Polly Checkland Harding

Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade sees giant puppets, folklore themed costume and killer street bands coasting through the beautiful streets.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Weekend of Wonderful Things is really a one-off showcase of special events and experiences that highlight just how magical a place it can be. Here are our highlights.

What’s in Store? is a unique showcase of The University of Salford Art Collection; established in 1969 it now includes around 700 works by artists including Bridget Riley, David Hockney and Gilbert and George.

It’s edgy, it’s independent: Liverpool’s Summer Arts Market brings over 200 artists, makers and designers to a new, Grade I listed venue.

Raqib Shaw’s paintings, created by manipulating pools of enamel and metallic industrial paints using a porcupine quill, are as sumptuous as they are subversive. Don’t miss them at the Whitworth.

Strange and unexplained figures, seances for Tarot card characters… Castlefield Gallery presents Lindsey Bull and Plastique Fantastique.

A showcase of design in sport – including an ‘anti-stink’ material made using silver, a collapsible helmet and a relaxation hoodie with a very particular shade of pink…

This season, endangered species from land and sea migrate to the metropolis of MediaCityUK, in the form of four gigantic sculptures for Quays Culture’s Unnatural Borders exhibition.

Curated by Artmob, this exhibition showcases the diversity of trans voices in 21st Century Britain, featuring 15 artists working across a range of artistic media.