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 2025, taking in everything from hedonistic escapes to world-leading culture via family-friendly fun.
Set in the plant-filled sanctuary of Hulme Community Garden Centre, Green Island champions underground, underrepresented, and emerging artists from across the UK, and places global sounds at the forefront.
Now in its seventh year, the country’s biggest festival celebrating Italian food, drink and culture is one of Manchester’s most popular events with over 40,000 visitors flocking to last year’s fun-packed event. Check out what’s on this year.
Manchester Psych Fest, an all-day celebration of psychedelic music and art, returns this September with more musicians, DJs and visual artists than ever before.
Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.
Take me there
Get stuck into some talking, baking and walking in this months top picks of Tours and Activities in the North.
August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.
From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.
Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...
August and beyond brings all sorts of family joy - with a huge amount of science, creativity and more.
From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.
Here’s our summertime guide to great food and drinks across the North.
