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.
Celebrating its 200th birthday, The University of Manchester is hosting a huge festival on Oxford road, with 150 events spanning talks, discussions, live music, art, comedy and poetry.
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.
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.
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.
Britain’s longest running celebration of arts from across the Arab region returns to Liverpool, with the provocation of ‘Nostalgia’ being explored across theatre, storytelling, music, art and food over nine days.
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
From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.
This month's guide is truly eclectic - from free family festivals, to food events, circus school and more!
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
Outdoor cinema announcements, a major retrospective at HOME, and the best of indie cinema.
Experimental performance, thought-provoking new writing and our picks of Manchester International Festival - here’s what’s taking centre stage this summer.
Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss if you're not careful.
From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.
Books, beer and burlesque. Dive into a glorious tangle of joyful happenings.
