Cultural Calendar 2019

Peterloo 2019, 7 June–18 August 2019 - Find Out More

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

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

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

, 18 January 2019–3 May 2020, free entry

Whether Liverpool Biennial 2018 passed you by or you diligently ticked-off every last one of its multiple offerings (if so; bravo), the Liverpool Biennial Northern England Tour seems unlikely to disappoint.

A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts, Manchester, 12 February–26 October 2019, from £6 - Book now

The UK’s first immersive exhibition of the much-loved tales of Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. Expect enchanting forests, miniature towns and watery worlds.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh: making the Glasgow Style at Walker Art Gallery, City Centre, 15 March–26 August 2019, from £2 - Book now

Charles Rennie Mackintosh: making the Glasgow Style at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool will span the lifetime of  Mackintosh (1868–1928) and his contemporaries, exploring the movement that became known as The Glasgow Style.

Kimsooja: To Breathe at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 30 March–29 September 2019, free entry - Visit now

Kimsooja transforms Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s historic chapel with To Breathe, an enthralling installation using light and mirrors and the latest in a series of projects exploring meditative qualities of space.

Altrincham Word Fest at altspace, Altrincham, 11–26 May 2019, from £5.00 - Book now

A twist on the usual literature festival, Altrincham Word Fest is back for a second year in May, with some inspiration to kindle your own creativity via workshops and events from some of the North West’s most talented writers.

Li Yuan Chia: Unique Photographs at The Whitworth, Manchester, 18 May–15 December 2019, free entry - Visit now

Li Yuan Chia’s art encompasses sculpture, painting and poetry but the focus of this exhibition is photography. A group of Li’s lyrical hand coloured photographs of himself, his sculpture and garden at Banks is shown alongside the artist’s own collection of film cameras as part of Li Yuan Chia: His Late Photographs at Whitworth Art Gallery.

Manchester Jazz Festival 2019 at St Ann’s Square, City Centre, 23–27 May 2019, from £5.00 - Book now

MJF returns with a fresh new look, a new festival hub location and more venues across the city than ever before.

Peterloo 2019, 7 June–18 August 2019 - Find Out More

The key Peterloo events including Manchester Histories major programme of over 150 events commemorating the 200-year anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre.

Sol Calero at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront, 14 June–10 November 2019, free entry - Find Out More

Tate Liverpool presents a new commission by Berlin-based artist Sol Calero, whose work takes the form of brightly coloured, large-scale immersive installations. Her playful compositions transform the gallery into spaces of social interaction and exchange.

Mozart | Mark Simpson | Mahler at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 15 June 2019, from £12.5 - Book now

A previous winner of both the BBC Young Musician and BBC Young Composer of the Year awards, Mark Simpson is both the soloist and composer of this world premiere – his Clarinet Concerto. Either side, leading British soprano Elizabeth Watts joins the BBC Philharmonic for three Mozart arias and Mahler’s majestic Fourth Symphony.

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

So far Manchester International Festival have announced that Yoko Ono, Idris Elba and Skepta are among the artists set to feature in the 2019 programme. We’ll let you know as and when more of the line-up is revealed.

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.

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. With midnight feasts, pillow fights and the bonkers Tribal Tournament be sure to snap up a ticket fast.

Grimmfest 2016 at Odeon Great Northern, City Centre, 3–6 October 2019, 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.

The Winter Droving at Penrith Old Fire Station, Cumbria, 26 October 2019, free entry - Find Out More

An incredible wonderland of outdoor arts, masquerade and pint carrying competitions in Penrith.