Culture Guides
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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 the North.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis.
Psappha: String Theories (3×3) at Hallé St Peter’s
Kicking off Psappha’s 2020-21 series will be String Theories, a socially distanced contemporary classical concert featuring Alfred Schnittke’s String Trio.
Virtual Chorlton Book Festival 2020
The 16th Chorlton Book Festival offers a mix of free online webinars, performance poetry, readings by award-winning authors, specially commissioned video, and a strong line-up for children and young adults.
Manchester Science Festival
Expect another action-packed programme of inspiring, entertaining and playful experiences for all ages as Manchester Science Festival returns.
Altrincham Word Fest online
A twist on the usual literature festival, the third Altrincham Word Fest aims to kindle your own creativity by inviting some of the North West’s most talented writers to share their secrets to success in a series of online workshops and events.
Jonathan Baldock: Facecrime at Bluecoat in Liverpool
Inspired by ancient forms of written communication, encounter Jonathan Baldock’s towering ceramic sculptures that stand whispering among themselves in Bluecoat’s main gallery.
Soft Bodies at Castlefield Gallery
Soft Bodies at Castlefield Gallery will reference the body in relation to technology, politics, gender, race and sexuality.
Queer Contemporaries at AIR Gallery in Altrincham and Online
Offering a vital snapshot of queer art in the UK today, Queer Contemporaries at AIR Gallery features the work of more than 30 LGBTQIA+ identifying artists in a poignant, lively and eclectic show.
Liverpool Theatre Festival at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church
A nine-day theatre festival packed with live outdoor performance featuring musical theatre, drama, comedy, cabaret, monologues, and children’s shows.
Jerwood Makers Open at Manchester Art Gallery
The seventh edition of Jerwood Makers Open, presented at Manchester Art Gallery, demonstrates that craft and artisanship are by no means dead.
A Good Market at Sadlers Yard
A Good Market at Sadlers Yard features seasonal food, sustainable products, free workshops, engaging talks, live music and great local beers.
Nature Scavenger Hunt at Victoria Baths
Dig out those detective hats and dust off those walking boots for this family-friendly outdoor scavenger hunt.
Sheffield Showroom Cinema Reopening
Sheffield’s Showroom cinema reopens its doors for the first time in six months, with social distancing procedures and a whole new film programme set to tempt movie buffs.
Journeys Festival International 2020 – Online
This year’s Journeys Festival International takes place online, exploring the experiences of refugees from around the world through art, comedy, film, music, food, sci-fi adventure and politically charged conversation.
The Sun at the Science and Industry Museum
This blockbuster exhibition was due to close at the end of March, but has been extended until 29 November as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s reopening programme.
Images of protest: Black Lives Matter at People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum presents a powerful selection of images documenting one of the peaceful Black Lives Matter protests that took place in central Manchester during May 2020.
Culture Guides
Cinema in Manchester and the North
We look at the socially distant screenings and digital releases you can enjoy as cinemas begin to reopen safely.
Exhibitions
Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.
Literature
Festival fever takes hold of Live Literature Land as it does every October, just this year it’s in the ether. Grab a glass and settle down in the Zoom room for some online readings.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Online events
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Socially distant walks and virtual tours are among the offerings in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.
Destination Guides
Things to do right now
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