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Browse our things to do in August in Manchester and the North this August, to find a fantastic exhibition, live music performance or restaurant that interests you and/or your family, we have options for all ages.
Don’t forget to check out our guide to the August Bank Holiday.
Things to do in August
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Sir Walter Scott and Elizabeth Gaskell
Join Dr. Diane Duffy for a look into the literary works of Sir Walter Scott and his relationship to Elizabeth Gaskell in our literary canon.
Pride and Prejudice at Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Join The Pantaloons for a comic adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic in the beautiful open-air surroundings of Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
Art in the Pen
Art in the Pen gives you a chance to explore a mix of artistic talents from the North, within the livestock pens fo Skipton Auction Mart.
5 on the Farm Festival
Billed as the ‘perfect British day out and dog-friendly weekend’ the three-day 5 On The Farm Festival combines all of the best family friendly activities into one fabulous unmissable event.
Björk Orkestral – Live From Reykjavík
Icelandic pop icon Björk is live-streaming a four-part series of concerts, showcasing new orchestral arrangements of songs spanning her entire career.
Still showing this month
Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery
Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery charts the history and changing social role of hot drinks in our lives.
These Lancashire Women are Witches in Politics with The Turnpike
A collaborative project that takes inspiration from the history of the Leigh Female Reformers of 1819 and the monstrous representations of them in the media of the time.
The Little Library in Spinningfields
Take your pick from The Little Library’s carefully curated collection of classics and new releases, adding a recently read book of your own as a replacement.
Hamilton – Streaming on Disney Plus
Politically charged with a hip-hop soundtrack, there is no doubt that this filmed performance is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2020.
What is Manchester Art Gallery? at Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery reopens with a thought-provoking new exhibition that delves into the history of the public institution and its role within the city.
Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire at Imperial War Museum North
Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire at Imperial War Museum North takes a close look at the moral dilemmas surrounding overseas aid.
Make Up – Streaming on BBC iPlayer
Cornwall has seldom seemed eerier than in Make-Up, the vivid first feature from director Claire Oakley.
#WELCOME? at the People’s History Museum
#WELCOME? at the People’s History Museum explores the wider impact of media coverage and changing immigration controls.
Blackburn Open Walls
Over 3 years, forgotten walls of Blackburn were brought to life with the creation of a vibrant outdoor gallery, by international, national and local artists, who together over 2 weeks, created a collection of large scale murals and art walk trails for the residents and visitors of Blackburn to enjoy.
Pendle Hill Witch Experience Tours
Group tours of Lancashire in the area surrounding Pendle Hill. Through visiting the countryside and villages of Pendle, visitors learn all about the dark deeds and wicked plots surrounding the Pendle Witches in the 1600s.
Discover Buxton Tram Tours
Enjoy a journey through time on Discover Buxton Tour’s unique vintage tram.
Discover Buxton Character Tours
These colourful character guides offer unique and entertaining insights into the history of some of Buxton’s most iconic buildings.
Discover Buxton Walking Tours
Have your history delivered by expert guides whose passion for the heritage of Buxton spills into the unexpected.
Discover Buxton Roman Tours
Join local historian Brian Shepherd for a walk around the town and learn what Buxton may have looked like during Britain’s Roman occupation.
Discover Buxton Audio Tours
Discover Buxton’s audio tours of The Peak cover the area around Buxton and are designed to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Hardeep Sahota: Bhangra Lexicon – Online
The world’s first ‘visual dictionary’ of movements found within Bhangra, compiled by World Bhangra Day founder, Hardeep Sahota.
Doodle Den: Playful Protests Online
Pick up a pen and encourage the whole family to explore the art of peaceful protest.
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank is a perfect way to keep children (and their adults) busy while learning from home.
Don’t Touch My Hair with HOME
Fearless social activism meets unapologetic hip hop. A concentrated dose of Hot Brown Honey is just what we all need right now.
Hidden Winter
Round the family up and head outside for this wonderful story walk adventure from Stand and Be Counted Theatre. Perfect for livening up a lockdown walk.
Queer Treatment
To coincide with LGBT History Month, Heart of Glass launches Queer Treatment, a new animated short film by the amazing Amy Pennington. Queer Treatment is inspired by conversations with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and explores connection, identity, representation and celebrating queer icons past and present.
