Ah festivals. We do them well up north. From giant, inhibition-loosening weekends in farmers’ fields to inner-city parties that showcase the best of local, underground scenes, festival lovers are spoilt for choice.
Here we pick our highlights for spring/summer 2024, taking in everything from hedonistic escapes to brain-tickling festivals of ideas, via family-friendly fun. What’s more, a number of our picks below are free, and accessible to anyone!
Manchester’s longest running music festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, returns with 10 days of the best northern, national and international contemporary jazz – featuring big-name bands, emerging artists and new works.
This summer, Manchester International Festival invites the world’s best creative minds to reach across art forms, smash boundaries, and speak to urgent contemporary issues.
Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Take me there
Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.
Not long now, spring is on its way but wave goodbye to winter with some of the North's best food and drink.
While spring takes its sweet time to arrive, we've assembled a selection of indoor Tours and Activities that will have you feeling cosy and comforted.
Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.
As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.
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.
Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.
Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.
