Classical Music in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist

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, from the RNCM to the Hallé, Manchester Camerata to Manchester Collective.

Want more music? Head to our general Music guide for our latest scoop on the North’s best gigs and festivals.

Our top picks

RNCM Spring Season 2024

RNCM Spring Season at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, Until 28 April 2024, from £6 - Book now

The Royal Northern College of Music, a cultural staple on Oxford Road for over 50 years, has an electrifying spring season in the works. From the familiar to the unprecedented, Venetian opera to contemporary pop, the programme is wildly eclectic, and bold collaborations abound.

Image by Robin Clewley.

International Concert Series at The Bridgewater Hall

International Concert Series at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Until 24 May 2024, from £14.50 - Book now

The 27th instalment of The Bridgewater Hall’s flagship classical music series is here. True to form, there are some incredible concerts to look forward to, featuring some of the leading ensembles and musicians of our time.

Lang Lang
Image of Lang Lang, courtesy of The Bridgewater Hall.

The Bridgewater Hall

The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 3WS - Visit now

Home to the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras, the Bridgewater Hall attracts some of the biggest names in classical music. Purpose-built to the tune of £42m, the hall was designed around its acoustic needs; it floats on 280 earthquake-proof isolations springs that mute all external noise, perfect for shielding around 250 performances a year from the trams outside.

The seats and stage in The Bridgewater Hall

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9RD - Visit now

The Royal Northern College of Music is both a music venue and an academic institution training up some of the country’s finest music students.

RNCM

The Stoller Hall

The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1DA - Visit now

Manchester’s new kid on the concert hall block, the Stoller Hall, opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.

Image courtesy of the Stoller Hall

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street , Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BP - Visit now

The 1930s Art Deco Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, gives no hint of the sensuous curves of the auditorium inside from its hard exterior.

Hallé St Peter’s

Hallé St Peter’s, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 6BF - Visit now

Hallé St Peter’s is a deconsecrated Grade-II listed church, once a theatre prop store, then a knitting factory, before being restored and becoming home to the Hallé orchestra.

Image of Halle St Peters from across Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, Manchester.
Ben Williams

Albert Hall

Albert Hall, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5QR - Visit now

Manchester’s Albert Hall is an astounding Wesleyan Chapel turned live music venue, regularly hosting classical concerts.

Albert Hall on Peter street Manchester
Image courtesy the Albert Hall.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX - Visit now

Manchester Cathedral dates back to at least the 1400s and has been rebuilt many times. In current, striking form, it’s still a place of worship, but also host to regular gigs and events.

Manchester Cathedral. Illustration by Simone Ridyard.

More music events

MusicManchester
New Order at Wythenshawe Park

New Order play an all-day outdoor concert at Wythenshawe Park alongside Manchester’s own Johnny Marr and adopted Manc Róisin Murphy.

from £61.60
MusicManchester
Gaz Coombes at Band on the Wall

Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs live at Band on the Wall, following the release of his best album in 20 years, Turn The Car Around.

from £25
MusicHalifax
Pixies at The Piece Hall

Legendary American rock band Pixies are bringing their unmistakable and era-defining sound to The Piece Hall.

from £47.50
MusicManchester
Manchester Psych Fest 2024

Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s trailblazing psychedelic music and arts festival has announced a massive bill for its 2024 edition.

from £45.20
Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

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Classical Music in Manchester and the North

Yard Bar at District
Baltic Triangle
Event venue
District Liverpool

District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

City Centre
Music venue
Low Four Studio

Old Granada Studios has announced Low Four: a new studio and music project that will stream and archive live music performance as part of a new generation of music TV programming. The inclusion of a viewing balcony also means that these recordings, along with special events and concerts, will be made open to a few […]

Manchester
Restaurant
GRUB Manchester

Manchester’s legendary independent street food festival GRUB has found a permanent home in the Green Quarter, aka Cheetham Hill.

Carlisle and Keswick
Music venue
The Brickyard

Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate church hall.

The Domino Leeds
Leeds
Music venue
The Domino Leeds

Live music isn’t the only attraction at The Domino. It also serves a range of inventive cocktails which are perfect to sip whilst watching the acts.

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.