intu Trafford Centre Christmas Lights switch-on event: acts and times confirmed

It will be another classical Christmas celebration at the intu Trafford Centre this year to officially get the mall’s festive season underway.

Fresh from last year’s performance with Dave Haslam, the Manchester Camerata orchestra will this year team up with the AMC gospel choir to create what is being billed as a “Christmas sound like no other.”

They will perform on Thursday 8th November from 7pm to lead up to the Christmas lights being switched on across the shopping centre.

Building on Manchester’s rich musical history and playing on the idea of mixing the traditional with the modern, the 30-minute event will see the two acts bringing together their two very different styles to create a musical spectacular.

Widely regarded as Britain’s most adventurous orchestra, Manchester Camerata will be kicking off the night with some of the most iconic and recognisable Christmas pieces before the AMC gospel choir join them to raise the roof of the iconic Main Dome.

The night will feature re-imagined Christmas classics such as Handel’s Messiah, Joyful, Joyful and many more before the two come together to switch the lights on.

Alison Niven, regional centre director at intu Trafford Centre, said: “After last year’s amazing event we knew we had to do something truly spectacular and this really fits the bill.

“We love the idea of bringing together two very different musical styles from some of the region’s most loved acts to create an unmissable performance and one that puts everyone in the mood for the festive period.”

James Thomas, Head of Artistic Development and Programming for Manchester Camerata said: “Manchester Camerata are delighted to once again be taking take part in the famous intu Trafford Centre Christmas Lights switch-on.

“intu Trafford Centre welcomes millions of visitors every year and the Christmas Lights switch-on is an excellent opportunity for us to bring our blend of classical music to people who might not consider coming to a traditional classical concert.”

Talking about Manchester Camerata’s festive collaboration with AMC Gospel Choir, James said: “This event also marks the season for our annual Festive Happening, which is now a Manchester musical tradition at the Albert Hall, and this year sees us renew our acquaintance with AMC Gospel choir who brought their gospel vibes last year and had our audiences dancing in their seats.”

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the centre’s decorations, the event will signal the start of a celebration of local musical talent over the festive period. In partnership with Raymond Weil, the nights will see the acts performing on the malls every Friday night throughout December.

The event marks the start of the shopping centre’s busiest eight weeks of the year launching two months of unique and exciting festive events, including the opening of the intu Christmas wheel, the Peter Rabbit Christmas Grotto and the magical Christmas parade.

The Trafford Centre event comes the week after Manchester city centre’s big festive switch-on event, which this year takes place on Saturday 3rd November on Albert Square.

intu Trafford Centre Christmas Lights switch-on event starts at 7pm in the Main Dome on Thursday 8th November. Tickets are not required.