–
Live Music at Refract 2025
Refract returns to Waterside this July with a genre-spanning music programme that’s as playful and unpredictable as the festival itself – and much of it is completely free.
From £0.00What not to miss
–
Summer Sounds at Cliffe Castle Park
From bhangra to breakbeat, Summer Sounds brings global grooves and community energy to Keighley’s Cliffe Castle Park.
From £12.00
–
NightGarden Festival
Somewhere in Trafford, behind an unmarked gate, a former garden centre hosts one of Greater Manchester’s most original festivals.
From £20
Until
Wild Uplands at Penistone Hill Country Park
Take in the expansive views of the moorland as you explore four large-scale artworks, accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack created by Opera North.
Free entry
Until
Greater Manchester Fringe 2025
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2025 offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.
From £5.00
–
Dax J / Helena Hauff at The White Hotel
The White Hotel loads the booth with serious weight, as four of the scene’s most uncompromising figures bring a night of industrial techno, electro and scorched circuitry.
From £27.60
Until
MIF25: Santiago Yahuarcani – The Beginning of Knowledge at the Whitworth
Santiago Yahuarcani’s otherworldly visions come to the Whitworth, in the artist’s first international solo show as part of MIF25.
Free entry
Spotlight on
Tour of Windermere & the Lake District
From the urban hum of Manchester to the serene embrace of the Lake District, Rabbie’s tour offers a poetic escape into storied landscapes.
Take me thereDestinations
-
Things to Do in LiverpoolOur guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
-
Things to Do in ManchesterOur guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
-
Things to do in LeedsOur guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.
-
Bradford 2025 – UK City of CultureBradford 2025 – UK City of Culture is a city in celebration, not just for Bradford and the surrounding districts, but the whole of the North.
-
Things to do in BlackpoolFancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
-
Things to do in YorkWe take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
-
Things to do in LancashireOur guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
-
Things to Do in CheshireOur guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
-
Things to Do in CumbriaOur guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
-
Things to do in West YorkshireOur guide to the best things to do in culture-packed West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield.
-
Things to do in the North EastOur guide to the North East spans industrial heritage in Sunderland, medieval architecture in Durham and world-class culture in Newcastle.
-
Things to Do in SheffieldOur guide to the hilly city of Sheffield, which boasts a fantastic community of artists, makers and cultural organisations.
Seasonal Guides
Where to go
Manchester
texture mcr
Independent art gallery in Manchester
Bradford
Cliffe Castle Park
Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.
Castlefield
Bar Lina Manchester
Elegant Italian cocktail bar with plush seating, low lighting and a peerless drinks menu.
Cheshire
Manor House Alsager
A 17th-century farmhouse with spa, hotel rooms and in-house restaurant.
Stoke-on-Trent
The Spa
at Manor House Alsager
at Manor House Alsager
Various high-end spa facilities at the Manor House, including sauna, steam room, pools, hot tubs, swim-up bar and more.
Leeds
Indie Makers
Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.
Leeds
Plant Point
Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.
Culture Guides
Music in the North
Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.
Exhibitions in the North
Monumental sculptures, charcoal confessions and a show of two paintings only - all this and more in this month's exhibition picks.
Music in the North
Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.
Family things to do in the North
The summer holidays are here and what a packed programme of events we have in store for you!
Food and Drink in the North
Here’s our summertime guide to great food and drinks across the North.
Cinema in the North
July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.
Tours and Activities in the North
Get stuck into some talking, baking and walking in this months top picks of Tours and Activities in the North.
Theatre in the North
Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.