Take a trip through the magical world of winter festival songs with Manchester Community Choir, from reindeer herding songs from Lapland to 16th-century songs of peace from Spain and atmospheric midwinter folk ballads.
Part of Give Handmade this Christmas – Manchester Craft and Design Centre‘s season of festive events.
Handmade crafts and gifts in this Craft Centre studio.
Oak Street Café at Manchester Craft & Design Centre does fresh, healthy salads, soups, sandwiches, quiches and, best of all, cakes.
Boutique charity shop in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
Northern Quarter stalwart Common Bar in Manchester serves excellent pub food, fine cocktails and decent coffee. It’s a firm Creative Tourist team favourite.
Home Sweet Home in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a cafe and milk bar that does a mean line in cake, puddings and all things sweet – but its savoury menu isn’t half bad either.
This small shop has a well-curated range of stock that focuses on vintage homeware and gifts. From Japanese hemp socks to botanical paperweights and HAWS plant misters, each object is beautiful, practical and well made.
Ziferblat is a pay as you stay café in the northern quarter, where everything is free – except the time you spend.
Gordon Ramsay-approved Northern Quarter restaurant run by three sisters, featuring some of the city’s finest Chinese cuisine.
Essentially three bars under one roof, Cane & Grain encompasses a rib joint and tap room, hidden speakeasy, and Tiki-themed Liar’s Lounge.
The sister store to NOTE’s original Tib Street branch, here you’ll find footware, clothes and brands inspired by the skateboard scene. If it’s a new board you’re after, head to Tib Street.
Highly-rated bar based in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, seconds away from Common.
57 Thomas Street is the third outlet belonging to Manchester’s best-known microbrewery, Marble Beers. Unlike the lavish decoration of the Grade II-listed Marble Arch (which also doubles up as a brewery) or the traditional pub layout of the Marble Beer House in Chorlton, this tiny Thomas Street digs has room for just two things: beer and food.
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
from £45.00
Band on the Wall bring people together to make, as well as watch, music. Join them to learn folk tunes from all over the world.
The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship concert series brings the best international orchestras, celebrated recitalists and world-renowned choirs to Manchester.
from £8
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
Aviva Studios powers into its second year with another thrilling line-up, featuring major works and world premiere performances alongside a super accessible public programme of free events.
from £0
Through a treasure trove of concerts, the RNCM’s initiative Dance:Music explores the symbiotic relationship between music and dance.
from £0.00
Folk musicians from Scotland, Ireland and the US will come together for an intimate live show at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International.
from £32.50
Exploring some of the best contemporary chamber music, Manchester Collective’s new Hidden Mechanism show comes to the RNCM.
from £12.50
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.
Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.
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
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.
Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.
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.