Armistead Maupin at Aviva Studios

A dreamlike film and installation by award-winning artist Juliet Ellis, exploring identity, strength and impermanence. A visually arresting highlight of MIF25.

Manchester will once again become the world’s stage this summer, with Manchester International Festival taking over venues and spaces across the city and beyond.

Festival Square is the beating heart of Manchester International Festival 2025, returning to its riverside location once again.

For the first time ever, MIF joins forces with The Royal Ballet to present a bold new adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s seminal novel.

It was a huge hit at MIF23 and went on to tour the world. We’re thrilled that Benji Reid’s acclaimed live photography show returns to Manchester this spring.

Expect wild acrobatics, outrageous cabaret and electrifying variety when acclaimed Irish sensation THISISPOPBABY come to play at Aviva Studios.

Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Glasgow band Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

Exploring the beauty of movement and its euphoric connection to music, the Olivier Award winning hip hop dance company, Boy Blue return with a brand-new show.

Artist Social for all creatives at any stage for their career to network, mingle and connect with Factory International.

Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?

Throughout 2025, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having first opened to the public a decade ago.

Throughout 2025, the team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking a deep dive into Ruth, one of the famous 19th-century author’s most shocking texts.

Lancaster Literature Festival, or Litfest to its friends, is rolling out its 46th programme, having created a variety of events for its audiences since 1978.

Manchester is big on languages and the annual Manchester Translation Series is back this March for a third time, taking place over three days at Manchester Poetry Library.

We don’t often celebrate World Poetry Day in style, but, thanks to literati mover and shaker Tom Branfoot, this year we can!

For the first time ever, Ferlinghetti Day will be celebrated here in the UK, marking the poet, artist, publisher and anarchist’s birthday.

Please join us to celebrate the launch of Father’s Father’s Father by Dane Holt. The reading will be hosted by Caroline Bird. The event will feature readings and discussion, and audience members will have the opportunity to ask their own questions. We will show the text during readings so that you can read along. Registration for this online event will cost £2, redeemable against the cost of the book. You will receive the discount code and instructions for how to purchase the book in your confirmation email as well as during and after the event.

Organised by the brilliant Kimberly Campanello, this showcase brings together eight-minute poetry experiments by ten writers, which is amazing value for money – especially as it’s completely free.