What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
Saturday 26 September 2026
High Society
High Society
Lowry, Salford
Clear your diary, because you're invited to the most swell party of the year, High Society. Helen George* (Call the Midwife, The King and I) leads the cast as the glamorous Tracy Lord, joined by stage and screen favourites Freddie ...Darren Till vs Yoel Romero
Darren Till vs Yoel Romero
AO Arena, Manchester
Manchester's AO Arena plays host to dangerman Darren Till against Cuban professional mixed martial artist Yoel Romero. The former UFC title contenders will collide at a catchweight of 190 pounds in a night of Bare Knuckle Boxing. ...Sir Karl Jenkins conducts The Armed Man
Sir Karl Jenkins conducts The Armed Man
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sir Karl Jenkins conducts his iconic composition The Armed Man and a selection of his most loved works including excerpts from Palladio and Adiemus. Raised in Penclawdd and educated at Gowerton Grammar School, he read music at Cardiff ...East is East
East is East
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
The 30th anniversary production of Ayub Khan Din's modern classic, a story about identity, generational conflict, and the messy, unbreakable bonds of family. Salford, 1971. The Khan family are living above a chip shop and on the fault line ...Macbeth
Macbeth
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
What would you destroy to get what you want? A dagger. A crown. The original text. One musician. Ten storytellers. Fifty candles. Ninety breathless minutes. Step into the shadows. Let the scorpions in your mind strike. Watch a world turn in...The K's
The K's
King George's Hall, Blackburn
Now with a UK no.1 album to their name, The K's were formed in Earlestown in 2017 after the lads grew up together in the shadows of two huge North West neighbours, Manchester and Liverpool. Jamie Boyle (vocals/guitar); Ryan Breslin (guit...BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends - John Cooper Clarke + Jackie Kay + Antony Szmierek
BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends - John Cooper Clarke + Jackie Kay + Antony Szmierek
BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford
Join Stuart Maconie and guests for a special festival edition of BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends. You can expect the show's trademark wit and freewheeling conversation as well as sparkling music performance all laced with the CSL live magic. Gu...John Cooper Clarke In Conversation with Simon Armitage
John Cooper Clarke In Conversation with Simon Armitage
BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford
John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original "people's poet". His unique poetry and delivery style was recorded and put to music by legendary producer Martin Hannett and a band of Mancunian stars, including Buzzcocks P...Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks Perform Yes
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks Perform Yes
Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Jon Anderson is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable voices in music as the lead vocalist and creative force behind YES. The Accrington-born rock legend was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album Frag...Homobloc
Homobloc
Depot Mayfield, Manchester
A queer block party for all. For homos, hetros, lesbos, don't knows and disko asbos. Featuring a vast array of genres, cultures and experiences, in 2026 the line-up will also be celebrating 35 years of FLESH: the legendary, trailblazing ...Megan Moroney
Megan Moroney
O2 Apollo, Manchester
Rising Nashville star Megan Moroney boasts a distinctive voice and honest, conversational lyrics. Buzz has been building around her since the release of the hit track and video, "Tennessee Orange." She is the 2023 CMT Award winner for Femal...Barrowland Ballet - Chunky Jewellery
Barrowland Ballet - Chunky Jewellery
Lowry, Salford
Combining a potent patchwork of theatre, dance, comedy, and self penned and borrowed songs, Chunky Jewellery tells the story of two single mothers navigating life, death and everything in-between. Two friends, one year, two births, a deat...The Maine
The Maine
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Known for their catchy songs, Arizona band The Maine's infectious pop rock is just as honest as it is polished. With a perfect blend of heartfelt lyrics, driving drums and ridiculously catchy hooks, their music is truly a fun and fresh take...Mica Millar
Mica Millar
New Century, Manchester
The Mancunian soulstress released her debut album 'Heaven Knows' to critical acclaim in 2022 and has quickly become one of the UK's brightest new Soul stars, picking up Jazz FM's prestigious 'Soul Act of The Year 2022' award. Featured on...Mrs Dalloway
Mrs Dalloway
HOME, Manchester
The must-see adaptation of Virginia Woolf's masterpiece novel. The immersive new stage version of Woolf's classic novel has been co-created by award-winning director Jen Heyes and Olivier Award-winning writer and performer Kit Green who als...Little Shop of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
We are thrilled to announce a bold new revival of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's Little Shop of Horrors, is coming to Manchester in Autumn 2026. This cult classic musical will be brought to life in a major new production, continuing the...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...The Piccadilly Sinfonietta - Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight
The Piccadilly Sinfonietta - Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight
St Ann's Church, Manchester
Few things are more magical than hearing the world's most breath-taking classical music being performed live by a brilliant orchestra in beautiful surroundings, by the flicker of candlelight. This experience comes to life when the city's...Warren Mailley-Smith - Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
Warren Mailley-Smith - Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
St Ann's Church, Manchester
The perfect option for first-time classical concert goers, spectacular British concert panist Warren Mailley-Smith performs a selection of sensational works for solo piano, including Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# minor, Op. 27, No. ...Barry Steele's The Roy Orbison Story
