10 of the best art and culture events happening in Manchester this summer
Looking to fill up your diaries and support the region's arts and culture venues over the next couple of months? Here are some of the top events happening in Manchester.
Manchester is a city with so much to be proud of – and our renowned arts and culture venues are no different.
Now that the county’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ has brought with it the most significant lifting of restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic first began – with changes to mask wearing, social distancing, and mass gathering – some much-needed normality has been restored for our arts and culture sector.
From museums and art galleries, to theatres, pop-up festivals, music venues and comedy clubs, there’s so many venues throughout our region that are now thriving and in full swing, and to show our support for these venues, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best events happening this summer.
So if you’re looking to fill up your diaries over the next couple of months, here’s our pick of the bunch, in no particular order.
The exhibition also examines the period 1978 to 1982, revealing how the label grew and thrived to give the city an authentic voice and distinctive identity, and visitors will be guided through the pre-Haçienda years to uncover the history of the label and how it earned its status as a catalyst for innovation through rarely or never-before-seen objects.
The first 50 artefacts from the official Factory Records catalogue are on display, including creations from Joy Division, New Order, The Durutti Column, and so much more.
Beat the Frog is the legendary amateur comedy night that takes place every Monday at Manchester’s iconic Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, and has helped to launch the careers of some of comedy’s biggest names – including Peter Kay, John Bishop, Johnny Vegas, Smug Roberts, and more.
At the start of the competition, three cards are handed out to lucky members of the audience, and up to 10 acts will then take to the stage and each try to do five minutes of material. If within those five minutes all three cards go up, then the act has lost and must leave the stage – but if the three cards stay down, that act has successfully ‘Beat The Frog’.
They are then invited back to the stage for a clap off at the end of the night – which will determine the overall winner.
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It’s been named the “most unpredictable comedy night in the north”.
You can find more information, and grab your tickets here.
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3. At Home With The Pankhurst Family
Pankhurst Centre
Geograph | Wikimedia Commons
A new permanent exhibition titled has been unveiled at the Pankhurst Centre for the summer to coincide with the grand reopening of the venue.
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Having been temporarily closed since the first lockdown was announced all the way back in March 2020, the museum and birthplace of the Suffragette movement has begun the process of welcoming the Greater Manchester public back through its doors for “a brand new visitor experience”.
Local community groups will be given a four-week preview of the new exhibition – titled At Home With The Pankhurst Family – before it opens to the wider public later in August.
Entry to the museum is free, with a suggested donation of £5.
Renowned Manchester artist DJ Paulette is currently hosting a jam-packed show called Together on The Bruntwood Stage at HOME MCR’s brand-new, festival-style outdoor events hub, Homeground, this summer.
The weekly event is said to “shine like a beacon of hope into our community, social lives and calendar.”
From 5pm – 7pm every weekday evening, The Bruntwood Stage hosts a stellar array of talent old and new from Greater Manchester’s homegrown, rich, diverse, and musical heritage – including the brightest stars from the club, alternative, pop, RnB, soul, and electronic arenas.
You can find more information about the acts on the weekly lineups, and book your tickets here.
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5. English Football Hall of Fame
National Football Museum
https://www.instagram.com/p/CR3lgWiIzPG/
If you’re looking for somewhere that’s packed with interactive activities, the National Football Museum is the perfect place to grab your squad and head on down to.
The iconic Cathedral Gardens-based venue has announced a number of exclusive new exhibitions, galleries and objects for the summer, including the stand-out English Football Hall of Fame – which is the first time the museum has put on a full-scale exhibition showcasing some of the people who’ve made an outstanding contribution to the beautiful game, both on and off the pitch.
You can find more information, and grab your tickets here.
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6. The Play That Goes Wrong
The Lowry
The Lowry
Mischief Theatre’s multi award-winning international smash hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong is returning to The Lowry following its sell-out success in 2017.
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does. As the accident-prone thespians battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue.
Hailed “a gut-busting hit” by the New York Times, The Play That Goes Wrong has won a host of celebrity endorsements from the likes of Joanna Lumley who said “we laughed until the tears ran down our faces”, to Ant & Dec, who branded it “the funniest show we’ve seen”.
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You can find more information, and grab your tickets here.
