January doesn’t have to mean hiding at home with fizzy water and The Traitors.
Manchester’s packed with things to do without a pint in your hand – thoughtful, social, creative, immersive things that hold up perfectly well on their own.
From exhibitions and performances to workshops, courses and ideas-led evenings, this is our guide to alcohol-free things to do in Manchester this January.
Ibibio Sound Machine bring the perfect antidote to January – a joyful fusion of West African funk and disco with modern post-punk and electro.
Stockport’s PINK hosts one of its most compelling exhibitions yet, as London-based Chris Thompson transforms the second floor into an interactive space blurring sculpture, archive and stage set.
Our standout January show at Hope Mill is this sharp, urgent solo portrait of Derek Jarman – artist, activist and rule-breaker – staged for one night only.
Get to grips with one of cinema’s most influential movements – the French New Wave, with this course made accessible to all at HOME.
Explore this sobering exhibition of neglected northern landscapes, as Peter James Houghton paints loss, isolation and unfinished futures.
Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Manchester’s musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around the city, which will take you from the 1960s to the present day.
The iconic, multi-Oscar-winning 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs is accompanied by a live performance from the Hallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall.
It’s your last chance to catch one of Disney’s most iconic villains get the star treatment as Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch finishes up its run in Salford.
Strawberry Studios Forever is a book launch, but also something much rarer: a chance to step inside the former recording rooms of Strawberry Studios, where a remarkable stretch of Manchester music history was made.
Don’t want to miss out on the social side of bars? Try this cosy, alcohol-free hideaway in the Northern Quarter. Think zero-proof drinks, vegan comfort food and a welcoming buzz.
A calm, open-door refuge in the Northern Quarter – meditation, movement and mindful practice for anyone seeking a pause from the city.
A gripping stage adaptation of one of the most influential novels of the 20th century – Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird comes to Lowry with urgency, humanity and moral bite.
It’s your last chance to step inside David Hockney’s world at Aviva Studios – full of bold colour, shifting perspectives and radiant ideas.
Want something more hands-on? The Portico Library offers a chance to try something new and creative – from bookbinding to artist-led workshops and talks.
Low-pressure, optionally alcohol-free fun – Dungeons and Flagons bring friendly board game nights to venues across Manchester.
For booze-free hangs, Manchester’s cafés step up. We’ve been out scouting the city’s best new openings, while also heading back to a few trusted stalwarts that never let us down
Eat well for less this January – Manchester’s best restaurant deals, all tried, tested and genuinely worth your time.
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 there
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Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.
Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.
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There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.
Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
