An epicentre of entertainment and shopping housed within a 19th Century railway warehouse. The Great Northern is a commercial hub of leisure, lifestyle and buiness in the centre of Manchester.
Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s trailblazing psychedelic music and arts festival has announced a massive bill for its 2025 edition.
From £44.80
A high-octane and vibrant new musical comedy dances into Manchester for its UK premiere later this year.
From £15.00
Venture Arts sets up a pop-up studio at the Lab, with art-making takes place alongside collaborative experiments with dance and music.
Free entry
Artist Social for all creatives at any stage for their career to network, mingle and connect with Factory International.
It was a huge hit at MIF23 and went on to tour the world. We’re thrilled that Benji Reid’s acclaimed live photography show returns to Manchester this spring.
From £27.50
For the first time ever, MIF joins forces with The Royal Ballet to present a bold new adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s seminal novel.
From £35.00
manchester jazz festival 2025 culminates with a free celebration at Aviva Studios. Expect a triple bill of genre-pushing European jazz artists alongside the best local talent.
Free entry
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
From £45.00
Keen to try out this whole Virtual Reality thing? Virtual Hideout is a great, easy-going place to start.
Tucked into the first floor of Great Northern is Paradise Skate World, an intergalactic realm of quad skating and cosmically themed cocktails.
James Martin’s new pre-theatre menu provides modern British cuisine at a pocket-friendly price.
Bar Hutte is a charming ski village-style experience based at the Great Northern on Deansgate, including karaoke huts, live music and superb drinks.
The Lion’s Den is a superb bar and event space in the Great Northern, hosting regular live music and comedy events.
Improve your aim, embrace the axe based catharsis and have a top quality time at Whistle Punks Axe Throwing.
A casino in Manchester city centre with several restaurants and bars. Open 24-hours.
A mainstream chain cinema showing a mix of new releases and blockbusters. Located in The Great Northern Warehouse complex.
Another Hand is a new restaurant from team behind 3hands, offering casual dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Based at Great Northern’s thriving plaza, The Mews Bar and Charcuterie is a stylish place for drinks and high-quality food boards, from the team behind the excellent Northern Quarter cocktail
Suki Suki is a great-looking restaurant and bar, serving up great quality Pan-Asian food on Deansgate.
Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss (unless you’re paying attention).
From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Books, beer and burlesque. Dive into a glorious tangle of joyful happenings.
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
