Manchester Art Fair returns this weekend, and it’s now unveiled its ‘biggest lineup yet’.
The countdown is on, as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs makes its way back to Manchester this weekend, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008, as the annual event is now by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, and is known and loved for bringing together hundreds of 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, Manchester Art Fair will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works.
From this Friday through to Sunday, 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.
Some of the highlights include nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist, Chloe Cox, who is renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve, and sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose bold works explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form.
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Iconic names Porsche and Boodles will also be debuting at this year’s fair, fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands.
But this year’s event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can also enjoy an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.
Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre this weekend / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, and Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck are just some of the names set to host talks and Q&As this weekend.
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Workshops visitors can take part in from just £10 per person include the chance to explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings, or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian.
And on Friday 21 November, two chefs from North West Michelin-starred restaurants will be preparing bespoke menus for leading art buyers and collectors. Paul Leonard – Head Chef at The Forest Side – and Ollie Bridgwater – Executive Chef at the Gilpin Hotel – will be working with work with Exec Chef Matthew Hagan and his team at Manchester Central.
Speaking ahead of the fair’s return this weekend, Sophie Helm, who is the Director at Manchester Art Fair, said: “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, including a number of UK and Northern firsts.”
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
Sophie described this year’s fair as a ‘clear statement of intent’
“Culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences,” she concluded.
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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 tickets still available to grab.
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.
MediaCity’s massive Vue cinema has had a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Manchester cinephiles are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
That’s because, over at the popular MediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have been installed across seven screens, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests and a personal table for snacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler, which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time, and even a back and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and the Quayside cinema is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Quayside Manchester / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
This means that anyone heading to the cinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, The Housemaid, Fackham Hall, Wicked: For Good, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We have invested in bringing Vue’s best seating option to our venue and are excited for our customers to enhance their experience on their next visit,” commented Darren Tinsley, who is the General Manager at Vue Manchester Quayside.
“It is truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film and to have the most comfortable experience.”
Tickets for Vue Manchester Quayside start from £6.49, with upgrades to Ultra Lux from £3 on selected tickets.
January is a month where the temperatures are colder, the days darker, and the social batteries a little lower, so it couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets to upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A massive home and furniture store just outside of Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale
Danny Jones
You heard: a huge home, furniture and accessories store just outside Greater Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale, making the festive period and the New Year the perfect time to pop in.
Rather annoyed we got mum those nice cushions for Christmas before we saw this, now, but ah well – there’s always her birthday…
Anyone who’s been to Macclesfield or on a train heading in or out of the North West will have most likely been past this place on the train, but the multi-storey emporium that is Arighi Bianchi really is a must-visit for anyone looking to upgrade their interior on a budget.
The Macclesfield home furnishings store has something for everyone, from high-end luxuries to decorative accessories, with pretty much every price range taken into account – which is why landing some seasonal discounts is such a big win for the region.
A fairly iconic sight as you pass through the Cheshire town, Macclesfield‘s Arighi Bianchi was founded way back in 1854 by two Italian immigrants – both called Antonio – whose surnames give the long-standing retail destination its title.
Well over 170 years later, and it’s more popular than ever, so the bonus of them bringing never-before-seen in-store deductions and special seasonal promotions across all departments is an even bigger win.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to shop online or visit in-store (though we would highly recommend the latter), you can get up to 30% off items in what is their biggest event of 2025.
As well as discounts on everything from sofas, sideboards and dining tables to floors, mattresses and much more, they’re doing cut-price offers on top designer brands from around Europe, including Cattelan Italia, Calligaris, Ercol, Hypnos, Tempur, Vispring and Stressless, just to name a few.
Subject to the usual terms and conditions, customers can even get early flexible finance deals (24 months 0% APR*) on their purchases; after all, they know as well as we do how tight money can be around this time of year.
Better still, their early bird offers, which are on top of the standard winter sale, will see even more cost cuttings on the likes of the Britannia Sofa, Freja Dining Bundle, the Heritage Bed Collection and other premium accessories from 27 December until 18 January.
For instance, if you spend £1,200 in-store, you will receive an extra £50 voucher for the CASA Accessories Lounge; or, beyond that, spend £2.5k and earn yourself a £100 voucher.
So, if you’re looking to get a fresh living room suite for 2026, make the most of 10% off wallpaper and fabrics or 20% off mirrors, or even get four new dining chairs for the price of three, there’s a cheeky deal to suit just about everyone.
You can see the full extent of what’s on offer during the Arighi Bianchi winter sale right HERE, or go and peruse the four floors for yourself in the flesh on the famous Silk Road.
Happy holiday season shopping, folks – maybe bump into you around Caffè AB.
Emily Sergeant -
20th November 2025 
