With a chill in the air and darker nights ahead, we understand if the excitement for Christmas isn’t quite there yet. However, here to pull us from our Grinch-like cave and have us jingling all the way to Christmas Day are a host of shows and pantomimes taking place in Manchester. From family favourites to beautiful ballet performances, playful pantos to amazing adaptations, here’s our pick of the best shows to watch this Christmas in Manchester.
1. A Christmas Carol: The Musical, The Lowry
This Musical version breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol. Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve which leads him/her on a journey through the past, present and future.
Commenting on her role as Scrooge, Claire Moore said: “I am so excited to be invited to play one of Charles Dickens’ most iconic characters, Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol the Musical. I am especially delighted to be portraying Scrooge as a woman; the first time this has been done in this version of the story…”
🗓️ Friday 6 December, 2024 − Sunday 5 January, 2025.
🎟️ Book tickets here.
2. Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival, Bridgewater Hall
The annual Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival returns to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall this December with a spectacular line-up of shows. 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.
From epic orchestral tributes to legendary film composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams, celebrating the iconic music we all know and love, to lively carol sing-alongs and a night with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, this celebration promises to enchant and entertain throughout the holiday season. The Raymond Gubbay Christmas festival at Bridgewater Hall will also include The Big Christmas Party, featuring a blend of festive pop hits and traditional favourites.
🗓️ Tuesday 17 December − Saturday 28 December.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
3. Cinderella, Manchester Opera House
Salford comedy Superstar Jason Manford is back for a third year of panto at the Opera House as Prince Charming, joined by Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless, who returns for another year of fun as the hilarious Buttons, alongside star of stage and screen Myra DuBois as Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother. They will be joined by musical theatre’s Wendy Mae Brown as the Fairy Godmother and Sarah Vaughan as Cinderella.
Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Manchester audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
🗓️ Saturday 14 December, 2024 − Sunday 5 January, 2025.
🎟️ Book tickets here.
4. Elf The Musical, Palace Theatre
Based on the cherished 2003 hit film, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, following Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list, and his step-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
🗓️ Tuesday 12 November − Sunday 17 November.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
5. Video Game Cabaret, Cultplex
On Friday 6 December, a Video Game special of Ember Travixen’s five star-reviewed cabarets will be taking over CULTPLEX at GRUB. Featuring incredible burlesque showgirls, circus performers, singers and fabulous spoken word poetry, it’s set to be an amazing evening filled with video game characters, pop culture references and all the fantastical escape you could wish for.
🗓️ Friday 6 December.
🎟️ Find tickets here.
6. Sleeping Beauty, Stockport Plaza
Starring TV favourite Wendi Peters as Carabosse the Wicked Fairy, Sleeping Beauty at Stockport’s Plaza is set to be a wonderful adventure in a land of enchantment where a beautiful Princess sleeps deeply under a magic spell whilst our heroic Prince battles to find true love which can only be awoken with loves first kiss. We all know the tale, but why not check out this version at Christmas time?
🗓️ Friday 6 December 2024 − Sunday 5 January 2025.
🎟️ Book here.
7. I Wish, HOME Manchester
Following glittering runs at Unicorn Theatre, London and New Victory Theatre, New York, I Wish is presented for the very first time starring the show’s co-writer and co-creator, internationally acclaimed theatre artist and singer Le Gateau Chocolat.
In many a fairy-story there are wishes granted and fairy-tale endings – but what if your wishes come true in surprising ways? What if those ever-afters weren’t so happy after all? Meet the fabulous Wish Giver, Effie, who sashays into a fairy-tale world of hopes, dreams and unintended consequences… This fantastical, playful one-person show, filled with glorious song, style and sass, tells a new fable for our times – one of self-discovery, acceptance and joy.
🗓️ Friday 29 November − Sunday 8 December 2024.
🎟️ Book tickets here.