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Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre
Hulme’s Green Island Festival brings a three-part series of events to Hulme Garden Centre and the iconic NIAMOS.
From £25
What not to miss
Sextile at The White Hotel
From sunny Los Angeles to deepest darkest Salford, electronic punk duo Sextile head to their spiritual home of The White Hotel.
From £16.00
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MIF25: A Single Man at Aviva Studios
For the first time ever, MIF joins forces with The Royal Ballet to present a bold new adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s seminal novel.
From £35.00
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MIF25: THE HERDS
Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as THE HERDS take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.
Free entry
Until
Wes World at HOME
Take a trip back into the world of Wes Anderson this May as HOME present a series of the acclaimed auteur’s most beloved films alongside The Phoenician Scheme.
From £7.95
Static at Unity Theatre
Fiercely personal, Elaine Collins’ new semi-autobiographical solo show about memories, misfits and the messy side of showbiz is a must-see this May.
From £12.00
Until
YOU:MATTER at National Science and Media Museum
YOU:MATTER is a spectacular audio-visual experience that explores our place in the universe and the invisible links between us and the cosmos
From £2.00
Spotlight on
Cocktails in Manchester
Manchester’s mixology scene is a wild ride, from hidden speakeasies to sky-high glamour.
Take me thereDestinations
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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.
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Things to do in BradfordOur guide to the dark horse of Bradford, full of eye-opening exhibitions, independent shops and authentic curry houses.
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Things to do in BlackpoolFancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
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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.
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Things to do in LancashireOur guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Bradford
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is a beautifully preserved heritage line running through the heart of Brontë Country.
Leeds
Threshold Leeds
Threshold is an artist-led project space for sculpture, located in the front garden of a traditional back-to-back house in Burley, Leeds.
Manchester
The Cut & Craft Manchester
Premium steak and cocktails in one of Manchester’s most striking venues.
Southport
The Engine Room
The Engine Room is a creative community hub in Southport’s Wayfarers Arcade, offering co-working space, cultural events and collaborative opportunities for artists, freelancers and educators.
Leeds
The Mill Gallery
The Mill Gallery is an artist-run space in Leeds, supporting emerging artists to develop and showcase their work authentically.
Leeds
St George’s Church
St George’s is a lively city centre church in Leeds with three services every Sunday and a midweek programme that includes groups, courses and events. We’re here to help people
Manchester
Miru Mill
Miru Mill is an event space and micro-factory based at Churchgate Mill in Stockport.
Culture Guides
Theatre in the North
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
Theatre in the North
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
Family things to do in the North
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Tours and Activities in the North
Books, beer and burlesque. Dive into a glorious tangle of joyful happenings.
Food and Drink in the North
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
Exhibitions in the North
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
Literature Events in the North
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
Music in the North
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Classical Music in the North
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.