Cultural Calendar 2020

Fatoumata Diawara at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 7 February 2020, from £16.50 - Book now

Fatoumata Diawara is a standard-bearer of modern African music. A joy on record and a revelation live, she’s unmissable at Band on the Wall.

Isabel Allende in Conversation with Jeanette Winterson at The Dancehouse, Manchester, 11 February 2020, from £12 - Book now

This special event with one of literature’s most enchanting storytellers and one of Latin America’s greatest authors marks the beginning of the 2020 programme of the 15th annual Manchester Literature Festival (this year, the full festival runs 2-18 October), and is hosted by author Jeanette Winterson and presented in association with the University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing.

People's History Museum 10th Birthday at People’s History Museum, City Centre, Until 15 February 2020, free entry - Visit now

We love the People’s History Museum – Manchester’s national museum of democracy – and they’re celebrating their 10th birthday with a special weekend of events this February.

The Tiger that Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts, Manchester, 14 February–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, 20 February–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.

British Science Week, 6–15 March 2020, free entry - Find Out More

Join the ten day celebration of all things innovative and check out the scientific happenings in Manchester and the North.

House of Suarez + Contact: Vogue Ball 2020 at Manchester Academy, Manchester, 29 February 2020, from £15.00 - Book now

Daring, fabulous and with a nautical twist for 2020, House of Suarez are back to host the ultimate battle for dance supremacy.

Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 7 March 2020–3 January 2021, free entry - Find Out More

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

Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Guy Johnston at The Stoller Hall, 14 March 2020, from £24 - Book now

Two titans of the cello playing world come together to perform a number of sonatas by Luigi Boccherini and a new work by Emma-Ruth Richards.

Derek Jarman PROTEST! at Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, 2 April–31 August 2020, free entry - Find Out More

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.

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.

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.

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.

Secondhand book sale at Elizabeth Gaskell's House at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester, 12 April 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.