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Everything you need to know about Manchester Art Fair 2024

Your go-to guide.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th October 2024

Manchester Art Fair is returning to our city centre once again next month, and there’s so much to look forward to.

Founded back in 2008, and going on to become one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK, Manchester Art Fair has cemented itself among the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s annual social calendar.

It’s known and loved for bringing together a wide range of artists, galleries and artist studios along with a full programme of talks and art classes.  

This year’s fair will feature more new names than ever before – with over a third of all exhibitors making their inaugural appearance.

Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Art Fair 2024.

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When and where is this year’s event?

Manchester Art Fair 2024 is taking over Manchester Central in the heart of the city centre. 

Set to transform the large venue into a vibrant gallery space, the highly-anticipated event will first open on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November.

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Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre next month / Credit: Supplied

How many exhibitors will there be? And who are some of the big names set to appear?

Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious about art, Manchester Art Fair will be bringing together more than 500 individual artists and there’ll be 170 stalls to explore.

Lots of returning galleries and artists will be there too, and the majority of them will be displaying new works to the public.

Francis Iles Gallery and Linton 59 Gallery are among the newbies making their first appearance at the event in November, each showcasing works by an eclectic mix of UK and international artists, while Benjamin Thomas Taylor and Bob & Eve,  are just a couple of the stand-out names on the long list of individual artists who’ll be exhibiting.

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There’s also an extended programme of high-profile talks and workshops to get involved with too, all included in the ticket price.

New this year are book signings with authors including Gemma Rolls Bentley championing queer art, Andy Spinoza with Manchester Unspun, DJ Dave Haslam and his book on Picasso’s nightlife and Mark Demsteader with his first book entitled Moorlands.

More than 170 exhibitors will gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied

How can you buy art?

Manchester Art Fair is for everyone – whether you’re a seasoned collector in the market for the next big thing, or it’s your first time at an art fair and you’re just looking for the right piece to fill that empty space on your wall.

Buying art at the fair is simple.

Firstly, you’ll want to do a bit of research ahead of the event into the exhibitors and make a shortlist of stands you want to visit. Then once you’re there, it’s wise to go around the stands you’re interested in and speak to the exhibitors and artists to find out about the stories behind the works on offer to help you make your decision.

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As tickets provide you access to the fair on both the Saturday and Sunday, you can come and go as you please and pop back in later to see if the same piece catches your eye a second time round.

Once you’ve made the decision to buy from the artist or gallerist, you can then get your piece wrapped free of charge to take home safely, and remember to submit your proof of purchase to get free entry to 2025’s edition of the fair.

Buying art at the fair is simple, and it’s for everyone / Credit: Supplied

What are the organisers saying?

Manchester Art Fair’s Director, Sophie Helm, said the anticipation for this year’s event is ‘building to unprecedented levels’.

“When we launched Manchester Art Fair 16 years ago, we never imagined that Manchester would take the event into their hearts as much as they have,” she said.

“It’s such fun to pull together all the art talks, workshops, demos and live events we have going on over the weekend and a real privilege to be able to see art lovers meeting artists and galleries in person and bringing home original art works with stories and meaning to hang at home.”

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Advanced tickets are now on sale / Credit: Supplied

How much are tickets? Where can I buy them? And what do they include?

Advance tickets for Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-6pm, are available for £12 before 14 November and £15 after that date, both plus a booking fee.

Under 16s do not need tickets to the event.

Manchester Art Fair 2024 will take over Manchester Central on Friday 15 November from 5pm until Sunday 17 November, and you can get yourself tickets online here.

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Featured Image – Supplied

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Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.

And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.

You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.

Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.

Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied

As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.

200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.

On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.

An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.

“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.

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“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”

Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.

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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester

The Manc The Manc You can pick up Royal Exchange Flowers for Mother's Day in Selfridges in Manchester

Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges. 

The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences. 

That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day. 

Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day. 

In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards. 

As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life. 

If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.

And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists. 

Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother's Day ideas
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas

There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.

Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.

There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.

You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine. 

Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE. 

You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store. 

Read more: The best Mother’s Day deals in and around Manchester this year

Featured image: The Manc Group

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