Cultural Calendar 2024

Creative Tourist

2024’s doors have swung open to reveal a treasure trove of arts and cultural happenings, from sprawling festivals to massive performances and special events. To help you fill those new calendars, we’ve asked our editors to select their highlights.

There’s a bit of everything here, from blockbuster theatre shows to family-friendly picks, world-class exhibitions, performances from internationally-acclaimed musicians, live literature showcases and cinematic treasures to delight the most discerning film buff.

Want more? You can keep up-to-the-minute with what’s happening across Manchester and the North with our specialist Cinema, Exhibitions, Theatre, Literature, Music, Family and Tours & Activities guides. You can also follow us on all the usual socials (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and subscribe to our mailing list to get this kind of thing in your inbox every Friday lunchtime.

Our top picks

Player Kings at Manchester Opera House

Player Kings at Manchester Opera House, Manchester, Until 23 March 2024, from £13.00 - Book now

Ian McKellen plays Falstaff in a new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, adapted by the award-winning writer and director Robert Icke.

Player Kings at Manchester Opera House
Image courtesy of ATG Tickets.

Litfest 2024 at various venues and online

Lancaster Literature Festival - Litfest 2024 at The Storey Creative Industries Centre, Lancashire and online, Until 26 March 2024, free entry - Visit now

Lancaster’s annual literature festival is back, celebrating 45 years with a full programme as spring unfurls – and with it the fabulously accessible chance to come along either in person or virtually from 15 to 26 March.

Hannah Lowe. Credit Lealle Brady
Hannah Lowe. Credit Lealle Brady

2024 Exhibition Highlights at the Whitworth

Exhibition Highlights 2024 at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 31 December 2024, free entry - Visit now

Not one but at least four fantastic exhibitions will take place at the Whitworth throughout 2024 with work from Shirley Craven, John Lyons, Ayo Akingbade and Barbara Walker.

Colourful figures painted in oil paint on cavas background
Shirley Craven for Hull Traders, Five (detail), 1966-67. Screen-printed furnishing textile. The Whitworth, the University of Manchester (T.12298.2). Photo: Michael Pollard.

The Smile at The Apollo

The Smile at O2 Apollo, Manchester, 19 March 2024, from £58.10 - Book now

Radiohead side project The Smile – featuring Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and former Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner – perform in Manchester in support of their new album, Wall of Eyes.

The Smile, image courtesy of O2 Apollo Manchester

Armistead Maupin at Aviva Studios

An Evening With Armistead Maupin at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 4 April 2024, from £25.00 - Book now

It’s your chance to catch one of the most influential writers of the last century as Armistead Maupin heads out on the road for a UK tour to celebrate the long-awaited tenth novel in the Tales of the City series, and pops back into Manchester, on 4 April.

Image of Armistead Maupin looking to thier side, wearing a navy blue cardigan and magenta scarf
Armistead Maupin. Photo courtesy of artist

Paraorchestra: Death Songbook at Aviva Studios

Paraorchestra with Brett Anderson and Charles Hazlewood: Death Songbook, 26 April 2024, from £15 - Find Out More

One of the UK’s most exciting orchestras is bringing an exquisite reimagining of iconic songs exploring love, loss and transcendence to Aviva Studios.

Carmel Smickersgill

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter’s

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter’s, Manchester, 10–12 May 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Dante or Die’s latest offsite theatre show is a provocative work that imagines the first same-sex wedding in a UK prison.

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter's
Image courtesy of Dante or Die

40 Years of the Future at Castlefield Gallery

40 Years of the Future at Castlefield Gallery, Manchester, 20 2024–30 March 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Celebrate the beloved Castlefield Gallery’s 40th birthday with a thrilling programme of events taking place throughout the year.

A dynamic painting of colourful shapes arranged to form a cross
Hoyland Studio Ltd

Festival Of Libraries in various venues

Festival of Libraries at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 13–16 June 2024, free entry - Find Out More

The fourth Festival Of Libraries is a five-day multi-venue celebration of Greater Manchester’s libraries. Organised by UNESCO Manchester City of Literature, guest readers and speakers include the likes of Lemn Sissay and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Simon Armitage. Photo Paul Wolfgang Webster

TOTfest Cheshire

TOTfest at Chester Racecourse, Cheshire, 21 July 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Enjoy a festival of epic proportions at TOTfest Cheshire, packed with fun and entertainment for the whole family.

TOTFest Cheshire
TOTFest Cheshire

New Order at Wythenshawe Park

New Order at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester, 24 July 2024, from £61.60 - Book now

An all-day outdoor concert at Wythenshawe Park features a special homecoming show from New Order, plus performances by Manchester legend Johnny Marr and adopted Manc Róisin Murphy.

New Order, courtesy of We Are Indigo.

Pixies at The Piece Hall

Pixies at The Piece Hall, West Yorkshire, 21 August 2024, from £47.50 - Book now

Key figures of the late 80s alt/rock movement, Pixies blazed the trail for everyone from Pearl Jam to Nirvana to Radiohead. This summer, they’re playing a one-off show at Halifax’s glorious Piece Hall in support of Doggerel, their best new album in years.

Pixies by Tom Oxley

Beyond the Music 2024

Beyond the Music 2024 at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 1–31 October 2024, from £16.75 - Book now

Part festival, part conference, Beyond the Music is a leading space for creative thinkers, musicians and independent venues.

Carmel Smickersgill

Manchester Literature Festival 2024

Manchester Literature Festival at Contact Theatre, Manchester, 4–20 October 2024, from £5.00 - Book now

Manchester Literature Festival presents inspiring live literature and spoken word from international writers and home-grown talent.

Max Porter. Photo by Francesca Jones
Max Porter. Photo by Francesca Jones.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds, 5–9 November 2024, from £31.00 - Book now

A new production of the multi award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen is set to tour the UK from autumn 2024, with venues including Leeds Grand Theatre, Liverpool Empire and Palace Theatre Manchester.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre
Image courtesy of ATG Tickets.

Idles at The Apollo

Idles at O2 Apollo, Manchester, 6 December 2024, from £42.15 - Book now

Among the most powerful voices in modern rock music, Idles are taking the power of love on the road, bringing their new album TANGK to Manchester in December.

Idles by Daniel Topete, image couresy of SONIC PR
Idles by Daniel Topete, image courtesy of Sonic PR.
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