Cultural Calendar 2022

Jarman at HOME at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 30 January–10 March 2022 - Book now

A full retrospective of the films of iconoclastic British avant garde artist, filmmaker and gay rights activist Derek Jarman is our pick of HOME’s early 2022 programme.

Queer Contact Festival 2022 at Contact Theatre, Manchester, 11–19 February 2022 - Book now

The ultimate celebration of art and creativity in the LGBTQ+ community, Queer Contact Festival returns for 2022.

International Mother Language Day, online, 19–21 February 2022, free entry - Find Out More

Manchester was designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2017, recognising not only the city’s rich literary past but also its thriving literary present. Manchester’s celebration of International Mother Language Day will involve a suitably jam-packed and eclectic programme of events.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, 8–12 March 2022, from £13.00 - Book now

An extraordinarily beautiful piece of theatre, this adaptation by two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens returns to Manchester. Don’t miss out.

Sheila Hicks: Off Grid at The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, 7 April–25 September 2022 - Book now

Coming this April, the Hepworth Wakefield will present the work of Sheila Hicks, one of the world’s foremost artists working with textiles, fibre, colour and form.

Pet Shop Boys at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 20 May 2022, from £81.99 - Book now

Watch Pet Shop Boys, one of the most successful duos of all time, journey through their illustrious back catalogue of hits at Manchester Arena.

The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at Walker Art Gallery, City Centre, 12 May–29 August 2022, from £6.00 - Book now

Discover the Tudors at Walker Art Gallery, with a major exhibition of portraits presenting some of history’s most famous faces.

Just So Festival at Rode Hall, 19–21 August 2022, from £20 - Book now

Just So Festival, arguably the best family festival in the UK, is back this August with a spell-binding wonderland of world-class literature, arts, theatre, dance, music, comedy and creative pursuits.

British Art Show 9 at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 13 May–4 September 2022 - Book now

Organised every five years, The British Art Show comes to Manchester, surveying the most exciting contemporary artists working in the UK right now.

Billie Eilish at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 7–8 June 2022, from £47.80 - Book now

Seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is heading to Manchester Arena with Happier Than Ever, The World Tour.

Food Sorcery Manchester, Deansgate Square, Manchester, M15 4UA - Visit now

East Didsbury-based cooking school Food Sorcery is set to open a new venue in the city centre this spring, with classes covering a vast range of cuisines and taught by some of the most charming and knowledgable educators this side of Dead Poets Society.

Sheffield Doc/Fest, online, 23–28 June 2022, free entry - Find Out More

Shefield DocFest returns this June with another mammoth programme that explores and expands the limits of documentary.

Bluedot Festival 2022 at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, 22–24 July 2022, from £59.75 - Book now

Offering 21,000 welly-clad revellers a unique collision of entertainment and information, Bluedot is one of our favourite events of the year. Closing 2022’s festival is Björk, one of the world’s most influential and ground-breaking musicians.

The Modern History of the Northern Quarter, Until 31 December 2022, from £9 - Book now

One of Manchester’s leading local place writers and tour guides is once again setting forth into the cultural nooks and crooks of the Northern Quarter, with two anniversaries to celebrate in 2022: 10 years of Skyliner tours and 30 years since artist Liam Curtain was commissioned as the Northern Quarter’s artist in residence.

Castlefield Viaduct, Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester, M3 4PU - Visit now

A new urban green space that pays homage to Manchester’s industrial past, Castlefield Viaduct will be opening for feedback in summer 2022.

Shakespeare North Playhouse, Mill Street, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 3AB - Visit now

Due to open in 2022, Shakespeare North Playhouse is a very exciting new theatre, education, outdoor performance garden and exhibition space in Merseyside.

Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2022, 16–27 September 2022 - Book now

2022 should see a full return of the much-loved Manchester Food and Drink Festival, whose Cathedral Gardens hub hosts a plethora of events which showcase Manchester’s diverse, resilient and brilliant hospitality industry.

Mrs Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, 2 September–1 October 2022, from £13.00 - Book now

One for all the family: Mrs Doubtfire, a touching musical comedy about family, love and friendship, is coming to Manchester Opera House, straight from Broadway.

Manchester Science Festival at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield and online, 21–28 October 2022 - Find Out More

Always a highlight of our cultural calendar, we’re delighted that the Manchester Science Festival at the Science and Industry Museum is set to return in October 2022.

Luciano, London Rd, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QD - Visit now

The irrepressible Gino D’Acampo is about to launch a new Italian restaurant in North, and Alderley Edge is its new home. Based on London Road, Luciano (named after his eldest child) takes over the old Piccolini venue in the heart of this affluent village.

Mayfield Park, Mayfield Park, Manchester, M1 2PY - Visit now

A new 6.5 acre development designed to bring nature closer to the city, Mayfield Park is set to launch in Winter 2022.

Manchester Literature Festival at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 7–23 October 2022, from £5 - Book now

Save the date! Manchester Literature Festival takes place 7 to 23 October 2022, showcasing a range of poetry, prose and more from both household names and up-and-coming talent.

Let The Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 22 October–19 November 2022, from £10.00 - Book now

A deeply moving piece of theatre, as enchanting as it is brutal, Let The Right One In tells a chilling and beautiful coming-of-age vampire love story.