Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens – once home to busy textiles warehouses and even the occasional umbrella factory. Now, the red brick buildings with their New York-style fire escapes are regularly used in film sets, and the streets are bursting with independent cafés, shops, bars, and cultural hotspots.
The Northern Quarter has become a destination in its own right, with the laid-back, bohemian vibe during the day transforming at night into teeming pavements of people in search of good food, craft beer, pop-up events and live music.
When walking around, keep your eyes peeled for public art, including the sculptures of birds high on a wall on John Street (reflecting the area’s reputation in Victorian times as a ‘pets paradise’), the illuminated, 12 metre-tall Big Boys Toy on the top of the NCP car park, and the artistic graffiti on the outhouse in the middle of Stevenson Square.
Marika Hackman at Band on the Wall
A whip-smart lyricist and box-defying musician, Marika Hackman is hitting full stride. Don’t miss her playing Band on the Wall this September.
Zig Zag Atelier Bebop at Common Bar
Expect big things and colourful shapes at ZIG ZAG, a new exhibition by Atelier Bebop at Common Bar in the Northern Quarter.
He Xiangyu at CFCCA
CFCCA presents an exhibition of installations, paintings, sculpture and film from He Xiangyu’s Lemon Project, which includes the premiere of new film Sylvain.
404: Resistance in the Digital Age at CFCCA
404: Resistance in the Digital Age is a new installation by RAGE Collective at Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art that explores changes in modes of civic resitance over the last 30 years.
Monday night Jam at Matt and Phreds
Matt and Phreds, Manchester’s favourite Jazz establishment, opens its stage to all every Monday with jams lead by familiar names from a cross section of jazz traditions.
NQ Jazz at the Whiskey Jar
With international artists as well as those making waves in the UK, NQ Jazz at the Whiskey Jar brings virtuosic musicianship and big names to the cosy whiskey jar basement.
Free Jazz at Band on the Wall
Contemporary jazz from some of the most exciting up and coming ensembles in the north.
Japanese Fan painting with Floating Art
Join visual artist Ula Fung and Floating Art for a crash course in the delicate art of Japanese fan painting.
CFCCA Free Guided Tour
Join the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art for their monthly guided tour where you’ll have chance to see new exhibitions, and occasionally hear from the artists themselves.
Thursday Late at CFCCA drop in illustration workshop with Lily Kong
See the two new provoking thought exhibitions at CFCCA whilst unleashing your own creativity in this after hours workshop.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Manchester Visitor Guides
Free family things to do in Manchester
The world’s at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
Vegan Food in Manchester
Whether you’re a proud vegan or merely curious, let us guide you towards the best vegan food in Manchester.
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 & Salford
Away from the buzz of London, Manchester and Salford arguably have one of the highest concentrations of fantastic art galleries in England. Here’s our pick.
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.
Manchester District Guides
Medieval Quarter, Manchester
The Medieval Quarter, or Cathedral Quarter as it is sometimes known, is one of the oldest parts of Manchester and home to some historic gems and cultural must-sees.
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
Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only…
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
As an area, Cheetham Hill gets a pretty bad rep. The foreboding architecture of Strangeways…
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