Ah festivals. We do them well up north. From giant, inhibition-loosening weekends in farmers’ fields to inner-city parties that showcase the best of local, underground scenes, festival lovers are spoilt for choice.
Here we pick our highlights for spring/summer 2024, taking in everything from hedonistic escapes to brain-tickling festivals of ideas, via family-friendly fun. What’s more, a number of our picks below are free, and accessible to anyone!
Set in the flora-filled sanctuary of Hulme Community Garden Centre, Green Island champions underground, underrepresented, and emerging artists from across the UK, and places global sounds at the forefront.
Dust down your tail-feathers and get out on the streets for carnival, community and an exuberant celebration of Manchester.
Back with an even bigger bang – Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for six-days of experiential performance and cultural delight.
Featuring over 200 artists and performers, immersive arts experiences and kids activities, Kendal Calling is a great, family-friendly festival set in the stunning Lake District.
Now in its seventh year, the country’s biggest festival celebrating Italian food, drink and culture is one of Manchester’s most popular events with over 40,000 visitors flocking to last year’s fun-packed event. Check out what’s on this year.
Bringing just what Bank Holidays call for, expect a huge, celebratory weekend of music in Wythenshawe Park, headlined by New Order and Blossoms.
Manchester Psych Fest, an all-day celebration of psychedelic music and art, returns this September with more musicians, DJs and visual artists than ever before.
Marking the official start of The Warehouse Project’s 2024 season, Repercussion is back with a huge day-to-night party celebrating dance music in all its forms.
Góbéfest, Manchester’s original international urban folk music and dance festival, is back at Cathedral Gardens this September.
Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.
Take me there
Gearing up for a sunny July? Take some eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Make bread, throw axes, learn costume design and drink beer like you've never done before in this month's Tours and activities guide.
All-dayers make a strong showing in our latest music picks, from dance music marathons to vibrant showcases of South Asian artistry.
School year, complete! And as we say goodbye to what seems like a rather long summer term, we can look forward to the summer holidays, with lots of exciting activities...
This month we look at Indie Horror Summer, outdoor movies, and a brand new film festival in Sheffield.
Interactive circus, arts festivals and new writing, our guide features a show-stopping selection of theatre happening indoors and outside.
In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.
Virginia Woolf and lasers, environmental recovery through wildness and thoughts on motherhood - all this and more in our exhibition top picks!
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
