PARTY season is here, and have we got some parties for you...
TRIPLE COOKED: CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL | Antwerp Mansion | Tuesday 15 December
A crumbling Victorian mansion-turned-ravers haven, Antwerp Mansion knows how to throw on a party. To celebrate term’s end, the student favourite is hosting a Christmas carnival complete with art installations, street food, bright lights and plenty of mistletoe for added romance. With music spanning disco to funk, garage to grime, there’s something for all persuasions; DJs include Jamie Thomson and CNY.
Antwerp House, Kent Road West, Rusholme, M14 5RF (10pm-3am; tickets from £6 at skiddle.com).
Tripping the light fantastic at Antwerp
STAR WARS: PRIVATE SCREENING PARTY | Almost Famous | Wednesday 16 December
The force is with Almost Famous, who will host an exclusive midnight screening of the first in the hotly anticipated Star Wars trilogy - in cinemas 17 December. From 9pm the entire burger joint will be transformed into the galaxy’s biggest fancy dress party, promising a night that truly is out of this world. Admission includes themed cocktails, limited edition meal, goodie bag and that all important cinema ticket.
Almost Famous, Great Northern Warehouse, Peter Street, M3 4EJ (9.30pm; tickets from £32.49 at eventbrite.com).
Burgers but no Binks, please no Binks...
XMAS 90s HOUSE PARTY | Hidden | Saturday 19 December
Manchester’s hush hush new club venue may retain its mysterious aura, but a bespoke Neuron Pro Audio soundsystem, original warehouse complex and high calibre DJs means Hidden events are firmly in the public conscience. A mishmash of rave, acid and retro classics - complete with special light effects and graffiti installations - suggests this Strangeways Xmas house party will shake things up in true Hidden form. Fancy dress encouraged.
Hidden, 17 DownTex Mill, Mary Street, M3 1DZ (10pm-4am; tickets from £11 at skiddle.com).
Strangeways' not-so-hidden gem
NEW YEAR'S EVE | Albert Hall | Thursday 31 December
This Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel, renovated by the golden gang behind Trof, Gorilla, Deaf Institute and Manchester's most ridiculously popular new venue, Albert's Schloss, has already attracted some of music's hottest names including Hot Chip, Bloc Party and Jamie XX. Headlined by Rudimental, NYE 2015’s line-up is no less impressive, boasting artists like David Rodigan and Preditath. Partygoers can also expect a sumptuous visual feast of lasers and confetti canons to welcome in the New Year with a wallop.
Albert Hall, 21 Peter Street, M2 5QR (9am-5pm; tickets from £35 at skiddle.com).
Albert Hall
KEEP IT UNREAL | Old Granada Studios | Thursday 31 December
Jazz, soul, hip hop, funk, disco, deep house, reggae, afrobeat, Latin, techno... is there anything Band on the Wall don’t cover? It appears not, because their NYE special, hosted at Old Granada Studios, promises plenty more musical miscellany with a seven hour set by Mr Scruff and his team, plus a great selection of ales.
Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, M3 3GS (9pm-4am; tickets £23 at skiddle.com).
Mr Scruff
FRIDAY FOOD FIGHT | Great Northern Warehouse | Thursday 31 December
The Beat Street gang are back with the final (ever?) episode of Friday Food Fights before moving onto a totally new project next year. The turbo charged mix of ‘eats, beats and booze’ has acquired a somewhat cult status in the city and springboarded many a small guy onto street food stardom. The last ever FFF features all the usual antics, plus a free cocktail and some extra tasty titbits.
Unit 5, First Floor, Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN (9.30pm-2am; tickets £6 at ticketarena.co.uk).
It's going off one last time at FFF
NYE BOND SPECTACULAR | Bridgewater Hall | Thursday 31 December
OK, a blowout this is not. Still, For those who prefer New Year's Eve a little more refined, Bridgewater Hall has the perfect solution: an evening of glitz and glamour celebrating history’s most famous secret agent. Dress to impress, then join West End star Louise Dearman and Manchester Camerata for classics like Skyfall, Diamonds are Forever and Goldfinger. Pre-concert entertainment comes from The Gypsy Djangos Band.
Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS (8pm; tickets from £35 at bridgewater-hall.co.uk).
The Bridgewater Hall
SUPERSTAR FUNHOUSE | Islington Mill | Thursday 31 December
If you fancy playing Kim Kardashian for a night, Islington Mill’s tongue-in-cheek narcissistic blowout is just the ticket. Promoters like Fat Out and Guts for Garters present a topical, meaningless, celebrity-damning night: revel in money, fame and meteoric success before burning out in a blaze of paparazzi eagerly anticipating your downfall - all in the space of a few hours.
Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford, M3 5HW (10pm-8am; tickets from £10 at skiddle.com).
Islington Mill
