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Festive film favourite The Muppet Christmas Carol to be screened with a live orchestra in Manchester

An undeniable Christmas classic told in the most magical way possible.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th October 2023

One of the best-loved Christmas films is being screened with a live orchestra playing its iconic soundtrack later this December.

It may have only been a couple of weeks since autumn officially started, but with the nights drawing in, the air starting to feel more wintery by the day, and the spooky season soon to be over and done with, it won’t be long before Disney fans get all cosy and sit down to watch the classic that is The Muppet Christmas Carol.

The festive film has become an undeniable family favourite after it was originally released all the way back in 1992, and is now watched by millions of households right across the globe every time December rolls around.

Starring the Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and of course, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and co as the supporting cast of characters, The Muppet Christmas Carol is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s Charles Dickens’ legendary Christmas story… but with The Muppets.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is being screened with a live orchestra in Manchester this December / Credit: Disney

It tells the story of Scrooge, an old miserable man that dislikes Christmas, who is visited by spirits who foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, which eventually help to change his outlook on life.

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But, if popping on the Christmas classic is already one of your festive traditions, then how do you fancy watching it live in concert as well?

Well, that’s exactly what’s happening at The Bridgewater Hall here in Manchester this December.

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Back by popular demand, The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert is heading out on a tour of the UK starting late next month, and our city’s the lucky one as it’s stopping-off here on the date closest to Christmas Day itself.

It’s sounding set to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family / Credit: Kian Zhang (via Unsplash)

Sounding set to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family, the one-off event will feature a screening of the complete 1992 film, with award-winning composer duo Miles Goodman and Paul Williams’ magical musical score performed live to accompany the Christmas classic.

The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert will be at The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday 20 December at 3pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back anywhere from £34-£70.

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Given how much of a success the event was when it last toured, and the fact it’s really close to Christmas this year, tickets are already being snapped up fast, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands of them.

Grab your tickets on the Bridgewater Hall’s website here.

Featured Image – Disney

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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.

Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Markets in all their glory.

This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.

A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.

Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.

Best sandwich at Manchester Christmas Markets.
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You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.
Waffle Kart at Manchester Christmas Markets
Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.

There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.

Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.

This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.

These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.

Although the tour doesn’t include the cost for the amount of gifts and presents you’re about to buy while walking round the event, it’s definitely an innovative way to explore everything Manchester has to offer at Christmastime.

This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.

If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.

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Featured Image: The Manc Group

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Manchester’s new real-life Pac-Man experience is coming soon and you can grab early bird tickets

Danny Jones Danny Jones Real-life Pac-Man experience Manchester

Manchester already boasts a whole host of interactive games bars and activity destinations to boast, but we feel pretty confident in saying that there are very places on the planet where you can find a place to play a real-life version of Pac-Man.

First announced back in October and now scheduled to debut in March 2025, the Pac-Man Live Experience is the newest addition to Manchester’s growing entertainment scene and it’s promising to be a popular one too.

This brand-new life-sized immersive experience plunges players into the nostalgic world of the iconic video game we all know and love, only instead of using joysticks on an old-school arcade machine, they’ll physically sprint, dodge, and chomp their way through a maze.

Although the launch itself is still a few months away, the team behind this ingenious idea are getting ready for the frenzy and putting early bird tickets on sale ahead of opening day.

Credit: Concept Image (supplied)

So how does it work?

Good question: participants can gear up in a PAC vest and step into the role of the instantly recognisable yellow chomper, collecting power pellets, dodging the classic ghost characters – BLINKY, PINKY, INKY, and CLYDE – and racking up points on their way to victory.

Guided through an epic 12-level adventure, players will be led by the ‘PAC-MASTER’: a lively gameshow host who serves as commentator and referee; players will also be accompanied by immersive in-game effects like sound bites, lighting, and haptic (vibration) feedback to elevate the experience. Cool, right?

The striking Arcade Arena will feature two massive PAC-MAN courts projected onto the floor, while dynamic visuals transform the walls, fully immersing participants in the retro arcade universe. There’s no need for headsets either, so players can embark on a multi-sensory adventure, seamlessly blending the real world with augmented reality.

Created by Tom Lionetti-Maguire, the CEO and Founder of Little Lion Entertainment – the same team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, Tomb Raider, and Chaos Karts to the likes of London and more recently Manchester –

The whole thing has been brought to life in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment, lending the proper licensing to make the experience feel both fun and authentic. It’s the real deal.

Credit: Supplied

Early bird tickets for Pac-Man Live Manchester

If you’re not sold on playing a human-sized, real-life game of Pac-Man in a huge augmented-reality arena right here in Manchester then we don’t know what to tell you, to be honest – all we know is that we’ll be first in line when it arrives.

The Pac-Man Live Experience comes to the Arcade Arena on 22 March next year in line with the game’s 40th anniversary, and they’re inviting players of all ages and providing engaging gameplay for younger participants while delivering a nostalgic throwback that parents and grandparents will cherish.

Better yet, if you book during the early bird window, you can access discount ticket prices from just £25 per person too.

Early bird tickets go on sale at 12 noon today (Thursday, 21 November) – you can grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Supplied

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