WHAT'S ON AT WATERSIDE, MANCHESTER
What's On at Waterside, Manchester
Waterside Arts Centre is a thriving venue in the heart of sale, boasting a theatre, studios, art galleries, and workshops. It hosts touring theatre productions, comedy, exhibitions, dance, music, an audience with evenings, family shows, premieres, and numerous classes and opportunities for the local community.
Opening in 2004, Waterside is nestled alongside the Bridgewater Canal on the Waterside Plaza, making it a stunning location. This modern arts venue has a 350 seated theatre and is home to the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive exhibition where you can meet much loved children’s characters including Postman Pat, Danger Mouse, The BFG, Wind In The Willows, Chorlton 7 The Wheelies, and Count Duckula.
Productions, shows and events coming up include The Detective Dog, Three Little Vikings, Ben Hart, Kerry Ellis, Barbara Dickson, and Hamlet. See what’s on at Waterside Arts below and book tickets online.
Waterside Arts Centre is a thriving venue in the heart of sale, boasting a theatre, studios, art galleries, and workshops. It hosts touring theatre productions, comedy, exhibitions, dance, music, an audience with evenings, family shows, premieres, and numerous classes and opportunities for the local community.
Opening in 2004, Waterside is nestled alongside the Bridgewater Canal on the Waterside Plaza, making it a stunning location. This modern arts venue has a 350 seated theatre and is home to the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive exhibition where you can meet much loved children’s characters including Postman Pat, Danger Mouse, The BFG, Wind In The Willows, Chorlton 7 The Wheelies, and Count Duckula.
Productions, shows and events coming up include The Detective Dog, Three Little Vikings, Ben Hart, Kerry Ellis, Barbara Dickson, and Hamlet. See what’s on at Waterside Arts below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Waterside, Manchester
What's On at Waterside, Manchester
Forge: Artists & Makers Development Day
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 14 June 2025
Book Now Join a packed day featuring a mix of panel talks and advice sessions to help develop your business, protect your copyright, price your work, plus how to reach galleries and boost your audience ...Walkden Gardens: Wind In The Willows
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 15 June 2025
Book Now Pack your picnics and join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre proudly bring...Creative Characters Writing Workshop
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Book NowLow Availability Led by writer and editor Natalie Beech (Channel 4 Writing for Television Award, 2022, editor Flourish Magazine), this workshop will delve into one of the most important aspects of writing fiction: c...FILM: Strangers on a Train (1951)
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Book Now A psychopath tries to forcibly persuade a tennis star to agree to his theory that two strangers can get away with murder by submitting to his plan to kill the other's most-hated person. ACC...Shellshocked
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 20 June 2025
From the creative team behind the five-star, multi-award-winning Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me and LASH, comes a thrilling new drama. The horrors of World War Two have broken young Wesley, but could the madness he encounters beyond it save or ...Max ZT & Dan Whitehouse
The Chambers
Friday 20 June 2025
 New York's Grammy nominated Max ZT (House of Waters), and Tokyo/Black Country's lauded Dan Whitehouse combine their inventive energy for their latest tour. ZT, the hammered dulcimer player compared to Hendrix, and the ever-regenerating W...Awake Arise - Lady Maisery and Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith
Robert Bolt Theatre
Monday 23 June 2025
Having bewitched audiences annually with their much-loved wintertime show, two of the most engaging and inventive acts on the English folk scene return with their hotly anticipated next alchemic collaboration: an essential incantation to th...Something About Lennon - The John Lennon Story
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 26 June 2025
Imagine a show that tells the story of one of popular music's most iconic figures in a totally unique way. A tale of controversy, genius, politics and protest, Something About Lennon charts John's story from the breakup of The Beatles to h...Sale Festival: Discovering the Unknown at the Large Hadron Collider
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 27 June 2025
Book Now How can smashing particles together at the Large Hadron Collider help us unlock the Mysteries of the Universe?What have we discovered so far, and what remains unknown?From the search for Dark Matter to the possibil...Sale Festival: Love For Sale
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 27 June 2025
Book Now Hootin Annie?s Big Band along with Rednotes acapella choir, will take you through an exciting multimedia evening celebrating the town of Sale ...ComedySportz
The Chambers
Saturday 28 June 2025 - Saturday 14 February 2026
You've seen football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen Comedy as a sport? Then you don't want to miss this all ages, all action, all improvised competitive comedy show! Two teams battle it out for laughs with quick-witted gags, games, ...Sale Festival: ‘Make Some Noise'- Sale Sings and Chorlton Sings Joint Concert
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 28 June 2025
Book Now Join us for an unforgettable celebration of singing, community, and live music! Join us for an unforgettable celebration of singing, community, and live music!Sale Sings and Chorlton Sings ...Three Little Vikings
Robert Bolt Theatre
Sunday 29 June 2025
Wrongsemble present a family show all about cooperation, bravery, and getting your voice heard! Three brave little Viking girls save the day in this bold and funny adventure story for little rebels, by the creator of the New York Times Best...Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical Jr.
