Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Containing 2 bank holidays, sunny weather, great exhibitions and live shows accompanied by some great food- this May could be a month packed with unforgettable experiences. Here are some of the best things to do in May in Manchester and the North.
Things to do in May
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The Adventures of Robin Hood at Stockport Plaza
The Adventures of Robin Hood remains a perfect introduction to classic cinema.
Sounds From The Other City 2020
One of the country’s foremost festivals showcasing new and emerging talent, Sounds From The Other City will soon be back for its 16th edition.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Manchester Arena
One of the world’s great live acts, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are returning to Manchester in support of their extraordinary album, Ghosteen.
Pilot Light TV Festival Season 5 at HOME
Manchester’s TV festival is dedicated to producing an inclusive, communal TV experience where fans and industry can come together to celebrate the past, present and future of television.
Abandon Normal Devices Festival 2020
Abandon Normal Devices Festival takes to the water in 2020 for its 9th edition, resurfacing along the global trade gateway of the Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey.
Hinterlands Film Festival, Skipton
Hinterlands International Rural Film Festival celebrates rural film in dramatic ways across the landscapes of the Lakes and Dales.
Sam Sweeney Band at The Stoller Hall
Veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, Sam Sweeney is carving out a remarkable solo career as a world-class fiddler. Don’t miss him at The Stoller Hall.
Anthony Marwood (violin) with Northern Chamber Orchestra at The Stoller Hall
World-class violinist Anthony Marwood leads the Northern Chamber Orchestra in Beethoven’s Olympian Violin Concerto in D major.
BBC Philharmonic: Beethoven – A Hallé Collaboration at The Bridgewater Hall
The BBC Philharmonic is joined by the Hallé in a joint celebration of Beethoven, which sees Sir Mark Elder take to the podium for one night only.
Neighbourhood Weekender 2020
Featuring a solid line-up, the Neighbourhood Weekender returns to Victoria Park, Warrington for its third outing this May bank holiday.
Góbéfest at Albert Square
The much-loved Góbéfest returns this June with a joyous showcase of the arts, culture, food and drink of the fabled-region of Transylvania.
The Hallé – Puccini’s Tragic Geisha at The Bridgewater Hall
A climactic moment in the Hallé’s 2019-20 season, Puccini’s richly celebrated opera, Madama Butterfly, will be performed by a star-studded cast.
Sculpture and Portrait Photography Workshop at Dean Clough in Halifax
Join photographer Peter Defty for a sculpture and portrait photography workshop at Dean Clough in Halifax.
Still showing this month
Liverpool Biennial Northern England Tour
Whether Liverpool Biennial 2018 passed you by or you diligently ticked-off every last one of its multiple offerings (if so; bravo), the Liverpool Biennial Northern England Tour seems unlikely to disappoint.
Poulsen Arc Dream Radio at Storyhouse in Chester
What does it mean to be transported into another person’s memories? Step into a new digital art commission at Storyhouse in Chester to find out.
Holly Hendry / Taus Makhacheva at The Tetley
As part of the Liverpool Biennial touring programme, The Tetley is hosting works by artists Holly Hendry and Taus Makhacheva.
Maddi Nicholson: a place lived at Hardman Square in Spinningfields
‘a place lived’ by Maddi Nicholson is a new public artwork that delves into the near-forgotten history of Manchester’s thriving financial district.
Unreformed: Wallpaper and Design Diversity at the Whitworth
Unreformed: Wallpaper and Design Diversity at the Whitworth examines the powerful the voices of the Design Reform movement.
The Hallé 2019-20 Season
From a brilliant range of symphonies, concertos, vocal works, operas and more, we select our five top picks from the Hallé’s 2019-20 season.
BBC Philharmonic 2019/20 Concert Season
An outstanding orchestra live in a world-class concert hall – read about the BBC Philharmonic’s 2019-20 season at The Bridgewater Hall.
Technical Tours at the National Coal Mining Museum
Get into the the heart of the machinery with technical tours of the mines at the National Coal Mining Museum.
Eat The City – Scranchester Tours
Satisfy your hunger for knowledge as well as lunch with Scranchester’s food tours of the city centre. You may discover a new favourite hidden gem or learn a bit more about the cultural or historical significance of the food you eat all the time.
Northern Chamber Orchestra 2019/20 Season
Northern Chamber Orchestra’s 2019/20 Season features the likes of violinists Chloe Hanslip and Anthony Marwood; pianist Martin James Bartlett; percussionist Colin Currie; and their President, cellist, Raphael Wallfisch.
Theaster Gates: Amalgam at Tate Liverpool
Marking his UK debut, Theaster Gates responds to the little-known history of Malaga – a small island off the north east state of Maine, USA.
Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery
Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery charts the history and changing social role of hot drinks in our lives.
Rock and Goal Tour
Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.
Sunday Night Waves 5Rhythms Drop In
Embrace the effervescent energy of Sunday Night Waves, a 5Rhythms dance class where you can move with the flow of your own body and explore.
Toddler Tuesdays at Castleford Museum
These lively mornings of crafts and singing are fun, creative sessions for toddlers.
Local Leeds Food Tour
Fresh local produce is always on the menu of the Local Leeds food tour. Visit six pubs and restaurants serving up some of Yorkshire’s finest cuisine.
Leeds Street Food Tour
Eat your way through some of the best street food Leeds has to offer, with insights into the people and stories behind each bite. Try something new with the Leeds Street Food tour.
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.
The Stoller Hall Spring Season
Spanning a plethora of genres, from classical to folk to Americana, The Stoller Hall’s Spring season is an eclectic delight. Read about it here.
