The Christmas period brings a wide selection of music that’s sure to have you tapping your feet and jingling all the way. Here to get you into the spirit this December are a number of concerts in Manchester featuring classic Christmas carols, music from your favourite festive films and multiple genres aiming to make your month merry. We’ve rounded up some of the best concerts taking place in Manchester to ensure you have a holly, jolly Christmas. After all, it’s the best time of the year.
1. Alexis Ffrench
This festive season, Alexis Ffrench performs music from his new album ‘Christmas Piano’, plus all the hits. The pianist has been bewitching fans with his soulful sounds inspired by Bach and Debussy to Hollywood, gospel and beyond, and is bringing his talent to Manchester’s Stoller Hall just in time for Christmas.
The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA.
Find tickets here.
2. The Hallé – The Snowman With Gaspard’s Christmas
A must for all the family; watch Raymond Briggs’ classic animated film accompanied by the Hallé performing Howard Blake’s magical score. The first half recounts Gaspard’s Christmas, a heart-warming festive adventure for Britain’s handsomest fox. Narrated by the story’s author Zeb Soanes (also presenter of Classic FM’s Smooth Classics at 7), the performance includes music by Jonathan Dove and visuals on the big screen by award-winning illustrator James Mayhew. This is an unforgettable Christmas experience taking place on Saturday 23 December.
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS.
Find tickets here.
3. Candlelight: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker & More
Discover the music of Tchaikovsky at Manchester Cathedral under the gentle glow of candlelight, with well-known melodies including the Swan Lake Theme and Russian Dance accompanied with incredible ballet performances by the Madrid Dance Company. The Grade I Listed venue is the perfect character setting for a festive delve into the incredible music of Tchaikovsky, and the unique experience makes the perfect Christmas outing.
Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX.
4. Gok Wan Presents the Isolation Nation Christmas Ball
Fresh from spreading positivity and inclusivity at venues across the globe, Gok Wan invites generations of ‘nationers’ to celebrate a love for each other and dance music at a Christmas party like no other. Expect the full-scale, immersive production soundtracked by your favourite club classics and plenty of surprises as Gok Wan presents the critically acclaimed Isolation Nation on Saturday 23 December.
O2 Ritz Manchester, Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ.
Find tickets here.
5. Bury Parish Church Choir Christmas Concert
Who doesn’t love a good old choir concert, especially at Christmas? Everyone’s welcome to this community event on Friday 22 December, no doubt including all the classics from Silent Night to Away In A Manger – this isn’t your average school production, the choir is made up of all ages, all trained in the best way.
No ticket required.
6. Northern String Quartet: Christmas Number 1’s
Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL.
Find tickets here.
7. Christmas Carol Singalong
Sing your way into Christmas as Jonathan Cohen leads you through the very best Christmas songs and seasonal classics in one irresistibly family friendly extravaganza. Expect classics like Good King Wenceslas and O come, all ye Faithful alongside modern classics like White Christmas and Merry Christmas Everyone, getting the hall well and truly into the Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve (Sunday 24 December).
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS.
Find tickets here.
8. Swing into Christmas
Celebrate the festive season in style with the vocalists and instrumentalists of Down for the Count Concert Orchestra, as they Swing Into Christmas! This is a Christmas celebration like no other, as Down for the Count recreate the music of Nat ‘King’ Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and many more in a luscious 25-piece orchestral setting evoking the sounds of the great Capitol Studios recordings.
Expect to hear faithful recreations of the best music of the swing era including I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Let’s Face The Music and Dance and ‘S Wonderful, alongside original arrangements of jazz and festive standards written by the Orchestra’s principal conductor Mike Paul-Smith, including Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting). Don’t miss one of the most festive Christmas concerts in Manchester on Thursday 21 December.
The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA.
Find tickets here.