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.

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Theatre Until 4 December 2021,

Orbit Festival 2021 at HOME

Bringing an extraordinary selection of live and digital work from some of the most exciting artists working today, Orbit Festival brings just the sort of theatre we crave.

Music 3–11 December 2021,

The Stoller Hall Christmas Season

The Stoller Hall’s Christmas programme is always a highlight of the festive cultural calendar, and this year is no different.

Cinema Until 30 November 2021, from £7.50

Mike Leigh Retrospective at HOME

This November, HOME takes part in the BFI’s UK-wide celebration of the career of multi-award winning writer-director Mike Leigh.

Dance Until 15 January 2022,

The Lowry Winter Season 2021

With opera, dance, contemporary shows, musical theatre and high-flying circus adventures, it’s all happening in Salford this winter.

Activity 2 December 2021 6:00 pm, from £2.00

Women For Peace: Banners from Greenham Common at People’s History Museum

The People’s History Museum are bringing the events of protest at RAF Greenham to life with an in person and online book launch of Women For Peace.

Music 29 November 2021 7:30 pm, from £10.00

William Doyle at YES

Mercury Prize-nominated artist William Doyle performs at YES in support of his revelatory new album, Great Spans of Muddy Time.

Music 6 December 2021 7:30 pm, from £14.00

Anika at YES

Anika – the project of Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson who is also a founding member of Exploded View – is performing at YES in support of her first new album in over a decade.

Music 30 November 2021 7:30 pm, from £21.25

Kelly Lee Owens at The Ritz

Touring her critically acclaimed second album, Inner Song, Kelly Lee Owens will unleash her own dream-pop vocals and body-moving electronics at The Ritz this November.

Exhibitions Until 31 March 2022, FREE

Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope

Explore how science is fuelling a revolution in cancer care and offering a hopeful view into the future with Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope.

Families Until 22 December 2021, FREE

Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

Childrens 30 November 2021–9 January 2022, from £19

Stick Man at The Lowry

Stick Man, the much-loved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler tale of misadventure, is brought to life for small people and their grown ups this festive season by Freckle Productions.

Festivals Until 31 December 2021,

PUSH Festival 2021 at HOME

Thrilling and challenging, HOME’s annual festival is a glimmering reminder that new performance continues to be developed, despite ‘you-know-what’.

Exhibitions Until 3 January 2022, from £6

Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum

Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.

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.

Dance Until 4 December 2021, from £32.50

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! 2021 at The Lowry

Packed with Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit and captivating storytelling, this is the perfect ballet to get all of the family ready for the festive season.

Culture Guides

Cinema Until 30 November 2021, from £7.50