Greater Manchester Fringe 2025

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Greater Manchester Fringe 2025

Salford Arts Theatre, Salford 53two, The Kings Arms, Chapel Street and other venues...
1 July-2 August 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Amy Webber comedian
Amy Webber comedian. Image courtesy of Karla Gowlett.
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Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns this July for its 14th edition – a vibrant celebration of theatre and performance from across the North. Brilliantly accessible, we love that the festival offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

A creative hotbed of new work, the festival brings some of the most up-and-coming writers and performers to the region – many to showcase their work ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Among this year’s highlights are three new plays supported by the Shelagh Delaney New Writing Award at Salford Arts Theatre: I Don’t Want to Play Anymore by Libby Hall (7-8 July), Adult Orphans by Becca Ashton (12-13 July), and Boys We Knew by Emilia Chinnery (19-20 July) – all directed by Roni Ellis.

Other standout productions include Precarious Theatre’s dark comedy, One Hundred Percent at The King’s Arms (3 – 5 July); Archie Jackson’s debut musical Karma at Squadhouse in Stockport (10 – 12 July); and a return from award-winning ETAL Theatre with Wink, a bold exploration of toxic masculinity in the digital age at 53two (13–17 July).

Popping up in venues across the city – from pubs and studios to arts centres and pop-ups – this year’s programme spans drama, comedy, storytelling, spoken word, mime, music, visual art, children’s theatre and more.

Fringe shows will take over familiar venues including The Kings Arms, Gullivers, Salford Arts Theatre, the Seven Oaks, Social Refuge and 53two, with performances spilling out across Greater Manchester.

We’re thrilled that Manchester Fringe audiences are the first in line to see brand-new theatre by some of the UK’s sharpest creatives. Furthermore, many of the Fringe’s past productions have gone on to be performed in some of the North’s established theatres, such as the Royal Exchange, Octagon Theatre Bolton and The Lowry.

With a show for everyone, Greater Manchester Fringe is a brilliant way to sample bold, alternative theatre – think of it as a pick ’n’ mix of creativity, ready to surprise and delight.

Where to go near Greater Manchester Fringe 2025

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Come to Swithens Farm for a great family day out in Leeds. Our farm has plenty to offer whatever age you are!Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around. We now have a farm shop, café, playbarn and petting farm. When we first opened we only had the usual farm animals – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and it was free entry. We now have llamas, alpacas, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and a pony.On the working farm, we breed our own cows, pigs and sheep and we sell the meat through the farm shop and the café. If you buy a sausage sandwich from the café the sausage will be from the butcher who has made the sausage by hand using our own pork. We also produce our own free-range eggs.
Leeds
Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around.

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
Event venue
TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

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