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August

Creative Tourist

It’s August, the sun’s shining (sometimes), and you’re on the hunt for reasons to get out and about in Manchester and the North. You’ll find plenty of those below, from fantastic exhibitions to live music, theatre to food and drink. And you’ll find more in our seasonal guides to the August Bank Holiday, Summer Festivals, Outdoor Art and Adventure Activities.

From unique visual art events like Skipton’s Art In The Pen to unsung but great festivals like Bury’s Burrs Live, you’ll discover lots of new events here, while getting the latest scoop on those you know and love.

Seasonal Guides

The Jungle Book at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
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.

FaleSaSacred House
Visual Arts at MIF25

From indigenous wisdom in paint and performance to immersive sound installations, MIF25 returns with a unique visual arts programme.
Father’s Day in Manchester and the North

This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 15 June. Get out and about and spend some quality time with the old man in Manchester.
A woman in a cap touches the head of a life-sized giraffe puppet made from cardboard and wood, as part of The Herds. The background shows an urban environment with people watching and a scenic view of trees and mountains.
Free things to do at MIF25

Take a look at these MIF25 highlights that won’t cost a penny and plan your perfect (free) MIF25 day out.
Mother and daughter play with smell interactive_Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
Things to do over May half term

Looking for things to do with the family over the Easter school holidays? We’ve got you covered.
Manchester International Festival 2025
Ones Not to Miss at MIF25

One-of-a-kind collaborations and world premiere performances, we bring you details of those ‘must-see’ shows at MIF25.
Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994
Cultural Calendar 2025

Our editors’ biannually updated list of some of the best-looking arts and cultural events in Manchester and the North in 2025.

Destinations

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

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

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Experimental performance, thought-provoking new writing and our picks of Manchester International Festival - here’s what’s taking centre stage this summer.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

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.

Experience a unique deep listening art installation inviting audiences to lay down and be bathed in sound and light.
Exhibitions in the North

From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.

A young boy with a white sash around his left arm cries.
Cinema in the North

Outdoor cinema announcements, a major retrospective at HOME, and the best of indie cinema.

Music in the North

Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss if you're not careful.