PUSH Festival 2021 at HOME
Thrilling and challenging, HOME’s annual festival is a glimmering reminder that new performance continues to be developed, despite ‘you-know-what’.
Closed Hands with HOME
An interactive, experimental and political video game exploring the complex effects of extremism and radicalisation.
Unease by Grace Sharp – Online and at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Unease is an exhibition of work by glass artist Grace Sharp.
Electric Dreams – Online with Venture Arts
Venture Arts presents the first of three online exhibitions featuring new work made by learning disabled artists over lockdown.
Zoom Tours: Jonathan Schofield’s New Series
Join expert tour guide Johnathan Schofield as he travels chronologically and geographically through the culture, architecture and geography of Manchester.
Sound Stage
An exciting, new audio-digital venture, Sound Stage has been designed by theatre-makers and leading technologists, to give audiences a unique online theatre experience.
Tai Shani: The Neon Hieroglyph – Online with Manchester International Festival Virtual Factory
Turner Prize winning artist Tai Shani takes us on an LSD-inspired hallucinatory journey across time and space. Prepare to have your consciousness expanded.
The Earth Asleep at HOME, Manchester
The Earth Asleep, a new film and original live score from creative duo Clara Casian and Robin Richards, premieres this spring at HOME.
Ad Minoliti at BALTIC in Gateshead
Argentinian artist Ad Minoliti’s immersive exhibition draws upon queer and feminist theory to offer new understandings of the world around us.
Women and Girls Skate sessions at Projekts
Join Projekts skate park for exclusively women and girls skating, every Thursday from 7 – 9 pm. Be warned the sessions are very popular so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Book sale at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and award-winning garden is a must-see, with the famous book sale back on 18 April and scheduled thereafter for 9 May, 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 12 September, 10 October, 14 November and 12 December 2021, 11am-4pm.
MINDSCAPES: While Waiting, Wait Here – Merel Smitt
Created in collaboration with service users and staff, this online interactive game explores the benefits system and the process of applying for Universal Credit.
MINDSCAPES: //OUTSIDEIN// – Theater DEGASTEN
A brand-new online work, by Amsterdam-based Theater DEGASTEN, exploring the connection between mental health and where we live.
Sutapa Biswas: Lumen at BALTIC, Gateshead
Sutapa Biswas’ major solo show explores the artist’s role in illuminating the imperialist structures that still exist within British society.
Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North
Open air theatre shows are happening across the north over the next few months – we’ve collated our top picks into a neat guide for you.
Portable Sculpture at Henry Moore Institute in Leeds
Portable Sculpture will explore sculptures from 1934 to the present day that are designed to fold up, pack down or dismantle.
Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
TOP SECRET: the Science and Industry Museum digs into the history of British national security over the last 100 years.
Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life at The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield celebrates its 10th birthday with the largest exhibition of Barbara Hepworth’s work since the artist’s death in 1975.
The Jungle Book at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
A vivid new version of this charming story will swing into Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this summer.
A Summer of The Untold Orchestra
This Summer, The Untold Orchestra are packing six of their renowned ‘icon’ shows into eight dates at Escape to Freight Island.
The Merry Wives of Windsor at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Enjoy this hilarious Shakespearean comedy in the wonderful open-air surroundings of Grosvenor Park.
NQ Jazz Live
NQ Jazz have teamed up with The Stoller Hall and The Yard to bring us dozens of COVID-safe jazz events featuring established and emerging artists.
Nicola Ellis and Ritherdon & Co Ltd: No gaps in the line at Castlefield Gallery, Manchester
After a year of mostly silent and empty galleries, we look forward to this clamorous return to exhibiting ‘in the flesh’.
Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum
Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.
Pride and Prejudice at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
A tale of comedy, passion and endless dancing, and one of the most cherished love stories in English literature plays in the open air this summer.
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland at Homeground
We’re thrilled that a new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s fantastical story will play in the open air in Manchester this summer. Perfect.
Kendal Calling Festival 2021
Featuring over 200 artists and performers, immersive arts experiences and kids activities, Kendal Calling is a great, family-friendly festival set in the stunning Lake District.
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