-ups either, as The Kids Club will encourage the next generation to discover design, textiles, and creativity through hands-on activities of their own.
Daisy Jackson -
20th November 2023 
