WHAT'S ON AT THE RNCM, MANCHESTER
RNCM – The Royal Northern College Of Music is a conservatoire of The Royal Schools Of Music based in Manchester. As well as an education establishment, it also houses two venues. With a history dating back to the 1800’s, its current home on Oxford Road Manchester opened in 1973, with a refurbishment of the concert hall completing in 2014.
RNCM Concert Hall (capacity 443 - 710) and the RNCM Theatre (capacity approx. 600) have hosted many professional artists and organisations including Adele, BC Big Band, English Youth Ballet, Hugh Laurie, Jarvis Cocker, Manchester Jazz Festival, Rob Brydon and even Question Time.
RNCM has music programmes and series, shows, events, festivals, productions, concerts, comedy and ballets to look forward to including regular Monday and Thursday lunchtime showcase, Manchester Camarata, BBC Philharmonic, Chamber music, RNCM Christmas Family Day, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, Cabaret Extreme, and Coleen Nolan. See what's on at the RNCM below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at RNCM, Manchester
What's On at the RNCM, Manchester
Thursday Lunchtimes: Strauss' Four Last Songs
RNCM, Manchester
Thursday 26 March 2026
ProgrammeGloria Xia New workRichard Strauss arr George Strivens Four Last SongsPerformersBonnie Staude sopranoKaylee Bontrager violinFinn Smith hornLiana Storey pianoAboutDrop in during your lunch break and discover a wide range of performa...RNCM MIUAWGA Ensemble
RNCM, Manchester
Friday 27 March 2026
PerformersSteve Berry directorRNCM MIUAWGA EnsembleAboutThe RNCM?s innovative Make-it-up-as-we-go-along (MIUAWGA) Ensemble delves into the collective intentions and imaginations of RNCM composers and performers, creating music entirely in t...Spotlight: Handel's Hercules
RNCM, Manchester
Friday 27 March 2026
ProgrammeGeorge Frideric Handel Hercules (abridged version)PerformersGeorge Elson bassNia Edwards mezzo-sopranoEllie Astridge sopranoAaron Peters tenorSam Yuen countertenorAnna Turner, Imogen Morris oboesConnor Huss bassoonCharlie Roberts, ...Salford Choral Society Presents Rutter and Fauré
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 28 March 2026
ProgrammeJohn Rutter Magnificat Gabriel Faur? Pavane Opus 50 (Choral Version)Gabriel Faur? Cantique de Jean RacinePerformersTom Newall conductorRoderick Barrand pianoSarah Helsby-Hughe sopranoSalford Choral Society AboutEnjoy an uplifting e...Loreto College Spring Concert
RNCM Concert Hall
Sunday 29 March 2026
The students of Loreto College present an exciting and varied programme of music, featuring a performance from their Concerto Competition winner. ...Xaverian College Easter Concert
RNCM, Manchester
Monday 30 March 2026
AboutAn evening of music from the students at Xaverian College Manchester. Xaverian has the largest sixth form music department in the England.?TicketsFull Price ?13Over 65s / Under 18s / Students ?11Promoted by Xaverian College Manchester....National Concert Band Festival
RNCM Various Venues
Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 April 2026
The National Concert Band Festival is the largest, most active festival for musicians who play in wind bands & big bands in the UK. The organisation aims to provide unique performing opportunities in a friendly, welcoming and musically e...The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 18 April 2026
About?Join The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for an unforgettable evening of world-class music-making from over 90 of the UK?s most talented young brass and percussion players. Conducted by world-renowned Professor Nicholas Chi...Sounds of Mumbai
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 2 May 2026
AboutStep into a night of musical magic as the London Bollywood Orchestra brings the spirit of Mumbai to life. With a high-energy mix of unforgettable classics and hidden gems, this show is a tribute to the golden age and modern era of Boll...Manchester Collective x Thick & Tight - Papillons
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 9 May 2026
Dissolving the boundaries between classical music and other art forms, Manchester Collective join forces with radical dance-theatre company Thick & Tight to present a searing live performance like no other. Drawing on queer culture, Thick &...Ballet of Lights - Sleeping Beauty
RNCM, Manchester
Sunday 10 May - Sunday 13 September 2026
Step into a world where light and dance intertwine in this breathtaking retelling of Sleeping Beauty. As dancers glide across the stage, their illuminated costumes create a dazzling display of colour and light, making every twirl and leap ...Rickie Lee Jones
RNCM Theatre
Saturday 30 May 2026
Iconic American musician, storyteller, and two-time Grammy winner, Rickie Lee Jones is best known for her groundbreaking self-titled debut in 1979 - which spawned the UK Top 20 hit "Chuck E.'s in Love" - and the seminal "Pirates" in 1981, h...Music of the Mystics
