Culture Guides

The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break...

Family things to do in the North

September and beyond brings culture, theatre, disgusting history and loads of fun.

Theatre in the North

This season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.

Food and Drink in the North

Take some eating-out tips from our August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Cinema in the North

This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.

Buttercups with the St Aidan's Dragline- oddball- in the background

Tours and Activities in the North

"Tours, tours, tours!" If this month's Tours and Activities guide were a sentient speaking person, this is what it would say.

Music in the North

10 fresh shows across Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, threading together noise, ritual, euphoria and release in all their messy, beautiful forms.

Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Seasonal Guides

The Jungle Book at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North

Open air theatre shows are happening across the north over the next few months – we’ve collated our top picks into a neat guide for you.

Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994

Cultural Calendar 2025

Our editors’ biannually updated list of some of the best-looking arts and cultural events in Manchester and the North in 2025.

Festivals

Here’s our guide to the best summer festivals with experiences taking place in a field or on the streets near you.

Summer Holidays: the best things to do with kids

Check out our definitive and regularly updated guide of things to do with the family over the summer holidays.

Outdoor Art in the North

Our guide to the North’s outdoor art, which has a special relationship to community, cultural heritage and the landscape it’s situated in.

Outdoor Activities

Get out and about with our guide to interesting, unusual and distinctly cultural outdoor events and outdoor activities.

Visual Arts at MIF25

From indigenous wisdom in paint and performance to immersive sound installations, MIF25 returns with a unique visual arts programme.

Destinations

Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture
Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture is a city in celebration, not just for Bradford and the surrounding districts, but the whole of the North.
Things to Do in Liverpool
Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
Things to Do in Manchester
Our guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
Things to do in Leeds
Our guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.
Things to do in Blackpool
Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Things to do in York
We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
Things to do in Lancashire
Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
Things to Do in Cheshire
Our guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
Things to Do in Cumbria
Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
Things to do in West Yorkshire
Our guide to the best things to do in culture-packed West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield.
Things to do in the North East
Our guide to the North East spans industrial heritage in Sunderland, medieval architecture in Durham and world-class culture in Newcastle.
Things to Do in Sheffield
Our guide to the hilly city of Sheffield, which boasts a fantastic community of artists, makers and cultural organisations.