Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

The Best of What's on in Manchester This Week

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK CALENDAR

With over 4000 shows listed on Manchester Theatres, it can be hard to decide which show to go and see - as you will probably know if you are one of the 200,000 members who receive our Sunday night "What's on in Manchester over the next seven days" e-mails [subscribe here].

If it's any help, we have handpicked our recommended theatre shows, classical concerts and stand-up comedy acts from what's on in Manchester over the next seven days...

You can find the best music gigs listed separately, here.

Quick Links: Theatres / Comedy / Gigs / Classical / Tribute Shows

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Our Top 10 What's On in Manchester Theatre This Week

Robin Hood

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

Palace Theatre, Manchester
Until 3 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with JOCHEBEL OHENE MACCARTHY
Read our ★★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks

The Enormous Crocodile

Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
Until 4 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with CHELSEA DA SILVA
Read our ★★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

Freaky Friday (European Premiere)

HOME, Manchester
Until 10 Jan 2026.
Read our ★★★★✭ review
Exclusive 2 for 1 Tickets Offer & More Info

Singin' in the Rain

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Until Sun 25 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with DANNY COLLINS
Tickets & More Info

VOGUE: Inventing the Runway

Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show

Snowstorm - Wish

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Until 11 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with SAM BUTTERY
Read our ★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

A Christmas Carol

Believe! The Polar Express Experience

All Elite Wrestling

Jack Off The Beanstalk

An Immersive Screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Pied Piper of Hamlin

The Met, Bury
Until 28 Dec 2025.
Tickets & More Info

Aladdin

The New Adventures of Peter Pan

Rumpelstiltskin

Santa Live!

Goldilocks & The Three Bears

Mrs Claus Saves Christmas

Tiny Tim

Santa Special Train

Adventures in Wonderland

Lowry 360

Quentin Blake and Me

Manchester United v Bournemouth

Manchester City v West Ham United

Manchester City v Brentford (Carabao Cup Quarter Final)

It's a Wonderful Life (U)

HOME, Manchester
Until Weds 24 Dec 2025.
Tickets & More Info

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (U)

HOME, Manchester
Sat 20 - Tue 23 Dec 2025.
Tickets & More Info

A Paw Patrol Christmas (U)

HOME, Manchester
Sat 20 - Sun 28 Dec 2025.
Tickets & More Info

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Jimmy Carr

AO Arena, Manchester
16 Dec 2025.

Tickets & More Info

Live at Christmas with Sam Campbell & more

Aurie Styla's Christmas Crack-Up

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top What's On in Manchester Classical & Choral This Week

The Holiday in Concert

A live concert orchestra perform the celebrated score of the Christmas favourite along to the film screening.

Home Alone in Concert

A live orchestra perform renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score along to the film screening.

Hallé - The Snowman & Shaun the Sheep

Manchester's oldest orchestra perform a double festive soundtrack bill live to screenings of The Snowman and Shaun the Sheep's The Flight Before Christmas!

The BBC Philharmonic Christmas Special

Step into a winter wonderland as we bring the magic of Christmas to life with a dazzling evening of festive music from the celebrated Salford Quays orchestra.

The Christmas Orchestra

A 16-piece chamber orchestra perform uplifting compositions from your favourite Christmas films, as well as popular sing-along classics.

Albert Hall, Manchester
Mon 15 Dec 2025 (2 shows).
Tickets & More Info

James B Partridge - The Big Christmas Assembly

A night packed with festive spirit, singalong tunes, and the nostalgia of Christmases gone by with tunes from your primary school days.

New Century Hall, Manchester
Fri 19 Dec 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - The Blue Danube

Leslie Suganandarajah conducts the Salford Quays orchestra for the irresistible sway of Johann Strauss’s An der schönen blauen Donau, arguably the most famous waltz of all time.

Candlelight - Christmas Classics

Discover the music of Christmas classics, festive films, and carols in this awe-inspiring location performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Concorde Conference Centre + St Philips Church, Salford
Sat 20 & Sun 21 Dec 2025 .
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Christmas Movie Soundtracks

Christmas Movie Soundtracks performed by a string quartet in this awe-inspiring location under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester Airport
Sun 21 Dec 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Hope Mill Community Choir & Orchestra

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

London African Gospel Choir - Paul Simon's Graceland Reimagined

The 23-strong London African Gospel Choir (LAGC) return with their totally uplifting rendition of Paul Simon's iconic 1986 Graceland album in the same week the folk legend announces he is coming to the UK [on sale here].