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

Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994

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.

Chinese New Year in Manchester

Colourful cultural adventures abound as Manchester rings in the Lunar New Year. Here’s our round-up of what’s on.

Alcohol-free things to do in the North

So you’re off the booze and you’re wondering what there is to do in Manchester that doesn’t involve drinking…

New Year’s Eve in the North

From warehouse raves to live funk and soul, vegan street food to fancy dining, here’s our guide to New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North.

Christmas food and drink

The holidays are coming so that means it’s time to eat, drink and be merry for Christmas 2025.

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.

Champagne flute swirling in front of a Christmas tree.

Christmas in the North

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

Destinations

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Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

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Culture Guides

Tours and Activities in the North

We're enjoying an arty start to the new year in 2025 in Tours and Activities with plenty of arts based events, games and workshops.

Food and Drink in the North

New year, new you. Let us tell you exactly what food and drink you should consume over the coming weeks.

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes

Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Portrait of Rebecca Watts who is white with brown hair in a purple shirt against a green wall

Literature Events in the North

Readings are springing up everywhere as the live literature and spoken word scene starts to defrost.

Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.

Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.