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 1 - Wednesday 2 July 2025
Book Now Join us for a magical and heart-warming performance of Matilda, presented by the talented Year 5 and 6 students of Bowdon Preparatory School. Packed with energy, wit, and unforgettable song...Michael McGoldrick & Tim Edey
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 4 July 2025
Book Now The duo is a special meeting of old friends bringing together virtuosity and sheer musical magic Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey are celebrated musicians in the realm of Celtic folk music, ...
Onyx Dance: The Red Carpet Summer Show 2025
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 5 July 2025
Book Now Join Onyx Dance for their Red Carpet Summer Show! Pre...Mary Poppins (PG)
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 9 July 2025
★★★★ The stage version is packing them in down the West End, Mary Poppins is finally dusting off its heritage as TV schedule filler and reminding audiences why it's one of Disney's greats. ~ Empire. --- The classic 1964 Disney film...An evening of soulful Indian classical vocal by Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 10 July 2025
Book Now GURU VANDANA: An evening of soulful Indian classical vocal by Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, the esteemed Padma Bhushan awardee, the living legend, guru and ...Writing From Real Life - Creative Writing Workshop
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 10 July 2025
Book NowLow Availability Led by writer and editor Natalie Beech (Channel 4 Writing for Television Award, 2022, editor Flourish Magazine), this workshop explores how using your own experiences or the real experiences of othe...The Gigspanner Big Band & Raynor Winn - Saltlines
Robert Bolt Theatre
Sunday 13 July 2025
Taking audiences by storm from Land's End to the Scottish borders, Saltlines is an immersive Prose and Music collaboration between bestselling author Raynor Winn (The Salt Path) and The Gigspanner Big Band, a top tier lineup which features ...The Whirligig of Time
The Chambers
Sunday 13 July 2025
From the team that brought you the five-star Shakespeare's Fool, Tortive return with another spectacular one-man hit show. To hell with anger management! Malvolio was done notorious wrong; so much so that he swore to be revenged on the 'who...Daddy's First Gay Date
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 17 - Friday 18 July 2025
Is it selfish to leave someone you might love in order to find yourself? An uncomfortable restaurant break-up becomes a pressure-cooker first date in this brand-new comedy written by Sam Danson (BI-TOPIA) and Directed by the award-winning ...Arun Ghosh & Full Band
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 22 July 2025
Book Now Join us for a magical opening night of Refract Festival as acclaimed clarinettist Arun Ghosh along with his full band takes to the stage in our intimate Cabaret Club. Fusing jazz, Indian cl...Ben Hart
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 23 - Thursday 24 July 2025
 Following sold-out shows around the world, The Remarkable Ben Hart returns with a brand-new show - his most astonishing and impossible yet. Prepare to have your reality rewritten with a brand-new mind-bending theatrical experience from t...TAPE FACE:20
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 23 - Thursday 24 July 2025
Book Now Celebrating 20 years of TAPE FACE, the show returns to where its worldwide journey began. Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking ? drama with no acting. This is a one-off opportunity to see this show before it h...Bay Bryan
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 25 July 2025
Book Now Originally from the foothills of Colorado, Bay Bryan is a Manchester-based singer-songwriter whose concept album The Meadow (2023) caught the attention of music lovers across genres. Bay's ...Jekyll & Hyde
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 6 September 2025
In a new and enthralling one-man stage adaptation of the classic tale of terror, acclaimed actor Jonathan Goodwin plays both Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in this production from Don't Go Into The Cellar! Victorian theatre company. Journey...Best of Buzz Comedy
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 6 September 2025
Waterside's legendary monthly comedy night showcasing new and established talent upstairs in the Old Courtroom Chambers. Buzz Comedy is a long-running, well-respected, and award-winning comedy night fronted since 1989 by the veteran wit...Counting Sheeps
