The Producers
Friday 30th November – Saturday 26th January | Tickets from £25 – book online
Royal Exchange Theatre

Adapted from the cult comedy film by Mel Brooks, the Royal Exchange welcomes this award-winning musical to Manchester for the Christmas season.

Theatre Producer Max Bialystock has a string of failures in his wake. But his downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom thinks that could be a good thing, a producer could make more money with a dud than a hit. They set out to find the worst script, the worst director and the worst actors in the industry, produce the biggest flop in Broadway history, and make a heap of cash in the process. What could possibly go wrong?

Lightwaves 2018
Friday 7th December – Sunday 16th December, 4pm-10.30pm | Free – no booking required
The Plaza, Salford Quays

The unmissable Lightwaves festival returns to Salford Quays for 10 days this December, packed full of impressive light displays and playful art installations. Make sure you visit as part of your festive season – it’s completely free!

Two major commissions that visitors can engage with include Hooded Youth from internationally recognised, and renowned London-based artist, Stanza, and SPECTRUM from Montreal based collaborative, HUB – a co-commission, and part of an exciting international collaboration with Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles.

Släpstick
Thursday 13th December – Saturday 22nd December | Tickets from £10 – book online
HOME Mcr

Flying violins! Speed skating ballerinos! Winner of the 2017 Edinburgh Spirit of the Fringe Award, Släpstick is an ode to the timeless comedy of Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, Spike Jones and Laurel & Hardy – with a very modern twist.

With a flair for eccentricity and a hint of melancholy, the five world-class performers have mastered over 100 instruments between them. Släpstick is a perfect blend of dazzling musicianship, lung-bursting physical comedy and heartfelt nostalgia in the true ‘slapstick’ tradition.

Love Actually with live orchestra
Tuesday 11th December, 7.30pm | Tickets from £42.50 – book online
Bridgewater Hall

Following on from a triumphant sold out 2017 premiere tour, Love Actually will once again be screened live at The Bridgewater Hall with a full orchestra performing its enchanting score – just in time for Christmas!

Directed by Richard Curtis and originally released in cinemas in 2003, Love Actually tells ten separate yet interweaving stories of love around Christmas time. A full, live orchestra will perform Craig Armstrong’s evocative score at these shows, with the film being projected onto a huge screen.

Urban Lights – A Night of Live Light Graffiti
Thursday, 6th December, 6-10pm | Free
Hatch, Oxford Road

Oxford Road’s independent food and retail hub Hatch are hosting a night of live light graffiti as part of their Urban Narnia events. Transforming Hatch into a winter wonderland, Urban Narnia has seen the space filled with festive lights and decorations, inviting musicians and DJs to play early evening sets.

Hosted by The Ice Queen and Mr Tumnus, Hatch will be presenting a night of live graffiti art with photographer Simon Buckley, who created the acclaimed Not Quite Light project. Entry is free and will be soundtracked by Manchester DJs James Holroyd and Matthew Krysko.

FOUNDATIONS Festival
Friday 14th December – Saturday 15th December | £20, some events free – book online
AATMA and The Peer Hat

Following the success of the first FOUNDATIONS Festival in 2016, FOUNDATIONS is back to celebrate Manchester’s grassroots live music, creative collaboration, art and film performance.

Taking place in AATMA and The Peer Hat in the Northern Quarter, the festival is all about experimenting, going against the grain and getting involved. Expect panel discussions from midday on Saturday, live music in the evenings and a gothic Christmas celebration featuring cabaret, poetry, satanic santas and zombie elves. Check their website for the full list of events.

New Years Eve at the Warehouse Project
Monday, 31st December | £45 – book online
Store Street

The final New Years Eve party at Warehouse Project’s iconic Store Street venue – this is one not to miss. Featuring sets from MK, Radio One’s Danny Howard and Secondcity, what better way to see out 2018 than at Warehouse Project’s self proclaimed “spiritual home”?