A cruise company in Manchester are hosting a range of musical-themed cruise trips inspired by legendary household singing greats.
Manchester River Cruises is giving guests the opportunity to sail the Salford Quays with live entertainment from professional tribute acts such as Queen of Country, Dolly Parton and the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis.
The events are scheduled throughout the autumn season, take you through various parts of the city and can hopefully help carry you through the summer slump.
Adele is the first musical icon embarking on the gorgeous Salford Quays with her impressive vocals and sombre ballads. Guests can sing along to tracks from the powerhouse artist followed by a megamix of soul, Motown, disco and many more.
A hunk, a hunk of burning love is hitting the waters next is Elvis Live, continuing the music-themed season. Fans of the rubber-leg dancing performer are in for a wonderful night of entertainment as well as a scenic tour of Manchester by cruise.
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The cruise may depart at 7:30pm but Ms. Parton will still serenade you with her smash hit ‘9 to 5’. The Tennessee musical great will take guests on a journey down memory lane singing songs spanning her 49 album discography.
There are also a handful of events which span musical decades including ‘Club Tropicana’ for the 80’s lovers and ‘Back to the 90’s’ for your dancefloor fillers.
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‘Soul River’ is another music event which spans everything from Marvin Gaye to Barry White. Your host for the night Babalola Jnr. spoils guests with not one but three magnificent sets spanning decades of classic soulful tunes.
All excursions include a phenomenal performance, attendees are treated to a sparkling glass of prosecco on arrival and table service throughout the journey.
If music isn’t really your thing, this nautical company offers standard services which allow you to fully enjoy the surroundings of Manchester by water with no musical backdrop, plus plenty of other special cruise nights and seasonal events. For instance…
Throughout half-term, there are a handful of ‘Wizards and Fairies Cruises’ that can keep your little ones occupied over the school break. Adults can refresh themselves with mulled wine and a mince pie, while kids have juice and a cookie on hand to calm their excitement.
From 23 November, Santa Claus is comin’ to town and ticket holders can enjoy a full-on Father Christmas-style grotto experience on the water.
They truly do have an impressive assortment of events to choose from.
For a full rundown of events and musical-themed cruise nights, you can find more information on the Manchester River Cruises website HERE.
A reimagined dance music celebration is coming to Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Get ready to hear some of the biggest anthems in dance music, reimagined and given an orchestral transformation right here in Manchester city centre.
Powerhouse music business Ministry of Sound has been uplifting and promoting dance music through its varied and electric live events for over three decades.
Now, it’s putting an all-new take on all your favourite dancefloor fillers that have been released over the past 30 years with a 31-piece orchestra, a whole team of vocalists and a stacked setlist.
Expect to hear the likes of Fatboy Slim with his huge tune ‘Right Here, Right Now’ alongside Darude’s standout hit ‘Sandstorm’, as performed by a live orchestral arrangement and light production.
After receiving a great reception at major music settings like Gone Wild, The Big Feastival and Silverstone Festival, paired with a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, this all-new live show now visits the music capital of the North.
Of course, it’s only fitting that Manchester gets the chance to experience this innovative twist on classics and anthems, considering the city’s vibrant club contributions like the Madchester scene and legendary music institution the Hacienda.
Now, dance, house and trance spanning the past 30 years come together courtesy of the Ministry of Sound Classical, playing out across UK locations like Brighton, Newcastle and Birmingham, as well as Manchester.
The show is playing out at city-centre gig hotspot O2 Apollo, and is about to teach 3,500 Mancunians dance music history through a dance-meets-orchestra concert like no other.
This live music extravaganza is organised and led by dance music pioneers Ministry of Sound, who developed and defined the 1990s house music scene in London and across the country.
Ministry of Sound Classical is heading to O2 Apollo in Manchester on Friday 18 December with tickets and more information available HERE.
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied via Ministry of Sound)
What's On
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Thomas Melia -
20th September 2024 
