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Spring

Creative Tourist

Spring is here, the sun’s (almost) out and things are looking up. Even better, there are all manner of ace things to do in Spring, particularly if you’re of a cultural bent. From romantic places to go on a Valentine’s date to places to take your mum, from short break ideas to help you make the most of the Easter bank Holidays to school holiday what’s on guides, and from blockbuster exhibitions and art openings to music, art and digital festivals, read our recommendations to ensure that you feel like Spring has most definitely sprung.

Seasonal Guides

Valentine’s Day

Don’t leave Valentine’s Day to the last minute. You’ll find plenty in our guide, from top restaurants to outside-the-box activities.
Two young girls dance with a human disco ball
Things to do over February half-term

Looking for things to do with the family over the February half-term holiday? We’ve got you covered.
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.

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

Poet Vik Shirley
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.

The Super Duper Family Festival
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

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.