Culture Guides
Destination Guides
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.
Our top picks
RNCM Opera: Suor Angelica / Gianni Schicchi at RNCM
Featuring some of Puccini’s most famous arias, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi are beautifully linked by a common thread – a tragic opera about death, followed by a witty farce that explores the same theme.
Doctor Dolittle at The Lowry
Get your tickets quick to have your eyes opened by a whole other (animal) world this festive season. Mark Williams (The Fast Show) stars in the title role of this major new musical adaptation.
The Hallé – The Snowman at The Bridgewater Hall
Performing Howard Blake’s wonderful score, the Hallé will provide a live accompaniment for a screening of Raymond Briggs’ animated classic, The Snowman.
Fernand Léger: New Times, New Pleasures at Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool presents the first major UK exhibition in 30 years of renowned modern artist Fernand Léger’s work, exploring how the iconic French painter, sculptor and filmmaker redefined the value of art to 20th century society.
Contact and Jackie Hagan: The Forest of Forgotten Discos! at Hope Mill Theatre
This festive season, join CONTACT and Jackie Hagan for a new and exciting show for children aged 5+ (and the older ones who look after them!)
Black Beauty at Z-arts
Get your Christmas off to a galloping start in this award-winning family adventure of friendship, courage, hope and heroes.
The Hallé – Finlandia at The Bridgewater Hall
Perfect for winter, Finlandia will celebrate the two towering figures of Scandinavian classical music – Sibelius and Grieg.
Lowry & The Pre-Raphaelites at The Lowry
Lowry & The Pre-Raphaelites at The Lowry in Salford provides an unexpected insight into the artistic imagination of one of the UK’s most popular artists.
Släpstick at HOME
Five world-class musicians who have mastered over 100 instruments between them bring Släpstick to HOME – a dazzling blend of warm nostalgia, virtuosic musicianship and physical comedy.
The Ground Beneath Your Feet at Castlefield Gallery
Castlefield Gallery’s latest exhibition, The Ground Beneath Your Feet, invites a more nuanced conversation around multiple geopolitical issues that currently dominate our headlines.
The Mouse Outfit Christmas Special at Band on the Wall
Manchester stalwarts and hip-hop kings The Mouse Outfit are returning home with their inimitable and unmissable live show at Band on the Wall.
Stick Man at The Lowry
This 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 Scamp Theatre.
Lightwaves 2018 at The Quays
An unmissable ten days of luminary adventures. Interact with boundary-breaking new commissions, create your own digital masterpieces and take a selfie with a Dalek. Yep, really.
Senga Nengudi at the Henry Moore Institute
The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds presents a major exhibition dedicated to the work of African-American sculptor Senga Nengudi – the pioneering figure who first introduced contemporary art to nylon stockings.
The Old Man & the Gun at HOME
In his final performance before retiring, Robert Redford shines as Forrest Tucker, an unrepentant bank robber determined to live life by his own rules. An exhilarating tale of felonious mischief, the film also riffs on what it means to be an outlaw in a time of convention.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
Tubism, pottery, same-sex intimacy and art education; this month’s Exhibitions Guide has it all. (Even a tentative mention of Christmas.)
Literature
December sees some great events lined up for those readers who have been good this year – read on to find out about the live literature gifts we have wrapped up for you, and find out where to buy some Christmas presents of your own…
Tours and Activities
This month we are highlighting some of the top multilingual tours and activities Manchester has to offer.
Destination Guides
Things to do right now
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