What's On

Jason Manford announces huge Manchester gig at Co-op Live arena

Tickets go on sale this week.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th October 2023

Jason Manford has just announced a massive homecoming gig in Manchester at the new Co-op Live arena.

The Salford-born comedian will head out on his A Manford All Seasons tour in 2024, wrapping up here in Manchester in 2025.

He’ll perform at the huge new arena on 24 October 2025, the final night of his UK run.

This is the first comedy show to be announced at Co-op Live, joining an opening season that includes Jonas Brothers, Olivia Rodrigo, and seven nights with Take That.

Jason Manford’s gig is the second show to be announced for Co-op Live today alone, with Barry Manilow also confirmed to be performing on 19 May 2024.

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Jason Manford is one of the UK’s top comedians, a familiar face on stage and screen.

His A Manford All Seasons follows his Like Me run, which saw him play 280 shows across the country.

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Speaking of the tour, Jason Manford says: “People ask me what my favourite job is, acting, presenting, musicals etc. I love them all, but my favourite is still the privilege of doing a stand-up comedy.

Jason Manford has announced a Manchester Co-op Live gig for 2025.
Jason Manford has announced a Manchester Co-op Live gig for 2025. Credit: Supplied

“It’s just me, you, a microphone and a cracking venue. No cameras, no director, no viewing figures and no OFCOM!

“I can’t wait to see you again and have a good laugh at this mad world, it feels like it’s been ages.”

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Gary Roden, executive director and general manager at Co-op Live, says: “Being able to attract acts of the calibre of Jason Manford is exactly what we are all about and we are so excited that he is the first comedy act we have announced.

“Although Co-op Live has been built as a music-first venue, its versatility and intimacy bely its size making it perfect for stand-up comedy.

“Co-op Live is here to deliver unforgettable experiences to our audiences, and Jason’s show is going to do just that. The fact that he is also a local lad is the icing on the cake.”

Tickets will be available from 10am on Friday 13 October 2023. Co-op Members get first in line access to tickets from 10am on Wednesday 11 October 2023.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

What's On

Clubland to celebrate 25 years with huge arena show in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Clubland will return to the AO Arena Manchester for its 25th anniversary

Clubland is heading to Manchester for a special arena-sized anniversary celebration next year.

The Clubland Arena Tour promises a night of the biggest artists and biggest anthems, giving fans the chance to come together for a celebration of the dance music brand.

Celebrating 25 years of Clubland, the tour will stop off at arenas in Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and of course Manchester.

With the event set to take over one of Manchester’s biggest live entertainment venues, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a nostalgic night of club classics and dancefloor favourites – even before the lineup is announced.

The full line-up is expected to be announced very soon, with fans encouraged to keep an eye out for further details.

Previous headliners at Clubland Live have included Cascada, Basshunter, Scooter, Ultrabeat, and Vengaboys, always guaranteeing a night of non-stop anthems.

For many dance music fans, Clubland has become synonymous with the sounds that dominated clubs, radio playlists and party nights throughout the 2000s.

Clubland will return to the AO Arena Manchester for its 25th anniversary
Credit: Supplied

Over the years, Clubland has continued to celebrate the artists and songs that helped define an era of dance music, giving fans the chance to experience their favourite tracks live alongside thousands of like-minded clubbers.

From infectious pop-dance hits to harder-hitting electronic anthems, its events tap into a sense of nostalgia while keeping the energy of a night out firmly at the centre of the experience.

The 25th anniversary tour looks set to build on that legacy, bringing a quarter-century of club classics to arenas across the UK.

The Clubland Arena Tour will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 30 April 2027.

Tickets will go on sale on 30 October from 9.30am, but you can also register for the AO Arena presale to get early access to tickets on 29 October from 9.30am.

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Featured image: Photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash

What's On

Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail

There’s just one month to go until Manchester’s most spectacular festive light trail returns – and they’ve just announced details of the Christmas Village and six new food traders. 

Heaton Park will soon light up for Northern Lights Manchester, and the list of foodies making up this year’s Christmas Village has just been revealed.

