We’re closing out the year with a cracking month for gigs and club nights. In the arenas, there are crowd-pleasing appearances from huge folk and heavy metal acts alike. Over in clubland, a titan of queer raving returns, and in the city’s smaller venues, there’s avant-garde jazz and festive ska.
Here are the best gigs and club nights in Manchester in December…
Hans Zimmer The Next Level at Co-op Live
Multi Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer and music producer Hans Zimmer brings his The Next Level tour to Europe in 2025 – with a stop at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Tuesday 2 December. Zimmer is behind some of the biggest movie soundtracks of all time, including The Lion King (1994), Gladiator (2000), Inception (2010) and literally hundreds more. The Next Level promises a completely new show, featuring groundbreaking electronic soundscapes and a spectacular light production, that will outperform even Zimmer’s previous shows.
Mumford & Sons
Having released a new album Rushmere under a year ago, and with another – Prizefighter – on the way in February, Mumford & Sons have undergone an intense period of creativity. With an abundance of new material under their waistcoats, as well as a back-catalogue spanning almost two decades, the much loved folk band bring their live show to Co-op Live.
Sudan Archives
Sudan Archives – real name Brittney Parks – is an American violinist, singer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. She comes to Manchester having released new album The BMP in October 2025. THE BPM explores themes of mental illness, self-love, technology, romance and heartbreak even as it embraces a raucous, party-starting energy. It also introduces a more clarified Sudan – an executive producer and artist moving with grace through her most fun, freewheeling record yet. Expect a live show to match.
Lindstrøm Live: The Little Drummer Boy
Norwegian producer, DJ and all-round space disco maven Hans-Peter Lindstrøm will be making Christmas cosmic again, reinterpreting the seasonal classic The Little Drummer Boy at Aviva Studios, in conjunction with local indie label legends Paper Recordings and Sprechen Music (celebrating 30 years of the former and 10 years of the latter). Previously made iconic by Bing Crosby and David Bowie, Lindstrøm will be enlisting drummer Martin Horntveth and the ethereal vocals of the 50-piece Vålerenga Man Choir in an enthralling evening of festive oddity. Support comes from Sprechen’s own The Thief of Time, and Apta.
Madness & Squeeze at AO Arena
One of the UK’s most beloved British bands Madness come to Manchester this December as part of their huge UK arena tour. Taking to the stage at the AO Arena, the band behind hits including One Step Beyond and Our House will perform fan favourites from their extensive back catalogue. Special guests on the night will be the equally iconic Squeeze.
Clinton Baptiste
Famed bouffant clairvoyant Clinton Baptiste – of Phoenix Nights fame – will be hitting the legendary Salford Lads Club for a very special work-in-progress show, ahead of his 2026 UK tour – the so-called Spectral Intercourse tour. “I’ve seen the future,” says Clinton, “and it involves me, you, and a packed Salford Lads Club. The spirits are queuing already. In fact, one of them reckons it’ll sell out quicker than you can say ‘knocking three times on the ceiling if you want me’.”
Sabaton at Co-op Live
Heavy metal legends SABATON bring The Legendary Tour to Manchester in 2025. The Swedish band will perform alongside the Legendary Orchestra and lots of surprises during the live show at Co-op Live on Friday 5 December 2025. It’s a celebration of SABATON’s music, storytelling and bond with their fans.
Homobloc at Depot Mayfield
The mighty Homobloc returns, among the most essential dates in Manchester’s queer calendar. Over 12 hours, Depot Mayfield will be transformed into a temple of inclusion and abandon, with performances and sets from the likes of pop legends Sugababes, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, Peaches back-to-back with Erol Alkan, Patrick Mason, Slayyyter, and Hercules & Love Affair, not to mention Todd Edwards, Eliza Rose, Ana Matronic, Fat Tony, Grace Sands, Jay Jay Revlon, Joshua James, Kath Mcdermott, Julie Desire, Gina Breeze, Kim Lana and Jamie Bull.
Divorce
Nottingham four-piece Divorce come to Manchester Academy 2, bringing with them country-inflected alt rock, much of which drawn from 2025 album Drive to Goldenhammer. Expect yearning, nostalgia and big big sounds. They bring support in the form of Stoke’s new wave kids Formal Sppeedwear and Curiosity Shop. One for the indie-heads, this.
