Cultural Calendar 2020

The Tiger that Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts, Manchester, Until 31 December 2020, from £8.00 - Book now

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.

Back To The Future The Musical at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, Until 17 May 2020, from £19.95 - Book now

Turn your flux capacitor on and set your destination to the Manchester Opera House. Your future depends on it.

Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Until 3 January 2021, free entry - Visit now

Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents the monumental work of celebrated Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos.

Rock Against Racism, online, Until 30 May 2020, free entry - Visit now

Gallery Oldham presents a nationally touring exhibition of photographs by Yorkshire-born Syd Shelton capturing the legendary Rock Against Racism movement.

Aerial Festival at St Mary's Parish Church Ambleside, Cumbria, 24–27 September 2020, from £12 - Book now

Aerial is a new festival of contemporary music, literature and performance, taking place in and around the Lake District town of Ambleside.

Derek Jarman PROTEST! at Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, Until 31 August 2020, free entry - Visit now

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.

Secondhand book sale at Elizabeth Gaskell's House at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester, 10 May 2020, from £5 - Find Out More

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has to be on the must-see list of every discerning literary tourist exploring the UNESCO City of Literature. And Mrs Gaskell would be proud – a regular book-buying opportunity literally on her doorstep. Peruse the secondhand tomes then perambulate around the rather pleasant RHS award-winning gardens and soak up the atmosphere of the North & South author’s Plymouth Grove villa. Check out the Ruskin exhibition too – on until July 2020. Taking place monthly, the next book sale is 12 January, then 9 February, and so on.

West Side Story at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 18 April–23 May 2020, from £10.00 - Book now

You get a second chance to catch this phenomenal show. Powerful, fast-paced and heart-breaking, we’re thrilled to hear that West Side Story will return to the Royal Exchange in spring 2020.

Week 53 Festival at The Lowry, Manchester, 24 April–3 May 2020 - Book now

Fully accessible and always engaging, Week 53 celebrates bold and brilliant contemporary performance. Le Gateau Chocolat have been commissioned – we’ll bring you the full line-up once it has been announced.

Sounds From the Other City 2020, 2 May 2020, from £27.75 - Book now

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, Manchester, 6 May 2020, from £30.50 - Book now

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, Manchester, 7–10 May 2020, free entry - Find Out More

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, 14–17 May 2020, Tickets Not Currently On Sale - Book now

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.

BBC Philharmonic: Sibelius/Debussy/Tom Coult/Respighi at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 4 June 2020, from £12.50 - Book now

The BBC Philharmonic presents a concert dedicated to the natural world, featuring wonderful works by Sibelius, Debussy and Respighi, and a new commission by Tom Coult.

Thom Yorke at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 20–21 June 2020, from £54.70 - Book now

Following the release of his excellent solo album ANIMA, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is performing not one but two shows at Victoria Warehouse this June.

Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 3 July 2020–10 January 2021, from £5 - Book now

Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.

Liverpool Biennial 2020, 11 July–25 October 2020, free entry - Find Out More

The 2020 edition of Liverpool Biennial will explore notions of the body, drawing on non-Western ways of thinking that challenge conceptions of the individual as a defined, self-sufficient entity.

Bluedot Festival 2020 at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, 23–26 July 2020, from £59.75 - Book now

Entering its fifth year in 2020, Bluedot is a festival of discovery located in the shadow of the world-renowned Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank.

Grimmfest at Odeon Great Northern, City Centre, 7–11 October 2020, from £20.00 - Book now

A longstanding fixture in Manchester’s cinema calendar, Grimmfest has made its name providing film fans with the latest and greatest in cult, horror and fantasy cinema. Check back for full programme details, but expect a line-up chock full of special guests and premieres.

Manchester Folk Festival 202015 - 18 October 2020 at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 15–18 October 2020, from £6.00 - Book now

In October 2020, Manchester Folk Festival will be back with another joyous celebration of the best in English folk.

Carcanet exhibition at The John Rylands Library, City Centre, Until 13 September 2020, free entry - Visit now

The Carcanet 50th anniversary celebrations continue with a special exhibition opening up the archive of the Manchester-based independent poetry publishing house, sharing some unique, previously unseen material usually behind the scenes at the magnificent John Rylands Library on Deansgate but taking centre stage for the next six months.

The Bull & Bear Manchester, 4 Norfolk St,, Manchester, M2 1DW - Visit now

The long-awaited Bull & Bear is Tom’s first restaurant in the North of England, and judging by the food on offer, we’re incredibly lucky to have him.

The Edinburgh Castle Pub, Henry St &, Blossom St,, Manchester, M4 5AW - Visit now

All set to be the go-to pub in Ancoats – an area that badly needs a classic old-style tavern. The Edinburgh Castle pub has been one of Ancoats most notable public houses, dating back to 1811 – this reopening has been a long time coming.