Culture Guides
Destination Guides
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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.
Aquatopia at CFCCA
Though water covers 70% of our planet and sea levels are rising, access to clean, fresh supplies is becoming a growing problem around the world. Aquatopia forms the first of a season of new exhibitions and debates at CFCCA designed to encourage discussion around some of the biggest environmental issues facing the world today.
Phil Collins: Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong at HOME
‘Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong’ at HOME brings together three politically charged works by the Turner-Prize nominated artist Phil Collins who returned Engels to Manchester in 2017.
Manchester Jazz Festival: Winstone/Gesing/Venier at the RNCM Concert Hall
Jazz vocalist Norma Winstone visits the RNCM as part of Manchester Jazz Festival this July. To mark the recent release of Descansado – Songs For Films, she will perform personal interpretations of soundtrack music by the likes of Michel Legrand and Ennio Morricone, backed by her trio’s pianist and reed player.
REFRACT:18 at Waterside Arts
Curated by Waterside Arts, Refract:18 is a unique ten-day festival of experiential performance, comedy, live music and family events that challenge you to see things differently.
Journeys of the Imagination at Quarry Bank
Pack your bags for an adventure as you discover the incredible journeys made by the people of Quarry Bank in an interactive trail.
The Fishermen at HOME
Illuminating Nigeria in all of its political, historical and cultural complexity, The Fishermen is a powerful allegory of love, vengeance and fate. Based on the Man Booker-shortlisted novel by Chigozie Obioma.
Ockham’s Razor and Contact: Switch and Tipping Point at Upper Campfield Market
Give your summer a lift with this family circus double bill from the award-winning Ockham’s Razor and Manchester’s Contact.
PN Review summer launch at Castlefield Gallery
The launch of the summer issue of PN Review will see readings from contributors Simon Armitage, Fiona Moore and Vala Thorodds, who will read from her translations of Icelandic poet Kristín Ómarsdóttir, plus PN Review Prize winners James Womack and Chris Preddle.
BiblioTECH: from bookshelf to big data at The Portico Library
Do you prefer to hold a Kindle in your hands or a book? ‘BiblioTECH: From bookshelf to big data’ at The Portico Library uses art to examine the opportunities and challenges that arise when we adapt to new technological formats for storing and sharing information.
Manchester International Festival and The Warehouse Project present ‘Special Edition’ at Mayfield Depot
Featuring five performances in the atmospheric Mayfield Depot, ‘Special Edition’ boasts Swedish experimental pop artist Fever Ray, Bonobo (and friends), Manchester grime artist Bugzy Malone and Northern Irish electronic duo Bicep. Presented by Manchester International Festival and The Warehouse Project, the series is overseen by BBC 6 Music DJ Mary Anne Hobbs, with lighting design by Stuart Bailes.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Manchester Visitor Guides
Afternoon Tea in Manchester
The finest places in Manchester to sip Darjeeling, eat dainty finger sandwiches and slap extra clotted cream on a freshly baked scone.
Art Galleries in Manchester
Manchester’s galleries span ancient to contemporary art, via some of the best collections of paintings, objects and even wallpaper in the country. Here’s our guide.
Libraries in Manchester
Bibliophiles, rejoice: we have rounded up the best libraries in Manchester for your perusal.
Restaurants in Manchester
The very best restaurants in Manchester’s city centre, including ones you know, and future favourites.
Pubs in Manchester
From a beautifully tiled old haunt with a mysteriously sloping floor, to the ultimate beer specialists – here’s our guide to the best boozers in Manchester.
Cafes and Coffee Shops in Manchester
Here are some of the best cafés and best coffee shops we’ve come across in Manchester – independents (almost) all.
Manchester District Guides
Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester
Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops,…
Beech Road Chorlton, Manchester
A laid-back mix of gift shops, independent outfitters, restaurants, pubs and parks, on a sunny weekend afternoon it’s heaving.
Didsbury, Manchester
Follow Oxford Road South through the Curry Mile, along Wilmslow Road, past Platt Fields Park…
Chorlton, Manchester
This left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only ten minutes…
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
As an area, Cheetham Hill gets a pretty bad rep. The foreboding architecture of Strangeways…
Things to do right now
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