Stereolab
Experimental art-rock group – and your favourite band’s favourite band – Stereolab hit the road in celebration of their 35th anniversary. They’ll be touring material from latest album ‘Instant Holograms On Metal Film’, their first in 15 years. Fronted by Anglo-French songwriting duo Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, they come to Manchester’s O2 Ritz this December. Truly, Christmas for fans of unusual electronic pop.
Repercussion
The mighty Repercussion usually opens the season at The Warehouse Project, an all-dayer of generally epic proportions. This time it’s a case of delayed gratification – but it’s well worth the wait. Headlining will be the techno veterans Underworld, who last appeared in Manchester at Aviva Studios in 2024, turning out one of – if not the – best gigs of the year. They’ll be joined by a host of others – Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison, Job Jobse, Daphni, Sherelle and Shanti Celeste, alongside local heroes like Krysko, Jim Bane, Metrodome, Joey T and Camilla Reghenzi.
Big Country at Manchester Academy
Scottish rock royalty Big Country bring their world tour to Manchester. Fans can hear tracks from their upcoming album Eastworld, as well as classics like Harvest Home and Fields of Fire. Support will come from very special guest Toyah, a pioneering figure in the UK’s new wave and punk movement. Catch them at Manchester Academy on Tuesday 16 December.
New Animals – Anti-AI Art and Music rave
The New Animals crew will be protesting the use of AI in art and music at this mid-week rave at the legendary DBA. “Are we going to sit here and allow zero’s and one’s to replace human creativity?” they ask. “To replace those in our communities who have this unbelievable talent? We say no. We say FUCK THAT.” Quite.
Mu Quintet featuring Vulva Voce
Mu Quintet are a Leeds-based instrumental acoustic jazz quintet drawing inspiration from movements within the musical avant-garde. With a sound characterised by rich compositions, explosive improvisation and intricate melodies, they aim to push at the boundaries of the small jazz ensemble. Mu Quintet comprises of members of Ancient Infinity Orchestra, Matthew Halsall’s band, and Yard Nule. Catch them at Band on the Wall for a spectacular pre-Christmas concert.
Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Reimagined
The London African Gospel Choir returns with their critically acclaimed re-imagining of Paul Simon’s iconic album Graceland. Performed with passion, soul, and electrifying rhythm, this concert brings together soaring voices, vibrant harmonies, and an irresistible celebration of African musical heritage. An unforgettable night of joyful spirit and cultural fusion, the London African Gospel Choir breathes new life into classics like You Can Call Me Al and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original album or discovering its magic for the first time, this is a live experience that connects generations and transcends borders.
The Man From Delmonte
The Man From Delmonte celebrate the launch of their new record with their biggest reunion show to date at O2 Ritz. Returning to the venue for the first time in over three decades, fans can see the indie-pop outfit perform classics like (Will Nobody Save) Louise and Water in My Eyes at the mega hometown gig.
Ordinary Friends presents Optimo [Espacio]
Ordinary Friends brings their last party of the year to The White Hotel, and it’ll be a banger. They’ll be welcoming to the cage Optimo [Espacio] – the one and only JG Wilkes. Losing his DJ partner Keith McIvor, aka JD Twitch, in September remains one of the most difficult moments of the year for fans of their inspiring sets, which take in everything from gritty krautrock to joyously hammering techno. But the show goes on. In fact, it absolutely must.
Baked A La Ska Christmas Party
Kick off the festive season in style with the annual Baked A La Ska Christmas special. Santa’s favourite rudeboys are back. They’ll be delivering seasonal ska treats such as When You Wish Upon A Ska, Walking In The Air, We Three Kings, Harmonica for Christmas and many more. Baked A La Ska are the ‘heavy heavy sound’ of Manchester. Since 2008, they have been serving up the sweetest of good party vibes, vintage ska sounds and an eccentric platter of covers. This one is a great time, every time. We guarantee it.
The Music of Zimmer vs Williams
A festive favourite returns as the Manchester Concert Orchestra celebrate two of the greatest film composers of all time – Hans Zimmer and John Williams – performing epic scores from the likes of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Pirates Of The Caribbean, E.T., Batman, The Dark Knight and more.
The Little Disco NYE
From the creators of Manchester’s iconic collective La Discothèque, The Little Disco returns to Freight Island for a night of glittering celebration, disco magic, and party anthems. Taking place on Wednesday, 31 December, The Little Disco will transform Freight Island into a dazzling destination this New Year’s Eve. Headlining is the internationally renowned DJ and producer Mousse T., the creative force behind the global hit Horny ‘98.
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