Raymond Gubbay’s Christmas Festival at The Bridgewater Hall

The Bridgewater Hall Christmas Festival at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 14 December 2017–14 January 2018, from £16.50 - Book now

Manchester’s most prestigious concert hall hosts an impressive, varied month-long festival of Raymond Gubbay concerts this December and January.

Launched by superstar singer Katherine Jenkins, who celebrates her very own Christmas concert of music and songs on 14 December, the series features a joyous assortment of Christmas carols presented by Alan Titchmarsh on 19 December, plus a ‘Christmas Spectacular’ of music, dance, lights and even indoor fireworks on 20 December.

Jonathan Cohen conducts a spine-tingling Carol Singalong on Christmas Eve, meanwhile, with a rousing Boxing Day staging of the Last Night of the Christmas Proms book-ending the big day.

The series then celebrates the Leading Ladies of musicals including Wicked and Chicago on 27 December, while John Williams’ iconic scores for the likes of Harry Potter, Hook, Indiana Jones and Jaws are the dramatic focus for Manchester Concert Orchestra and conductor Anthony Inglis on 28 December.

The new year sees legendary band leader Ray McVay leading his orchestra through Glenn Miller big band classics on 7 January, before the festival draws to a close with a romantic afternoon of Johann Strauss favourites on 14 January.

All in all, this wide-ranging nine-concert festival offers something for everyone to enjoy over the holiday period.