You don’t need a drink in your hand to enjoy a gig, especially when the performers bring as much energy as legendary Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti, who’s injecting some Joy into January with an intimate Manchester show.

If you want to avoid being in the vicinity of alcohol altogether, try this major exhibition at The Whitworth, showcasing the work of one of Southeast Asia’s leading artists.

It’s only fair. You’re saving all that money on booze, so you can afford to push the boat out on food. KAJI is one of our favourite dining destinations of the minute, whose current fire-based dining concept won’t fail to impress.

Hang onto the last remnants of the festive spirit with this Cuban take on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, with new choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE, and performances by 20 exceptional dancers from his company, Acosta Danza.

The RNCM’s Dance:Music initiative gets to the heart of the symbiotic relationship between the two art forms, with a treasure trove of concerts reflecting the primal energy that dance and movement can unlock together.

Buddha knew a thing or two about clean living, and this display at esea contemporary touches on science, belief, and Buddhist principles through a series of meditative works.

Feeling invigorated by your sobriety, or just want to push yourself? Explore our guide to the best adventure activities in the North of England, taking in abseiling, water skiing and everything in between.

Embrace that newfound sense of wellbeing in relaxed painting workshop that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

Shaun Moffat brings his inventive style of British cooking to MAYA, whose new winter menu showcases what this brilliant chef does best.

The first in a three-part series of exhibitions at the Lowry features Aliyah Hussain, Paloma Proudfoot and Renee So – three inspiring artists who work in ceramics and use the medium as a tool for narrative.

Thrilling and challenging, PUSH Festival is always a highlight of the theatre calendar, celebrating the North West’s creative talents over four weeks and across several stages, screens and spaces at HOME.

Feeling really adventurous? Squeeze that Christmas bulge into a wet suit and explore some of the North’s most beautiful spots to go wild swimming, taking in lakes, rivers and reservoirs across the region.

Prefer adventures of the culinary variety? Lancashire’s Northcote, which has held a Michelin star since 1996, is one of the North’s finest high-end restaurants, and the creativity that goes on in its kitchen is pretty astonishing.

The Traumatic Surreal explores the powerful contributions to Surrealism from women artists from German-speaking countries, confronting WWII trauma, patriarchy, and the female experience through sculpture.

Something that definitely doesn’t go hand in hand with alcohol —  throwing axes at large planks of wood with wild abandon. The new year’s as good a time as any for trying something very, very different.

“O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!”. The old bard had a thing or two to say about alcohol himself…

There’s no better way to appreciate the River Mersey than by getting on top of it with a guided canoeing or kayaking trip — perfect for those looking to swap the alcohol buzz for a natural high.

Think all the fun of childhood, but for adults. Yes, this is a bar, but it’s much more about the many, many arcade games than the booze, and they also do some great alcohol-free cocktails.