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

Matilda The Musical

• Palace Theatre, Manchester
• Until Sat 25 Apr 2026
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with RICHARD HURST
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Top Hat

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with AMARA OKEREKE
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Exclusive £25 Offer & More Info

Gabby's Dollshouse Live

• AO Arena, Manchester
• Sun 5 Apr 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Private Lives

• Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
• Until Sat 2 May 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus

• The Trafford Centre
• Weds 2 - Sun 19 Apr 2026.

• Exclusive 20% Off Tickets & More Info

The Wiggles

• O2 Apollo, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026 (3 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Doktor Kaboom and the Wheel of Science

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 5 & Mon 6 Apr 20266.

• Exclusive £10 Tickets Offer & More Info

Tales From Acorn Wood

• HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
• Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

There's a Monster in Your Show

• Z-Arts, Manchester + Bolton Octagon
• Thu 2 - Weds 8 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Murder, She Didn't Write

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Thu 2 - Sat 4 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Gandeys Circus by Night

• The Trafford Centre
• Thu 3 - Fri 17 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Sherlock Holmes and the Hunt for Moriarty

• Octagon Theatre, Bolton
• Wed 1 - Sat 4 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Caught Again in the Net of Rebirth + Just Enough Madness

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Tue 31 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Wren's World

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Fri 3 & Sat 4 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Teach Rex Live

• The Met, Bury
• Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Angry Brigade

• 53two, Manchester
• Until Sat 4 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Luminescence

• Manchester Cathedral
• Until 5 Jun 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Badly Drawn Boy Live and In Conversation

• Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
• Sat 4 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Jury Experience - Death on the Port Side

• RNCM Theatre, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The City for Incurable Women

• HOME Theatre 2, Manchester
• Thu 2 - Sun 5 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Manchester Card Show

• Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton
• Sun 5 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

For The Love of Anime

• Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester
• Sat 4 & Sun 5 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Corinthians: We Were The Champions

• HOME Cinema, Manchester
• Thu 2 April - Sat 23 May 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Royal Opera - Siegfried

• HOME Cinema, Manchester
• Sun 5 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Mystery of Banksy - A Genius Mind

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

• Tickets & More Info

Bubble Planet

• Depot Mayfield, Manchester
• Until 29 Aug 2026.

• 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

Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt

• Transmission House, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr - Sun 28 Jun 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City

• Transmission House, Manchester
• Until Thu 30 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Premier League Darts

• AO Arena, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Manchester City v Liverpool (F.A. Cup Quarter Final)

• Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Sat 4 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Russell Howard

• Manchester Opera House
• Thu 2 - Sun 5 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Chuckl with Headliner Russell Kane

• Stockport Plaza
• Sun 29 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Foil Arms & Hog

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

• Tickets & More Info

Aries Spears

• Albert Hall, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Alasdair Beckett-King

• HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
• Thu 2 & Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Mario Adrion

• New Century Hall, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Paul Foot

• The Bowdon Rooms, Altrincham
• Thu 2 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• 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

Luminescence

• Manchester Cathedral
• Until 5 Jun 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

Spider-Man: No Way Home - Live in Concert

A live symphony orchestra perform one of the most successful Super Hero films of all time.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Mon 30 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026 Final

The three most promising young conductors of the 2026 competition will each take to The Bridgewater Hall stage to direct the Hallé orchestra live, competing to become the newest member of the Hallé family.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Tue 31 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Eric Lu and Kate Liu - Storms of Life

The two outstanding international award-winning young American pianists perform a spellbinding programme of masterworks for piano four-hands by Mozart, Schubert and Chopin.

• The Stoller Hall, Manchester
• Sat 4 Apr 2026

• Exclusive 25% Off 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 and ABBA

A string quartet perform some of the most iconic hits of all time from Queen and ABBA by candlelight.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Thu 2 & Sun 12 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to The Beatles

A string quartet perform the music of the Fab Four by candlelight.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Thu 2 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ensemble Symphony Orchestra - Discovering Morricone

The enchanting world of Maestro Ennio Morricone, brought to life by Italy's Ensemble Symphony Orchestra.

• The Stoller Hall, Manchester
• Weds 1 Apr 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Hope Mill Community Choir and Orchestra - Spring Sharing

• Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
• Mon 30 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Billy Joel Songbook

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and pianist Elio Pace will thrill you with his smash-hit award-winning tribute show to Billy Joel.

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

• Tickets & More Info

Club 90s Heated Rivalry Night

The viral Heated Rivalry party by Los Angeles-based Club 90s heads to Europe. 

• Albert Hall, Manchester
• Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Pop Queens Vs K-Pop Superstars

The all ages welcome tribute show to the likes of Spice Girls, Blackpink, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, BTS, Taylor Swift, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. 

• Albert Hall, Manchester
• Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Absolute Bowie

Winners of the ‘Best David Bowie Tribute’ and ‘Best Tribute Band” at the UK Agents Association Awards.

• St Mary's Chambers, Rossendale
• Sat 4 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The Radiohead Project

A stunning live tribute show that celebrates one of the greatest bands of all time

• Stockport Plaza
• Thu 2 Apr 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Hejira

A seven-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell.

• Band on the Wall, Manchester
• Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Smiths Utd

A tribute to The Smiths.

• FAC251, Manchester
• Sat 4 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Celebrating 100 Years Of Miles Davis

Rising jazz star Olivia Cuttill celebrates 100 years of Miles Davis with an all-star quintet of outstanding talent.

• The Blues Kitchen, Manchester
• Weds 1 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Take That Experience

Tribute act described by Nigel Martin-Smith as "The closest thing to Take That!"

• The Albert Halls, Bolton
• Sat 28 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Whitney Performed by Nya King

Winner of the world’s No. 1 tribute to Whitney Houston.

• St Mary's Chambers, Rossendale
• Fri 3 Apr 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The 1975 Party

A club night dedicated to Wilmslow's finest.

• The Deaf Institute, Manchester
• Fri 27 Mar 2026.

• 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