Things to do in October 2016: Yves Klein & a Comic Art Festival

Polly Checkland Harding

The Creative Tourist Cultural Calendar. This month: Yves Klein in Liverpool and two major Manchester festivals.

Lakes International Comic Art Festival. The only UK festival of its kind, the entire town of Kendal will be given over to Comic Art for a weekend in October. A highlight will be the free comics clocktower, full of independent creators, publishers and retailers representing comics from all over the world. Kendal, Cumbria, 14-16 Oct 

Manchester Science Festival. The tenth Manchester Science Festival  returns in October for 11 great more days of explosions, experiments, extraordinary science and exciting events for all ages in unusual and creative spaces and venues across the city. Various venues, Manchester, 22 Oct – 1 Nov

People on Paper. This exhibition brings together some of the finest examples of drawings of people, from posed life drawings to people caught unawares, all from the Arts Council Collection. It includes work by the likes of L. S. Lowry, Peter Blake and Lucian Freud. Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, 29 Oct – 17 Dec

Manchester Literature Festival. For its eleventh outing, the festival is providing its usual compelling mix of authors, poets, spoken word performers, broadcasters and musicians. Various venues, Manchester, 7-22 Oct

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. The GNCCF is recognised as one of the leading events for contemporary craft in the UK. It showcases contemporary craft from over 160 carefully selected designer-makers to more than 6,000 visitors. Old Granada Studios, Manchester, 6-9 Oct

Yves Klein. A major figure of post war art, Yves Klein (1928–1962) is renowned for his dazzling monochrome paintings and for pioneering new attitudes on the relationship between art and life. This will be the first UK exhibition in over twenty years, exploring in-depth the full range of his work. Tate Liverpool, 21 Oct 2016 – 12 Mar 2017

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North

From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.

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Culture Guides

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

image shows pinned butterflies and pretty paper with frames
Tours and Activities in the North

Boozy tours, art workshops and a 'hobby house' that champions all things DIY, get the creative cogs whirring with our latest batch of tours and activities.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.