Things to do in Manchester and the North

Unmissable things to do in Manchester and the North

Discover acclaimed music and stand-out exhibitions, groundbreaking theatre, family, cinema and literary events in Manchester and throughout the North.

We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England to create our new Destination Guides. #HereForCulture

Activity Until 27 February 2022,

Jock McFadyen Goes to the Lowry

Scottish artist, Jock McFadyen, displays key work from throughout his life at The Lowry Galleries, home to one of his artistic influences, LS Lowry.

Music 4 November 2021 7:00 pm, from £20.40

Baxter Dury at The Ritz

Musical raconteur Baxter Dury brings his unique, character driven songs to Manchester in November, supported by Audiobooks.

Festivals 29–31 October 2021, from £11

Fat Out Fest 2021

This October welcomes the live return of Fat Out Fest, bringing all the noise, queer energy and mayhem to Salford over Halloween weekend.

Dance Until 29 October 2021, from £5.00

Black Gold Arts Festival 2021 with Contact

An outstanding festival line-up of Black-led art, performance and film which includes a live premiere of mandla rae’s as british as a watermelon.

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CYC: Everything All of the Time at Contact

Theatre Until 17 May 2022,

Contact Reopening Season

Following the extensive transformation of their iconic Oxford Road venue, Contact has announced a vibrant and progressive reopening programme. Read our preview of the upcoming season.

Exhibitions Until 12 December 2021, FREE

Cassils: Human Measure at HOME

Curated by Bren O’Callaghan, renowned transgender visual artist Cassils brings their first UK solo exhibition and contemporary dance piece to HOME.

Childrens Until 31 October 2021, from £4

The Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Park

This October Half Term head to the Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Park Farm, where you can pick a perfect pumpkin, meet your favourite farmyard friends and head to the Medieval Old Hall for The Lost Crystal quest through Tatton’s medieval grounds.

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Music Until 2 December 2021, from £6.00

Synagogue Nights at Manchester Jewish Museum

An intimate series of evening events taking place in the atmospheric and beautiful surroundings of Manchester Jewish Museum. Step out and experience something new.

Literature Until 17 February 2022, from £10

Spoken Word at the Mansion House

The Reader’s Spoken Word evenings at the Mansion House in south Liverpool’s Calderstones Park are back inside, with a packed line-up running into the New Year.

Literature 1–14 November 2021, from £7.50

Novel Voices: Caleb Azumah Nelson and Brandon Taylor at MLF Digital

Host Ellah P Wakatama chats to novelists Caleb Azumah Nelson and Brandon Taylor about their debuts in this special edition of Novel Voices for the digital leg of this year’s Manchester Literature Festival.

Literature 15 November 2021 6:30 pm, from £3.00

Test Signal showcase at Blackwell’s Manchester

This event showcases Test Signal, described as “a ground-breaking anthology of the best contemporary northern writing from Dead Ink and Bloomsbury, showcasing the wealth of literary talent in the North of England”.

Theatre Until 30 October 2021, from £13.00

The Cat and the Canary at Manchester Opera House

Set in a creaking mansion, this creepy whodunnit makes its way into Manchester just in time for Halloween.

Theatre 3–6 November 2021, from £5.00

Ergon: The Wicked Problem at Contact

For this immersive and urgent performance, audience members will take the part of the jury on the first-ever trial to decide the fate of an individual who has broken a climate law.

Exhibitions 5–6 November 2021, FREE

Light Up Lancaster

Festival of light and art Light Up Lancaster returns to the city with installations, projections, performance and fireworks illuminating the city’s historic buildings, charming streets and hidden squares.