Manchester International Festival

Creative Tourist
Summer Factory at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Matthew Curtis.

Manchester International Festival 2025 at Aviva Studios, Manchester 3 — 20 July 2025 Entrance is free — Visit now

Manchester will once again become the world’s stage this summer, with Manchester International Festival taking over venues and spaces across the city, including Aviva Studios, home of Factory International.

MIF25 will bring 18 extraordinary days of events, performances and happenings to Greater Manchester, where the world’s most exciting creative minds will reach across art forms, smash boundaries, and speak to urgent contemporary issues.

The programme is under wraps for now, but what we do know is that this will be the first festival under Creative Director, Kee Hong Low, who looks forward to unveiling “an ambitious programme of international and interdisciplinary new work”.

With a previous post of Head of Theatre and Performing Arts at West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong, Kee Hong Low is admired by artists, producers and programmers around the world for his passionate and knowledgeable approach to curating festivals. It’s fair to say that MIF25 is in safe hands.

As soon as we get the scoop on what’s on as part of MIF25, our editors will pick their standout events, so do check back here soon.

Manchester International Festival 2025 at Aviva Studios, Manchester 3 — 20 July 2025 Entrance is free Visit now

What's on at Aviva Studios

Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream,  standing in front of a postbox in a black and white photo with a dripping red paint effect.
MusicCity Centre
Primal Scream 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.

from £39.50

Where to go near Manchester International Festival

 Patrick, SpongeBob and Squidward at the UK's only Nickelodeon Land.
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Nickelodeon Land

Combine the thrill of an amusement park with the colourful world of Nickelodeon at the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, located within Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.

Leeds
Restaurant
Archive

Archive serving up speciality coffee and bespoke events to the people of Kirkstall, including craft fairs, vintage pop ups and exhibitions.

Ego Death
Manchester
Restaurant
Ego Death

Ego Death is a speakeasy-style secret bar in the Northern Quarter with a cocktail menu as good as its atmosphere.

Flat Iron Leeds
Manchester
Restaurant
Flat Iron Manchester

Relaxed restaurant in the centre of Manchester, serving impressively high-quality steaks at an affordable price point.

hotel2
Hotel
Hilton Liverpool

The riverside location of Hilton Liverpool makes it one of the most centrally placed hotels in the city, close to the all attractions, big and small.

hotel
Baltic Triangle
Hotel
Maldron Hotel

The Maldron Hotel is perfectly located on the edge of the Baltic Triangle and offers comfortable stays and luxurious breakfasts.

hotel4
Liverpool
Hotel
The Halyard

The Halyard is one of Liverpool’s newest hotels, with top floor suites offering sweeping views of the city and delicious treats in the restaurant.

shop
Liverpool
Shop
COW Liverpool

Cow Liverpool is one of the city’s favourite vintage shops, with clothing, accessories and homeware in a spacious shop on Bold Street.

Liverpool
Shop
Pop Boutique Liverpool

Pop Boutique houses Vintage, clothing, homeware and vinyl. This bold street shop is in the centre of the ropewalks area of Liverpool which is fast becoming the indie centre of Liverpool.

cafe
Lark Lane
Café or Coffee Shop
Press Bros

Press Bros is one of Lark Lane’s best coffee spots, with coffee made from locally roasted beans and delicious breakfasts.

What's on: Festivals

Keswick Town
CinemaCumbria
Keswick Film Festival

Keswick Film Festival marks 25 years with a programme featuring some of the best of contemporary independent cinema, alongside select classics, and work from some choice Cumbrian talent.

from £5.00

Culture Guides

Olaf Falafel
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.