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 6 June 2026
AboutExperience the timeless tradition of Sufi Qawwali ? live in concert. Now in their 26th year of international touring, Fanna-Fi-Allah remains one of the foremost traditional Qawwali ensembles in the world today. With thousands of perfor...Timothy Ridout (viola) and Federico Colli (piano)
RNCM, Manchester
Tuesday 16 June 2026
ProgrammeRobert Schumann Three Romances Op 94Johannes Brahms arr Timothy Ridout Cello Sonata No 1 in E minor Op 38Dmitri Shostakovich Viola Sonata Op 147PerformersTimothy Ridout violaFederico Colli pianoAboutPart of Inspirational ArtistsWhe...Timothy Ridout (viola) and James Baillieu (piano)
RNCM, Manchester
Tuesday 16 June 2026
ProgrammeRobert Schumann Three Romances Op 94Johannes Brahms arr Timothy Ridout Cello Sonata No 1 in E minor Op 38Dmitri Shostakovich Viola Sonata Op 147PerformersTimothy Ridout violaJames Baillieu?pianoAboutPart of Inspirational ArtistsWhe...RNCM Big Band with Zoe Rahman (piano)
RNCM, Manchester
Thursday 25 June 2026
AboutOne of the most exciting artists on the contemporary jazz scene, the multi award-winning Zoe Rahman is known for her powerful playing and distinct compositional voice. Her unique musical background, grounded in classical training, coup...Big Big Train
RNCM Theatre
Tuesday 13 October 2026
Following the tragic death of lead vocalist David Longdon in 2021, the award-winning British progressive rock band Big Big Train take to the stage with new frontman Alberto Bravin (ex-PFM). Formed in Bournemouth in 1990, they have retaine...Joan As Police Woman
RNCM Theatre
Saturday 7 November 2026
Described by The Guardian as having "a voice so wondrous and moving that it makes everyone else's seem ordinary and mundane", highly acclaimed Connecticut songwriter Joan Wasser returns to Europe performing key songs from throughout her ca...How to get to the RNCM, Manchester
RNCM Frequently Asked Questions
124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD
The two closest public car parks to the RNCM are Booth Street West and Booth Street East.
Visitor parking is available in the RNCM underground carpark weekdays and Saturdays 5pm - 11.30pm and Sundays 6am - 11.30pm.
Please note that general traffic along Oxford Road is no longer permitted to use the route between 6am and 9pm, 7 days a week.
The nearest train station to the RNCM is Manchester Oxford Road and is approximately a 13 minute walk (0.5 miles).
Manchester Piccadilly is 0.8 miles/20 minute walk. Deansgate is 0.9 miles/21 minute walk and Manchester Victoria is 1.5 miles/33 minute walk.
The nearest tram stop to the RNCM is St Peter’s Square and is approximately a 15 minute walk (0.8 miles).
The RNCM Concert Hall has a seating capacity of between 443 - 710 depending on the layout.
The RNCM Theatre has a seating capacity of 600.
Click here for seating plans.
Please contact The RNCM directly. For further information on ticketing, please visit their how to book page.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from RNCM Box Office, they open one hour prior to the event starting, and can only facilitate in person bookings for the performance showing on the day.
Alternatively, you can see what's on and book online here.
When we know of a duration of a show, we add it to the description of the show on our event pages. For example, on our Wicked event page, after the description of the show we have added the duration of the show in large capital letters. If the time isn't listed, we do not have the information yet. We update our pages daily so it maybe a case of knowing closer to the performance itself, so keep checking.
The RNCM curfew is 11pm. More precise timings are often confirmed close to the performance date.
Please visit the RNCM's Access Page for further information and to find out how to get in touch.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to RNCM, please click here for more contact information.
If you have lost an item during a visit to RNCM Manchester, click here to contact the venue.
With loads of great places to eat in Manchester and decent pre-theatre menus, you should check out our Manchester Restaurant site here!
Manchester is full of great bars and pubs and some decent ones close to the venue. Check out our Manchester Bar site here!
Either use the map at the side of the FAQ section as it has all types of accomodation or click here for hotels in Manchester.
f you need further information about your visit to The RNCM, click here for further information or contact the RNCM team directly.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the RNCM and all other venues in Manchester and the local region. Feel free to contact us if you need more help though and we'll do our best to support you.