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...
Until 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

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

What's on: Comedy

Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

From £3
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

Free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

Free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

From £5.00

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