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.
MINDSCAPES
Created by SICK! Festival, MINDSCAPES is a collection of five inspirational brand-new artworks and online events happening in Manchester for free this spring.
Band on the Wall: Live-ish from fivefourstudios
This April, Band on the Wall are broadcasting full sets by emerging artists from Manchester, recorded at fivefourstudios, Salford.
Suzannah V Evans online book launch with Eleanor Rees
Liverpool-based poet Eleanor Rees will be reading at the online launch of Suzannah V Evans’s new pamphlet Brightwork, out with Guillemot Press.
Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North
Open air theatre shows are happening across the north over the next few months – we’ve collated our top picks into a neat guide for you.
WoWFEST 2021
WoWFEST, Liverpool’s longest-running writing and literary festival, is back for 2021, running throughout May with a packed programme of online events, some free.
Abandon Normal Devices Festival 2021
Abandon Normal Devices Festival, the UK’s only roaming digital festival, resurfaces in 2021 with a new hybrid format, exploring the post-industrial landscapes of the Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey.
Novel Voices online with Ellah Wakatama
Novel Voices is a five-part online series featuring Canongate Editor-at-Large Ellah Wakatama in conversation with 10 debut authors who are helping to shape 2021’s literary landscape.
Queer Contact Festival 2021
Bringing an online celebration of art and creativity in the LGBTQ+ community, we’re thrilled that Queer Contact Festival will return for 2021.
Queer Contact 2021: Russell T Davies in conversation with Nathaniel Hall
In this first event for Queer Contact 2021, screenwriting legend Russell T Davies will join award-winning theatre-maker Nathaniel Hall to discuss depictions of HIV and AIDS on stage and screen.
Dean Atta online at Queer Contact 2021
Hear Dean Atta discuss his works and read some excerpts from his award-winning novel The Black Flamingo in this Queer Contact live online event.
Mr Stink
Spend an afternoon in Sale’s ‘secret’ Walkden Gardens with your little ones and enjoy Heartbreak Productions adaptation of the heart-warming storybook Mr Stink.
5 on the Farm Festival
Billed as the ‘perfect British day out and dog-friendly weekend’ the three-day 5 On The Farm Festival combines all of the best family friendly activities into one fabulous unmissable event.
The Great Gatsby at Walkden Gardens
Open-air theatre aficionados Heartbreak Productions bring a live performance of The Great Gatsby to Walkden Gardens in Sale this summer.
Whodunnit at the Coliseum?
Can you figure out whodunnit? Take part in this interactive online murder mystery at Oldham Coliseum.
Totally Roarsome
Head over to Mottram Hall where, in the depths of stunning Cheshire woodland, you’ll discover an immersive walking trail. Totally Roarsome promises to excite your little ones with huge figures of animals – from the Jurassic to the mythical.
Culture Guides
Cinema in Manchester and the North
We look at online festivals, new streaming releases and some newly announced outdoor cinema screenings.
Exhibitions
A floating festival, an LSD-inspired journey across space and time, an exhibition curated by GCHQ – there’s plenty to look forward to this month.
Literature
We may be living in the online world for live literature still, but there’s plenty to fill your diary with this April thanks to a whole host of virtual festival events, digital book launches, small screen spoken word showcases and socially distanced reading series…
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
It’s the March edition of the Food and Drink Guide to Manchester and the North and things are slowly starting to feel more promising. Spring is here, the weather is mostly warming up and in just a few weeks we’ll be allowed to eat and drink outside at venues with outside space.
Online events
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter and the first flowers of spring have truly sprung. We’re welcoming in the new season with a guide of Tours and Activities that will inspire you to make, learn and move.
Destination Guides
Things to do right now
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