The Chambers
Sunday 7 September 2025
A sleepy, sheepy show from Herd Theatre for babies and toddlers (and very tired grown ups). Two sheep think they know everything about sleep. They're experts in the field. But tonight they're wide awake. Snuggle up and join two sheep on a j...Ed Patrick
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 12 September 2025
In "Catch Your Breath: The Secret Life of a Sleepless Anaesthetist", NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author (oooooh check him) Ed Patrick injects you with a gut-punch hilarious show about becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of mo...
Alex Voysey
Robert Bolt Theatre
Saturday 13 September 2025
Cheltenham blues guitarist Alex Voysey has a reputation for exhilarating and virtuosic blues rock live performances - exciting audiences wherever they go. Their new show 'Best of the Blues' combines tracks from Alex's IBBA no.1 album 'Blues...FILM: Funny Face (1957)
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 17 September 2025
Book Now A timeless and elegant musical feast, Funny Face thrives on the agile and vibrant performances from legendary screen titans Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire Accessible films for allOur Frien...The Clone Roses & DJ Dave Sweetmore
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 19 September 2025
Book Now Making their welcome return to Sale Waterside are the UK?s leading tribute to The Stone Roses ?The Clone Roses? The Clones have performed at some of the most iconic venues in the UK, respec...India Electric Company
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 20 September 2025
Book Now After a mammoth 60+ date UK and European support tour with Midge Ure and live sessions with BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music they returned in 2024 with their long awaited third studio album India El...The Stars Of Irish Country
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 25 September 2025
 Featuring the Queen of Country Music Philomena Begley who is celebrating 60 years in the music business and has had a glittering career that spans over 6 decades at the top, the accordion maestro and hugely popular Sean Wilson who makes ...Kerry Ellis
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 26 September 2025
 Kerry Ellis is the Queen of the West End. From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre's biggest roles, making shows her own and earning ...Barbara Dickson
Robert Bolt Theatre
Saturday 27 September 2025
 Barbara Dickson returns to perform both classic and more recent material from her extraordinary canon of music across both pop and folk, all with her exceptional band. As a multi-million selling recording artist with an equally impressiv...Tales From The Lighthouse
Robert Bolt Theatre
Sunday 28 September 2025
Written and performed by Oliver Bishop, with original songs by David Gibb, and live music from two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominee Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Tales From The Lighthouse is the perfect voyage into the world of theatre, pu...National Production Company - Hamlet
Robert Bolt Theatre
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Prepare to be spellbound by this timeless masterpiece, brought to life in a thrilling and unforgettable production by National Production Company Ltd. A full-scale production set in the shadowy medieval court of Denmark, where love, power, ...Bristol Old Vic - Hamlet
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Filmed in 4k, in front of a live audience at Bristol Old Vic, and with a new sound mix exclusively for cinema, director John Haidar's spellbinding adaptation of Shakespeare's seminal tragedy stars rising star Billy Howle (The Serpent, On C...Hamlet
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Book Now Prepare to be spellbound by this timeless masterpiece, brought to life in a thrillingand unforgettable production. A full-scale production set in the shadowy medieval court of Denmark, wher...Man of the World - The Music of Peter Green
Robert Bolt Theatre
Saturday 4 October 2025
Celebrating the life and music of Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac. Guitarist Remi Harris will be joined by vocalist Dave Small, bassist Tom Moore and Shane Dixon on drums to perform music from throughout Peter Green's car...Buzz Comedy (Oct 2025)
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 4 October 2025
