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 

~ o ~

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

The Brit Awards

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

• Tickets & More Info

Operation Mincemeat

• Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
• Until Sat 28 Feb 2026
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with CHRISTIAN ANDREWS & HOLLY SUMPTON
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - The Musical

• Palace Theatre, Manchester
• Until 28 Feb 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with PETER DUNCAN
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Road

• Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
• Until Sat 14 Mar 2026.
• Read our ★★★★★ review

• Tickets & More Info

Mean Girls

• Manchester Opera House
• Mon 23 Feb - Sat 7 Mar 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with VIVIAN PANKA

• Special Offer & More Info

English National Opera - Cosi fan Tutte

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Fri 27 & Sat 28 Feb 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with AILISH TYNAN

• Tickets & More Info

Imitating the Dog: War of the Worlds

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Wed 25 - Sat 28 Feb 2026
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with GARETH CASSIDY

• Exclusive £18.98 Tickets Offer & More Info

Luminescence

• Manchester Cathedral
• Until 26 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Circus Funtasia

• Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
• Until 1 Mar 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with EMIL THE GEEK

• Tickets & More Info

Talking Sopranos

• O2 Apollo, Manchester
• Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Justin Live

• Stockport Plaza
• Sun 1 Mar 2026 (2 shows)

• Tickets & More Info

The Mirror Crack'd

• Garrick Theatre, Altrincham
• Mon 23 Feb - Sun 1 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies)

• HOME Theatre 2, Manchester
• Thu 26 Feb - Sun 1 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

The Gruffalo's Child

• Z-Arts, Manchester
• Fri 27 Feb - Sun 1 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

The Adult Pantomime - The Wizard of Oz Adults Only

• The Albert Halls, Bolton
• Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Coleen Nolan

• RNCM Theatre, Manchester
• Fri 27 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Sad Gay AIDS Play

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Thu 26 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Closure

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Fri 27 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Kind of Love

• Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
• Tue 24 Feb - Sun 1 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Jury Experience

• The Stoller Hall, Manchester
• Fri 27 Feb 2026 + more dates

• Tickets & More Info

Murder Mystery Night

• East Lancashire Railway, Bury
• Fri 27 Feb 2026 + more dates

• 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 Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Bubble Planet Experience

• Depot Mayfield, Manchester
• Until Sun 8 March 2026

• Tickets & More Info

National Theatre Live - The Audience (12A)

• HOME Cinemas, Manchester
• Sun 1 - Tue 3rd Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

• Old Trafford, Manchester
• Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Ross Noble

• Manchester Opera House
• Sun 1 Mar 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Chris Ramsey

• King George's Hall, Blackburn
• Thu 26 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Paul Merton & Suki Webster's Improv Show

• Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
• Sun 1 Mar 2026 (2 shows).

• Tickets & More Info

Rachel Fairburn's Trying It On

• Fairfield Social Club, Manchester
• Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Mark Simmons

• Octagon Theatre, Bolton
• Sun 1 Mar 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Stuart Mitchell

• The Stoller Hall, Manchester
• Weds 25 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

Desiree Burch

• Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
• Sat 28 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

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

English National Opera - Cosi fan Tutte

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Fri 27 & Sat 28 Feb 2026.
• Watch our Exclusive Interview with AILISH TYNAN

• Tickets & More Info

Hallé & Jonny Greenwood Performs Reich

The Hallé is once again joined by conductor and percussionist Colin Currie and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood for a concert of some of Reich’s most well-known works.

• The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Thu 26 Feb 2026

• Tickets & More Info

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Beethoven's Eroica

Lorenz Passeini conducts the BBC Philharmonic through Beethoven's Third symphony.

• BBC Philharmonic Studios, Salford Quays
• Weds 25 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Best of Bridgerton

A string quartet perform music from the Netflix series Bridgerton.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Thu 26 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Rings & Dragons

A string quartet perform music from cinematic classics.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Fri 27 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran

A string quartet perform the music of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Fri 27 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Oasis

A string quartet perform the music of the Burnage brothers.

• St Philips Church, Salford
• Sat 28 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

A string quartet perform music from the blues rock legends.

• St Philips Church, Salford
• Sat 28 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - The Best of Joe Hisaishi

A string quartet perform music from the Studio Ghibli legend.

• Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
• Thu 26 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

The Frederic Cox Award for Singing

Discover the world of classical singing and opera with the Royal Northern College of Music's talented vocal students.

• RNCM Concert Hall, Manchester
• Thu 26 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Campbell Diamond

One of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, Australian-born Campbell Diamond has earned top prizes at over 30 international competitions.

• RNCM Carole Nash Recital Room, Manchester
• Weds 25 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

Rob Lamberti - Perfectly George

An incredible tribute to George Michael. 

• Stockport Plaza
• Sat 28 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

Elvana

The world's finest Elvis fronted tribute to Nirvana. 

• Albert Hall, Manchester
• Sat 28 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Creedence Clearwater Review

A tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty. 

• Manchester Academy 1
• Fri 27 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Sky Full of Stars

A tribute to Coldplay from Entertainers. 

• Stockport Plaza
• Thu 26 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

The Rocket Man

Celebrate Sir Elton John with Jimmy Love. 

• Octagon Theatre, Bolton
• Thu 26 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Reflections

Tameka Jackson pays tribute to Diana Ross. 

• Octagon Theatre, Bolton
• Fri 27 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Copacabana Magic

Celebrating one of the greatest showmen of all time, the legendary Barry Manilow. 

• The Albert Halls, Bolton
• Fri 27 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Marcus Machado - Purple Vibes featuring the Music of Jimi Hendrix

A tribute to Jimi Hendrix from the guitar prodigy praised by Guitar World for pushing the boundaries of rock, funk and soul. 

• Band on the Wall, Manchester
• Weds 25 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Sanctum Sanctorium

A tribute 80’s goth and alternative rockers like The Cult, Killing Joke, Sisters of Mercy, Billy Idol, Bauhaus and many more.

• Warrington Irish Club
• Fri 27 Feb 2026.

• Tickets & More Info

Ultimate Coldplay

A tribute to Coldplay. 

• Northwich Memorial Court
• Fri 27 Feb 2026 + more dates.

• Tickets & More Info

~ All Tribute Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

~ The Best Music Gigs in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

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