FAC51 The Haçienda is set to throw its third ‘Haçienda House Party’ with award-winning digital platform United We Steam GM on New Year’s Eve.
And this year, it’s for 24-hours straight, as it chases the turn of the year around the world.
Beginning right at the start of the day on the Pacific Date Line in Fiji at 10am GMT, the marathon event will feature an impressive line-up of live guests and DJs designed to help households to celebrate the end of 2020 and welcome in the new year.
The entire 24-hour live stream will be broadcast as a digital reconstruction of FAC51, with the DJs performing to a virtual crowd in the original recreated venue.
The two previous FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM online parties amassed a global audience of millions and provided enjoyment in what has proved a difficult and challenging year, and now this New Year’s party will offer some of the finest international DJs, a gallery of Haçienda regulars, and some very special one-off live performances, all broadcast to raise funds for a number of worthy causes.
The DJ roster for the event is one of The Hacienda’s strongest ever too, but who can you expect to see?
From the New York scene, Danny Tenaglia, David Morales, Todd Terry and Tony Humphries. From Detroit, Carl Craig, and live from Los Angeles, Moby, will all playing one-off, exclusive sets, and meanwhile, over in UK, dance music band Inner City, Phuture, DJ Norman Jay MBE and a whole host of Haçienda regulars spanning the entire history of the club – Graeme Park, Greg Wilson, Jon Dasilva, DJ Paulette, Justin Robertson, Sub Sub, K-Klass, DJ Woody, Peter Hook and the club’s first ever resident Hewan Clarke – return to FAC51.
And, returning for a bespoke one-off live performance, is Haçienda Classical with Manchester Camerata and AMC Choir, produced exclusively for New Year’s Eve by DJ Graeme Park and musical director Tim Crooks alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, musicians and vocalists – including Yvonne Shelton, Melanie Williams, Rae Hall – and some surprise special guests.
All of the performers involved are giving their time and talents to the event to “boost morale for Mancunians” during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
Haçienda Classical has seen FAC51 team up with Manchester Camerata since its debut in 2016.
Highlights include sold out concerts at Castlefield Bowl and The Royal Albert Hall, with headline appearances at Kendal Calling, Isle of Wight Festival (twice), and Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage.
Manchester Camerata has been named “Britain’s most adventurous orchestra”, and their long-standing work in the community – with schools, care homes and people living with dementia – shows their great compassion and commitment to the city region.
A very special tribute to Frankie Knuckles is also planned, as The Frankie Knuckles Foundation will replay Frankie’s 2013/2014 NYE Albert Hall Manchester set, performed within the virtual Haçienda.
The Haçienda Twenty-Four Hour House Party NYE is being produced, and broadcast exclusively by United We Stream Greater Manchester.
United We Stream GM is free to watch, but viewers can donate via the website, with all income of the stream split 50% for the oneGM campaign, and 50% to charities chosen by The Haçienda – Save The Children, The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, and PeaceMeal in Ancoats.
FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
The oneGM campaign was launched by Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester – to raise funds and provide local support to the people hardest hit by the economic impact of COVID-19 in Greater Manchester.
From food poverty, to supporting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to providing mental health support, oneGM will deliver funding to organisations working hard to minimise the impact of this global crisis right within all local neighbourhoods.
During the first UK lockdown, United We Stream GM was watched by over seven million people and the acclaimed project ran for 12 weeks, amassing donations of nearly half a million pounds for 12 different local charities, with some 40 fundraising events broadcast live on the platform.
Speaking on the New Yearsacha Lord – Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, founder of Warehouse Project and Parklife, and Executive Producer of United We Stream GM – said: “A few weeks ago, I promised that Greater Manchester would hold the biggest New Year’s Eve event, not just in the UK, but probably across Europe.
ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be 4 HUGE Xmas Parties in Greater Manchester, including the biggest New Years Eve party in the UK. Nothing will stop this city region #OneGMpic.twitter.com/3SUAv1CKLb
“During the initial 10 week United We Stream run, the most viewed events were the two Haçienda productions [and] we always strive to better ourselves, so we are back, with not only a bigger line up, spanning artists across the globe, but also running for 24 hours.
“We are the 24-Hour Party People.
“Nothing will stop us from doing what we do best, and at the same time, raising many funds for those in need. The last time I did 24 hours solidly, was quite a few years ago…but I’m prepared to give it another bash”.
FAC51 The Haçienda x United We Stream GM
Peter Hook added: “The Haçienda was all about the people from day one.
“This has been a terrible year and my two highlights were our gigs on United We Stream Greater Manchester. For the simple reason that it helped bring people together, entertained so many when we needed it most for some great causes.”
“We’ve been watching the awful turn of events over the past year and realised it was time to round this year off in positive way and bring everyone together again for a great big party.
“This is only way we know how and let’s rave safe in 2021 – from Manchester with love”.
Frederick Dunson – spokesperson for The Frankie Knuckles Foundation – said: “The Frankie Knuckles Foundation is extremely excited and proud to be participating in The Haçienda’s 24 Hour New Year’s Eve event with their special tribute honouring our beloved Frankie.
“He enjoyed his appearances at The Haçienda and for his legion of friends it will be reminiscent to hear him, and celebrate New Year’s Eve.”
“We are thankful to the great group of his DJ friends that are appearing in this historic event”.
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People around the world will be able to watch #HaçiendaNYE from 10am on 31st December 2020 – 10am on 1st January 2021 exclusively via the United We Stream GM website here, or official the official Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and YouTube accounts.
