Earlier this month, thousands of people descended on Manchester to do just one thing – celebrate food and drink.
Members of the hospitality industry buzzed around Manchester Central like giddy bees around a hive and over two days, the city really felt like the centre of the universe.
They were brought here by one man and his small but mighty team of events experts – and that man is Thom Hetherington, our Manc of the Month for March.
Thom is the CEO of Holden Media, the team behind the massive Northern Restaurant & Bar event that draws so many here every year.
NRB itself was a celebration of hospitality in all its forms – of all the new businesses that took the leap in lockdown and all the others who made it through to the other side against the odds.
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Thom Hetherington winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the MFDF Awards 2019. Credit: Carl Sukonik, The Vain Photography
Some of the world’s best chefs shared their wealth of knowledge to attendees, with further chats from the likes of Simon Rogan and Soho House founder Nick Jones.
It was a celebration of collaboration, innovation and sheer talent, and it all happened right here in Manchester.
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As Thom said: “The North’s operators have demonstrated incredible tenacity, resilience and creativity to come through so strongly. I’m delighted to see the region’s leading restaurants, bars and pubs looking to the future with plans for new sites, new launches and new concepts, and it’s no surprise to see the recent industry data showing that new openings in Northern cities are running at twice the level of London.”
Thom’s company is also responsible for the Manchester Art Fair, which has a similar pull for those in the art world.
Above everything, Thom is a die-hard advocate for the north of England.
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Thom Hetherington at NRB this year.
Us Mancs know how amazing our city is – after all, that’s why we’re all here – but Thom has a knack for thrusting that message onto a global platform.
He has helped to grab the spotlight that’s been shining on London for generations with both hands, and forced its gaze northwards to Manchester.
Whether it’s through the events put on by Holden Media or through his never-ending tweets about local food and drink businesses, Thom is a loud champion for our brilliant corner of the world.
He supports and celebrates hospitality in all its shapes, sizes and price-points.
1/2 My highpoint of @NRBManchester 2022? It's hard to pick one thing, but my #NRBDebate with Soho House founder Nick Jones would be up there. What a week, with *so* much positivity and love. Team NRB smashed it – The biggest and best one ever with records broken across the board. pic.twitter.com/DhbPA4g8vy
Thom will wax lyrical about more high-brow establishments like Mana and Hawksmoor in one breath before raving about the naan breads and £4 curries in Cafe Marhaba (on Back Piccadilly) in the next.
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Many of those national reviews of local gems – like Jay Rayner’s trip to Pho Cue for the Guardian – came from Thom tips.
In fact, Jay himself described him as a ‘terrific cheerleader’ for Manchester at the time.
It’s not just Manchester, of course – as anyone who has ever met him, or followed him on social media, will know, Thom is from Glossop, and he’s pretty proud of his charming Peak District hometown.
He’s drawn the big city’s attentions to everything from Hyssop to the Howard Town Brewery, Shepley’s to Harvey Leonard’s, and on to the rolling hills that surround the town.
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Whatever he happens to be turning his hand to, the underlying message is this – Manchester is a top-tier city, and we think Thom is a pretty top-tier Manc.
About Manc of the Month
We all know that Manchester is home to some special people, some born here and others drawn here, and after a bumpy two years that effectively amounted to one big lockdown, it’s these special people that have inspired and led us through the tough times – so we decided to start a series that shines a light on those who should be celebrated.
Following on from our ‘The Mancs of the Year’ feature towards the end of 2020, Manc of the Month officially kicked off in July 2021, with Marcus Rashford MBE, Manchester’s mural king Akse P-19, the local chef feeding the region’s vulnerable families Mary-Ellen McTague, and Manchester’s groundbreaking new Council leader Bev Craig among previous honourees.
Featured image: Thom Hetherington
Art & Culture
12 of the best things happening in Greater Manchester this month | November 2026
Emily Sergeant
Remember remember the month of November.
That’s right – it’s time to wave goodbye to October, as November is here and things are definitely starting to get all festive this month. All across Greater Manchester over the next few weeks, you can expect to see fireworks displays, art fairs, festive celebrations, and (of course) the return of Manchester Christmas Markets for 2026.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as 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, so take a look.
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Bonfire Night at Printworks
Printworks
Thursday 5 November
Printworks Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’, Printworks will be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.
The free event will first begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, followed by CBBC-ran storytime sessions.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays – including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects.
The skies over Manchester will light up once again this month, as free firework displays organised by Manchester City Council will be returning to Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, and Platt Fields Park for the first time since 2019.
First up, there will be a reduced-noise, low-impact display at 5pm for families and SEND audiences, and a main fireworks display then to follow a little later at 8pm.
That’s not all either, as each of the three parks will host lantern making workshops in the weeks leading up to the events too, with family-friendly lantern parades taking place ahead of the 8pm firework shows.
You can find everything you need to know about the celebrations here.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Manchester City Centre
Friday 6 November – onwards
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this month, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
Everything you need to know about this year’s event can be found here.
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Skate Manchester
Cathedral Gardens
Friday 6 November – onwards
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Skate Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink is returning to Cathedral Gardens once again this month.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store at Skate Manchester, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
Off the back of a hugely successful 2025 season, there will be a specially curated programme of events this year too – including themed nights, competitions, and inclusive skate sessions designed for an accessible and enjoyable experience for as many people as possible.
