Winter

Creative Tourist

Winter may be here but that’s no excuse to stop getting out and doing stuff – not with our selection of the best things to do this winter at your fingertips. From festive shopping to where to find the best Santa, from craft and art markets to the finest new theatre and exhibitions, and from bars and boutiques to cinema and tips for the New Year, read on to make the most of the coldest months of the year.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Music

From underground festivals showcasing emerging talent to global icons unveiling new work, here are our latest live music highlights.

Theatre

Classic texts and new work meet in our Theatre Guide, featuring shows shaped by power, consequence and collective action.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring is coming, at some point. As for now, it’s cold and grim so take our advice and shelter in a nice warm restaurant, pub or bar.

Exhibitions

From monumental to minutiae, this month’s exhibitions trace power, care and community across galleries big and small.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.