#UnitedWeStreamGM #HaciendaNYE #oneGM
What's On
Five free places to watch Wimbledon on the big screen in Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
It’s grass court season, folks, and as a truly music and tournament-filled summer kicks into fifth gear, we’re making a civilised foray into the all sporting action with Wimbledon, which got underway at the end of June– and we’ve got the perfect places to watch every second here in Manchester.
Us Mancs love sports of pretty much any discipline, it practically makes up the fabric of our city, and in this case, that just so happens to be breathable white cotton or perhaps poly-blend suitable for running around and swinging a racket in.
On a serious note, everyone loves watching tennis for at least this one fortnight during this time of year, and with a record number of British players competing in the tournament right now, there’s all the more reason for you to tune in.
So, all that being said, here a five free, largely family-friendly places to watch Wimbledon 2025 on the big screen here in Manchester city centre.
Where to watch Wimbledon 2025 in Manchester for free
1. Tony Wilson Place – First Street
First up, rather fittingly, we’re returning to one of our go-tos whenever Wimbledon rolls around these days: the big temporary lawn laid out over on the big square at Tony Wilson Place. A sun-trap with deck chairs and plenty of places for food and drink around you – what more could you ask for?
The ever-thriving First Street complex has been paving the way for free social listening/watch parties here in Manchester, especially when it comes to utilising public open-air spaces, and it’s sure to be backed once again for this year’s Women’s Euros too. Trendsetters, they are.
Heading over towards Castlefield direction and the emerging area known as New Jackson, next on the list of free places to watch Wimbledon in central Manchester is Deansgate Square, where property developers Renaker have set up a special dedicated section for a jam-packed summer of sport.
Simply called ‘Screen on the Square’, the viewing zone not only sits in the shade of the city’s now skyline-defining towers but also catches plenty of rays throughout certain periods of the day. This space will also be doubling up (if you’ll pardon the pun) as a free outdoor cinema throughout the season.
Entertainment of all forms over at The Residences.
3. Courts Club – St John’s
From the outskirts of Deansgate to the area’s newest addition, the thriving St John’s district has the perfect home for all things court-based, with a free outdoor screen whilst the sun is out and another big project inside the venue, where you’ll also find plenty of food and drink options.
Courts Club has genuinely started realising its potential as a genuinely popular social hangout as well as being a bar, pub quiz destination, food spot and places to enjoy a rally or shoot a few hoops. Not unlike First St, the faux beach and lawn layout is ideal for a laid-back Wimbledon watchalong.
Heading out of the city centre for a spell – though only a tram ride away – the waterside viewing zone at the similarly titled ‘Screen on the Docks’ over at Media City is back for summer 2025 with a wide range of live sport, including cricket, F1 and, yes, Wimbledon.
Situated on the steps right next to the old harbour area, turned home of Greater Manchester mainstay, Box on the Docks, there are all kinds of entertainment to catch for free. Make sure you check their socials for the regular schedule even after the tournament is over.
5. The Lawn Club
Finally, the last one on this list isn’t necessarily a free viewing area; however, we’ll confess to having wandered in here and taken in the big screen without getting so much as a water before. Also part of the Shiko Group, like Courts, The Lawn Club is exactly as on brand as it sounds.
Located in Spinningfields just a short walk from St John’s around the corner, the bottomless brunch favourite once again has a big screen out on the artificial garden terrace out back. That being said, you might as well give them your custom and grab a Pimm’s while you’re at it.
Best of luck to all our UK stars taking part in Wimbledon this year, and we hope these Manchester venues and their big screens serve as an ace place to watch the games with Hawk-Eyes…
Smash-hit musical Mean Girls to open in Manchester at start of its first UK tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most popular new musicals of the last decade is set to head out on its first-ever UK tour early next year.
And it’ll be kicking things off here in Manchester.
Based on the iconic 2004 movie of the same name, which is known and loved right across the globe, Mean Girls The Musical debuted at to huge success at the National Theatre in Washington D.C in 2017, before transferring to Broadway in April 2018, again to ecstatic responses where it played to sold-out theatres most nights.
The show then went on a hugely-successful US tour in 2019 and recently completed a second US tour.
Continuing on its run, the production then opened in the West End in 2025, where it was seen by more than 330,000 people over its run and recently took home the coveted ‘Best New Musical’ award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.
Mean Girls The Musical is opening its first-ever UK tour in Manchester next year / Credit: Brinkhoff Mögenburg
Not only that, but in 2024, you may remember that the new musical twist on the fan-favourite from the comedic mind of Tina Fey was released as a new feature film with sensational musical performances.
But for the first time ever, the rest of the UK is about to get a slice of the action.
Mean Girls The Musical will be heading out on tour early next year, and it’s us lucky musical lovers of Manchester that’ll get to see it before anyone else, as it’s landing on the legendary Manchester Opera House stage in February 2026.
Unfamiliar with the plot of Mean Girls The Musical? Just like the film, the musical follows Regina, Gretchen, and Karen, otherwise known as ‘The Plastics’ of North Shore High, as they meet homeschooled new girl, Cady Heron, as finds out that high school is a whole new level of savage.
Tickets go on sale this week / Credit: Brinkhoff Mögenburg
When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.
Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.
Mean Girls The Musical has a book by Tina Fey, music and vocal arrangements by Jeff Richmond, lyrics, and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw, among many other big names of the theatre world involved.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
