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Buxton International Festival: Shorts at Pavilion Arts Centre
Buxton International Festival rips up the rulebook with Shorts, a punchy programme of 4 brand-new 20-minute operas.
From £10.00What not to miss
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NightGarden Festival
Somewhere in Trafford, behind an unmarked gate, a former garden centre hosts one of Greater Manchester’s most original festivals.
From £20
Until
Greater Manchester Fringe 2025
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2025 offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.
From £5.00
Until
Wild Uplands at Penistone Hill Country Park
Take in the expansive views of the moorland as you explore four large-scale artworks, accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack created by Opera North.
Free entry
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Dax J / Helena Hauff at The White Hotel
The White Hotel loads the booth with serious weight, as four of the scene’s most uncompromising figures bring a night of industrial techno, electro and scorched circuitry.
From £27.60
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MIF25: Santiago Yahuarcani – The Beginning of Knowledge at the Whitworth
Santiago Yahuarcani’s otherworldly visions come to the Whitworth, in the artist’s first international solo show as part of MIF25.
Free entry
Until
Independents Biennial 2025
You’ll find Independents Biennial exhibitions pretty much everywhere in Merseyside, with more art, performances and events than ever before.
Free entry
Spotlight on
Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield
Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.
Take me thereDestinations
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Things to Do in LiverpoolOur guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
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Things to Do in ManchesterOur guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
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Things to do in LeedsOur guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.
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Bradford 2025 – UK City of CultureBradford 2025 – UK City of Culture is a city in celebration, not just for Bradford and the surrounding districts, but the whole of the North.
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Things to do in BlackpoolFancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
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Things to do in YorkWe take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
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Things to do in LancashireOur guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
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Things to Do in CheshireOur guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
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Things to Do in CumbriaOur guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
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Things to do in West YorkshireOur guide to the best things to do in culture-packed West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield.
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Things to do in the North EastOur guide to the North East spans industrial heritage in Sunderland, medieval architecture in Durham and world-class culture in Newcastle.
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Things to Do in SheffieldOur guide to the hilly city of Sheffield, which boasts a fantastic community of artists, makers and cultural organisations.
Seasonal Guides
Where to go
Manchester
Stevenson Square
Stevenson Square, the central hub of bars and cafes in Northern Quarter. Home to some of the best bars in the city.
City Centre
CUPRA City Garage
Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.
Manchester
Samsi
Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.
Buxton
Pavilion Arts Centre
A historic gem in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, Pavilion Arts Centre houses an intimate 360-seat theatre and cinema.
Leeds
The Sculpture Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery is an outstanding new gallery, of pure sculpture, showcasing the work, not only of the six owners but guests also.
Leeds
Malmaison Leeds
Malmaison Leeds is a historic and dramatic building, full of character and individual style. Beautifully refurbished quirky bedrooms with power showers, blackout curtains and great beds.
Leeds
On The Wall
Bright, bold and full of character, On the Wall pairs expert framing with prints, posters and gifts inside Leeds Corn Exchange.
Culture Guides
Music in the North
Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.
Literature Events in the North
From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.
Theatre in the North
Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.
Food and Drink in the North
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
Family things to do in the North
The summer holidays are here and what a packed programme of events we have in store for you!
Tours and Activities in the North
Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.
Cinema in the North
July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.
Exhibitions in the North
Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.
Music in the North
Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.