Barry Steele's The Roy Orbison Story
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Barry Steele is widely recognised as one of the world's leading vocalists playing homage to legend Roy Orbison. He has stunned audiences across the globe with his uncanny similarity and ability to authentically revive the exquisite toe-tapp...Sunday 27 September 2026
The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight
The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight
Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Featuring a cast of West End singers and a live band, this 'landslide' concert is jam packed with Fleetwood Mac hits as you have never heard them before! This incredible show will feature best loved songs including 'Little Lies', 'The Chain...Jeremy Bowen
Jeremy Bowen
Lowry, Salford
Truth Under Fire is an essential evening for anyone who wants to understand the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Gaza. Ukraine. Syria. Sudan. Yemen. The world is facing more armed conflicts than at any point in decades, and Jeremy...Undertale - 10th Anniversary Orchestral Concert
Undertale - 10th Anniversary Orchestral Concert
O2 Apollo, Manchester
The Determination Symphony is the brand new Undertale concert, featuring a 25-piece orchestra performing Toby Fox's legendary music from the popular indie role-playing video game. It's Undertale's 10th anniversary, so let's celebrate w...Tim Peake - Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space
Tim Peake - Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space
King George's Hall, Blackburn
After multiple sell-out tours with his debut show, My Journey to Space, Tim Peake returns to venues across the UK with his hugely anticipated new show, ASTRONAUTS: The Quest to Explore Space. With the help of extraordinary archive materi...6LACK
6LACK
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Atlanta, Georgia R&B singer and rapper Ricardo Valentine Jr., a.k.a. 6LACK (pronounced "black"), makes music which has been described by Billboard as "moody hip hop" that "spotlights vulnerability and honesty in a way the emoji generation ...Little Shop of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
We are thrilled to announce a bold new revival of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's Little Shop of Horrors, is coming to Manchester in Autumn 2026. This cult classic musical will be brought to life in a major new production, continuing the...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...John Kearns
John Kearns
Lowry, Salford
Tilting at Windmills is the brand-new stand-up show from Taskmaster alumni and double Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner,John Kearns. A fragmented, digressing portrayal of a 38-year-old man's life, alluding to books he hasn't read, to...Let Me Entertain You
Let Me Entertain You
Palace Theatre, Manchester
Natalie Woods School of Theatre and Dance showcase their work with local talented performancers on stage for a wonderful evening of entertainment at the Palace Theatre, Manchester for all the family to enjoy! ...Mike Rice
Mike Rice
RNCM, Manchester
There's a cruelty to Mike Rice, a wickedness. In his latest show, Cruel Little Man, the Irish stand-up talks about doing psychedelics with his brother, an entanglement with a Spanish Sausage Dog named Nino, and many other such rotten advent...PINK by Vicky Jackson
PINK by Vicky Jackson
The Albert Halls, Bolton
Vicky Jackson's tribute to Pink has been a run-away success and has consistently been her most booked act since 2008. Whilst the Pink tribute show was not her first tribute act, Vicky found herself being compared both physically and vocally...Kantos Chamber Choir - Drop Drop
Kantos Chamber Choir - Drop Drop
Victoria Baths, Manchester
Water: essential, powerful, and increasingly under threat; it lies at the heart of life itself. Dive in to a choral exploration of our relationship with water, reflecting both its immense power and its moments of profound stillness. With mu...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...BBC Radio 4 Beyond Belief
BBC Radio 4 Beyond Belief
BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford
Join Giles Fraser and the panel for Beyond Belief, Radio 4's long-running series exploring the place and shape of faith in today's world, as they explore taboo texts, sacrilegious language and blasphemy, asking where the boundaries of relig...BBC Radio 4 The Verb
BBC Radio 4 The Verb
BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford
Join Ian McMillan at Radio 4's home of poetry, for a russet-toned adventure into verse, and into making poems - poems that make you feel, smell and breathe autumn. He'll be joined by some of the best-loved poets of our age. ...Poetry Across Borders - 10 Years of the British Council
Poetry Across Borders - 10 Years of the British Council
BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford
We may speak different languages, but people everywhere have more or less the same dreams. For the past 10 years the British Council has supported international poetry exchanges with Contains Strong Language. Take a tour of the world throug...Matt Winning
Matt Winning
Lowry, Salford
Acclaimed climate scientist, Dr Matt Winning (LLB, MSc, PhD), has been given an ultimatum: save the world by lunchtime tomorrow or sell his soul for a slice of Rockefeller's fortune. But right now, he's busy: his son is being born and he's ...VAEB
VAEB
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Icelandic electronic music duo Vab (pronounced VIBE) consist of brothers Halfdan Helgi and Matthias Davio Matthiasson represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song "Roa". ...Benson Booned & Harry Styled
Benson Booned & Harry Styled
St Mary's Chambers, Rossendale
Tributes to Benson Boone and Harry Styles ...Off The Rails Comedy Club Saddleworth
Off The Rails Comedy Club Saddleworth
The Royal George, Oldham
Held on the last Sunday of every month at The Royal George, Greenfield, a large country pub set in the stunning Saddleworth countryside, Off The Rails comedy night hosts some of the biggest names in comedy. Attracting eager comedy fans, fro...
