Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Every two years we eagerly anticipate the return of Manchester International Festival, therefore, for obvious reasons this month’s Tours and Activities guide features a couple of hot picks from MIF25.

As part of the festival, you can dive into Samoan culture with SAUNIGA, a live cultural ceremony based on Samoan ancestral knowledge. Or witness Manchester being enveloped by a migrating heard of life-sized animal puppets in what looks set to be one of the most impressive openings yet, THE HERDS.

If you’re visiting for the festival and want a more general look into the city, we can recommend the Rock and Goal tour. On this guided walk through Manchester, you’ll explore the streets where footballing and musical history have been made.

Over in Leeds, Pyramid Arts are holding an open studio where you can take a closer look at the work being created in this unique environment.

Finally, our favourite temple of good times, Altogether Otherwise, are hosting a Céilí as part of their Singing and Dancing season, which looks set to be a hoot.

Scroll down to find more top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE – SAUNIGA (CEREMONY)

FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE - SAUNIGA (CEREMONY) at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 10–12 July 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

SAUNIGA is an invitation for people to experience a live cultural ceremony drawn from Samoan ancestral knowledge. 

A member of FAFSWAG with glowing white eyes and red and black face paint stares intensely at the camera. They wear red beaded necklaces, and the image is flipped upside down.
FAFSWAG

Dance a Céilí at Altogether Otherwise

Dance a Céilí at Altogether Otherwise, Manchester, 23 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.

A sign that says 'Dance a Ceili'
Altogether Otherwise

Pyramid Open Studio Tours

Pyramid Open Studios Tour, 19 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Explore the workspace, discover the artworks and meet the artists in one of Leeds’ most exciting accessible arts studios.

Group of people around a computer screen watch a new documentary from artist
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

THE HERDS at MIF25

THE HERDS, 3–5 July 2025, free entry - Find Out More

THE HERDS are a mass migration of life sized puppets, fleeing their climate destroyed homes, catch them as they rampage through Manchester. 

A woman in a cap touches the head of a life-sized giraffe puppet made from cardboard and wood, as part of The Herds. The background shows an urban environment with people watching and a scenic view of trees and mountains.
The Herds

Rock and Goal Tour

Rock and Goal Tour at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester and online, Until 27 February 2027, from £9.99 - Book now

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

Rock and Goal

Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise, 6-10 Hanover Street, NOMA, Manchester, M44BB - Visit now

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Altogether Otherwise

May Day Makers Markets at People’s History Museum

May Day Makers Markets at People’s History Museum, Manchester, 3–4 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

The May Day Makers Markets at PHM are the perfect celebration of the occasion: from vintage-inspired jewellery and beautiful ceramics to an array of workshops and live music, it’s got a little bit of everything you might want.

May Day Makers Markets at People's History Museum
Image courtesy of Ksenia Chernaya (right) and People's History Museum (left).

Free Activity at Aviva Studios

Free Activity at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 25 May 2025, free entry - Visit now

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of events this spring- the best thing, it’s all free.

Free Activity at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of the artist, Savanna Darnell.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025, 11–20 July 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF), the longest running annual festival of Arab arts and culture in the UK, returns this July. 

LAAF - Save The Date
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival

Scranchester x Manchester Union Lager (special collaboration tour)

Scranchester x Manchester Union Lager (special collaboration tour) at St Peter's Square, Manchester, 3 May 2025, from £70.00 - Book now

Scranchester have teamed up with Manchester Union Lager to curate a foodie walking tour with a craft lager twist.

MCR Union Lager
MCR Union

Pinned Butterfly Frame Workshop with Pokaty Artwork

Pinned Butterfly Frame Workshop with Pokaty Artwork, 27 April 2025, from £30.00 - Book now

Pokaty Artwork are hosting a workshop where people will create their own piece of natural art from a pinned butterfly. 

image shows pinned butterflies and pretty paper with frames
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Daily Manchester Walking Tours

Free Manchester Walking Tours, Until 30 September 2027, free entry - Visit now

Tips based Manchester Walking Tours offer a friendly introduction to the city. Setting off every day at 11am, with culture, art, music and more.

Lee Baxter

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong

Folk Life Drawing: China and Hong Kong at The Portico Library, Manchester, Until 28 May 2025, from £5.00 - Book now

Folk life drawing combines a mindful art class with the current Echoes exhibition at Portico Library.

A Poster of the event featuring pixel-art people along the bottom border
The Portico

Online Course: A Man’s World with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Online Course: A Man’s World – Kings – The Man Who Would Be King by Rudyard Kipling at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester and online, 14 May 2025, from £13.00 - Book now

Interrogate the role of Men in a Man’s World from the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell and her contemporaries with Dr Sherry Ashworth.

Classic books on a shelf with 10 year branding on image
Elizabeth Gaskell's House

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The Manchester Pub Walkabout at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, Until 6 December 2025, from £25.00 - Book now

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester’s drinking history in one of the city’s most fun-loving walking tours, packed with fascinating stories, brilliantly bizarre facts and hilarious fun and games.

Bars
Band on the Wall

2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

2025 Banner Bingo, Until 29 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism. 

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
People's History Museum

Floating Art Workshops

Floating Art Workshops, Until 31 May 2026, from £24.30 - Book now

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour, Until 29 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

The Leeds Liverpool canal has a rich history as well as an exciting future. Discover both in a Leeds Waterfront walking tour.

A docked narrowboat next to a heritage crane and surrounded by buildings and blue sky at Granary Wharf in Leeds
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Manchester, Until 31 December 2026, from £35 - Book now

Explore Manchester’s thriving artisanal brewery scene with the experts from Craft Beer Tour.

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Image curtesy of Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools , Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

Private: Millington Hall Farm

Private: Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA14 3RN - Visit now

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

Millington Hall Farm
Image courtesy of Gemma Parker

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App. 

Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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Tours and Activities in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

LawsonParkFarm, courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Bed & Breakfast
Lawson Park Farm Cottage

Award-winning self-catering holiday accommodation that is not only beautiful but also supports the pioneering work of Grizedale Arts.

Liverpool
Cinema
Odeon Liverpool ONE

Located right in the centre of town, Odeon Liverpool One features a huge 18 screens with all of the latest gizmos from RealD 3D to DBOX.

Cheshire
Cinema
Cinemac Cinema

Cinemac Cinema in Macclesfield is a cinema and live-performance venue which hosts a regular variety of cinema, comedy, theatre and more.

Liverpool
Cinema
Everyman Liverpool

Everyman Liverpool has luxury, comfort and an excellent programme – all that you need to fall in love with going to the cinema all over again. 

Culture Guides

Sextile
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.