With over 4000 shows listed on Manchester Theatres, it can be hard to decide which show to go and see - as you will probably know if you are one of the 200,000 members who receive our Sunday night "What's on in Manchester over the next seven days" e-mails [subscribe here].

If it's any help, we have handpicked our recommended theatre shows, classical concerts and stand-up comedy acts from what's on in Manchester over the next seven days...

You can find the best music gigs listed separately, here.

Quick Links: Theatres / Comedy / Gigs / Classical / Tribute Shows 

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Our Top 10 What's On in Manchester Theatre This Week

Mamma Mia!

• Palace Theatre, Manchester
• Until 21 Mar 2026
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Matilda The Musical

• Palace Theatre, Manchester
• Thu 26 Mar - Sat 25 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

MOBO Awards

• Co-op Live, Manchester
• Thu 26 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Constant Wife

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 17 - Sat 21 Mar 2026.
• Read our ★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Private Lives

• Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
• Fri 27 Mar - Sat 2 May 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Help I Sexted My Boss

• AO Arena, Manchester
• Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sat 28 & Sun 29 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Dinosaur That Pooped

• Manchester Opera House
• Sun 22 Mar 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Ellen Kent: The Farewell Tour - Carmen

• Manchester Opera House
• Weds 25 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ellen Kent: The Farewell Tour - Madama Butterfly

• Manchester Opera House
• Thu 26 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ellen Kent: The Farewell Tour - La Traviata

• Manchester Opera House
• Tue 24 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Battle - World Premiere

• Manchester Opera House
• Until Sat 21 Mar 2026.
• Read our ★★★✭ review

• Tickets & More Info

The LOL Podcast

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Thu 26 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Eric & Ern

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 24 - Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Macbeth

• Octagon Theatre, London
• Until Sat 28 Mar 2026
• Read our ★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

The Mystery of Banksy - A Genius Mind

• Depot Mayfield, Manchester
• Until Thu 7 May 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Luminescence

• Manchester Cathedral
• Until 26 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Monty Don

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Special Offer & More Info

Nick Cope's Family Show

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 22 Mar 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Crime and Punishment

• HOME Theatre 2, Manchester
• Thu 19 - Sat 21 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

RNCM Opera - The Cunning Little Vixen

• RNCM Theatre, Manchester
• Sun 22 - Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

That Night in Manchester

• The Edge, Wigan
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates

• Tickets & More Info

Out of the Box

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Sun 22 Mar 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

An Evening with Dame Arlene Phillips

• Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
• Fri 27 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

An Evening with Helen Worth

• Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
• Sun 29 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

An Evening with Steve Evets

• Cuckoo, Prestwich
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Cheryl Baker

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Weds 25 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Pop Up

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Fri 20 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

At the Rainbow's End

• Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
• Sat 21 & Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Free Tickets & More Info

Turn

• Contact Manchester
• Fri 20 Mar 2026.

• Free Tickets & More Info

Murder Mystery Night

• East Lancashire Railway, Bury
• Fri 20 Mar 2026 + more dates

• Tickets & More Info

Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos

• Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
• Until 3 Jan 2027.

• Tickets & More Info

Lowry 360

• Lowry, Salford Quays
• Until 29 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City

• Transmission House, Manchester
• Until Sun 29 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Super League Basketball Cup Finals

• AO Arena, Manchester
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Free Tickets & More Info

Moses Itauma v Jermaine Franklin

• Co-op Live, Manchester
• Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

• Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Jen Brister

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 24 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Foil Arms & Hog

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 29 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Sara Pascoe

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Harry Enfield

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Mon 23 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ian Ashpitel & Jonty Stephens as Eric & Ern

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 24 - Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Jessica Fostekew

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Josh Jones

• Octagon Theatre, Bolton
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Noise Next Door

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Sat 28 Mar 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Outside the Box Comedy Club

• Stockport Garrick Theatre
• Sat 21 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ray Bradshaw

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Sat 21 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Smug Roberts + Steve Evets

• Cuckoo, Prestwich
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Darren Walsh

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Sun 29 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top What's On in Manchester Classical & Choral This Week

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Anthracite Fields

The BBC Phil perform Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026

• Exclusive £13.25 Offer & More Info

Hallé & Viktoria Mullova - Mullova plays Brahms

The Hallé is joined by exceptionally versatile violinist Viktoria Mullova for a performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Sun 22 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Disney in Concert - The Sound of Magic

The symphonic celebration will see renowned Novello Orchestra bring to life the soundtracks and characters from the Walt Disney Animation Studios .

