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Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

Black History Month’s an opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of Black heritage and culture.

Here in Manchester and the North, you’ll find a fantastic programme of events taking place throughout October. From exhibitions to theatre shows to dance, we’ve rounded up our arts and cultural highlights.

Not everything’s been announced yet, so do keep an eye on this page — we’ll be adding more highlights as and when they arise!

Our top picks

Barbara Walker: Being Here at The Whitworth

Barbara Walker at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 26 January 2025, free entry - Visit now

The Whitworth presents the first major survey exhibition by British artist Barbara Walker, who makes visible the Black experience through figurative charcoal drawings, paintings and installations.

Find out more
The artist Barbara Walker, is a standing figure, working on her wall-drawing Vanishing Point. She draws four large figures of people on a large gallery wall.
Barbara Walker working on her wall-drawing Vanishing Point at Cristea Roberts Gallery, 2022. Courtesy Cristea Roberts Gallery. Photo: Helen Waters

Seasonal Guides

Chinese New Year in Manchester
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.
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.
Contemporary Dance at The Lowry
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.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2021
Christmas food and drink

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

Spotlight on

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.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Olaf Falafel
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 Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

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

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.

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.