What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
Thursday 20 August 2026
Kevin Bridges
Kevin Bridges
O2 Apollo, Manchester
Kev.I.n is back, and he's Here If You Need Him. Scotland's comedy powerhouse Kevin Bridges returns to the stage in 2026 with a brand-new stand-up show. After shattering box office records with Overdue Catch-Up (2022), Brand New Tour (2...Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Transmission House, Manchester
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure that doesn't just show you the universe - it places you inside it. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, th...Nothing,Nowhere
Nothing,Nowhere
Star and Garter, Manchester
The Massachusetts rapper cuts deep, emerging from darkness, shedding external expectation, and moving forward into the glow of pure creation. Whether it be anesthetized beats and intoxicating lulls, the cold piano-laden longings or the emo...Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Transmission House, Manchester
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City transports you back 450 years ago to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality. You'll climb the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, wander through the Temple of the Sun, walk the f...Grindr The Opera!
Grindr The Opera!
53two, Manchester
Grindr The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, Grindr: The Opera! is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay rela...Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Depot Mayfield, Manchester
Welcome to Bubble Planet, where bubbles are bigger and more magical than ever. Let your inner child run free and follow your imagination in this spherical universe full of soap bubbles, air bubbles, and even virtual reality. Explore every ...The Trials
The Trials
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Set in the near future, The Trials explores a world where the climate emergency has reached a tipping point - and an entire generation is being held to account. In this imagined courtroom, the jurors are teenagers, tasked with deciding resp...The Library of Enchantment
The Library of Enchantment
Z-arts, Manchester
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who's always up to meddlesome mischief! Can ...Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt
Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt
Transmission House, Manchester
The Pyramids of Egypt have arrived in the UK for the first time! This immersive and groundbreaking expedition takes you back to the golden age of ancient Egypt, allowing you to explore the depths of the iconic pyramids, meet the goddess Bas...Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
An out-of-this-world premiere exhibition, now open at the Science and Industry Museum. Blast off into the solar system and embark on a cosmic adventure guided by familiar characters from the brand-new BBC Horrible Science TV series. Walk in...Ai Weiwei - Button Up!
Ai Weiwei - Button Up!
Aviva Studios, Manchester
History, power and empire collide in Button Up! - a major new exhibition from the world-leading artist and activist Ai Weiwei Internationally renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei turns his critical gaze to the last 200 years of global h...The Portico Kitchen Secret Supper Club
The Portico Kitchen Secret Supper Club
The Portico Library, Manchester
Join the Portico Kitchen team for a series of unique dining experiences in one of the city's most extraordinary settings. The Portico Kitchen is Manchester's oldest lunch spot, and expand their offer into dinner service for a limited run of...Thursday Night Comedy Showcase
Thursday Night Comedy Showcase
Creatures Comedy Club, Manchester
The best comedic talent, featuring a variety of acts, ranging from up-and-coming comedians to established favourites Manchester's only 7 night a week comedy club. ...Lowry 360
Lowry 360
Lowry, Salford
A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of LS Lowry's iconic work, Going to the Match, in the UK's first free permanent immersive experience. Created in collaboration with Barcelona's renowned Immersive studi...Summer Fair
Summer Fair
Trafford Centre, Manchester
The Summer Fair returns to The Trafford Centre this July with its ever popular beach and splash pool, bringing together thrilling fairground rides, family attractions and classic summer treats, making it the perfect day out whether you'...moviEscape - SAWtopsy
moviEscape - SAWtopsy
Moviescape Stockport, Manchester
Inspired by the hit SAW movie franchise, SAWtopsy at moviESCAPE, Stockport's leading Escape Room offering, is a gory and ominous room with dim, atmospheric lighting, however it does not feature any jump scares - well none that are delibe...You're the best collegue ever - Special Edition Gift Card
You're the best collegue ever - Special Edition Gift Card
Gift Cards, Manchester
This heartfelt gift card unlocks endless exciting Fever experiences in the United Kingdom, - the perfect way to express show your gratitude to the colleague who always goes above and beyond for the team. ...