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7. The Long Waited, Weighted, Gathering
Manchester Jewish Museum
Alys Williams | Michael Pollard
Manchester Jewish Museum has finally reopened its doors to the public following two years of forced closure and a huge £6 million refurbishment to the original Grade II-listed Portuguese and Spanish synagogue building, and as part of its grand reopening, the museum has partnered with the Manchester International Festival (MIF) to commission a new film and art installation by Turner Prize-winning artist Laure Prouvost.
The Long Waited, Weighted, Gathering installation aims to explore the long-lost voices of Manchester’s Jewish community in Cheetham Hill by transforming the historic synagogue’s The Ladies’ Gallery an immersive space.
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Prouvost has explored the museum’s extensive collection to discover the stories behind past congregants of the synagogue.
Top Secret: From Ciphers to Cybersecurity pores over a century’s worth of secret communications and intelligence in an exhibition containing over 100 objects from GCHQ and the Science Museum Group.
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The exhibition includes, for the first time, objects related to Alan Turing and his team’s work intercepting German comms at Bletchley Park.
Visitors can also explore how Britain protected its skies during WWI, how codes were cracked in WWII, and the ways in which intelligence agencies foiled one of the most successful spy rings operating during the Cold War.
An exhibition of works selected by renowned artist Grayson Perry during the popular Channel 4 TV series Grayson’s Art Club is currently on display at the city’s flagship art gallery.
All the works on display are very personal visual representations of lockdown, made by the public, well-known artists, and celebrities. This celebration of creativity in people’s homes chronicled the changing moods of Britain in isolation, providing a unique record of this globally experienced extraordinary time.
“This show is a crystallisation of the feelings and obsessions of artists from all over the country,” Grayson Perry said.
You can find more information, and grab tickets here.
Described as “the world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience” that exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist, and having welcomed over eight million visitors in 70 cities around the world, the art and culture experience is now destined for Salford.
Opening from 22 October, Van Gogh Alive takes people on a trip through the periods of Van Gogh’s life that defined him as an artist – showcasing 3,000 images including iconic works like Starry Night, Sunflowers and lesser-known paintings inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints.
The exhibition also features state-of-the-art gallery technology set to an evocative classical score delivered via a 3D sound system.
There’s so much more happening across Greater Manchester this summer, and you can find out more about what’s on at 21 of the region’s arts and culture venues here.
StreamGM and The Manc have teamed up to show some some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
Featured Image – Visit Manchester | Science and Industry Museum
Art & Culture
The 2026 World Breaking Finals of the UK B-Boy Championships are coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: the UK B-Boy Championships are returning to Manchester this year for the 2026 World Breaking Finals, in what is a special anniversary for the annual tournament.
Celebrating three decades since the inaugural event this summer, the UK B-Boy Champs will once again remind fans why they still remain among the gold standard for competitive breakdancing.
With elite breakers and dance battlers from more than 20 different countries in attendance – and plenty of contestants from each, at that – it’s going to be a real global showcase of talent.
Returning to Manchester once again, we can’t wait to see breakdancing take over the Factory International concourse and wider campus.
Anyone in the world will know that the city also hosted another big European equivalent back in 2022 on behalf of the 2022 World DanceSport Federation, but the UK B-Boy Championships have a passionate following of their own.
This also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the event, so it’s a momentous occasion on many levels.
With live music from not only classic artists and legendary MCs, but artists for the future too, there’ll be plenty of tunes and impressive moves from start to finish.
Coming to Aviva Studios this summer, they’ve billed it quite short and sweet: “The sickest breakers on the planet will battle in a once-in-a-generation celebration of Hip-Hop culture.”
They’re promising “High-stakes rivalries. Gravity-defying moves”, and “Unforgettable performances”, adding, “This isn’t just another battle – this is the Champs legacy in motion.”
Credit: Supplied
The World Breaking Finals get underway in Manchester on 16 August at Aviva Studios, and it’s all set up to be arguably the biggest yet.
General admission went on sale this past Friday, 13 March, with adult tickets starting from only £20 and kids from just a tenner.
As we mentioned before, this isn’t the only big sporting date coming to Manchester this year, with the likes of the British basketball’s annual Cup Finals concluding at AO Arena and another big Super League set to for a grandstand finish at our other big indoor entertainment venue…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Get the Affects Communications)
Art & Culture
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
We’re right in the middle of March now, and we’ve got another busy week in store.
