Until
The Guardians of Living Matter at Lowry
A new Lowry exhibition pitches us into 2076, where mycelium and AI entwine to ease the climate crisis together.
Our arts and culture highlights
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The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O’Connor at Aviva Studios
A major new dance work brings Sinéad O’Connor’s uncompromising voice back into the room, responding to a life lived against the grain.
From £10.00
Thresholds of Becoming at esea contemporary
Marking its 40th anniversary, esea contemporary looks forward rather than back with a group exhibition that probes ideas of transition.
Free entry
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Antony and Cleopatra at Shakespeare North Playhouse
This UK premiere reframes Shakespeare’s story of love, loyalty and power as a contemporary struggle between community and corporate greed.
From £16.00
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Ai Weiwei: Button Up! at Aviva Studios
History, power and empire collide in Button Up! – Aviva Studios’ major new exhibition by the world-leading artist and activist, Ai Weiwei.
From £10.00
Sounds From The Other City
One of the country’s foremost festivals showcasing new and emerging talent, Sounds From The Other City is back over Early May Bank Holiday.
From £30
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Return to the Forest at Aviva Studios
Return to the Forest is an immersive puppetry and dance experience that treats children’s theatre as a space for serious ideas.
From £10.00Culture Guides
Music highlights
Sorry at Gorilla
Sorry return to Manchester with a new album that finally captures the full strangeness and clarity of a band who’ve spent years ducking easy categorisation.
From £23.25
Mark William Lewis at The White Hotel
A hyped name among London’s underground scene, Mark William Lewis brings his skeletal and introspective indie rock to The White Hotel.
From £17.10
The Hallé Presents: Jonny Greenwood at The Bridgewater Hall
Jonny Greenwood’s love of strings takes centre stage as the Hallé performs his new Violin Concerto, shaped by uncertainty.
From £23.50
Voka Gentle at YES Basement
Voka Gentle return to Manchester with a headline show in YES Basement, bringing new material that pushes their already elastic sound into darker, stranger territory.
From £14.50
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Theatre highlights
Until
The Memory Of Water at The Octagon Theatre
Three sisters, one bitter-sweet reunion – grief, whisky and buried truths collide in a sharply funny Northern family reckoning.
From £15.00
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Antony and Cleopatra at Shakespeare North Playhouse
This UK premiere reframes Shakespeare’s story of love, loyalty and power as a contemporary struggle between community and corporate greed.
From £16.00
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Pinocchio at Lowry
Watch a playful, high-energy adaptation of Pinocchio where everyday objects become puppets and family relationships take centre stage.
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The Gruffalo’s Child at Z-arts
Sneak into the deep dark wood with The Gruffalo’s Child in 2026.
From £14.70
Spotlight on
Return to the Forest at Aviva Studios
Return to the Forest is an immersive puppetry and dance experience that treats children’s theatre as a space for serious ideas.
Take me thereExhibitions highlights
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos at the Science and Industry Museum
This world-premiere exhibition offers a hands-on journey through the Solar System, making complex science tangible, playful and participatory.
From £10.00
Until
The Guardians of Living Matter at Lowry
A new Lowry exhibition pitches us into 2076, where mycelium and AI entwine to ease the climate crisis together.
Until
Manchester Photography Collective: Where We Move Together
Manchester Photography Collective celebrates its second year with a free exhibition all about showcasing the energy, rhythm and everyday poetry of Manchester.
Free entry
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Electric Echoes at Stockport Air Raid Shelters
A river, abused and neglected, speaks back through an interactive sound installation and sound walk by Maya Chowdhry.
Free entryFood And Drink Guides
Our latest food and drink picks
Manchester
Butter Bird
Butter Bird is a newly opened casual but stylish restaurant in Ancoats, based around the very delicious concept of tea-brined chicken.
Manchester
The Blues Kitchen Manchester
The Blues Kitchen is a Quay Street highlight, not only for live music, but drop-in dining that delivers surprises alongside the classics.
Manchester
The Head of Steam Manchester NQ
The Head of Steam chugs into the Northern Quarter showcasing high-quality drinks, and cult burger smashers That Burger Thing manning the kitchen.
Manchester
North Brewing Co Taproom
Independent Leeds-based brewery North has opened its first Manchester taproom, in Oxford Road’s Circle Square neighbourhood.
Manchester
Asmara Bella
Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, serving up traditional food from the Horn of Africa.
Spinningfields
Australasia
The recent revamp builds on Australasia’s well-deserved reputation as one of Manchester’s most stylish venues
Chorlton
Horse and Jockey Chorlton
Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.
Liverpool
Maray Albert Dock
The ever-popular Maray’s third site, based at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, has beautiful views and flavours in equal measure.
Liverpool
Maray Bold Street
Much-loved Liverpool restaurant, specialising in forward-thinking small plate dishes.
Manchester neighbourhoods
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Ancoats & New IslingtonAncoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city's most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.
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Chorlton, ManchesterChorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,...
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City Centre, ManchesterThe heart of Manchester is packed full with history and stories. This industriousness is evident across the city centre, where proud heritage meets contemporary ambition, and a forward-looking mix of...
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Deansgate, ManchesterWhen you think of Deansgate, you might think about the long (seemingly endless) street that runs from the Manchester Cathedral all the way down to the Deansgate Towers. And you...
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Didsbury, ManchesterDidsbury has the perfect split between big brands and independent businesses, welcoming all from far and wide.
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Northern Quarter, ManchesterManchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.
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Oxford Road, ManchesterWe cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.
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Salford, Greater ManchesterCross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.
