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 ensembles and venues.
Want more music? Head to our general Music guide for our latest scoop on the North’s best gigs and festivals.
The 27th instalment of The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship classical music series is here. True to form, there are some incredible concerts to look forward to, featuring some of the leading ensembles and musicians of our time.
Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.
Dress up and get down to The Bridgewater Hall this New Year’s Eve, for an uplifting gala concert themed around Let’s Groove.
Home to the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras, the Bridgewater Hall attracts some of the biggest names in classical music. Purpose-built to the tune of £42m, the hall was designed around its acoustic needs; it floats on 280 earthquake-proof isolations springs that mute all external noise, perfect for shielding around 250 performances a year from the trams outside.
The Royal Northern College of Music is both a music venue and an academic institution training up some of the country’s finest music students.
Still Manchester’s newest kid on the concert hall block, The Stoller Hall opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.
The 1930s Art Deco Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, gives no hint of the sensuous curves of the auditorium inside from its hard exterior.
Hallé St Peter’s is a deconsecrated Grade-II listed church, once a theatre prop store, then a knitting factory, before being restored and becoming home to the Hallé orchestra.
Manchester’s Albert Hall is an astounding Wesleyan Chapel turned live music venue, regularly hosting classical concerts.
Manchester Cathedral dates back to at least the 1400s and has been rebuilt many times. In current, striking form, it’s still a place of worship, but also host to regular gigs and events.
Through a treasure trove of concerts, the RNCM’s initiative Dance:Music explores the symbiotic relationship between music and dance.
from £0.00
This January, legendary Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti plays an intimate Manchester date with his band, The Positive Force.
from £27
Experience the excitement of competitive painting in Art Battle Manchester XXV at Aviva Studios this January!
from £17.50
Escape to Freight Island, has announced its programming for New Year’s Eve, including live performances, DJs, and top-notch food and drink.
free entry
Let the Hallé transport you to a galaxy far, far away…
from £18.00
Leeds International Concert Season is on a mission to push boundaries, expand horizons, and ask the question: ‘What haven’t we heard?’ as it presents its city-spanning Sound Out Leeds series.
from £10.00
manchester jazz festival is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz.
0-£30
The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship concert series brings the best international orchestras, celebrated recitalists and world-renowned choirs to Manchester.
from £8
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
from £45.00
Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Glasgow band Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.
from £39.50
Following a sellout show with Habibi Funk, Me Gusta Collective is back at Band on the Wall for the big one: New Year’s Eve.
from £10
In support of her new album ‘You and i are Earth’, Anna B Savage performs at Night & Day this February.
from £15.00
Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Take me there
From the team behind the Kazimier, the Invisible Wind Factory is Liverpool’s most eclectic live music venue and nightclub.
District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.
The Liverpool Playhouse, a local gem of a theatre, has a varied programme of events from a rock’n’roll panto, to live poetry and comedy.
Built as a Methodist chapel in 1910, Albert Hall is now one of Manchester’s most iconic and most stunning music venues.
Regenerating a 60 hectare historic dockland site to create a world-class, high-quality, mixed use waterfront quarter in central Liverpool.
Leeds International Festival will host a Spiegeltent at Live at Leeds 2018 in Leeds’ Millennium Square.
Boasting premises that once housed Manchester’s legendary Factory Records, FAC251 @The Factory is now home to a nightclub bursting with freshers across all three floors of hits across the spectrum.
Northern Quarter in Huddersfield is a small-capacity, grassroots music venue and bar that champions everything local.
Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we head into the new year.
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.
Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
