Manchester film fans are promised a festive treat with the announcement of the Magical Christmas Movie Experience opening in the city next month.
The pop-up cinema will showcase some of the best-loved Christmas movies in the surroundings of a beautifully transformed Mayfield Depot near Manchester Piccadilly, Cinema goers will enter a magical kingdom through a secret wardrobe, finding themselves in an enchanted forest full of festive surprises.
Running over four long weekends from November 23 to December 16, the festive film programme includes the Greatest Showman, Love Actually Weekend and two Christmas Classics weeks.
The phenomenon that is The Greatest Showman will be brought to life in colourful fashion with, stilt walkers, fire breathers and a fabulous choir creating a fully immersive experience. And there will also be sing-along screenings.
The Love Actually weekend takes the yuletide feelgood favourite, starring Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Martin Freeman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley and a whole host of other stars and adds the superb seasonal sound of a live gospel choir as well as some action surprises.
And the Christmas Classics weeks features a host of heart-warming, thrilling and hilarious favourites including Home Alone, The Holiday, Elf, Die Hard, The Polar Express and Gremlins.
Along with the seasonal blockbusters and family favourites, there will also be an array of festive installations along Temperance Street, close to Piccadilly Transport Hub, as well as a delicious selection of food hosted by some of the UK’s finest restaurants and food trucks, live music and dancers, and a unique bar experience with a selection of exclusive Christmas Cocktails and mulled wines.
All the screenings take place under cover of Mayfield’s three railway arches.
Entering the venue through a Narnia-inspired wardrobe, visitors will emerge into a magical enchanted forest which will transport guests to a fairy-tale cinema and street food venue.
In the cinema, a range of seating will include giant bean bags, and while people are encouraged to dress warmly for the winter weather, there will also be blankets on offer to snuggle under which will keep audience’s toasty – and which will be donated to the city’s homeless after the final screening.
Doors to the enchanted forest and food court open at 6pm on Thursdays, 5pm on Fridays and from noon at weekends.
Tickets for all the films start from £14.99.
For more details visit www.magicalchristmasmovieexperience.com
Follow on Facebook /AMagicalChristmasMovieExperience
LISTING INFORMATION
The Greatest Showman
Date: Fri 23-Sun 25 November, Fri 14 December
Time: times vary
The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long
Date: Fri 23-Sat 24 November
Time: Fri 6pm, Sat 1.30pm
Love Actually
Date: Thu 29 November-Sun 2 December
Time: times vary
The Holiday
Date: Thu 6 December, Sat 15 December
Time: Thu 7pm, Sat 9pm
Elf
Date: Fri 7-Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December
Time: times vary
Gremlins
Date: Fri 7 December
Time: 9pm
The Polar Express
Date: Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December
Time: 1.30pm
Home Alone
Date: Sat 8 December, Fri 14 December
Time: Sat 5.30pm, Fri 6pm
Home Alone 2
Date: Sun 9 December
Time: 1pm
Die Hard
Date: Thu 13 December
Time: 7pm
Santa Claus The Movie
Date: Sun 16 December
Time: 1pm
