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 the North.

Our top picks

Theatre 25 May–23 June 2018, from £17.00

Happy Days at the Royal Exchange

Following the success of Hamlet, The Skriker and A Streetcar Named Desire, Sarah Frankcom and Maxine Peake continue their creative collaboration with a revival of Beckett’s surrealist masterpiece, Happy Days.

Festivals 26 May 2018, from £37.50

Father John Misty and Friends at The Piece Hall

Featuring a UK-exclusive headline set by Grammy winner Father John Misty, this day-long event in the courtyard of Halifax’s Grade I-listed Piece Hall boasts strength in depth thanks to the involvement of Edwyn Collins, Hookworms and The Orielles.

Theatre 28 April–10 July 2018, from £10-32

Othello at Liverpool Everyman

Othello is a distinguished military leader. She commands respect. But not everyone is ready for a leader quite like this one.

Music 31 May 2018, from £22

Vivaldi Rocks at The Stoller Hall

Hugo Ticciati combines Vivaldi Concertos with arrangements of music by Muse, Metallica and Dream Theatre – demonstrating that the Baroque composer’s work was just as raucous during his lifetime as anything today’s rock stars can offer.

Music 9 June 2018, from £12.00

BBC Philharmonic: Albéniz | Falla at The Bridgewater Hall

For his final Bridgewater Hall concert as the BBC Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor, Juanjo Mena spirits us away to his Spanish homeland with a programme that includes a concert performance of Manuel de Falla’s vibrant,one-hour opera, La vida breve.

Dance 25–26 May 2018, from £10

RNCM Young Company and The Circus House present Letters at the RNCM Theatre

RNCM Young Company combines with The Circus House to present Letters – a new work featuring music, dance and acrobatics, which examines the shared experiences of Mancunians and Parisians over the past century.

Dance 9 June 2018, FREE

Motionhouse: Charge at MediaCityUK

For one night only, Quays Culture will host an exclusive FREE outdoor performance with the absolutely electrifying world-class dance-circus company, Motionhouse.

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Women Hold Up Half the Sky exhibition and event programme by Ekua Bayunu at Alexandra Park, Manchester

Exhibitions 9 June 2018, FREE

Women Hold Up Half the Sky at Alexandra Park

Manchester-based artist Ekua Bayunu presents ‘Women Hold up Half the Sky’ at Alexandra Park – a day of celebration featuring art, sound installation, oral herstories, creative workshops, spoken word, acoustic music and… table tennis.

Festivals 19–28 July 2018,

REFRACT:18 at Waterside Arts

Curated by Waterside Arts, Refract:18 is a unique ten-day festival of experiential performance, comedy, live music and family events that challenge you to see things differently.

Families 28 May–1 June 2018, from £5.85 (National Trust members go free)

Journeys of the Imagination: May half term survival story at Quarry Bank

Test out your survival skills as a runaway apprentice and adventure round the incredible outdoor spaces at Quarry Bank this half term

Theatre 31 May–23 June 2018, from £18.50 - 27.50

Summer Holiday: The Musical at Bolton Octagon

Bolton Octagon launches their ‘Octagon on the Road’ season with an off-site production of the cult-classic Summer Holiday.

Blogger Kat Horrocks. Photo by Georgie Glass.

Literature 12–27 May 2018, from £5.00

Altrincham Word Fest at various venues

A twist on the usual literature festival, 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 hands-on workshops and events.

Cinema 27 May 2018, from £7.50

Grimmfest Presents: Class Of ’82 at Stockport Plaza

Horror specialists Grimmfest take us back to 1982 with a four-film marathon screening at Stockport Plaza.

Sergey Ponomarev Damascus, Syria, 24 August 2013 Assad's Syria (2013-2014). IWM North

Exhibitions 16 February–28 May 2018, FREE

Syria: A Conflict Explored at IWM North

ENDS SOON. IWM North’s season of exhibitions and events that attempt to cut through the complexity surrounding the Syrian crisis, and offer a human account of what’s happening in the country today.

Exhibitions 16 February–3 June 2018, FREE

Anthony McCall: Solid Light Works at The Hepworth, Wakefield

The world premiere of three new immersive, interactive ‘solid light’ installations by Anthony McCall opens at The Hepworth Wakefield, as part of a major survey of the artist’s work.

Culture Guides

Women Hold Up Half the Sky by Ekua Bayunu at Alexandra Park, Manchester

Exhibitions

The revolutionary fervour of the May ’68 Paris uprising, the seismic impact of the Dutch Golden Age on western art history, and notions of ‘the monstrous’ in 21st century life are just some of the themes explored within this month’s hand-picked selection of must-see exhibitions from across the north.

Theatre

Vibrant, varied and fearless – there’s a real wealth of performance on offer in Manchester and the North – we’ve rounded up the best in our theatre guide.

Cinema

Silent films, documentaries and revolution! Find out what’s going on in the cinemas of Manchester and the North.

Families

Out of this world free festivals of making, maritime magic in Liverpool and theatrical adventures for all the family this May.

Literature

From poetry to prose, and taking in non-fiction and creative non-fiction and even theatre-y things along the way, there are book launches and brand-new commissions popping up all over Manchester, Salford and beyond.

Music

From a series of folk sessions at the Mechanics’ Institute, via Brazilian Tropicália legends and a fresh look at the Whitworth’s gallery collection, the musical calendar for Manchester and the North is packed to the rafters.