The People’s City at The Refuge, Manchester
Organised by the British Culture Archive, The Refuge in Manchester presents a remarkable selection of images that capture Britain from the 1960s onwards.
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.
Skyliner: Modern History of the Northern Quarter Tour
Join Skyliner for an alternative view of the Norther Quarter, learn about the area’s political happenings through it’s stunning public art.
The Little Library in Spinningfields
Take your pick from The Little Library’s carefully curated collection of classics and new releases, adding a recently read book of your own as a replacement.
Bill Brandt / Henry Moore at The Hepworth Wakefield
This major exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield brings together over 200 works by Bill Brandt and Henry Moore highlighting their shared interests.
Emii Alrai: The High Dam at The Tetley in Leeds
Combining demon lures and invented artefacts, ancient mythology and family lore, The High Dam at The Tetley in Leeds is the latest new work by upcoming artist Emii Alrai.
Taus Makhacheva: Hold Your Horses at The Tetley in Leeds
Taus Makhacheva’s new solo exhibition at The Tetley in Leeds explores the traditions of history-making and its encounters with experiences of everyday life.
Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre opens up fascinating new perspectives on humanity’s innate drive to leave its mark.
July Days at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
July Days by Aron Rossman-Kiss at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre revolves around a single, blurry image taken around 1917.
Liverpool Beatles Walk and Ticket to Ride Tour
Immerse yourself in the world of John, Paul, George and Ringo as you walk in their footsteps through The Beatles’ home city in this six-hour extravaganza of a walking tour.
Two hour Beatles Guided Walk & Cavern Club
This Beatles Guided Walk & Cavern Club is the perfect way to learn more about The Beatles while discovering the city of Liverpool.
Little Lambs Toddler Sessions at The Piece Hall, Halifax
Visit The Piece Hall in Halifax for a series of People Play inspired early years mornings complete with songs, stories and a craft activity.
New Digital Experiences at People’s History Museum
Can cutting-edge tech bring us closer to the events of the past? People’s History Museum unveils a series of new digital artworks and experiences.
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.
Other Transmissions: Conversations with Outsider Art at The Whitworth
‘Other Transmissions: Conversations with Outsider Art’ is a collaboration between a group of six artists, with and without learning disabilities.
Phoebe Davies: Points of Rupture at Site Gallery in Sheffield
For her first solo exhibition, Welsh artist Phoebe Davies presents a new body of work inspired by her time spent with a group of teenage female wrestlers training in a local club on the outskirts of Oslo.
Back To The Future The Musical at Manchester Opera House
Turn your flux capacitor on and set your destination to the Manchester Opera House in the year 2020. Your future depends on it.
People Play by Alice Irwin at The Piece Hall in Halifax
Artist Alice Irwin’s Matisse-esque friendly giants at The Piece Hall in Halifax embody an enchanting spirit of play, early innocence and imagination. Yet, they also have a more serious side to them.
Alice Irwin: People Play Trail at The Piece Hall in Halifax
Drop into The Piece Hall Welcome Centre and collect a sculpture trail map that will take you on a sketching and symbol spotting journey.
Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents the monumental work of celebrated Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos.
Frances Disley: Pattern Buffer at Bluecoat
Bluecoat prepares to present a new solo show by Frances Disley.
Jonathan Baldock: Facecrime at Bluecoat
Bluecoat in Liverpool presents artist Jonathan Baldock’s first solo exhibition, Facecrime.
Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism at Gallery Oldham
Gallery Oldham presents a nationally touring exhibition of photographs by Yorkshire-born Syd Shelton capturing the legendary Rock Against Racism movement.
Soft Bodies at Castlefield Gallery
Soft Bodies at Castlefield Gallery will reference the body in relation to technology, politics, gender, race and sexuality.
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here marks the only UK stop of a major touring retrospective dedicated to the American feminist artist.
Derek Jarman: PROTEST! at Manchester Art Gallery
Derek Jarman: PROTEST! is a major retrospective of one of the most influential figures in 20th century British culture including many works which have never been seen in public before.
West Side Story at the Royal Exchange
Powerful and fast-paced and heart-breaking, we’re thrilled to hear that West Side Story will return to the Royal Exchange next spring.
Week 53 Festival 2020
From interactive poker games, aerial performance and Street Culture, Week 53 celebrates bold and brilliant contemporary performance.
Leeds International Festival 2020
Leeds International Festival, the UK’s leading metropolitan festival of new ideas and innovation, is back for its third year.
Related Guides
Jazz in Manchester
Some tops picks of weekly live jazz gigs and jam nights from across the city. Whether you’re a jazz player or appreciator, there’s something for everyone.
Nightclubs in Manchester
Manchester today offers such a variety of venues at which to feel young and alive, you’d be a fool not to check out the city’s solid-gold after hours scene.
August Bank Holiday
Looking for things to do over the August Bank Holiday? Near fear, we’ve put together a handpicked list of things to do in Manchester and the North this August Bank Holiday weekend.
Father’s Day
This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 16th June. Get out and about and spend some quality time with the old man in Manchester.
Music Venues in Cumbria
When the sun goes down and you’ve had your fair share of Cumbria’s great outdoors, head to the area’s music venues to catch folk and jazz sessions, as well as regular performances by touring musicians. We recommend some of our favourites.
Music Venues in Sheffield
Sheffield boasted a strong and varied musical heritage. We pick out some of the city’s music venues – from student clubs to community pubs, and even the odd classical venue – which continue to play their part in this success.
Things to do right now
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