Cultural Calendar 2019

, 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.

at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 22 March–13 April 2019, from £5.50 - Book now

HOME’s ¡Viva! is a long standing highlight of Manchester‘s cultural calendar. The cross discipline festival ties together cinema, theatre and visual arts for a celebration of Spanish and Latin American culture that exemplifies the benefits of HOME‘s unified programming approach.

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.

Barber Shop Chronicles at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 7–23 March 2019, from £18.50 - Book now

Following two sold-out runs at the National Theatre, acclaimed performances in Leeds, Inua Ellams’ Barber Shop Chronicles comes to Manchester this Spring.

The Cinematic Orchestra at Manchester Academy, Manchester, 30 March 2019, from £33.04 - Book now

Marking the release of their first studio album in 12 years, The Cinematic Orchestra are to play their only northern date at Manchester Academy!

Kimsooja: To Breathe at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 30 March–29 September 2019, free entry - Find Out More

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.

James Blake at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 7 April 2019, from £30.60 - Book now

Nearly a decade after James Blake released his ground-breaking debut album, the mercurial artist returns to Manchester to flaunt some of his finest work yet: Assume Form.

Matt Haig: Notes on a Nervous Planet at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 15 April 2019, from £15.5 - Book now

Best-selling author Matt Haig is back in town to follow up his memoir Reasons To Stay Alive with some tried-and-tested answers and advice in his latest, Notes On A Nervous Planet.

Zara at The Piece Hall, 19–20 April 2019, from £8 - Book now

A mother against the world and a giant outdoor theatre event for the whole family from Walk The Plank and Mind The Gap.

Rakhi Singh and Vessel/Singh Quartet: Written in Fire at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 7 May 2019, from £18 - Book now

This rare collaboration between Rakhi Singh and Vessel will get you thinking about Janáček’s Intimate Letters string quartet in a whole new way!

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 - Find Out More

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.

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.

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 2018 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.