Unmissable theatre at the Royal Exchange and across Manchester, direct to your inbox

Maxine Peake in Happy Days at the Royal Exchange

We preview the finest shows from The Royal Exchange and make top recommendations for theatrical adventures in world-class auditoriums and international festivals. Discover the stand-out theatre in Manchester and the North every Friday with curated recommendations from our editors.

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Culture Guides

Cinema

Modern classics, New German Cinema and Hollywood hits all find a place in our latest guide to Cinema in Manchester and the North.

Exhibitions

From immersive playgrounds and mythological journeys to tackling injustice, this month is filled with fresh art to see all around the North.

Power UP at the Science and Industry Museum

Families

As summer in Manchester turns out to be a scorcher, here are our hottest picks of some of the best outdoor and indoor family-friendly events and activities happening in Manchester and the North during the summer holidays and the coming months, featuring festivals, performances, gaming fun, garden visits and so much more.

Author Adam Farrer. Photo by Simon Buckley

Literature

There are online readings and live launches as Manchester and the North welcomes some great writers – and we’re building up to book festival season, so let’s get planning…

Music

We head into August with a whole lot of musical goodness to look forward to, from massive indie gigs to inner city electronic festivals.

Theatre

Shakespeare North Playhouse’s spectacular opening season and extraordinary outdoor performance, free and ticketed, feature in our top picks.

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Food and Drink

Explore the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North this August.

Tours and Activities

Break out of the old summer routines and try something different with roller skating, kite flying and more in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.