Touchstones Rochdale is a gallery, museum, local studies centre, café and shop, all housed in one beautiful old building not far from Rochdale Town Hall. The gallery spaces encompass the Borough’s own collection, visiting contemporary art, craft and design, as well as community work. The whole place feels a little outdated, but the staff are friendly and occasional gems pop up from time to time.
Oldham’s where it’s at. Stay out late and light up your Friday evening at an action packed free festival of visual arts, music and incredible street performance.
free entry
Meet new people, explore contemporary cultural works and learn about Jewish culture with Jewish Culture Club at Manchester Jewish Museum.
free entry
UrbanArtistry returns to CULTPLEX accompanied by director Pablo Aravena and his street art documentary Chile Estyle.
from £7.50
This October CULTPLEX is dedicating the entire month to scaring you silly.
from £6.5
Every Thursday, Ramona’s MOT Station plays host to a specially curated roster of touring bands, local artists and resident performers. All live, all free entry, all the time.
free entry
Un-Convention is the ultimate independent music industry conference and showcase taking place at Band on the Wall in Manchester this November.
Band on the Wall bring people together to make, as well as watch, music. Join them to learn folk tunes from all over the world.
Hear directly from the people powering the music industry in both Manchester and the UK, as well as witnessing some of the North’s upcoming talent at Beyond the Music.
from £16.75
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum – once a shop – is widely considered to be the birthplace of the co-operative movement.
A stunning multi-award winning building comprising a library, coffee shop and conference facilities right in the heart of Rochdale town centre. Close to Metrolink and Rochdale Transport Interchange.
The Arena has a regular programme of arts and entertainment including live music, concerts, comedy and dances with stage shows and national tours. With two licensed bars this is the perfect location for a great night out.
The Yoga Seed is an intimate studio just outside of Oldham town centre. Run by Sharon it offers small classes including a men only class.
The Bank Top Tavern is a pub in Oldham known for its live music and regular events programme.
Hack Oldham is an event space that also offers co-working, community groups and crafting in the heart of Oldham.
Parliament Square is a public space in Oldham Town Centre with restaurants sitting alongside a new seven screen cinema.
Gallery Oldham provides a wide range of exhibitions and activities targeted at different audiences of all ages within Oldham and the surrounding area.
Over the past thirty years, retail giants have developed in the vicinity, yet Bury Market remains the undisputed champion of the North, attracting thousands of visitors every week.
Bury arts venue in fine surroundings. The Met programmes Music, comedy and theatre.
This beautiful building holds temporary exhibitions of acclaimed international art, contemporary and historical collections, handcrafted art in the Art Shop and Tina’s tea rooms. Alongside this runs a varied events, workshop and education programme.
Bury Art Shop is a local gem filled with original artworks, crafts and homewares, championing the work of local artists and makers at the heart of Bury’s growing Culture Quarter.
Our reading matter lately has included lots of festival programmes, with Manchester Literature Festival already underway and Litfest in Lancaster due to start very soon.
Autumn's packed with arts and cultural fun for families. Read our latest picks, from theatrical classics to interactive activities.
From DIY gigs to blockbuster multi-media events, we’ve covered the lot in our latest round-up of unmissable live music.
Experimental performance, Halloween-themed cabaret and an eclectic selection of dance all take top spots in our new guide.
Autumn may just be the best season for new exhibitions - this month's guide has it all, from Turner Prize nominees to joyful ceramics.
A host of Halloween horrors, London Film Festival in Manchester, plus silent movie masterpieces are amongst our highlights this month.
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.
Seek out beauty in the mundane, or seek it out in the selections of the UK's best rising visual artists in this month's Tours and Activities guide.
