What's On

Hundreds more FREE tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at the AO Arena released

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 3rd January 2024

Hundreds more tickets for The Big Night of Musicals have just been been released ahead of the show here in Manchester later this month.

And the best bit? They’re all FREE and up for grabs tomorrow.

In case you haven’t heard, the huge event will be taking to the stage at the AO Arena in the heart of Manchester city centre in just a couple of weeks time – with families and musical theatre fans of all ages set to be treated to a lineup of jaw-dropping performances from the biggest West End and touring musicals.

The cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, A Chorus Line, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Guys & Dolls, and the UK and Ireland tour of GREASE are just a handful of the superstars on the lineup.

Taking place on Monday 22 January, the National Lottery’s massive musical theatre celebration will be hosted by local comedian Jason Manford for the third year running, alongside special guest presenter, West End legend Beverley Knight.

Hundreds more free tickets to The Big Night of Musicals at the AO Arena have been released / Credit: Supplied

Manford and Knight are gearing up to guide the audience through a whistle-stop tour of an impressive selection of “the most mesmerising shows”.

“I’m thrilled to be back hosting The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals,” Jason Manford commented.

“[The show] once again has an incredible lineup of smash hit shows for the Manchester Arena audience to enjoy, and is a huge thank you to National Lottery players who have helped keep the magic of theatre alive across the UK.”

If some the already-announced musicals on the lineup aren’t enough to get you all excited as it is, just today, the show’s organisers have revealed that Hamilton, Disney’s Aladdin, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Mrs Doubtfire have all been announced to perform at the musical extravaganza too.

Echoing Manford’s commented, Beverly Knight added: “It’s great to be coming back to be part of this incredible show, as the support National Lottery players make to the theatre industry is crucial to the performers and myriad of people, both at large and small venues, who help make a night at the theatre so special.

The highly-anticipated show will be hosted by Jason Manford and Beverly Knight / Credit: Supplied

“I can’t wait to see this astonishing lineup of talent all under one roof.”

And, following the first ticket release for the hugely-anticipated event selling out in less than 24 hours, The National Lottery is offering fans one last chance to be a part of the musical spectacle by releasing hundreds more free tickets.

They’ll be up for grabs tomorrow morning (4 January).

All National Lottery players need to do is head on over to The Big Night of Musicals website here at 10am to be in the running for grabbing one of the final tickets. 

Read more:

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals returns on Monday 22 January at the AO Arena, and is also set to be aired on BBC One, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Sounds at a later date too.

Featured Image – Supplied

What's On

A FREE week-long event dedicated to Japan is coming to Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Japan Week Manchester events 2025

An event dedicated to the East Asian country of Japan is making its way to Manchester city centre this month.

Simply titled ‘Japan Week’, this cultural ceremony aims to package up all the things this East Asian country has to offer, such as music and theatre, compiling them into a fantastic five-day showcase.

Taking place this weekend and based over in the ever-flourishing First Street complex – which will serve as the main hub – the festival is open to all.

We love anything that shows off just how multicultural this city is.

On Friday, 5 September, from 3-5pm, you can watch the Japan Week opening ceremony, which is taking place on an outdoor stage at First Street with the running order including dance acts and even ceremonial-style samurai performances.

With so many artistic events and cultural dates taking place in the growing mini-district that is First St (including Jack Rosenthal Street and Tony Wilson Place), it’s the perfect site for this month’s showcase.

This opening procedure is actually called ‘Kagami Biraki’, and if you attend on the day, you’ll be able to see the traditional opening of the sake barrel, which symbolises unlocking good fortune and the spirit of celebration.

Japan Week is coming to First Street in the city centre from Thursday, 4 September to Tuesday, 9 September, and, perhaps best of all, there are absolutely no tickets required.

More events on the Japan Week 2025 programme will also be taking place at other venues too.

manchester city centre japanese festival
japan week 2025
(Credit: Manchester Japan 2025)

Yes, as the goal of the festivities is to spread awareness and celebrate Japanese heritage and its connection to Manchester, the event is completely FREE – as it should be.

You can find out more information HERE.

See you there, or should we say, ‘また会いましょう‘

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (via Japan Week website)

What's On

Nike and go-to online running shoe suppliers confirmed as new sponsors for Altrincham 10k

Danny Jones Danny Jones Nike sponsoring Altrincham 10k run

The annual Altrincham 10k just got a whole lot bigger and better ahead of this year’s run, as the annual race has just notched Nike as one of their new lead sponsors – and that’s not all.

Alty’s annual race is also being backed by SportsShoes.com, a.k.a. the go-to trainers supplier for so many runners, who will be presenting the 2025 edition in partnership with RunThroughUK.

Now part of RunThrough North‘s regular programme, Altrincham 10k continues to grow in size with each passing year, as demonstrated by getting such prestigious sponsors on board.

Taking place this weekend, the 2025 Alty 10k could just be the biggest yet.

Set to welcome approximately 3,500 runners to the Trafford market town’s central streets, the Altrincham 10k is one of the final large-scale running events on the local calendar.

Aligning both famous brands with the heart of Altrincham’s running community and, indeed, giving Greater Manchester’s wider sports culture, it’s yet more prestige for 0161.

The 2025 race will also see Nike showcase its latest road running line-up, including the newest
max cushioning shoe: the ‘Vomero Plus’; the responsive ‘Pegasus’ everyday trainer, as well as supportive
‘Structure’ model, meaning runners will get a chance to sample their latest styles.

As well as support from SportsShoes.com and official Nike ambassadors, North West native and GB triathlete Katie Halligan, Hits Radio presenter and ultra runner Hattie Pearson, as well as local Manc artist Emma Evans will all be there too.

These equally inspiring women have also been chosen to help represent Nike and RunThrough’s shared mission of attracting more female runners, as shown with events such as the recent 2025 Women’s Run Series back in April.

Co-Founder of RunThrough, Matt Wood, said of the new partnership: “Welcoming Nike as title sponsor of the Altrincham 10K, alongside our long-standing partner SportsShoes.com, is a huge milestone
for the event.

“This partnership highlights the growth of our community and the strength of our brand. We can’t wait to support the thousands of runners taking part in the Nike Altrincham 10K, Presented by SportsShoes.com.”

As for SportShoes, brand manager Gavin Bannister added: “The energy around this year’s 10K will be electric, and we can’t wait to see everyone out there chasing their goals and celebrating the power of running.

“From our own athletes to first-time runners, this event is all about showing up, pushing limits, and being part of something truly special, and that is what Nike and Sportsshoes.com are all about.”

Entries are still open for any of those interested in a last-minute place in the race on Sunday, 7 September – you can sign up HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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