Book Now Waterside's legendary comedy night showcasing new and established talent Vladimir McTavish + Dom Hatton Woods + The Halls of RidiculousVladimir McTavish is a legendary veteran of the Edinbu...Buzz Comedy October 2025
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 4 October 2025
Book Now Waterside's legendary comedy night showcasing new and established talent Vladimir McTavish + Dom Hatton Woods + The Halls of RidiculousVladimir McTavish is a legendary veteran of the Edinbu...Man of The World: The Music of Peter Green
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 4 October 2025
Book Now Celebrating the life and music of Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Remi Harris will be joined by vocalist Dave Small, bassist Tom Moore and Nicky Waters on drums...
Breabach
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 5 October 2025
 Securely ranked among Scotland's most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unite deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative musical ferment of their Glasgow base. Their 15 year adventure has includ...Batty!
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 9 October 2025
This new production from Victoria Firth & Company explores the wildness - as opposed to madness - of women, and how our feral side can reconnect us to ourselves and our environment. Have you got a wild side? Batty has, she dreams of running...Outlawed
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 9 October 2025
Book Now Get ready for a night at The Major Oak, the hottest speakeasy in the whole of Sherwood Forest, where Robin and their dangerously talented gang of Merry Fools are set to throw a party so big, even the Sheriff wants ...The Blackheart Orchestra
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 11 October 2025
Book Now The Blackheart Orchestra are British multi-award winning, multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington. They comprise a two person ?orchestra? playing up to 13 instruments in their unique live show ...Touching The Void's Simon Yates - Pleasure & Pain
Robert Bolt Theatre
Monday 13 October 2025
 Join legendary mountaineer Simon Yates, of the Touching the Void docu-drama, as he recounts a decade of thrilling new climbs across the globe. From the frozen extremes of the north and south to summits in South America, Central Asia, and...John Lydon - I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 16 October 2025
He's a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon - aka Johnny Rotten - changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a poli...How to get to Waterside, Manchester
Waterside Frequently Asked Questions
1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF
The nearest carpark to Waterside Arts is Q Park Waterside.
Waterside ticket holders can claim a 20% discount by requesting a ticket upon entry to the car park and showing it to the Waterside box office.
Sale metrolink tram stop is just across the road.
The theatre capacity at Waterside is 350.
If you lose your tickets for seated events at Waterside, you can request replacements to be printed out for collection on the day of the performance (ID required upon collection). This service will be charged per ticket.
For further ticket information you can contact Waterside team for further information.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from Waterside Box Office, they open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm.
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.
Please click here for more information on accessibility at Waterside Arts.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to Waterside, please click here for more contact information.
If you have lost an item during a visit to Waterside Arts, click here to contact the venue.
Waterside Arts Centre can welcome you to their Sup Bar & Coffee House.
There are also eateries at Watersale Plaza.
With loads of great places to eat in Manchester and decent pre-theatre menus, you should check out our Manchester Restaurant site here!
Sup Bar & Coffee House within Waterside arts is a great place for a re show drink.
There are also bars on Waterside Plaza.
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
You can also check out the recommended local accomodation by Waterside Arts.
If you need further information, you can contact the Waterside team directly.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the Waterside 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.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Waterside, Manchester
