Cultural Calendar 2022

British Art Show 9 at HOME Manchester, Manchester, Until 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.

Shakespeare North Opening Season at Shakespeare North Playhouse, St. Helens, Until 7 January 2023 - Book now

Check out the spectacular opening season over at Shakespeare North Playhouse, a beacon of inspiration for audiences, communities, artists and theatre-makers.

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

The Hepworth Wakefield presents the work of Sheila Hicks, one of the world’s foremost artists working with textiles, fibre, colour and form.

The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at Walker Art Gallery, City Centre, Until 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.

Festa Italiana, 26–28 August 2022, free entry - Find Out More

The North’s biggest and best Italian-themed festival is back, hosted by Manchester’s favourite bambinos, Salvis.

Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire, 27–29 August 2022, from £20.00 - Book now

Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall is back. Taking place between 27-29 August, the festival described as ‘Glastonbury for Kids’ promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with an incredible array of fun and interactive family activities and events, food stalls, music, and camping.

Jadé Fadojutimi at The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, 16 September 2022–19 March 2023, from £10 - Book now

This autumn, The Hepworth Wakefield will be giving audiences the chance to experience the wonderfully colourful world of painter Jade Fadojutimi’s art with a solo exhibition from the London-based artist.

Treehouse Manchester, Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ - Visit now

A 216-room Treehouse hotel is coming to Manchester, featuring a rooftop bar and ‘secret forest’ vibes, in addition to stunning views of the city.

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.

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.

We Invented The Weekend at MediaCity and Salford Quays, Manchester, 10–11 September 2022, free entry - Find Out More

Expect everything from community feasts, vintage markets, water sports, live music and performance, right across MediaCity and Salford Quays this September. A new free festival for everyone.

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.

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.

Grimmfest at Odeon Great Northern, City Centre and online, 6–9 October 2022, from £110 - Book now

Grimmfest, Manchester’s annual festival of horror, cult and fantastic film returns with pre-Halloween spookiness and the early line-up looks frighteningly good.

Turner Prize 2022 at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront, 20 October 2022–19 March 2023, free entry - Find Out More

This year, Tate Liverpool will host one of the most significant events in contemporary art in the UK, with an exhibition of work by the four nominated artists: Heather Phillipson, Ingrid Pollard, Veronica Ryan and Sin Wai Kin.

Pavement at O2 Apollo, Manchester, 20 October 2022, from £47.30 - Book now

This year marks three decades since Pavement released their debut album, Slanted and Enchanted, an oh-so-casually genius record which saw them become one of the leadings lights of the ’90s American underground. Who’d have thought, when they disbanded at the end of the century, that in 2022 they’d be playing those same songs to more people than ever before.

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.

Kendrick Lamar at Manchester Arena, Manchester, 16 November 2022, from £64.50 - Book now

Following a brilliant fifth album and a masterful headline performance at Glastonbury, Kendrick Lamar is victory lapping the world, calling in at Manchester’s AO Arena on 16 November.

Lightopia at Heaton Park, Manchester, 24 November 2022–2 January 2023, from £13.00 - Book now

Lightopia, the award-winning light festival, will be lighting up Heaton Park, Manchester this winter in a fusion of beautiful, light art installations, music, and human interaction to warm up the entire family even on the coldest winter nights!

Forward Prizes at Contact Theatre, Manchester, 28 November 2022, from £15.00 - Book now

It’s the 30th anniversary of the Forward Prizes for Poetry, the most influential awards for new poetry in the UK and Ireland, honouring fresh voices alongside internationally established names – and this year the glittering awards ceremony will take place right here in Manchester, on 28 November.