Events
Indie Winter Market at KAMPUS
Saturday 11th December
It’s the second of their Indie Winter Markets over at KAMPUS this weekend, taking place on Saturday from 10am – 4pm. There will be festive food and drink provided by the Bread Flower café, plus festive fun, food, ceramics, jewellery, booze, books, skincare, illustrations and lots more.
Christmas Fair at Stretford Public Hall
Saturday 11th December
Taking place between 12pm and 4pm this Saturday, things will be getting festive at Stretford Public Hall with the return of their annual Christmas Fair. There’ll be Christmas shopping at their indoor craft and gift market, Santa’s Grotto, and even a tombola. There’ll also be food and drink stalls, including mulled wine and mince pies. They’ll also be welcoming Longford Community Choir and Victoria Park School Choir to bring some festive cheer to the ballroom, as well as the intergenerational choir Bravura, who will be singing acapella.
Northern Quarter Makers Market
Sunday 12th December
The Makers Market will be heading into the heart of the Northern Quarter on Sunday 12th December, with passionate creatives eager to share and inspire visitors with award winning food and drink and exhibiting awesome art, modern craft and vintage.
Food & Drink
Christmas Masterclass with Chef Andrew Green: Turkey Roulade
Wednesday 8th December
Andrew Green has been cooking Christmas Dinners since the age of 18 – so who better to teach you some alternatives to just stuffing the turkey? Over an hour Andrew will take you through the full process of making a Turkey Roulade from start to finish, drawing on his wealth of experience cooking in some of Manchester’s best kitchens. You’ll prepare along with him, taste the finished product and get to take your own home.
Sober Girl Society Mixer @ Feel Good Club
Wednesday 8th December
Sober Girl Society founder Millie Gooch will be hosting a special Christmas mixer at Feel Good Club in the Northern Quarter – a laid back festive evening of booze-free fun, connection and friendship. Running from 6:30pm – 9:30pm, tickets for the event are available below, and include a non-alcoholic welcome cocktail and a Goodie Bag from their sponsor Caleño.
Gingerbread House Competition at BAB
Thursday 9th December
Northern Quarter kebab specialists will be hosting a Gingerbread House Competition this week, with a little help from Sipsmith Gin. You’ll be tasked with creating your very own gingerbread structure, which will then be judged and someone will be crowned a winner. There will be drinks specials and prizes to be won all night.
Sicilian NQ @ Deansgate Square
From Thursday 9th December
Joining the Italian Christmas Markets over at Deansgate Square is Sicilian NQ, who will have their own chalet and have created a new menu of ‘Arancino & Chips’ and Special Christmas Puddings. Their range of arancino is always bang-on – huge stuffed rice balls served with their homemade ragu, and with chips? This is going to be gooood! On the sweet side – they’ve created a couple of sweet arancino which are a must-try, plus their Panettone, Cannolo and Cakes.
Music & Gigs
Human League Dare 40 at AO Arena
Friday 10th December
New Wave legends The Human League are hitting the AO Arena this weekend – playing all the hits from their multi-award-winning album which featured the likes of ‘Don’t You Want Me’, ‘Love Action’ and my personal favourite – ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)’. They’ll be joined by Tom Bailey from Thompson Twins and Scottish outfit Altered Images.
La Discotheque 5th Birthday
Saturday 11th December
La Discotheque will be celebrating 5 years this weekend with a massive knees up at Albert Hall, with a mightily impressive line-up headed up by Maribou State, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and Byron The Aquarius. There’ll also be Disco Classical, PBR Streetgang, Mafalda, Bad Fun, and a ‘celebration of Gloria Gaynor’, plus a return of the very popular La Piscotheque rave in a toilet.
Defected & Glitterbox at Warehouse Project
Saturday 11th December
On Friday WHP will be hosting The Chemical Brothers, but Saturday sees Defected hit the decks, with Gorgon City & Basement Jaxx, plus Eats Everything, Sam Divine and more throughout the night. The Concourse will welcome the Glitterbox team with Purple Disco Machine, The Shapeshifters, Simon Dunmore, Kiddy Smile, Melvo Baptiste and DJ Paulette. Should be massive.
AMC Gospel Choir with Manchester Camerata @ Albert Hall
Sunday 12th December
This Sunday afternoon, Manchester Camerata will join forces once again with AMC Gospel Choir for a Christmas Carol concert – with a gospel twist. The talented group of singers and instrumentalists will be hosting a rousing afternoon of festive and spiritual gospel favourites.
Arts & Culture
Sh!t Theatre’s Sing-a-long-a-Muppet Christmas Carol
Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th December
A ridiculous spin on ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’, which itself is already a rather madcap spin on the classic Charles Dickens’ tale – this production by Sh!t Theatre at HOME will be home to free drinks, free goodie bags and best of all – a good old sing along to get you into the Christmas spirit.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe @ The Lowry
From Wednesday 8th December
Taking the panto duties at The Lowry this Christmas is CS Lewis’ classic children’s tale – The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. We all know the story – a bunch of kids get evacuated into the countryside during WWII and find the entrance to a magical world – Narnia – in an old wardrobe. They meet a talking lion, Edmund grasses his brothers and sisters in for a poxy bowl of Turkish Delight and then the White Witch goes a bit mad. It’s on until 15th January.
The Book of Mormon
From Wednesday 8th December
You’ll have seen the posters dotted around town proclaiming ‘THE MORMONS ARE BACK’ and for once – this is actually good news. This musical comedy is easily the funniest thing you’ll ever watch in a theatre, and we’re extremely pleased to have them back in Manchester after their huge, extended run back in 2019. It’s on until 1st Jan so you’d best get your tickets ASAP – it’ll definitely sell out.
Inside No. 9: An Evening with Reece Shearsmith & Steve Pemberton
Thursday 9th December
Inside No. 9 is absolutely bloody brilliant, and this night at the Apollo should be just as good – an insight into the making of the BAFTA award-winning comedy anthology. Shearsmith and Pemberton will be sharing behind-the-scene stories and shocking secrets from some of their most memorable episodes. There may be singing, dancing and plenty of audience interaction.
Aladdin @ Manchester Opera House
From Saturday 11th December
It’s now officially Panto season, a time for many of your favourite stars to tread the boards dressed like some form of fairy tale creature, or an old bloke to get dressed up like a woman and spout innuendo in front of an audience of kids. This year, the Opera House will be hosting a production of Aladdin – featuring Alexandra Burke and a “lamp-load of comedy, jaw-dropping special effects, sensational song and dance and plenty of boos and hisses”.
Dick Whittington and his Amazing Cat! at Contact Theatre
From Saturday 11th December
An upbeat, modern production of the classic rags-to-riches story tells the tale of young Dick Whittington and his loyal cat ‘Scratch’ on their exciting quest for fame and fortune. Featuring a multi-talented, all-singing, all-dancing cast (no wooden reality-TV stars here), it really is a treat for children of all ages… even grown-up ones!