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Sun 29 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Vitamin String Quartet - The Music of Billie Eilish, Bridgerton, and Beyond

The California classical crossover quartet who found worldwide fame through the soundtrack of Bridgerton.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Mon 23 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

RNCM Opera - The Cunning Little Vixen

RNCM students perform Janáček’s  evocative opera.

• RNCM Theatre, Manchester
• Sun 22 - Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - The Cunning Little Vixen

The BBC Philharmonic perform music from Puccini, Strauss and Janáček.

• BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford Quays
• Weds 18 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Queen & The Beatles

A string quartet perform the music of the two biggest bands of all time.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Sun 22 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

A string quartet perform the music of Fleetwood Mac.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Sun 22 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Hans Zimmer's Best Works

A string quartet perform the music of the German film composer.

• St Philips Church, Salford
• Fri 20 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Oasis

A string quartet perform the music of Oasis.

• St Philips Church, Salford
• Fri 20 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta - Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed in an awe-inspiring location.

• St Anne's Church, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Dubliners Encore

 The Official stage show celebrating the greatest folk band of all time..

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Thu 26 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Northern Live - Do I Love You

Keeping the Faith to the original sounds of Wigan Casino and Manchester's Twisted Wheel.

• Manchester Opera House
• Fri 27 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The E.L.O. Show

Brian Cummins brings this stunning show celebrating the music of Jeff Lynne and E.L.O. with full band and string section.

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Weds 25 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

A Country Night in Nashville

Dominc Halpin & The Hurricanes recreate the scene of a buzzing honky tonk in downtown Nashville.

• The Albert Halls, Bolton
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Luther Live & Velvet Voices

Celebrating the smooth sounds of Luther Vandross, Alexander O'Neal and many others.

• Manchester Opera House
• Sat 28 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The King's Voice

Crowned the Worlds Ultimate Elvis Tribute by Elvis Presley Enterprise in Gracelands, Gordon Hendricks pays tribute to the King. 

• The Monastery, Gorton
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Class of 55

A tribute to the legendary sounds of Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. 

• Stockport Plaza
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Fleetwood Bac

A tribute to Fleetwood Mac. 

• Manchester Academy 2
• Fri 20 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Live/Wire

The brilliant AC/DC tribute show. 

• Manchester Academy 2
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The Tour of The Eras

Hannah Jenkins pays tribute to Taylor Swift.

• Contact, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 (2 shows)

• Tickets & More Info

Mr. Wilson's Second Liners

New Orleans jazz does the Hacienda.

• Home Theatre 1, Manchester
• Thu 19 & Fri 20 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Watch Plays Genesis

Italian progressive rock band The Watch are back to perform early Genesis classics, 1970-76.. 

• Band on the Wall, Manchester
• Sun 22 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Absolutely Britney Bottomless Brunch

A Britney themed bottomless brunch with drag queens and tribute act. 

• Area, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The Whitney Bottomless Brunch

A Whitney themed bottomless brunch. 

• Freight Island, Manchester
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Simply Dylan

John O'Connell’s personal exploration and celebration of the rich and diverse work of Bob Dylan.

• St Mary's Chambers, Rossendale
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

MonkeyWrench

The best of the Foo Fighters.

• Warrington Irish Club
• Sat 21 Mar 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Tribute Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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~ The Best Music Gigs in Manchester This Week ~

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~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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Also See:

The Best Movies in Manchester Cinemas

The Top 10 Most Popular Shows in Manchester

The Top 10 Most Popular Shows in Liverpool

The Top 10 Most Popular Shows in London