Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

We should always strive to push beyond our comfort zones, familiar haunts and routine ideas of fun. Learning new things and exploring buildings that you may have walked past hundreds of times without noticing is a great way to stay engaged with the place you call home. Break out of your everyday routine with some of the tours and activities we’ve rounded up below.

Embrace fierce femininity with the inspired artistry, out there aesthetics and pulse quickening performances at Burlesque off the Wall. Band on the wall’s resident Burlesque night is not one to be missed. Later in the year, the venue are also hosting one of independent music’s biggest events of the year as they open their doors to the Un-Convention.

For those looking to learn, check out the gallery tours at Manchester Art Gallery or the Strike! tour at the People’s History Museum. Both are led by highly passionate and knowledgable guides.

For something more people-orientated why not join Manchester Jewish Museum in their Jewish Culture Club. A space for people to discuss and come together over Jewish works of culture, art and entertainment.

Scroll down to find out more, alongside some other top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

Burlesque off the Wall at Band on the Wall

Burlesque off the Wall: Sparkling Spitfire + Rosetta RodeoUrsula Von Tramp + Ivy Malice + Renée Du Maurier at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 30 May 2024 - Book now

Burlesque of the Wall celebrates feminine powerhouse energy. Be captivated, inspired, and uplifted in this combination of live jazz and burlesque artistry. 

Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Un-Convention Manchester 2024

Un-Convention Manchester 2024 at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 21 November 2024 - Book now

Un-Convention is the ultimate independent music industry conference and showcase taking place at Band on the Wall in Manchester this November. 

Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Strike! A guided gallery tour

Strike! A guided gallery tour at People’s History Museum (PHM), Manchester, 2 May 2024, from £0.00 - Book now

Join a strike themed guided tour with a particular focus on objects relating to the 1984 to 1985 Miners’ Strike.

Museum displays about the Miners’ Strike
People's History Museum

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, Until 20 December 2024, free entry - Visit now

Take a deeper look into Manchester Art Gallery’s collection with their regular, informative and fascinating gallery tours. 

Gallery Ceiling
Image courtesy of Andrew Brooks.

Jewish Culture Club

Jewish Culture Club at Manchester Jewish Museum, Manchester, Until 10 November 2024, free entry - Visit now

Meet new people, explore contemporary cultural works and learn about Jewish culture with Jewish Culture Club at Manchester Jewish Museum. 

Manchester Jewish Museum visitors, Chris Payne 2021

Aromatherapy Candle Making at Form Lifestyle Store

Aromatherapy Candle Making at Form Lifestyle Store, Manchester, Until 27 April 2024, from £50.00 - Book now

Be guided through the process of making your own scented candle by Lizzy from Cedar, with her years of experience and expertise. 

A tray on a wooden table. On the tray there is equipment for candle making such as scent strip, beakers, thermometer, wick and container.
Image courtesy of Cedar Apothecary.

MACFEST – Muslim Arts & Culture Festival

MACFEST - Muslim Arts & Culture Festival at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 15 July 2024, free entry - Visit now

Celebrate Muslim culture, fight islamophobia and experience some top-notch art at MACFEST. Most of the events are free too.

Turkish dancers performing at MACFEST 2024
Image courtesy of MACFEST/ Qaisa Shahraz

Leeds Heritage Pub & Brewery Tour

Leeds Heritage Pub & Brewery Tour at The Tetley, Until 24 August 2024, from £35.00 - Book now

Take a journey through 300 years of pub and brewing history in Leeds, with a heritage Pub and brewery tour. 

Whitelock's Ale House
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Whitworth Art Gallery Tours

Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 31 July 2024, free entry - Visit now

Take a closer look at the Whitworth Art Gallery’s collection and architecture with free gallery tours.

Free Daily Tours, the Whitworth.

Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Discover Manchester at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, Until 31 December 2024, free entry - Visit now

Sí Manchester’s daily tour is a brilliant way to get an overview of the city with tours running in both English and Spanish.

Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Cocktail Tasting Masterclass at The Botanist

Cocktail Tasting Masterclasses at The Botanist at The Botanist, Manchester, Until 31 July 2024, from £39.95 - Book now

Get hands on with unexpected flavours and plant based mixology at The Botanist.

Ian Jones

Indian Food Tour of Leeds

Indian Food Tour of Leeds, Until 1 June 2024, from £65.00 - Book now

Eat your way through some of the best South Asian cuisine in the North of England with the Indian Food Tour of Leeds.

via Leeds Inspired

More activity events

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
ActivityManchester
Beyond the Music 2024

Hear directly from the people powering the music industry in both Manchester and the UK, as well as witnessing some of the North’s upcoming talent at Beyond the Music.

from £16.75
Spotlight on

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Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Now back open with a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Alpaca Fold
Blackburn
Bed & Breakfast
Alpaca Fold

Located in the rural village of Samlesbury on a 35-acre smallholding, Alpaca Fold provides quality accommodation suitable for short and longer stays surrounded by the peace and calm of a rural setting.

Vue Printworks Manchester
Manchester
Cinema
Vue Manchester Printworks

Formerly run by Odeon, Vue Manchester Printworks is the biggest cinema in Manchester with a whopping 23 screens capable of seating 4,472 people. The programming covers all of the latest…

The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
Altrincham
Theatre
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Established in 1914, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse presents a variety of performances and screenings, as well as hosting term-time drama classes and a popular summer school for young people.

Blackpool
Shop
The Regent

The regent is multifaceted venue originally a 1920’s cinema. It now continues life as a cinema as well as an antiques centre and auction house, with a vintage tea room and diner.

Ilkley
Bed & Breakfast
The Crescent Inn

The Crescent Inn is a comfortable and cosy, pub style bed and breakfast that takes pride in championing local goods.

Culture Guides

Festival-goers at Green Island
Music in Manchester and the North

Gazing longingly towards the good times that will accompany the surely imminent sun, we take a look at the best music festivals coming up in Manchester and Salford.