What's On in Manchester at Christmas: Football, Kasabian and Disney On Ice
Manchester City
← Back to all articlesManchester in December means football at both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium. Kasabian finishing their arena tour at Co-op Live, and Disney On Ice at the AO Arena for the kids and family day out. Here is what's on from 12 to 30 December 2026.
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Football before Christmas: two games at the Etihad
- Man City v Chelsea, Saturday 12 December, 17:30, Etihad Stadium, from around £111
- Man City v Hull, Saturday 19 December, 15:00, Etihad Stadium, from around £67
Man City v Chelsea is the pick of the month in Manchester, under the lights on a Saturday evening. The Hull game a week later is the cheapest way into the Etihad this December. Man United are away on both weekends before Christmas, so their home games come after it.
The Etihad Campus tram stop is next to the ground, a few stops from Piccadilly. More on our Etihad Stadium page.
Kasabian at Co-op Live, Saturday 19 December
Kasabian end their five-date UK arena tour at Co-op Live on Saturday 19 December, with The Vaccines as special guests. Tickets start from around £95 including fees.
Co-op Live sits next to the Etihad, so the same tram stop serves both. City play Hull at 15:00 that afternoon, which makes it a football-and-gig day if you want one. Expect busy trams in between.
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Disney On Ice at the AO Arena, 16 and 17 December
Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic is at the AO Arena the week before Christmas. We have tickets for the 18:30 shows on Wednesday 16 December, from around £38, and Thursday 17 December, from around £40, both including fees.
The AO Arena sits next to Manchester Victoria, so you can come by train or tram and walk straight in.
Getting around over Christmas
Metrolink trams don't usually run on Christmas Day, and the days after run to reduced timetables. Check TfGM for this year's times before you set off, especially for an evening game.
Between Christmas and New Year: Man United at Old Trafford
- Man Utd v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 27 December, 16:30, Old Trafford, from around £147
- Man Utd v Sunderland, Wednesday 30 December, 19:30, Old Trafford, from around £123
Two home games in four days. Sunderland on the Wednesday night is the cheaper of the two.
The Old Trafford tram stop on the Altrincham line is about a 15-minute walk from the ground. If it's your first visit, read our first-time Old Trafford matchday guide and the Old Trafford seating guide.
FAQs about Christmas in Manchester
What's on in Manchester at Christmas?
Man City v Chelsea on 12 December, Disney On Ice at the AO Arena on 16 and 17 December, Man City v Hull and Kasabian at Co-op Live on 19 December, then Man United v Nottingham Forest on 27 December and v Sunderland on 30 December.
When is Man City v Chelsea?
Saturday 12 December 2026 at 17:30, at the Etihad. It was moved to the evening for live TV.
Are Man United at home over Christmas?
Yes, twice after Christmas: Nottingham Forest on Sunday 27 December at 16:30 and Sunderland on Wednesday 30 December at 19:30.
Can I see Man City and Kasabian on the same day?
Yes. City v Hull kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday 19 December, and Kasabian play Co-op Live, next door to the Etihad, that evening.
Do the trams run on Christmas Day?
Metrolink doesn't usually run on Christmas Day. Check TfGM for this year's times.
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