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Park N Party’s drive-in cinema is screening some classic movies during Bank Holiday weekend

Some all-time classics are being beamed to the big screen in EventCity this weekend - as Park N Party's drive-in cinema revs up for a huge weekend of thrilling movies.

The Manc The Manc - 28th August 2020

Some all-time classic movies are being beamed to the big screen in EventCity this weekend – as Park N Party’s drive-in cinema revs up for a huge Bank Holiday of thrilling movies.

Cars will be pulling in to enjoy the pop-up HD screen at Trafford Park from Friday through to Monday, with nine films showing at various points throughout the extended break.

There’s something for everyone whatever your taste in film might be – whether its being scared senseless by horror flick IT; singing along to musicals such as Grease and A Star Is Born; laughing out loud to the comedy Bridesmaids, or keeping the kids busy with the likes of Trolls World Tour.

Safety procedures and social distancing will be in place at Park N Party, with toilets on site.

There’ll also be the option to grab some refreshments so you can enjoy a proper moviegoing experience.

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The full listings for Bank Holiday are as follows:

IT Fri 20:00
Trolls World Tour Sat 15:00
GreaseSat 18:00
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)Sat 21:00
BridesmaidsSun 15:00
Dirty DancingSun 18:00
The Invisible ManSun 21:00
Onward (2020)Mon 15:00
A Star Is BornMon 18:00

Looking ahead to September, Park N Party will continue to host their drive-in cinema with a number of additional movies being added to the bill.

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These include the likes of The Notebook, Happy Gilmore, The Conjuring and The Greatest Showman.

September listings are as follows:

EventDayDateTime
The NotebookWed02/09/202020:00
Dirty DancingThurs03/09/202020:00
Happy GilmoreFri04/09/202018:00
The ConjuringFri04/09/202021:00
The Greatest ShowmanSat05/09/202015:00
Lala LandSat05/09/202018:00
The NunSat05/09/202021:00
GreaseSun06/09/202015:00
Mamma Miasun06/09/202018:00
Harley Quinn Birds of Preysun06/09/202021:00

For the full listings, upcoming events and ticket bookings, head over to the Park N Party website.

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Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 - dates, locations, and essential information

Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.

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 fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.

There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as 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 will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.

When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?

This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.

Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.

Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.

Manchester Christmas Markets locations

What's new at the Manchester Christmas Markets for 2025?
Manchester Christmas Markets

There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.

Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.

St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.

The locations are:

  • Albert Square
  • Lincoln Square
  • King Street
  • St Ann’s Square
  • Corn Exchange
  • Exchange Street
  • New Cathedral Street
  • Market Street
  • Exchange Square
  • Cathedral Gardens

You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times

The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.

The only exceptions are as follows:

Albert Square

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Cathedral Gardens

  • 6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
  • 24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
  • 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
  • 26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
  • 31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
  • 1–3 January: 10am to 6pm

Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets

Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Hong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group

Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.

The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.

Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.

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Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets

As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.

There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.

Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.

See more on the Bee Network website HERE.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Outside the Palace Theatre Manchester

Every now and then you experience a bit of a full circle moment… and for me, this was one of them.

Back in 2011, when I was a dance-obsessed 14-year-old, taking and assisting classes countless times a week, I became enamoured by a BBC documentary series called Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet. As one of the country’s premier ballet companies – celebrating its 60th anniversary at the time of the documentary – ENB allowed cameras behind the scenes, from the rehearsal room to backstage, giving audiences a previously unseen inside look on what it takes to stage some of the most spectacular productions your eyes will ever meet.

One of the ballets being staged in the year the BBC followed the company was Romeo & Juliet.

Based on a story known around the world and with an unmistakable score by Prokofiev, it’s a ballet I was already fond of prior to the documentary, but seeing the work that went into making the show a reality, up close like never before, it turned into one of my favourites.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several different dance stagings of Romeo & Juliet – but last night, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, was the first time I got to sit in the audience and see English National Ballet’s production live with my own eyes.

And it was just as magical as I was hoping it would be.

ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Laurent Liotardo

Right off the bat, I’m just going to presume you already have somewhat of a grasp on the story of Romeo & Juliet, right? Given the fact it’s arguably Shakespeare’s most famous work and one of the most iconic plays of all time.

And you’ll be pleased to know, even if you’re not seasoned in watching ballet, that the story we all know and love remains largely intact for this production, therefore making it easy for audiences of all ages and interests to follow along and admire.

The two title characters, the star-crossed lovers themselves, were embodied expertly by Rentaro Nakaaki and Julia Conway as Romeo and Juliet, who had the audience captivated from the second they entered the stage – with undeniable chemistry and enviable technique.

Fabian Reimair took on the role of Tybalt with ease, Noam Durand was Mercutio, and Rodrigo Pinto was Benvolio, all while Elvis Nudo and Minju Kang stepped into the shoes of Paris and Rosaline.

But the lead roles are nothing without the wider cast of supporting dancers and character actors, who really help transport you to 14th century Verona and help bring the authenticity a production as epic as this requires.

The world’s most famous story has been expertly reimagined / Credit: Bill Cooper | Laurent Liotardo

Aside from the dancing, it would be remiss not to praise the expert sets and costuming here from Ezio Frigero and Franca Squarciapino.

And I suppose I should also give a shoutout to little-known name, Rudolf Nureyev, who choreographed this version of Romeo & Juliet all the way back in 1977. Something tells me he would’ve had a great career… I could be wrong, though.

Romeo & Juliet really is one of the most tragic love stories of all time, and the power of that is not lost through dance. It’s still as raw and heartbreaking in this production as it always is.

And that is truly a credit to every single person forming part of it – both on the stage and off.

Read more:

ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre until Sunday 25 October, and you can book your last-minute tickets here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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