March

Creative Tourist Last Updated 10 November 2022

It’s March, spring’s coming into view and our cultural calendar is filling up nicely.

Including a host of great events taking place around International Women’s Day, there are stunning exhibitions, acclaimed music performances and theatre shows galore running throughout the month. Take a look at our highlights below.

Fancy a spring day out? Check out our guides to Stately Homes in the North and Outdoor Art in the North. And if you’ve really got a spring in your step, try our guide to Wild Swimming.

Seasonal Guides

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

As the big day approaches, you can count on theatres and concert halls across the North to pull out all the festive stops.

Champagne flute swirling in front of a Christmas tree.

Christmas in the North

If you’re looking for alternative or interesting things to do over Christmas in Manchester and the North, look no further.

Christmas food and drink

The holidays are coming so that means it’s time to eat, drink and be merry for Christmas 2025.

An illustration people shopping at The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market

Christmas Shopping in the North

Back away from the high street and support some of Manchester’s best independent makers, sellers and curators this Christmas.

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.

New Year’s Eve in the North

From warehouse raves to live funk and soul, vegan street food to fancy dining, here’s our guide to New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North.

Christmas Markets in the North

Makers, bakers and curators will be out in force this festive season as the North’s best Christmas Markets whirr into action.

Destinations

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Tours and Activities in the North

Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.

Food and Drink in the North

Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.

Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Poet Rosie Garland. Credit Absolut Queer Photography.

Literature Events in the North

It might be chilly out there, but we're shining our lantern light on some events that will warm the cockles.

Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:

Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.

Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.