Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady & more, live at Christmas at Aviva Studios

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Book now

Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady & more, live at Christmas

21 December 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Aviva Factory International
Book now

Cor, what a line-up. Some of the country’s best comedians come to Manchester this December for a spectacular all-star festive show. It’s held at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International (not to be confused with all Manchester’s other many, many Factories).

But, “Who? Who is on the bill?” I hear you cry. That’ll be no less than Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady, Ivo Graham, Jen Brister and Kyrah Gray.

It’s headlined by Simon, best known for his stint being rude to people on Popworld and Nevermind The Buzzcocks back in the lawless mid-00s, before switching it up and becoming a BAFTA nominee and Netflix star.

Joining Simon is cult comic/poet and Alan Partridge star Tim Key, Scotland’s comedy queen and breakout Taskmaster star Fern Brady, bumbling wordsmith Ivo Graham, superstar in the making Kyrah Gray and the phenomenal Jen Brister as host.

Where to go near Simon Amstell, Tim Key, Fern Brady & more, live at Christmas at Aviva Studios

Chadderton Town Hall
Manchester
Event venue
Chadderton Town Hall

Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds

Cumbria
Restaurant
Heft

A Michelin star restaurant and homely 17th century inn in the Lake District, with food provided by esteemed chef Kevin Tickle.

Tangerine
Chapel Street
Restaurant
Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

Bar Posie
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

What's on: Comedy

Culture Guides

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

In galleries around the North this autumn, you'll find tactile sculptures, Treasures with a capital 'T' and plant magic.

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...