What's On

Major Greater Manchester names on lineup as BBC Comedy Festival heads north for 2026

BBC Comedy Festival gives fans the chance to get together, discuss, and celebrate comedy.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th April 2026

The BBC’s popular comedy festival heading up north next month, and there’s some major local names on the lineup.

Previously held in other major cities like Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Newcastle but this year pitching up in Liverpool, the BBC Comedy Festival is opportunity for those working in the TV industry to get together, discuss, and celebrate comedy.

Bolton‘s finest Diane Morgan, alongside other northern names like John Bishop, Lee Mack, Sir Michael Palin, and Sue Johnston are among a stellar lineup of comedy talent taking part in next month’s festival, as well as other big names like Ruth Jones, James Corden, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and the creators and producers of hit BBC show Amandaland.

Talent on the lineup will take part in a selection of talks, panels, screenings, and live comedy shows across the two days – with many events also being open to the public to attend.

Sir Michael Palin and Lee Mack are two major names appearing at BBC Comedy Festival 2026 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Ralph PH | Amanda Benson)

Last year’s BBC Comedy Festival proved to be a big success, with 16 panels and masterclasses, and more than 70 comedy names taking to the stage.

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The BBC says the 2026 festival in Liverpool – which is set to take place on 13 and 14 May – ‘marks the start’ of expanded script‑development opportunities across the North West, with more details to come.

Alongside some of the more household names on the lineup, other comedians set to appear this year include Ash Atalla, Jessica Knappett, Philippa Dunne, Michael Odewale, Emma Garrett, David Mumemi, and Simon Mayhew Archer, among many others.

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Speaking ahead of the festival next month, Jon Petrie, who is the Director of Comedy at the BBC, said: “Liverpool has funny bones and a rich culture of producing top tier comedy creatives, so we’re delighted to be bringing the BBC Comedy Festival 2026 to the city.

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“Comedy occupies a unique place in the television industry and British culture.

“It’s important that we provide a forum that brings together some of the best comedy minds to celebrate and discuss the success of the sector now and in the future.”

Featured Image – BBC / Al Campbell

What's On

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – prices for beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Food and drink prices at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026

It’s timeeeeee… Manchester Christmas Markets are officially open for 2026.

Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

This year sees an even bigger return of Albert Square, and there’s also some new locations too for 2026. Lincoln Square has joined in on the action, and there’s also some big changes to St Ann’s Square – with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’, bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.

There’s a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre, but we know there’s one question on everyone’s lips… ‘what’s it gonna cost me?’.

We’ve been running around the markets this morning checking out all the prices on things like beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more, so without further ado, here’s everything you need to know.

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Average food and drink prices at Manchester Christmas Markets 2026

  • Mulled wine – £6.50
  • Beer – £7
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Hot chocolate – £5
  • Bratwurst – £8

Albert Square

Bratwurst King on Albert Square
Bratwurst King on Albert Square
The North Pole pub at Albert Square
The North Pole pub at Albert Square

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8
  • Halal hot dog – £9
  • Currywurst – £9
  • Glühwein – £6
  • Krombacher lager – £6 a pint, £3 a half pint
  • Soft drinks – £2

Macaroons and Loaded Chocolate

  • Coconut macaroons (+ chocolate / caramel drizzle) – £2.50
  • Loaded hot chocolates (original and various flavours) – £5
  • Hot drinks – from £3-£4.50

North Pole Pub

  • Prosecco – £7
  • Wine – £6 small, £8 medium, £9.50 large
  • Mulled wine – £7
  • Caramel rum – £8.50
  • Toffee cider – £8.50
  • Spiced apple & cinnamon – £8.50
  • Lager – £4 half pint, £7 pint, £14 stein
  • Cider – £4 half pint, £6.50 pint, £13 stein
  • Guinness – £4.50 half pint, £7.50 pint, £15 stein (£5.50 – Guinness 0%)
  • Cocktails – £11.50

The Wine Barrel Bar

  • Hot cocktails – £9-£9.50
  • Cocktails – £6-£9
  • Traditional glühwein – £7.50 (£10 for added spirits)
  • Wine and prosecco – £7.50
  • Beer – £4 half pint, £7 pint

The Falala Bar

  • Cocktails – £11
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Mulled wine (various flavours) – £7 small, £8.50 large
  • Hot liqueur – £9.50
  • Mocktails – £6-£6.50
  • Soft drinks – £2.50-£3

