Artists in Times of Upheaval: Resisters, Palestine at Aviva Studios
A free staged reading of this new play by Mojisola Adebayo explores queer and women’s resistance to occupation, war and genocide through art.
Free entryOur arts and culture highlights
Philharmonia Orchestra with Alisa Weilerstein, cello at The Bridgewater Hall
Alisa Weilerstein joins Marin Alsop and the Philharmonia for a concert featuring Gabriela Ortiz’s 2026 GRAMMY-winning cello concerto, Dzonot.
From £25.00
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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
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 £10.00
Until
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
Pinocchio at Lowry
Watch a playful, high-energy adaptation of Pinocchio where everyday objects become puppets and family relationships take centre stage.
Culture Guides
Tickets by Creative Tourist
View all
The Tour of Uninteresting Objects
Tickets from £20.00
This walking tour led by Jonathan Schofield, takes the time to stop...
Until
Secrets of The University of Manchester
Tickets from £20.00
Epic architecture, hidden green spaces and ideas that changed the world. Explore...
Alexandra Park and Whalley Range Tour
Tickets from £20.00
Take a walking tour of both Alexandra Park and wider Whalley Range,...
Until
Secrets of Stockport
Tickets from £20.00
Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore the fascinating stories and stunning architecture...
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Secrets of Knutsford
Tickets from £20.00
From wild buildings to wilder characters, explore hidden histories and architectural oddities...
Until
Suffragettes, Significant Women and Manchester
Tickets from £20.00
Explore the Suffragettes' epic fight for equal rights on this guided tour...
Music highlights
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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English National Opera: Così fan tutte at The Bridgewater Hall
English National Opera takes its first ever bow at The Bridgewater Hall with two semi-staged concert performances of a Mozart classic.
From £25.00
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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
Until
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
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
Until
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
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Broken Ecologies at Castlefield Gallery
Broken Ecologies brings together Alana Lake and Deeqa Ismail to reflect on power, protest, memory and survival.
Free entry
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On The Line at People’s History Museum
In the centenary year of the 1926 General Strike, People’s History Museum traces a century of industrial action and collective resistance.
Free entryFood And Drink Guides
Our latest food and drink picks
Manchester
The Beeswing Wine Bar and Kitchen
The Beeswing is a wine bar with a newly launched seven-course tapas menu. It’s also the clear highlight of the Kampus complex.
Spinningfields
Bill’s Manchester
This family favourite has moved from John Dalton Street to its new home in Spinningfields, with a brand new look featuring modern decor teamed with vintage items sourced by Bill
Manchester
Habas Bar & Restaurant
Habas is a modern Middle Eastern-influenced restaurant in the very centre of Manchester. It’s the latest venture from El Gato Negro’s Simon Shaw.
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
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.
