December 2025 was one of the busiest months in recent years for the Manchester Proud Chorus, with a LOT of performances.
Let’s look back at the end of the year, beginning with the start of the month.
1 December: World AIDS Day
It was an honour once again to be asked to sing at Manchester’s World AIDS Day vigil in Sackville Gardens.
Despite the wet weather, dozens of people came out to help us remember friends we’ve lost and fight HIV stigma.
After the vigil, we sang once again at the World AIDS Day fundraiser organised by The Eagle.
This year, the event raised £14,000 for George House Trust and the LGBT Foundation.
4 December: Prevent Breast Cancer Concert
Our festive songs were first sung on Thursday 4 December, at a Christmas Celebration organised by the charity Prevent Breast Cancer.
We loved performing in the hugely grand Manchester Cathedral – and that wasn’t our last sing there of the month.
8 December: Christmas Party
A few days later, we met at HOME Mcr, for our annual festive celebration.
The party had everything – karaoke, dancing, a Christmas dinner buffet and an 80th birthday!
Also, of course we burst into song to say thank you to the staff.
9 December: A Christmas Carol
This year, we were asked if any of our members would like to be part of an exciting new production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, performed at the King’s Arms pub theatre in Salford from 9 to 21 December
Our members set the scene before each of the specially-adapted performances, with a few each night singing some Christmas songs.
15 December: Inclusive Concert
We returned to Manchester Cathedral on Monday 15 December, for the inclusive carol concert organised by LGBTQ+ charities The Proud Trust, George House Trust, Sparkle, akt and the LGBT Foundation.
As well as sharing inspiring music, it was great to witness the mayors of each of Greater Manchester’s boroughs dancing along to Feliz Navidad!
Plus, at least three of our members won prizes in the raffle. It wasn’t a fix, we promise!
22 December: Winter Voices
A week later, we were back together for one final sing of the year.
We were approached by Factory International in Manchester about being part of their Winter Voices festival at Aviva Studios.
We loved entertaining a full foyer of people on a chilly December evening, just a few days before Christmas!
And then we went outside, spotted a piano, and couldn’t resist the temptation to burst into song.
I Love Manchester article
Meanwhile, three of our members, John, Shell and Caro, spoke to I Love Manchester magazine, about the importance of community choirs at this time of year.
So that was December!
We’ve got some exciting announcements in the next few weeks about what is coming in 2026, so make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.