RAYMOND Gubbay's Christmas Festival opens in magnificent style at The Bridgewater Hall this year with the majestic Messiah By Candlelight.

Handel's choral masterpiece will be performed in full period costume by the Mozart Festival Orchestra in an evocative candle-lit style setting - a fitting launch to a wonderful season of festive events. There are more than 12 different shows to choose from and there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy in this year's festival.

Highlights include the ever-popular White Christmas featuring stars from London's West End as they sweep the audience through a wonderful mix of Christmas classics and seasonal songs. By contrast The Glory of Christmas is a more traditional celebration, with a programme of music and festive carols including O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

The New Year is heralded in rousing style in an exhilarating New Year's Day Gala, featuring some of the world's best-loved classics together with Proms favourites such as Rule, Britannia! and Nessun Dorma.

The Christmas Festival closes in sensational style with the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, as Ray McVay directs the UK's greatest big band.

Festival Dates: Messiah By Candlelight - Saturday, December 9 at 7.30pm; Carols By Candlelight - Wednesday, December 13 & 20 at 7.30pm; White Christmas - Friday 15 and Tuesday December 19 at 7.30pm; The Glory of Christmas - Monday, December 18 at 7.30pm; Christmas Carol Singalong - Sunday, December 24 at 2pm & 5.30pm; Boxing Day Proms - Tuesday, December 26 at 7.30pm; Opera Gala Night - Wednesday, December 27 at 7.30pm; The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan - Saturday, December 30 at 3pm; Johann Strauss Gala - Saturday, December 30 at 7.30pm; New Year's Day Gala - Monday, January 1 at 7.30pm; Swan Lake - Wednesday 3, Thursday 4, Friday January 5 at 7.30pm; Glenn Miller Orchestra UK - Sunday, January 7 at 3pm & 7.30pm.

For more information call the Bridgewater Hall box office on 0161 907 9000 or go to www.raymondgubbay.co.uk