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.
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.
One of the must-see gigs of the year comes as GRAMMY-nominated, multidisciplinary artist FKA twigs performs at Aviva Studios.
from £37.50
A three-day celebration of living legend Philip Glass takes place in Manchester this February, courtesy of the Hallé and the RNCM.
from £23.00
In support of her new album ‘You and i are Earth’, Anna B Savage performs at Night & Day this February.
from £15.00
In support of The Weather Station’s new album, Humanhood, Tamara Lindeman and her band perform at Band on the Wall.
from £19
Through a treasure trove of concerts, the RNCM’s initiative Dance:Music explores the symbiotic relationship between music and dance.
from £0.00
On the back of her critically acclaimed fourth album, Dreamstate, Kelly Lee Owens brings her dreampoppy electronica to New Century.
from £28
To celebrate this year’s Record Store Day, ten writers have teamed up with musicians for Sleeve Notes, a unique collaborative performance response creating new writing and music.
from £5.00
Let the Hallé transport you to a galaxy far, far away…
from £18.00
The Stoller Hall celebrate The Phantom of the Opera’s 100th birthday with a live accompaniment by silent movie masters Frame Ensemble.
from £5.50
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
Fancy a 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.
One of Salford’s finest churches and also, unusually, a live music venue
One of Manchester’s most important cultural buildings, The Bridgewater Hall attracts the biggest names in classical music.
Latest addition to The ACC Liverpool Group’s family of world class venues alongside interconnected sister venues BT Convention Centre and the M&S Bank Arena.
Welsh for ‘everyone’s house’, Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham is a brand new cultural community hub, featuring two galleries, performance areas, a gallery shop, market stalls and a food court.
Nightclub identifying as an ‘IndieDiscoElectroHomoMadHiphopBritPopFunkyKindaShagtasticQueerThing’, Bar Pop on Manchester’s vibrant Canal Street is known for its friendly atmosphere.
Small Seeds is a live music venue in Huddersfield.
We're enjoying an arty start to the new year in 2025 in Tours and Activities with plenty of arts based events, games and workshops.
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.
New year, new you. Let us tell you exactly what food and drink you should consume over the coming weeks.
Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.
Readings are springing up everywhere as the live literature and spoken word scene starts to defrost.
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