And if you’re not too confident on the ice, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors too.
The Good Clothes Show is returning to Manchester this month.
Taking over Manchester Central, The Good Clothes Show is returning to our city for one of the most fashionable weekends of the year, bringing together dozens of brilliant independent brands, vintage and pre-loved treasures, hands-on workshops, catwalks, expert talks, and more all under one roof.
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Visitors can expect an extensive shopping lineup of independent fashion brands, local artisans, contemporary labels, vintage specialists and pre-loved sellers.
No matter whether you’re a complete beginner or already quite handy with a sewing needle, organisers say it’s all about learning new skills and leaving inspired.
Remembrance Day 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, Manchester City Council has revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Everything you need to know about this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations is here.
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CATS The Musical
Palace Theatre Manchester
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 21 November
CATS The Musical / Credit: Feast Creative
Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester this month.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, and this new production is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
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With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, TheJellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.
Find out more and get some last-minute tickets here.
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Lanterns & Light
Chester Zoo
Friday 13 November – onwards
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Lanterns & Light / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail is returning this month, with a redesigned route and some magical new animals.
Produced by Chester Zoo in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative, Lanterns & Light has become a popular fixture in the region’s festive calendar over the years, and it’s back this winter to transform the zoo after dark with thousands of festive lights, colour, and wildlife-themed displays.
Some exciting new installations make up the 2026 trail, including the dazzling Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
New for this year too, visitors will also get to encounter parrots, dolphins, and a giant polar bear among an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets, all brought to life by specialist performers.
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is returning to the city this month, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
The fair will welcome more than 600 artists for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
Northern Lights Manchester / Credit: Max Cooper Photography
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester this month with a dazzling mile-long light trail transforming Heaton Park into a wonderland with 14 different installations.
This year, Northern Lights – which attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board – is inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Rochdale is set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures, as the showstopping Ignite Fire Festival returns later this month.
Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising the best year yet with a spectacular trail of fire, lights, and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions – including blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
The gardens and square surrounding the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, as well as the parkland and walkways on Broadfield slopes, are all preparing to be transformed into a vision of festive light and colour.
This year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising night time-trail, ‘BODY’ – a multi-sensory and immersive trail will transport visitors on an educational but exciting journey, through the six zones of the human body.
Back by popular demand for its fourth year to kick off Christmas in style, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning this month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over the town centre for the day, and 2026’s lineup promising something for the whole family.
Think a giant snow lion, a circus adventure into space, the world’s smallest nightclub, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Featured Image – Jason Lock | Manchester City Council | Feast Creative
Art & Culture
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review
Emily Sergeant
Every now and then you experience a bit of a full circle moment… and for me, this was one of them.
Back in 2011, when I was a dance-obsessed 14-year-old, taking and assisting classes countless times a week, I became enamoured by a BBC documentary series called Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet. As one of the country’s premier ballet companies – celebrating its 60th anniversary at the time of the documentary – ENB allowed cameras behind the scenes, from the rehearsal room to backstage, giving audiences a previously unseen inside look on what it takes to stage some of the most spectacular productions your eyes will ever meet.
One of the ballets being staged in the year the BBC followed the company was Romeo & Juliet.
Based on a story known around the world and with an unmistakable score by Prokofiev, it’s a ballet I was already fond of prior to the documentary, but seeing the work that went into making the show a reality, up close like never before, it turned into one of my favourites.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several different dance stagings of Romeo & Juliet – but last night, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, was the first time I got to sit in the audience and see English National Ballet’s production live with my own eyes.
And it was just as magical as I was hoping it would be.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Laurent Liotardo
Right off the bat, I’m just going to presume you already have somewhat of a grasp on the story of Romeo & Juliet, right? Given the fact it’s arguably Shakespeare’s most famous work and one of the most iconic plays of all time.
And you’ll be pleased to know, even if you’re not seasoned in watching ballet, that the story we all know and love remains largely intact for this production, therefore making it easy for audiences of all ages and interests to follow along and admire.
The two title characters, the star-crossed lovers themselves, were embodied expertly by Rentaro Nakaaki and Julia Conway as Romeo and Juliet, who had the audience captivated from the second they entered the stage – with undeniable chemistry and enviable technique.
Fabian Reimair took on the role of Tybalt with ease, Noam Durand was Mercutio, and Rodrigo Pinto was Benvolio, all while Elvis Nudo and Minju Kang stepped into the shoes of Paris and Rosaline.
But the lead roles are nothing without the wider cast of supporting dancers and character actors, who really help transport you to 14th century Verona and help bring the authenticity a production as epic as this requires.
The world’s most famous story has been expertly reimagined / Credit: Bill Cooper | Laurent Liotardo
Aside from the dancing, it would be remiss not to praise the expert sets and costuming here from Ezio Frigero and Franca Squarciapino.
And I suppose I should also give a shoutout to little-known name, Rudolf Nureyev, who choreographed this version of Romeo & Juliet all the way back in 1977. Something tells me he would’ve had a great career… I could be wrong, though.
Romeo & Juliet really is one of the most tragic love stories of all time, and the power of that is not lost through dance. It’s still as raw and heartbreaking in this production as it always is.
And that is truly a credit to every single person forming part of it – both on the stage and off.
Daisy Jackson -
25th March 2022 
