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.
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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The ENTIRE Manchester Village Pride lineup cost £20k less to book than ONE headliner last year
Daisy Jackson
Bosses behind Manchester Village Pride have revealed that the entire lineup has cost significantly less than the amount spent on just one headliner last year.
In a statement promising transparency, organisers said that the entire weekend of artists has cost less than one single headliner from 2025.
And by some margin – £20,000.
The announcement comes less than a year after the previous Manchester Pride organisation entered voluntary liquidation amid rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ‘ambitious refresh’ of the festival format.
That refresh included moving the main music portion of the annual LGBTQ+ celebration away from the Gay Village itself, and over to Depot Mayfield.
The collapse of Manchester Pride followed reports that performers from the 2025 event were still waiting to be paid, with entertainment union Equity later saying its members were more than £70,000 out of pocket.
Manchester Village Pride was subsequently established as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, with organisers promising a more community-focused approach and greater transparency around finances.
The 2026 event is being delivered with unpaid directors, while organisers have also signed an Equity agreement guaranteeing fair pay and professional standards for performers – the first UK union agreement of its kind for a Pride event.
Performing at Manchester Village Pride this year are major artists like Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, Gareth Gates, Kate Nash, Cascada, and Rowetta.
They’re joined by a lineup of fantastic home-grown talent, including artists, DJs, and drag queens, taking our city’s Pride celebrations back to their roots, and keeping things firmly in the Gay Village.
In their statement, Manchester Village Pride said: “Transparency time! Booking this entire weekend of fabulous artists cost us £20k UNDER what was spent on a single headliner last year. This is what community Pride looks like!”
Manchester Village Pride will once again take place over the August bank holiday weekend, with the party running for four days from Friday to Monday.
The celebrations will culminate in the moving candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.
Ticket prices this year, even with just over a week to go, are only £40 for the full three-day festival, or £25 for one day. Monday will be free to attend.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and tickets are already on sale… genuinely.
Sure, it’s literally the middle of August, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is already looking ahead to the most magical time of year.
The iconic heritage railway has announced that its hugely-popular ‘Santa Specials’ steam trains are back once again from late November.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West.
Santa Specials are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make ‘enchanted memories’ that last a lifetime.
You can ALREADY book tickets for Greater Manchester’s beloved Santa steam trains this Christmas / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (via ELR)
The truly special Christmas day out starts as you make your way through a winter wonderland at Bury Bolton Street Station, and first get to meet some old favourites and new characters – including the magical talking Christmas tree, Mrs Claus, and ELR’s very own Ice Princess – all before before having a singalong with a chorus of musical polar bears.
The festive fun then continues on the Santa Special steam trains themselves – with an 80-minute ‘enchanting voyage’ through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
And, of course, you can expect a special visit from Santa while you’re on board.
After you’ve grabbed a selfie or two with the big man himself, the grown-ups can look forward to mince pies and festive tipples, while little Mancs can enjoy a soft drink, some chocolate, and take a festive-themed activity pack home with them.
Emily Sergeant -
13th October 2023 