Float Bar

  • Cocktails – £10
  • Prosecco – £6.50-£8.50
  • Seasonal spiced wines – £6.50
  • Spirit & mixer – £6.50 single, £8.50 double
  • Hot drinks – £4.50
  • Boozy hot chocolates – £7.50

Apres Ski Bar

  • Prices TBC

Lincoln Square

Old Saint Nick’s Christmas Bar

  • Prices TBC

St Ann’s Square

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 has a Guinness bar on St Ann's Square
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 has a Guinness bar on St Ann’s Square

Guinness Bar

  • Guinness – £4.75 half pint, £7.75 pint, £15.50 stein (£5.50 – Guinness 0%)
  • Baby Guinness shot – £5
  • Beer – £4.50 half pint, £7 pint, £14 stein
  • Cider – £4 half pint, £6.50 pint, £13 stein
  • Hot liqueurs – £8.50
  • Spirit & mixers – £8-£10
  • Soft drinks – £3.50 small, £4.40 large

Der Grill

  • Extra large grilled sausage – £8 (+ £1 onion)
  • Winter cocktails (various) – £7.50-£9.50

Main Bar

  • Glühwein – £7.50
  • Glühwein specials – £10.50
  • Lager & pilsner – £4 half pint, £7 pints
  • Hot chocolate – £4

Loaded Roasties

  • Spiced rum – £7
  • Mulled wine – £6
  • Soft drinks – £2.50

Cirque de Noel

  • Prices TBC

Exchange Square

The Mill Exchange

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  • Homemade mulled wine (various flavours) – £7 small, £8.50 large
  • Cocktails – £11
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Kir Royale and Cointreau Royale – £8
  • Sparkling sangria and Negroni spritz – £10
  • Boozy hot chocolates – £8.50
  • Hot chocolate – £4.50 (deluxe flavours £5.50)
  • Tea – £2.50
  • Soft drinks – £3

Mamma Mia

  • Fine Italian wines – £7
  • Aperol spritz – £8
  • Beer – £3.50 half pint, £6.50 pint

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8
  • Glühwein – £6
  • Krombacher lager – £6 a pint, £3.50 a half pint
  • Soft drinks – £2

The Hot Chocolate Bar

  • Standard hot chocolate – £5.50
  • ‘Hug in a mug’ hot chocolate – £8.0
  • Shots and flavours – extra £1 and £3
  • Signature creations – £9-£10
  • Chocolate shots – £4.95
  • Irish Cream Shot – £8

New Cathedral Street & Cathedral Gardens

The Witch House

  • Bratwurst – £9
  • BBQ hot dog – £9
  • Currywurst & fries – £12.50
  • Vodka, gin & JD – £6.50 single, £8 double
  • Glühwein – £6.50
  • Hot chocolate – £4.50 (£6.50 for boozy)
  • Beer & cider – £3.50 half pint, £6.50 pint
  • Hot Aperol – £6.50
  • Wine – £6
  • Sparkling wine – £6.50
  • Soft drinks – £2.50

C&C – Chocolate & Coffee

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  • Strawberry waffle cone – £10
  • Strawberry & brownie waffle cone – £11
  • Strawberry pot – £10
  • Extra toppings – £2
  • Hot chocolates – £5.95 (+ syrup £1, shot £3)
  • Chocolate shots – £4.95
  • Irish Cream shot – £8

King Street

Bratwurst on King Street at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Bratwurst on King Street at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
The Grumpy Moose bar on King Street
The Grumpy Moose bar on King Street

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8

Float Bar

  • Draught beers & ciders – £6.50-£7
  • Slushy cocktails – £8
  • Seasonal spiced wines – £6.50
  • Wines by the glass £6
  • Spirit & mixer – £7.50 single, £10.50 double

The Grumpy Moose

  • Mulled wine or cider – £6.50, or £9.50 with spirit
  • Prosecco – £7, or £9 with extra liqueur
  • Spritzes – £10
  • Cocktails – £10
  • Spirit and mixer – £7.50
  • Coffees – £4.50
  • Hot chocolate – £5, or £8 with extra booze

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Featured Image – Manchester City Council

What's On

Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.

In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.

Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.

Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.

Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied

At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.

Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.

The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.

Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied

The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.

Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.

“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”

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Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.

It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.

Featured Image – Supplied

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