Manchester’s branch of Selfridges extends glossily back from Exchange Square, with wide glass windows on its street-facing front and polished floors inside. It’s home to designer brands and two different eateries – San Carlo Bottega on the second floor and Farmacia del Dolce on the lower ground. The former does Italian small plates, while the latter is a tempting sugar haven for weary shoppers.
The Royal Exchange’s Christmas show is always a festive highlight – this year it’s Emma Rice’s smash-hit adaptation of the Noël Coward classic.
from £12.00
Fuelled by some of the most revered love stories, the Royal Exchange’s new Autumn/ Winter Season is absolutely unmissable.
from £10.00
Phoebe Éclair-Powell’s 2019 Bruntwood Prize-winning play is the thrilling final instalment in the Royal Exchange’s awesome Autumn/ Winter Season.
from £10.00
Keep the kids entertained while you do the Christmas shopping at Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre.
free entry
‘Jasper Howard and Isaac Jordan: Collaborative Prints’ explores the connections between music and visual art in Manchester’s Stoller Hall.
free entry
Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.
free entry
Get ready for a magical Christmas extravaganza with Buddy the Elf.
from £27.00
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
San Carlo Bottega brings its Italian small-plate menu to Selfridges
Like steak? Like gin? This could be just the place for you.
Harvey Nichols department store showcases a range of designer brands; be guided to the perfect outfit (or wardrobe) by a style concierge. The second floor brasserie is rather good.
A high-end eatery and bar housed on the second floor of department store Harvey Nichols, in Manchester city centre, at the end of the city’s bustling Market Street.
Banyan Bar & Kitchen is a smart modern restaurant in Manchester’s Corn Exchange, serving up a wide range of dishes and drinks.
The Corn Exchange is a collection of modern restaurants in one Grade II-listed, 19th century building. A dining destination – Mughli, Banyan Bar & Kitchen and Tampopo stand out.
A Joseph Holt’s pub in Manchester’s Shambles Square.
Proper Tea sits opposite Manchester Cathedral, serving up artisanal teas (with instructions on how long to leave them brewing), sandwiches, soups and excellent cake.
Hanging Ditch Wine Merchants is on the site where either linen, or – it’s rumoured – people, were hung out to dry. It’s also the best place to shop for wine in the city.
High-quality food and wine in the in-house restaurant for the Royal Exchange Theatre on St Anne’s Square
Casual dining in the latest venture from the well-known Italian chef.
Delhi House Cafe is a concept style cafe-meets-restaurant which aims to re-define Indian Cuisine in Manchester.
Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.
Festive frolics, monstrous theatre and magical outdoor adventures all feature in our latest picks of things to do with the family.
It might be curl-up-with-a-book season, but there's lots to get out and about for and plenty of events where you can stock up on new reads.
While rainy late autumn may not be the most energising of seasons, there is plenty of new art to see and inspire this month!
We're unapologetically entering into the Christmas spirit here at Tours and Activities with some alternative festive fun.
The best food and drink options in Manchester and the North for the upcoming winter months.
Huge film festivals, essential retrospectives and the first hint of sleigh bells make up this month's film guide.
Alongside high-octane circus, contemporary performance and LGBTQ+ arts, we preview the Christmas shows that have caught our eye.
