Summer Festivals

LOOK Photo Biennial — Chapter One: Transplant at Victoria Gallery and Museum, 6 June–25 September 2019, free entry - Visit now

Open Eye Gallery presents LOOK Photo Biennial 2019: a major programme of photography-based exhibitions taking place across Liverpool, the Wirral and Shanghai.

Peterloo 2019, 7 June–18 August 2019 - Visit now

Manchester Histories prepares to launch a major programme of over 150 events to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre.

Festival Of Research at University of Salford MediaCityUK Campus, Manchester, 17 June–12 July 2019, free entry - Visit now

A month-long programme of free events to showcase the wonderful and innovative research happening across the University of Salford.

Incoming Festival 2019 at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 23–29 June 2019, from £5.00 - Book now

Incoming Festival celebrates the best-emerging theatre companies from the UK and beyond – try something new for just a fiver.

Be Festival at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham, 2–6 July 2019 - Book now

A daring and innovative creative programme – blurring borders and exploding boundaries – BE Festival features a genre-bending feast of European theatre, live music, performance and visual arts.

Timber Festival at Feanedock, 5–7 July 2019, from £70 - Find Out More

An extraordinary new festival where music, art, philosophy and sustainability weave together into an exhilarating weekend in the heart of the National Forest, one of Britain’s boldest environmental projects.

Manchester International Festival 2019 at Albert Square, City Centre, 4–21 July 2019, from £12.00 - Book now

Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original work and special events – a biennial celebration of performance, art, music, theatre and more, which marries the world’s best-known artists with Manchester’s cultural institutions. Returning 4 – 21 July 2019, MIF19 is the second festival under Artistic Director John McGrath.

Buxton International Festival 2019 at Buxton Opera House, 5–21 July 2019, from £12 - Book now

One of the UK’s leading arts events, Buxton International Festival is a  summertime celebration of opera, music and books. This year’s highlights include the world premiere of a specially-commissioned opera pasticcio, a concert by enchanting vocal group Voces8, and a talk by Nobel Prize-winner Sir Venki Ramakrishnan which will resolve an ancient mystery at the heart of life itself.

REFRACT:19 at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 18–27 July 2019 - Book now

Back with an even bigger bang – Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for ten-days of experiential performance and cultural delight.

Supersonic at The Custard Factory, Birmingham, 19–21 July 2019, from £40 - Find Out More

Supersonic is an internationally-renowned experimental music and arts festival held in the holy land for heavy music: Birmingham.

Bluedot festival 2019 at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, 19–21 July 2019, from £59.75 - Book now

Entering its fourth year in 2019, bluedot celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landings with a special weekend of music, science, arts, technology, culture, food and film beneath the iconic Lovell Telescope.

Kendal Calling at Lowther Castle and Gardens, Cumbria, 25–28 July 2019, from £20.00 - Book now

With back-to-back sell outs in 2017 and 2018, we recommend you beg, borrow but don’t steal to get in to Kendal Calling. Courteeners, Doves, Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers & Chid, Orbital and Years & Years are among the big names in 2019.

Underneath The Stars Festival at Cinderhill Farm, Barnsley, 2–4 August 2019, from £55 - Book now

This charismatic folk and acoustic music festival in the stunning South Yorkshire countryside has a cracking family-friendly arts programme and tremendous food. Musical highlights in 2019 include The Proclaimers, Billy Bragg and Kate Rusby – who is also one of the festival’s organisers.

BBC Summer Social at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool, 3–4 August 2019, from £25 - Book now

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park, Manchester, 10–11 August 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Don those dancing shoes. All are welcome to join in the revelry of legendary proportions in the region’s largest festival of Caribbean music and carnival arts.

Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, 16–18 August 2019, from £20 - Book now

The best family festival in the UK? We think so. Adventure together into a wonderland of the best outdoor theatre, music, comedy, literature and other curious creative escapades!

Vintage by the Sea at Midland Hotel, Morecambe, 31 August–1 September 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Celebrate the brilliance of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment at this award-winning festival set around Morecambe’s famous art deco Midland Hotel.

The Good Life Experience at Hawarden Estate, 12–15 September 2019, from £119 - Book now

Co-founded by Cerys Matthews, The Good Life Experience returns for its fifth outing, in the shadows of two castles on the Hawarden Estate in Flintshire.

Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2019, 26 September–7 October 2019, free entry - Find Out More

The biggest food and drink festival in the North is back, and this time it’s a brand new location: the picturesque Cathedral Gardens.

Manchester Folk Festival 2019 at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 16–20 October 2019, from £6.00 - Book now

Indulge in a long weekend packed with amazing gigs in great venues. Get involved in singing, songwriting and craft workshops. Grab your friends and dance a ceilidh. This festival is a chance to discover new bands, create something you’re proud of, relax with friends and make new connections. Plus the added excitement of the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, which it will host on the 16 October.