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. Eagley Band Christmas, Victoria Hall Bolton
There isn’t much that sounds more like Christmas than a brass band, and one of Greater Manchester’s finest is Eagley Band from Bolton. This year, as usual, the band will be packing out Victoria Hall in Bolton to celebrate the festive season. Don’t miss this spectacular Christmas Concert, with the band performing the season’s finest alongside the award‑winning community choir and band for an unforgettable evening of festive music – and you can count on a sing-along or two…
🎟️ Grab tickets for just £5 here.
2. Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival, The Bridgewater Hall
The annual Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival returns to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall this December with a spectacular line-up of shows, with something for everyone. Whether it’s a festive pop extravaganza, a sing-along to everyone’s favourite Christmas carols, watching the Manchester Concert Orchestra in all their glory, or celebrating some of the greatest film composers of all time, there truly is something for the whole family to enjoy.
The schedule of events is as follows:
- The Big Christmas Party – Tuesday, 17th December at 7:30pm
- Christmas Carol Singalong – Tuesday, 24th December at 3pm
- The Music of Zimmer vs Williams – Friday, 27th December at 7:30pm
- Glenn Miller Orchestra – Saturday, 28th December at 3pm
🎟️ See the events and book tickets here.
3. Christmas films live in Concert, The Bridgewater Hall
Whether it’s the 2000s rom-com charm of The Holiday, family favourite Home Alone, or the animated magic of The Snowman and Shaun the Sheep, there’s nothing more festive than getting together with friends and family to watch your favourite Christmas classic. Now, The Bridgewater Hall is offering just that, with the added element of a live score courtesy of Manchester’s very own Hallé Orchestra, and a live concert orchestra.
The Christmas film live in concert schedule is as follows:
- Home Alone in Concert – Monday 15th December, at 7.30pm
- The Holiday in Concert – Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th December, at 7.30pm
- The Hallé – The Snowman & Shaun the Sheep – Saturday 20th December at 4pm, Sunday 21st December, at 11am & 1.30pm
🎟️ Find the events and book tickets here.
4. Candlelight: Christmas Classics concerts, Concorde Conference Centre
Experience the most warming, nostalgic Christmas tunes by Candlelight this festive season, in the incredible surroundings of the Concorde Conference Centre. This unique venue will host a wonderful string quarter, playing the likes of Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, Greensleeves and Carol of the Bells, alongside more modern classics from Wet Wet Wet, Wham and Mariah Carey. What a treat.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
5. Festive Happening with Manchester Camerata & AMC Gospel Choir, Albert Hall
Widely regarded as one of the best Christmas events for the whole family in Manchester, this performance will take you on a musical journey that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas, an event that everyone will love.
AMC Gospel Choir is one of the UK’s top live-performance Gospel Choirs. Their voices, full of power and soul, are a perfect match for the UK’s most relentlessly pioneering orchestra, Manchester Camerata. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary celebration on December 14th, and start your festivities right!
🎟️ Find tickets here.
6. Christmas Carols in the City, Manchester Cathedral
This Christmas, Manchester Foundation Trust welcomes the public back to the stunning Manchester Cathedral for their annual Christmas Carols in the City event. Every penny raised will help the charity build and run a cinema on the Oxford Road hospital campus, to bring the therapeutic magic of the movies to patients of all ages – there will even be some much-loved Christmas movie classics in this year’s concert!
Join event host Mike Toolan on 11 December at 7pm for a magical evening of festive music and celebration, featuring performances from talented local choirs!
🎟️ Book your tickets towards a good cause here.
7. Chopin & Champagne, Manchester Cathedral
On 29th December, celebrate the festive season in style with a magical afternoon recital of Chopin’s most exquisite piano works, performed by the acclaimed pianist Luke Jones, in the enchanting, candlelit setting of Manchester Cathedral. This special Christmas concert offers the perfect escape from the winter rush—an immersive musical experience filled with poetic beauty, virtuosity, and emotional depth. From the haunting serenity of the Nocturnes, to the dazzling energy of the Scherzos, Waltzes, and Etudes, this beautifully curated programme is a tribute to Chopin’s enduring genius.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
8. The Pogue Traders, Club Academy
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR6efdLCFQc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Instagram post via @thepoguetraders
The sound of a harmonica welcoming in the warmth of a Pogues song is one of the sweetest things in life, so why not treat yourself this festive season to “the best Pogues tribute band” ever seen by the drummer from the actual Pogues? Yes, Andrew Ranken himself has praised The Pogue Traders, and now they’re coming to Manchester’s Club Academy to spice up the Christmas season. Whether you love a bit of Dirty Old Town, lap up The Irish Rover, or honestly just want to hear Fairytale of New York, it’s a grand ticket in town.
🎟️ Get tickets here.
9. Aurie Styla’s Christmas Crack-up, O2 Ritz
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ_3BzRiM99/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Instagram post via @auriestyla
Comedian Aurie Styla is back with his yearly Christmas crack-up on December 18th, with more comedians, more prizes, more dates and a partridge in a pear tree. Featuring Kane Brown, Andrew Mensah and Raj Poojara, the night includes the funniest in comedy, the best DJs and the wildest crowd games, plus £1000s worth of prizes, including games consoles, merch, bottles, gift vouchers and more. This is the end-of-year link up that can’t be missed – and although not strictly a concert, you can see where we’re coming from.
🎟️ Grab tickets here.