FILM fans have been promised a festive treat in the shape of the Magical Christmas Movie Experience opening in Manchester next month.

The pop-up cinema will showcase some of the best-loved Christmas movies in the surroundings of the transformed Mayfield Depot near Manchester Piccadilly.

Organisers say 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 and adds a live gospel choir as well as some action surprises.

And the Christmas Classics weeks features feature 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 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.

A spokesman added: "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 magicalchristmasmovieexperience.com

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