With everything from chargrilled souvlaki to handmade pies and hot fruit crumble on the menu, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Brand new for 2026 is Chicken Hut, serving up the crispiest chicken tenders you’ve ever had, plus Greek Traditional Souvlaki bringing all of those delicious mediterranean flavours, The Lids & Co supplying mouthwatering customisable pies, and The Otley Burger Company, which was recently crowned the UK’s best food truck.

The above savoury offerings will be joined by the returning well-known and loved, The Sausage Factory, serving festive bratwurst, currywurst, and proper local Bury Black Pudding sausage.

If you’re after a sweet treat, they have enlisted Crumble & Custard to supply a range of warming fruit crumbles with creamy custard, while Crepes & Coffee will be providing all of the desserts you could desire, along with gorgeous hot chocolates providing the final nail in the food coma coffin.

If after all that you need a sit down, a pint or a mulled wine, the Bees Knees Tavern is the place to go.

Emma St. Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “There’s something very festive about finishing a trip through Christmases past with a hot crumble and custard. 

The linup for Northern Lights' festive food village has been announced
The linup for Northern Lights’ festive food village has been announced
The Bees Knees pub will return
The Bees Knees pub will return
You can warm up here after your walk around the Heaton Park light trail
You can warm up here after your walk around the Heaton Park light trail

“Food is a big part of the night out at Northern Lights, and we’re excited to welcome six new traders plus The Sausage Factory and the Bees Knees Tavern from last year.With the Ferris wheel in the Christmas Village and a whole new trail across Heaton Park, there’s plenty to explore this year. We’re just over a month from opening and can’t wait to see everyone back.”

As for the trail itself – Heaton Park is to be transformed into a toy box of memories, with 15 brand-new installations, inspired by the toys and traditions that would have topped Christmas wish lists in the past.

Whether you fancy a trip down memory lane or you just fancy a wintery trip out, one thing is for certain, this is one Christmas experience you don’t want to miss out on.

First, visitors will have the opportunity to wander along the colourful path, as part of the Walkway of Wonder, where bright stained-glass panels glow like windows in an old fairytale. Then back to the sixties you go, down Lava Lamp Lane, where glowing blobs of colour mesmerisingly float across the ground and into the trees – which may even be enough to inspire you to dig out that old lava lamp you once had collecting dust on your shelf.

If you once considered yourself a pro at Scalextric, the Retro Racers installation may bring back some memories, where visitors will be able to send lights shooting around a giant racetrack.

Northern Lights Manchester will return next month
Northern Lights Manchester will return next month
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park

By this point you may need a bit of warming up – head on past the giant nutcrackers and get cosy by the fire pits beneath the festoon lights, for some marshmallow toasting.

Don’t be alarmed if you see giant candy canes marching along Candy Cane Crossing, like Manchester’s biggest peppermint dream, before you reach O Christmas Tree which would make the perfect spot for a photo.

I’m sure we all remember THE Christmas catalogue – the one many of us spent hours flicking thorough and circling our desired gifts? Well, this year pupils from a local primary school have filled its pages with their own fantastic drawings of classic toys.

Finally, you will find that the Lakehouse winds itself into cuckoo-clock as the trail comes to a close.

It is important to note the route is fully accessible, with dedicated neuro-inclusive evenings when visitor numbers are reduced by 75% and audio levels are lowered throughout.

Event information

  • Dates: 19 November – 31 December 2026
  • Location: Heaton Park, Manchester
  • Opening times:
    • 4:30pm – 8:15pm (19–26 November)
    • 4:15pm – 8:15pm (27 November – 31 December)

Northern Lights Manchester tickets

Unsurprisingly, tickets are selling quickly, with over 100,000 of you expected to attend this year – don’t hang about.

  • Under 2s go free
  • Child tickets (3-16 years) from £13.50
  • Adult tickets from £19.50
  • Family tickets from £60

Click HERE to book your tickets. Use the code LIGHTS20 for 20% off until 31 October 2026

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Follow @northernlightsmanchester on social media.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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