July

Creative Tourist Last Updated 30 May 2023

July sees the cultural calendar heat up with Manchester International Festival in full swing as we enter summer proper. We round up our most unmissable events from that festival below, alongside a wealth of other cultural highlights from across the North, including lots of exhibitions a bunch of great theatre.

With the big school holiday approaching, get ahead of the game and plot out some interesting things to do with kids, if you have them. If you don’t, why not make the most of that fact by letting loose at one of the North’s many excellent festivals. You’ll find a lot of them below!

Seasonal Guides

Christmas in Manchester and the North

If you’re looking for alternative or interesting things to do over Christmas in Manchester and the North, look no further.

Christmas Shopping

Back away from the high street and support some of Manchester’s best independent makers, sellers and curators this Christmas.

Cultural Calendar 2025

Our editors’ biannually updated list of some of the best-looking arts and cultural events in Manchester and the North in 2025.

Christmas food and drink

Don’t worry about the calories, the holidays are coming so that means it’s time to eat, drink, be merry for Christmas 2023.

Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand Theatre

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

As the big day approaches, you can count on theatres and concert halls across the North to pull out all the festive stops.

Creepy capers across Manchester and the North for little and big ghosts with the most.

Halloween in Manchester and the North

As Halloween approaches read our guide to the creepy capers happening for little and big ghosts with the most.

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Destinations

Spotlight on

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

Munch away the Autumnal blues with this foodie orientated guide of Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North.

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Take some autumnal eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Music in Manchester and the North

Spanning leftfield pop, forward-thinking classical and heady electronica, check out our latest music picks for autumn.

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.

Family things to do in Manchester and the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Literature Events in Manchester and the North

Bookish goings-on are perfect for picking up presents for others and treats to get yourself through the cold, dark days ahead.

A man stands in the middle of shot infront of scaffolding wearing a white vest

Cinema in Manchester and the North

Film festivals, animation and the art of action are amongst our highlights of a busy month at the cinema.