Manchester Art Fair is back for 2023 and after a record-breaking year in 2022, it’s promising to be bigger and better than ever.
With more than 13,000 visitors last year and a whopping £798,405 made in art sales over the three-day event (up around 58% and 60% on 2021, respectively), the scale of this beloved annual event is
Starting out back in 2008 and now into its 15th year, Manchester Art Fair has gradually become one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK and not only encourages people to better engage with local art and culture but also makes viewing and buying quality art accessible and enjoyable.
This city has such a rich artistic history and continues to platform creators from all around the world — this year’s Manchester International Festival being a perfect example — it’s only right that we continue to keep that heritage alive and grow it even further.
As a result of last year’s success, Manchester Art Fair tickets early this time to meet the unprecedented demand and have even increased the floor size by a whole 35% to make room for even more artists.
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In addition to further galleries and artists being able to host exhibits, not to mention more space for visitors to stand back and appreciate the works on display, The Manchester Contemporary will once again accompany the main fair, focusing on artist-led spaces and charitable organisations.
Over 170 UK and international individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces will show, with new entrants such as Demif Gallery, British Art Portfolio, Art Court and Bristol’s First Contemporary; returning exhibitors include Saul Hay Gallery, Hidden Gallery and Carnes Fine Art, among many others.
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Manchester Art Fair 2023 will also deliver an extended programme of activities to accompany the fair, with exclusive drops of limited-edition prints, workshops for all ages and a sculpture pavilion, as well as even more artist talks and Q&As. There’ll even be advice on how to build your own art collections.
Speaking ahead of this year’s massive event, director Sophie Helm said: “We can’t wait to bring the community built by Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary back together in November.
“Once again, we are stepping up our ambitions for the fair… This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist.
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“We look forward to also setting a new record for the Manchester Contemporary Art Fund, as we commit to tripling this year’s fund for Manchester Art Gallery’s public collection. One of the most significant philanthropic art funds in the country, it’s a foundation of which Greater Manchester can be proud, providing the opportunity for people to enjoy art for years to come.”
Manchester Art Fair 2023 opens on Friday 17 November from 5-9pm and runs until Sunday, 19 November. The full list of opening hours as well as all info on the exhibitions can be found HERE and you can grab your tickets NOW.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 September – 5 October 2025
Emily Sergeant
It’s time to wave goodbye to September, and say hello to October this week.
The season’s have changed, the weather’s taken a turn, and the leaves are beginning to drop and change colour – but although summer may have come to an end, there’s still plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks, as autumn in our region is always a thing of beauty.
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.
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Oktoberfest 2025
Albert’s Schloss
Monday 29 September – Sunday 12 October
Oktoberfest 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ is back, and this year, there’s THREE whole weeks of it.
As always, Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 21-day-long event, which culminates with one final Bavarian blowout on Sunday 12 October, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see ‘eclectic’ entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
Not to mention there’s a full menu of Bavarian-inspired feasting to look forward to too, and it’s more than just pretzels.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as for the first time ever, the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The lineup features some well-renowned names in the comedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell, and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Museum of Illusions is celebrating the first birthday of its debut UK attraction in Manchester this September by giving away free tickets to anyone who shares its birthday month.
Loved by locals and tourists alike, the museum blends fun and education for visitors of all ages, and is fully-accessible too, ensuring everyone can enjoy the fun.
To mark the milestone and celebrate its first anniversary, visitors born in September can enjoy free entry to the museum through to Friday 3 October (excluding weekends).
=Moulin Rouge The Musical / Credit: Johan Persson | Matt Crockett (Supplied)
If you’re wandering down Oxford Road over these next couple of weeks and take a wrong turn, then you may find yourself in early 20th century Paris.
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Moulin Rouge The Musical is a sultry, sexy extravaganza of lust, sin, and debauchery that you just can’t get enough of, so it’s time to lose yourself in the magic and showmanship of the Parisian clubs of yesteryear, as whether you’re a big fan of the hit 2001 movie, or new to the world of Moulin Rouge, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you will be blown away.
This is possibly the best show I’ve ever seen on stage, and it’s at the Palace Theatre right up until early October.
Read our review of the show, and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
Science and Industry Museum
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Monday 29 September – onwards
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the late September sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival kicks off tomorrow and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
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As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
Students can get themselves up to 30% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre this week.
With thousands of new and returning students set to start arriving for the new academic year at Greater Manchester’s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only, and there’ll be lots of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre this Thursday, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Shopping UK, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone.
You can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely.
Check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
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Did you know you can rent your own private cinema in Manchester city centre?
You may be in deep (far too deep) to the latest teen drama like we were this week, biting your nails through a sporting event, or just wish you could see your favourite film on the big screen again – and that’s where King Street Townhouse comes in.
There’s a luxury cinema tucked away in this popular hotel and you can book it out for all sorts of private screenings.
There’s loads of packages too, so you can stick whatever you want on the cinema screen, relax in plush armchairs, and tuck into cocktails, popcorn, and snacks.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
There’s a brand-new games bar and social space opening in Stockport town centre this week and it looks class – with curling, deck shuffleboard, archery, pétanque, and so much more, turning SK1 into the place to be.
Opening up above Market Place and ran by local lads, this space that’s been empty for more than 30 years has been transformed into a beautiful bar with stunning views of the market hall.
Everything you need to know about this new opening is here.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Trafford Centre
Art & Culture
Manchester Art Fair is back this autumn with more than 170 exhibitors all under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is returning to Manchester this autumn, and will be bringing more than 170 exhibitors together under one roof.
Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008.
Not only one of the UK’s largest but also one of the most significant art fairs, and by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, the annual event is known and loved for bringing together more than 170 individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces to our city centre – with around 13,000 visitors attending each year.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works.
Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre next month / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
For three days only this November, Manchester Central will transform into the North’s biggest art gallery, where art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists and find that perfect piece to take home.
Manchester Craft & Design Centre, and Linton 59 Gallery are among the galleries making an appearance at the event in November, each showcasing works by an eclectic mix of UK and international artists, while Alec Cummings and Zoe Anker are just a couple of the stand-out names on the long list of individual artists who’ll be exhibiting.
And if all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, this year’s event also features an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.
More than 170 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
Manchester Art Fair 2025 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Friday 21 November from 5-9pm, before it then continues on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, with advance tickets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Danny Jones -
13th July 2023 
