Things to Do in Manchester

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 31 October 2019

Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it has reinvented its industrial past into a new, trendsetting present – and an ambitious future. There’s plenty of things to do in Manchester too, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to an exciting food and drink offer and thriving literature and music scenes.

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Music 30 January 2020 7:30 pm, from £11

Jacques Greene at YES

Aptly named Dawn Chorus, Jacques Greene’s latest album signifies a new chapter in the French-Canadian producer’s musical journey. Be a part of it at YES.

Theatre 4–8 February 2020, from £5.00

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel at HOME

Described as ‘immensely charming’ by The Stage, this hilarious homage to the masters of slapstick and silent comedy comes to HOME Manchester.

Classical Music 1 February 2020 7:30 pm, from £12.50

BBC Philharmonic: Szymanowski/Myaskovsky at The Bridgewater Hall

Joined by celebrated violinist Liza Ferschtman, the BBC Philharmonic presents two Eastern European masterpieces and an epic symphony by Myaskovsky.

Dance 29 February 2020 7:00 pm, from £15.00

House of Suarez + Contact: Vogue Ball 2020 at Manchester Academy

Daring, fabulous and with a nautical twist for 2020, House of Suarez are back to host the ultimate battle for dance supremacy.

Exhibitions Until 3 January 2021, FREE

2020 Banner Display at People’s History Museum

Visit People’s History Museum’s 2020 display of political banners from across the years – including several that will go on public show for the first time.

Ho Tzu Nyen: The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia Volume 10: N for Nameless at Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art – exhibition

Exhibitions Until 12 April 2020, FREE

Ho Tzu Nyen: The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia Volume 10: N for Nameless at CFCCA

CFCCA presents Singapore artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s alternative ‘A to Z’ account of Southeast Asia, focusing on the region’s neglected histories.

Activity Until 15 February 2020, FREE

People’s History Museum 10th Birthday

People’s History Museum – Manchester’s national museum of democracy – celebrates its 10th birthday with a special weekend of events.

Cinema 7 February 2020 7:30 pm, from £14

Video Jam Presents ‘Spaces-in-between’ at Royal Northern College of Music

Movies meet music as Video Jam presents an evening of five commissioned short films by international artists, each scored by a different UK composer.

Exhibitions 31 January–31 October 2020, FREE

Utopias at the Whitworth

How have visions of utopia and the visual culture that helped form it impacted upon the Brexit debate? A new exhibition at the Whitworth explores.

Music 4 February 2020 7:30 pm, from £15

Anna Meredith at Gorilla

Straddling a multitude of genres, from techno to contemporary classical, Anna Meredith’s new album Fibs is a sheer delight. Her gig at Gorilla will be, too.