February is LGBTQ+ History Month, marking a 28-day movement to celebrate LGBTQ+ people, their history, lives and experiences.
Although any usual events are unable to go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester is still embracing the celebrations in full force.
If you want to get involved in LGBTQ+ History Month during the rest of February, here’s a list of everything the city has to offer.
1. #LGBTHistoryRide with Pride Out UK
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKqysFbFWXX/
While their usual fundraising cycle events can’t take place this year, Pride Out is instead encouraging people to grab their bikes and take part on their own – documenting their journey virtually.
Simply snap a photo on a ride while in a place of historic LGBTQ+ interest – it’s a perfect excuse to get out the house and fundraise while considering these important past events.
On Friday 19 February at 7pm, National Football Museum is hosting a panel about LGBT identity in women’s football and our responsibility to tell the stories of those players.
The talk, titled ‘Create the Space: LGBT+ Identity in Women’s Football’, will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Jess Creighton.
Queer Lit, a Manchester-based bookstore, has selected its top choice of books focusing on the LGBT community.
With their comprehensive reading list of eye-opening literature, they’re encouraging people to consider the past of LGBTQ+ people in the community and how to become a better ally for them.
These will cover a variety of important discussions including HIV, ageing in the LGBT community and queer, black masculinities.
The short films will be available to view online from February 19, and a Q&A session with the filmmakers will take place on Thursday 25 February at 7pm.
This cute, creative brand launched their ‘Pride Patches’ at the end of January to show you’re part of the community.
With the tagline of ‘made for queer people, by queer people’, Splodge Store has also created stickers, t-shirts and graphics to raise awareness for the difficulties LGBTQ+ youths endure.
The latest instalment of the Manchester Museum podcast series has created an LGBTQ+ History Month special.
The episode, which focuses on ‘How can museums tell LGBTQ+ stories?’, is addressing the importance of museums telling LGBTQ+ narratives that have been previously absent from displays.
As a culmination of the month’s events and activities, this festival will return to Stockport Libraries (albeit virtually) to conclude LGBTQ+ History Month.
They have a diverse lineup of speakers, including a talk by Trudy Howson, the current LGBT+ Poet Laureate.
One of Affleck’s most creative brands, Luna MCR, have created an LGBTQ+ charity set to celebrate the month in a funky way.
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£5 of each purchase will be donated to AKT, a local charity that supports LGBTQ+ young people who are experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
It’s never too early to encourage your children to familiarise your children with inclusive gender pronouns, which Manchester Libraries are instilling through this sing-song session.
This upbeat story session will take place on Tuesday 23 February at 11am, following the book ‘They, She, He easy as ABC’ by Maya and Matthew.
The event will be hosted on their Facebook page for young children and their parents/carers to participate in.
What's On
Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, 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.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.
When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?
This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.
Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.
Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.
Manchester Christmas Markets locations
Manchester Christmas Markets
There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.
Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.
St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.
The locations are:
Albert Square
Lincoln Square
King Street
St Ann’s Square
Corn Exchange
Exchange Street
New Cathedral Street
Market Street
Exchange Square
Cathedral Gardens
You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times
The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.
The only exceptions are as follows:
Albert Square
6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Cathedral Gardens
6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc GroupHong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.
The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.
Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.
Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets
As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.
There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.
Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.
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 Bradbury -
19th February 2021 
