Manchester Arena – now the AO Arena – is one of the busiest venues in the world and one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe.
Since opening in 1995, the Arena has hosted the biggest names in live entertainment including U2, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Pavarotti and the record-breaking 2010/2011 residency by local comedian Peter Kay.
Join an access-all-areas guided tour of Chetham’s Library and the surrounding school – among the most venerable buildings in the North West.
from £20.00
Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.
free entry
Get hands on with the decks in this funk and soul superstar DJ workshop from BBC Radio 6’s Ailsa.
free entry
All instruments, all abilities are welcome to join a band every week at Altogether Otherwise as part of their Singing and Dancing programme.
free entry
Marking the anniversary of the Christmas Blitz, this walking tour explores Manchester’s history of conflict, from the English Civil Wars to the World Wars and beyond.
from £20.00
GASP! Horror Film Festival returns with three days of screenings dedicated to championing diversity in genre cinema.
from £5.00
Join in the celebration of creative communities in the heart of Manchester with MCDC’s new exhibition ‘Connecting Spaces’.
free entry
Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.
free entry
The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.
Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.
High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.
The Mezz is the new VIP area at the AO Arena, offering high-end food and drinks with great views of the stage.
Sadlers Yard is a public square and events space in Manchester from NOMA Mcr. Home of the Pilcrow Pub and PLANT NOMA.
The baby in the family of Manchester’s concert halls, The Stoller Hall greatly enhances the city’s already enviable live music provision.
Hotel Indigo Manchester is an elegant and welcoming hotel in the heart of this vibrant city, with the equally excellent Mamucium as the in-house restaurant.
Federation House in Manchester is a pop-up project space that provides opportunities for artists, artist groups and artist development agencies.
We visit Skof, Manchester’s most raved-about new restaurants, mere hours before 2025’s Michelin Guide announcement.
Allpress at NOMA is a home to all things coffee, with a café and seasonal menu incorporating locally sourced ingredients.
The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.
A modernist, high-rise delight.
Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.
If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.
Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.
Crocodile-themed Easter egg hunts, sense-sational museum trips and more this Easter!
Spring is here and the North is buzzing with must-visit new restaurants and bars.
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.
