10 Best Christmas Concerts in Manchester for Festive Music, Carols and Holiday Cheer

From classic carols that’ll have you humming "fa la la la la” all the way home, to big-band bangers and sing-along spectaculars, Manchester is hitting all the right notes this Christmas. The city is alive with festive tunes - and whether you’re into traditional Christmas concerts or a modern musical twist, there’s something to make your December positively merry and bright.

Expect magical evenings filled with orchestral performances, festive film scores, and toe-tapping tunes that’ll leave you jingling all the way. With everything from cosy candlelit carols to full-blown festive extravaganzas, Manchester’s Christmas concert scene is the gift that keeps on giving.

So, grab your Santa hat, warm up those vocal cords, and get ready to sleigh the season - because when it comes to Christmas concerts in Manchester, it really is the most wonderful time of the year!

1. Tony Hadley, The Christmas Big Band Tour 2025

Tony Hadley returns to The Bridgewater Hall with a spectacular celebration of swing and crooner classics, alongside reimagined versions of his own hits. The Christmas Big Band Tour 2025 will see him perform timeless jazz standards and swing anthems made famous by legends such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Elvis Presley, while giving Spandau Ballet favourites like True, Gold, and Through The Barricades a stylish new twist. 

2. Rob Brydon and his Fabulous Band: A Night of Festive Songs and Laughter

Following a sell-out West End run in 2024, Rob Brydon is also bringing his much-loved Christmas show on tour. Joined by a fabulous eight-piece band, Rob promises an evening of music, stories, and a few trademark impressions to usher in the season with warmth and humour. 

3. Slade

Slade are set to bring their iconic blend of pop, rock ’n’ roll, and festive cheer back to the stage, with hits like Merry Xmas Everyone ensuring the perfect soundtrack when the big guy finally comes down the chimney.

4. Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert

This Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol is back at Bridgewater Hall to spread festive cheer. Join Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, and Michael Caine as the ever-grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge in this joyful retelling of Dickens’ classic tale. The film is shown in full on the big screen, with a live orchestra performing the heartwarming score. It’s a charming mix of laughter, music, and Muppet magic that captures the true spirit of Christmas.

5. Home Alone in Concert

Don’t miss Home Alone at Bridgewater Hall, where you can relive every mischievous moment of Kevin McCallister’s Christmas adventure. Left behind while his family jets off on holiday, Kevin must protect his home from a pair of hapless burglars - all set to John Williams’ unforgettable score, performed live by an orchestra. It’s festive fun for the whole family, filled with laughter, nostalgia, and heart.

6. Love Actually in Concert

Few films capture the joy of Christmas quite like Love Actually. Head to Bridgewater Hall for a full screening of this beloved British classic, following ten intertwined stories of love, friendship, and festive chaos in London. A live orchestra performs the film’s gorgeous soundtrack, making it the perfect evening to fall in love with Love Actually all over again.

7. The Holiday in Concert

Settle in for a cosy evening at Bridgewater Hall with The Holiday, the feel-good festive favourite starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Follow two women who swap homes over Christmas in search of a fresh start - and find love in unexpected places. The film will be shown on the big screen with Hans Zimmer’s beautiful score performed live by an orchestra, creating a wonderfully warm and romantic festive atmosphere.

8. The Snowman in Concert

A true Christmas tradition, The Snowman returns to Bridgewater Hall for another magical live performance. This beautifully animated story of a boy and his snowman who come to life on Christmas Eve will be screened in full, with a live orchestra performing Howard Blake’s enchanting score - including the classic “Walking in the Air.” A spellbinding experience that never fails to capture hearts, young and old alike.

9. Candlelight: Christmas Classics at the Concorde Conference Centre

There’s something truly magical about hearing beloved festive tunes performed in the soft, golden glow of candlelight. The Candlelight: Christmas Classics concert transforms Manchester’s Concorde Conference Centre into a serene sanctuary of sound, where timeless favourites such as O Holy Night, Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano, and Jingle Bells fill the air. Surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles beneath the wings of an actual Concorde aircraft, this is a Christmas experience unlike any other - elegant, intimate, and utterly enchanting.

10. RNB Ball at Co-op Live 

For something a little different this festive season, the heavyweight lineup for the RnB Xmas Ball has just dropped with a feast of RnB superstars who will be performing live  at Co-op Live. Leading the pack is the greatest RnB group of all time Boyz II Men, alongside the one and only R&B icon Toni Braxton, who makes a long-awaited return to the UK stage for the first time in over 5 years, alongside the adored Joe and revered R&B boy band Dru Hill (with original members Sisqó, Nokio and Jazz).