Ibibio Sound Machine at Band on the Wall
Fusing West African funk and disco with modern post-punk and electro, trust Ibibio Sound Machine to inject some much-needed energy into dreary January.
From £29
What not to miss
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The Guardians of Living Matter at Lowry
A new Lowry exhibition pitches us into 2076, where mycelium and AI entwine to ease the climate crisis together.
Heartworms at Band on the Wall
Pulling from gothic post punk and motorik menace, South London’s Heartworms brings her brilliant debut album to Manchester.
From £16.50
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Murder at Midnight at Lowry
On New Year’s Eve in a quiet corner of Kent, in a single house, secrets inevitably bubble to the surface and a killer lies in wait.
From £25.00
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Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Lowry
The critically acclaimed parody musical, Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch returns to Lowry for a five-week Christmas season.
From £19.50
Mark William Lewis at The White Hotel
A hyped name among London’s underground scene, Mark William Lewis brings his skeletal and introspective indie rock to The White Hotel.
From £17.10
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The Memory Of Water at The Octagon Theatre
A play about families, grief, and the unreliable narratives we inherit. Directed by Bolton Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham. Starring Vicky Binns, Victoria Brazier, Helen Flannagan and Polly Lister.
From £15.00Tickets by Creative Tourist
View all
Until
The Medieval Quarter Walking Tour
Tickets from £20.00
Explore Manchester’s Medieval Quarter on an architect-led walking tour uncovering the city’s...
Until
The Manchester Pub Walkabout
Tickets from £25.00
Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester's drinking history in one of...
Until
The Manchester Music Walkabout
Tickets from £25.00
Manchester’s famous musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around...
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Manchester’s Northern Quarter: Street Art & Local Stories
Tickets from £12.00
This walking tour explores the neighbourhood’s streets, stories and hidden corners, offering...
Until
Manchester City Walking Tour
Tickets from £12.00
Manchester has always been a city with stories to tell. This guided...
Until
Leeds City Centre Walking Tour
Tickets from £12.00
Leeds is a city best explored on foot. With a local guide...
Until
Idyllic England: Derbyshire & the Peak District
Tickets from £55.00
A tour through idyllic Derbyshire and the Peak District, where rolling hills,...
Until
Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester
Tickets from £74.63
This part of the world is packed with both marvels and myths,...
Spotlight on
The Memory Of Water at The Octagon Theatre
A play about families, grief, and the unreliable narratives we inherit. Directed by Bolton Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham. Starring Vicky Binns, Victoria Brazier, Helen Flannagan and Polly Lister.
Take me thereDestinations
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Things to do in LeedsOur guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.
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Things to Do in LiverpoolOur guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
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Things to Do in ManchesterOur guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
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Bradford 2025 – UK City of CultureBradford 2025 – UK City of Culture is a city in celebration, not just for Bradford and the surrounding districts, but the whole of the North.
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Things to do in BlackpoolFancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
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Things to do in YorkWe take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
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Things to do in LancashireOur guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
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Things to Do in CheshireOur guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
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Things to Do in CumbriaOur guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
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Things to do in West YorkshireOur guide to the best things to do in culture-packed West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Wakefield, Halifax and Huddersfield.
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Things to do in the North EastOur guide to the North East spans industrial heritage in Sunderland, medieval architecture in Durham and world-class culture in Newcastle.
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Things to Do in SheffieldOur guide to the hilly city of Sheffield, which boasts a fantastic community of artists, makers and cultural organisations.
Seasonal Guides
Where to go
Castlefield
The Curling Club
New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.
Manchester
Chadderton Town Hall
Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds
Manchester
Christmas
at St John’s
at St John’s
A new alternative Manchester Christmas market from the well-seasoned team behind our street food faves Grub.
Chapel Street
Tangerine
Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.
City Centre
Posie
A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.
Manchester
San Carlo Manchester King Street
Longstanding Italian restaurant in the snazzy bit of Manchester.
City Centre
Chotto Matte Manchester
Snazzy Manchester outpost of the globe-straddling Japanese-meets-Peruvian restaurant brand.
Culture Guides
Music in the North
Manchester’s closing out the year – and looking to the new one – with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.
Theatre in the North
This winter theatre round‑up captures the festive spirit across the North, with everything from family‑friendly musicals to modern twists on seasonal classics.
Music in the North
Manchester’s closing out the year – and looking to the new one – with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.
Cinema in the North
There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.
Family things to do in the North
Manchester’s family‑friendly scene is buzzing this season with storytelling, theatre, and hands‑on fun for all ages.
Exhibitions in the North
In galleries around the North this autumn, you'll find tactile sculptures, Treasures with a capital 'T' and plant magic.
Food and Drink in the North
Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities in the North
Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.