Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

Spring

Creative Tourist

Spring is here, the sun’s (almost) out and things are looking up. Even better, there are all manner of ace things to do in Spring, particularly if you’re of a cultural bent. From romantic places to go on a Valentine’s date to places to take your mum, from short break ideas to help you make the most of the Easter bank Holidays to school holiday what’s on guides, and from blockbuster exhibitions and art openings to music, art and digital festivals, read our recommendations to ensure that you feel like Spring has most definitely sprung.

Seasonal Guides

SFTOC 2024
May Bank Holiday 2025: Things to Do

Whether you’re a planner or prefer to play it by ear, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Manchester International Festival 2025
Ones Not to Miss at MIF25

One-of-a-kind collaborations and world premiere performances, we bring you details of those ‘must-see’ shows at MIF25.
Free things to do at MIF25

Free things to do at MIF23. The most essential things to do in summer 2023 that won’t break the bank (or even dent it). 
Festival-goers at Green Island
Festivals

Here’s our guide to the best summer festivals with experiences taking place in a field or on the streets near you.
Kōdo Cocktail Art
Easter Bank Holiday Weekend in Manchester and the North

Read our top ideas for things to do over Easter Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester and the North, with or without chocolate…
Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite Collections in the North

Explore the best Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite collections in the North, a region rich in work from this period.
Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for things to do with the family over the Easter school holidays? We’ve got you covered.

Destinations

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.