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.

Discover our top picks

Education Until 28 April 2020, FREE

World of Music Choir – Weekly Online Workshop from Band on the Wall

Join award-winning folk singer Bella Hardy for a weekly online workshop of song learning and harmony.

Talking Sense: The changing vocabulary of mind and brain at The Portico Library

Exhibitions Until 13 April 2020, FREE

Talking Sense: The changing vocabulary of mind and brain Online

Talking Sense at The Portico Library aims to open up a space for helpful conversations around the future of care.

Music 15–18 October 2020, from £6.00

Manchester Folk Festival 2020

In October 2020, Manchester Folk Festival will be back with another joyous celebration of the best in English folk.

Classical Music 13 June 2020 7:30 pm, from £12.50

BBC Philharmonic: Beethoven – Missa solemnis at The Bridgewater Hall

A work of towering proportions, and yet an intimate statement of religious faith. Beethoven’s Missa solemnis will be extraordinary at The Bridgewater Hall.

Exhibitions 3 July 2020–10 January 2021, from £5

Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum

Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.

Dance 15–17 October 2020, from £13.00

English National Ballet: Raymonda at The Palace Theatre

Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo brings a new version of this rarely performed ballet to Manchester.

Dogs Don't Wear Pants at HOME Manchester.

Cinema Until 20 March 2021, from £9.99

Dogs Don’t Wear Pants – Streaming on Curzon Home Cinema

Heart surgeon Juha has lived life at an unengaged distance since his wife’s passing. And although it is often debilitating, his grief also throws up some rather surprising sexual urges.

Festivals 8–9 August 2020, FREE

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park

All are welcome to join in the revelry of the region’s largest festival of Caribbean music and carnival arts, in the stunning setting of Alexander Park.

Half term fun - Young girl sat next to the tiger as part of the The Tiger who came to tea and the adventures of mog the forgetful cat exhibition

Exhibitions Until 31 December 2020, from £8.00

POSTPONED -The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Adventures of Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts

In this immersive exhibition, children can let their imaginations go wild as they take centre stage alongside some of their favourite characters from beloved children’s author, Judith Kerr.