Bitter Christmas (15)
Bitter Christmas (15)
HOME, Manchester
Ra?l is a respected filmmaker in the midst of a creative crisis. When tragedy strikes one of his closest collaborators, he draws inspiration from it to write his next film. Little by little, he imagines Elsa, a filmmaker struggling to write...Ish (15)
Ish (15)
HOME, Manchester
Set and filmed in Luton, Ish follows 12-year-old best friends Ish and Maram, who wrestle to hold onto their friendship in the wake of a police stop and search. As the ripples of that event take hold of their lives, the boys try to make sens...Friday 21 August 2026
The Cure
The Cure
Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
Establishing an introspective and gloomy gothic rock style in the 1980s, influential Crawley rockers The Cure emerged from the post-punk and new wave movements of the late 1970s. From scoring their first hit in 1979 with 'Boys Don't Cry'...High School Musical
High School Musical
Lowry, Salford
Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions with Lowry are delighted to announce that beloved singer and actor Jason Donovan* will star in Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL as Coach Bolton. He joins the previously announced Tobias Turley, Leo...DroneArt Show: Harry Potter
DroneArt Show: Harry Potter
Haydock Park, Newton-le-Willows
DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ blends cutting-edge drone technology with the iconic music from the Harry Potter™ films to create a spellbinding spectacle under the stars. As 1,200 drones move in perfect harmony above you, iconic moments f...Kevin Bridges
Kevin Bridges
O2 Apollo, Manchester
Kev.I.n is back, and he's Here If You Need Him. Scotland's comedy powerhouse Kevin Bridges returns to the stage in 2026 with a brand-new stand-up show. After shattering box office records with Overdue Catch-Up (2022), Brand New Tour (2...The Living Tombstone
The Living Tombstone
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Electronic rock band The Living Tombstone were formed in 2011 by Israeli music producer Yoav Landau and later joined by American singer Sam Haft as a musical duo. The group is notable for their songs and music videos based on video games an...Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Manchester Cathedral, Manchester
Come and be whisked away to the Fleetwood Mac tribute of your "Dreams" with a programme selected from the band's impressive catalogue of most treasured iconic Rock masterpieces. A talented group of classical musicians will be melding sounds...Candlelight - A Tribute to Oasis
Candlelight - A Tribute to Oasis
Manchester Cathedral, Manchester
Discover the music of Manchester legends Oasis performed by violin under the gentle glow of candlelight in this awe-inspiring location. ...Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Come and be whisked away to the Fleetwood Mac tribute of your "Dreams" with a programme selected from the band's impressive catalogue of most treasured iconic Rock masterpieces. A talented group of classical musicians will be melding sounds...Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Transmission House, Manchester
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure that doesn't just show you the universe - it places you inside it. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, th...Infest
Infest
Manchester Academy, Manchester
After 24 great live (+1 hybrid) years in Bradford, InFest moves to Manchester for 2025 with a weekend of EBM, Industrial, synthpop, noise, darkwave and post-punk from: Friday -Eisfabrik // Auger // Harpy // William Bleak // Junkie Kut // Pe...Allo Allo Tribute Comedy Train
Allo Allo Tribute Comedy Train
East Lancashire Railway, Bury
'Allo! 'Allo! This is nighthawk calling! Listen very carefully, we shall say this only once! Renѐ was hoping for a quiet night in his humble little cafe in Nouvion, but things aren't quite going according to plan. The Resistance wants to u...Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Transmission House, Manchester
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City transports you back 450 years ago to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality. You'll climb the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, wander through the Temple of the Sun, walk the f...DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Band On The Wall, Manchester
DJ Jazzy Jeff was born in West Philadelphia and developed a love of music at an early age. Jeff was just 10 years old when he started spinning records at parties using his family's basement as a training ground for his expert mixing. Since ...Grindr The Opera!
Grindr The Opera!
53two, Manchester
Grindr The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, Grindr: The Opera! is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay rela...Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Depot Mayfield, Manchester
Welcome to Bubble Planet, where bubbles are bigger and more magical than ever. Let your inner child run free and follow your imagination in this spherical universe full of soap bubbles, air bubbles, and even virtual reality. Explore every ...The Trials
The Trials
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Set in the near future, The Trials explores a world where the climate emergency has reached a tipping point - and an entire generation is being held to account. In this imagined courtroom, the jurors are teenagers, tasked with deciding resp...The Library of Enchantment
The Library of Enchantment
Z-arts, Manchester
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who's always up to meddlesome mischief! Can ...Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt
Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt
Transmission House, Manchester
The Pyramids of Egypt have arrived in the UK for the first time! This immersive and groundbreaking expedition takes you back to the golden age of ancient Egypt, allowing you to explore the depths of the iconic pyramids, meet the goddess Bas...Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
An out-of-this-world premiere exhibition, now open at the Science and Industry Museum. Blast off into the solar system and embark on a cosmic adventure guided by familiar characters from the brand-new BBC Horrible Science TV series. Walk in...Sabbotage - A Tribute to Black Sabbath
Sabbotage - A Tribute to Black Sabbath
The Spinning Top, Stockport
Formed from the ashes of the already established Sabbath Tribute Snowblind in 2014, immediately it was obvious that this band would become the most authentic and by far the best Black Sabbath tribute in the UK. All of the band are highl...Saturday 22 August 2026
Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi
Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
Despite his young age BRIT Award-winning Glaswegian acoustic soul pop singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has already topped the charts around the world with his debut becoming the biggest selling album of both 2019 and 2020 in the UK - a follo...Manchester City v Arsenal
Manchester City v Arsenal
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on the Gunners in the Premier League. ...Manchester City v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Villa at the Etihad in the Premier League. ...Manchester City v Bournemouth
Manchester City v Bournemouth
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Bournemouth at the Etihad in the Premier League. ...Manchester City v Brentford
Manchester City v Brentford
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Brentford at the Etihad in the Premier League. ...Manchester City v Burnley
Manchester City v Burnley
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Burnley in the Premier League at the Etihad. ...Manchester City v Chelsea
Manchester City v Chelsea
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Chelsea in the Premier League at the Etihad. ...Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on Palace in the Premier League at the Etihad. ...Manchester City v Everton
Manchester City v Everton
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City take on the Toffees in the Premier League at the Etihad. ...Manchester City v Fulham