And what a week it is – we’ve got everything from new art exhibitions making their UK debut, to the return of Manchester Folk Festival for 2026, and of course, St Patrick’s Day too, all happening throughout Greater Manchester.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind, has officially made its UK premiere down at Depot Mayfield, and the amazing industrial space has been filled with more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street art superstar.
Fans are able to step inside the mind of one of the world’s most prolific artists in an immersive and interactive exhibition that has already wowed audiences in their millions.
Expect to see recreations of his most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, the thought provoking Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
Did you also know that The Christie cancer patients’ artwork is also being showcased at this exhibition too?
That’s right, The Christie – which is, at present, the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patient – has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork at the new exhibition, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
Patients will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be, all while raising money for a very important cause.
The Irish Festival Village is back in Manchester city centre.
With St Patrick’s Day arriving this week, and the popular annual Parade taking place on Saturday (14 March), it wouldn’t be a celebration in the city centre without the return of the Irish Festival Village, this year in St Ann’s Square.
Here you can expect back-to-back live music every day, plus Irish-themed food and drink, and unbeatable craic, of course.
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Wondering where the best Irish pubs and bars are in Manchester? Where serves the best pints of Guinness?
It would be St Patrick’s Day without a pint of the Black Stuff.
Manchester is home to an ever-growing collection of Irish pubs and bars of all sizes, so if you’re looking for somewhere to settle in and spend the night sipping on a Guinness or two, then you’re really not spoiled for choice in our city.
We’ve done all the hard work for you, and rounded up a list of the best places Manchester has to offer for you to take your pick from here.
Credit: The Manc Group
Oh, and on top of that, the city’s also recently been named as having one of the best ‘pub cultures’ in the UK, according to some new research… and we can’t disagree.
A new free exhibition by Pablo Picasso is opening in Manchester this week, including works never-before seen on public display.
The new exhibition, titled Picasso: A Legacy, is comprised of more than 35 original works on paper and ceramics, all of which were created by the artist from the mid 1930s up until his death in 1973, and visitors will get to be guided through the last four decades of his life.
You’ll also get to encounter the artist’s lovers and muses, mythological alter egos, and playful zoomorphic ceramics, as well as feats of frantic artistic output that made up Picasso’s final decade.
Mamma Mia! The Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets | Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, has arrived back in to Manchester, and has taken to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 16 March – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Manchester Folk Festival is back for 2026 this week.
Hailed as arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, this multi-venue event offers a welcoming city-centred alternative to the traditional rural greenfield gatherings.
Discover the best contemporary and traditional folk, roots, and acoustic music across a variety of Manchester’s iconic music venues.
From intimate spaces to festival stages, there’s something for everyone, and as always, you can tailor the festival to your own tastes, as individual tickets are available for all gigs, as well as being able to purchase a festival wristband for the full three days.
Looking for a different and creative way to spend your weekend?
If you fancy unleashing your inner artist, or you simply just want a break from staring at your phone for a bit, then this vinyl painting workshop in Manchester is well worth checking out.
Hosted by INK at Renae over in the Northern Quarter, this unique class lets you transform old, damaged records into your own piece of art.
No experience is needed, you just turn up and get creative – with tickets setting you back £18.50, and each including the record, all the supplies you’ll need, and even a drink too. Not bad for a wholesome afternoon out, right?
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Stuck for somewhere to grab a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in February, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in March, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have loads of new openings too. From golden egg pops, to a pickle lover’s wet dream (… sorry) in pizza form, we’ve been scoffing the lot.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
Are you a fan of Mini Eggs? Oh boy, do we have a treat for you then.
If you ask us, one of life’s greatest pleasures has to be Mini Eggs, and Grandpa Greene’s and Greene’s Bistro over in Diggle and Uppermill have taken this humble choccy treat to the next level – with a whole menu dedicated to them.
There’s a full Mini Egg afternoon tea, stacked pancakes, waffles, French toast, milkshakes, and gigantic sundaes (plus, their homemade Mini Egg ice cream is up there with the best).
Oh and who can forget the Slattery x Grandpa Greene’s hot chocolate. The special Easter menu is available at both sites, but the question is, how will you have your Mini Eggs?
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Manchester Folk Festival
Emily Sergeant -
30th July 2021 
