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.

Exhibitions Until 24 September 2022, FREE

High on Hope at Cross Lane Projects

Visit Kendal’s Cross Lane Projects for High on Hope, a memorial exhibition for the revered contemporary artist Gerard Hemsworth (1945-2021).

Families 26–28 August 2022, FREE

Festa Italiana at Cathedral Gardens

Festa Italiana Manchester is the country’s biggest festival designed to celebrate Italian food, drink and culture. Transforming Manchester city centre’s Cathedral Gardens into Little Italy once again from the 26th to 28th August.

Exhibitions Until 14 August 2022, FREE

Sebastião Salgado: Amazônia at the Science and Industry Museum

Sebastião Salgado’s exhibition ‘Amazônia’ is coming to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum, with over 200 breathtaking photographs of the Amazon rainforest and its inhabitants, in areas most at risk from climate change.

Cinema Until 28 August 2022, from £8.00

reDiscover/ Wim Wenders at Picturehouse at FACT

A six film retrospective dedicated to acclaimed New German Cinema icon, Wim Wenders.

Comedy 1–10 October 2022, from £3.00

Women in Comedy Festival 2022

Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival MCR returns with its 9th bumper edition of top-notch comedy.

Music 3 September 2022 2:00 pm, from £45

Manchester Psych Fest 2022

Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s leading psychedelic music and arts festival, returns in September 2022. We explore the line-up.

Families 27–29 August 2022, from £20.00

Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall

Head to the Geronimo Festival 2022 to experience children’s entertainment & activities, music, food stalls, camping, and loads of fun!

Exhibitions Until 8 January 2023, FREE

2022 Banner Exhibition at People’s History Museum

The 2022 Banner Exhibition 2022 at the People’s History Museum will take you on a journey through the history of rights and equality via its dazzling collection.

Theatre 30 September–15 October 2022, from £22.50

The Time Traveller’s Wife: a new musical at Storyhouse

A brand new musical adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s international best-seller is set to receive its world premiere at Storyhouse before moving to the West End.

Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Open Air Theatre

Families Until 28 August 2022, from £28.00

Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Don’t miss one of the greatest love stories ever told when it comes to Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this summer. Theatre and fresh air. Perfect.

Culture Guides

Food and Drink

Explore the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North this August.

Cinema

Wes Anderson comedies, martial arts epics, and radical 70s cinema are just some of the highlights coming to a big screen near you this month.

Exhibitions

From seductively immersive environments to the enduring magic of maps, August does not disappoint with an abundance of exhibitions in Manchester and further afield.

Power UP at the Science and Industry Museum

Families

As summer in Manchester turns out to be a scorcher, here are our hottest picks of some of the best outdoor and indoor family-friendly events and activities happening in Manchester and the North during the summer holidays and the coming months, featuring festivals, performances, gaming fun, garden visits and so much more.