Manchester Comic Con is back for 2023 and while we’re sure you’ve heard this one before, it really is looking bigger and better than ever.
Taking place over at Bowlers Exhibition Centre Arena in Stretford, Mancs will once again get a taste of the world-famous comic book and pop culture convention right here on our doorstep.
Bringing together some of the best from movies, TV and gaming right now, not to mention welcoming a fair few big names through their doors, it’s going to be a brilliant weekend.
As if 2022 wasn’t a great turnout already, this year’s event is selling out fast and with all this stuff to do, it’s no wonder. Here’s what you can expect from Comic Con Manchester 2023.
Special guest appearances
Last year’s MCR Comic Con saw the likes of Zachary Quinto, Lord of the Rings‘ Gimli himself, John Rhys Davies, The Walking Dead‘s Chandler Riggs (a.k.a. ‘Corrrral’) and more, but this year is looking stacked with ever more famous faces.
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The names confirmed for 2023 include Chuck and Shazam! star Zachary Levi, The Walking Dead‘s Lauren Cohan, Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan; comedy legend Seth Green, Chace Crawford and Jessie T Usher from the hit Amazon show, The Boys, My Name Is Earl‘s Ethan Suplee and countless others.
You can see the full list HERE but, to be honest, that’s more than enough to convince us to come along.
As for the main attractions on the day itself (you know, other than the pretty celebrities), they’re really pulling out all the stops this year.
From a giant Transformers Megatron, a ‘Do not open, dead inside’ TWD door photo prop, the Tardis from Doctor Who, Del Boy’s sofa and Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses, to Hopper’s truck from Stranger Things, a Lord of the Rings hobbit hole and many more, there’s loads to choose from.
There’s even a Star Wars-themed Cantina Space Bar where you can grab yourself a drink, not to mention some top-notch scran from Mama’s Kitchen just round the corner. Don’t mind if we do.
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Credit: Comic Con Manchester (via Instagram)
Live music, entertainment and more
But it isn’t just things to look at and pose with for a photo, thanks to lead sponsors brsk — the superfast fibre broadband firm based in Greater Manchester — Comic Con Manchester 2023 will also have a massive video game zone for you to play some top titles against your mates and others at the event.
Beyond the other games available on the day, brsk have also put together their own virtual reality experience for this year’s convention. You know how we love a bit of VR.
You’ll also be able to enjoy fairground rides, get your hands on plenty of official merch (which we’re sure will complement your undoubtedly dynamite cosplays perfectly), as well as the chance to grab signed action figures, memorabilia and more courtesy of Action Force Toys.
Last but not certainly least, the event will be treated to a live performance from Yorkshire band, Lina and the Lions, who are absolutely experts when it comes to playing these cons and don’t just play some proper good tunes but fully immerse themselves in the culture.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, brsk’s Regional Head in Manchester, Gareth Cornelius, said: “For us, building a connection goes far beyond our broadband” — which is already providing over 260,000 UK homes with high speeds of up to 900Mbps, by the way.
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“At brsk, we believe that sponsoring an event like Comic Con Manchester, in partnership with the team from Bowlers, is an important opportunity to get to know and support the community in which we operate. Also, having fun is part of our company’s culture and what’s more fun than a day of superheroes and cosplay?”
Comic Con Manchester 2023 at the BEC Arena runs from 9am-6pm on Saturday, 29 July and runs right through until Sunday with the same opening times.
You can grab entry tickets to the full weekend and the afterparty events, or if you simply want to grab a photo and an autograph with some of the famous faces, you can do so HERE.
We hope to catch plenty of you there and we expect to see you in your best cosplay, of course!
The full lineup and extensive programme for Manchester Film Festival 2026 has been revealed
Danny Jones
The full lineup for this year’s Manchester Film Festival (MFF) is now out, with some well-known names and hotly anticipated projects set to be screened this year.
MMF 2026 looks to be one of the most extensive and exciting projects yet; spread across multiple venues once again, we can’t wait for the city go full-on cinephile.
With 52 feature films on the roster, including nine UK debuts and eight fully-fledged world premieres, this is going to be well and truly blockbuster – pun intended.
Yeah, Cannes, Venice and Toronto are cool, but having one right on your doorstep is way better.
The MFF26 programme is LIVE!
Featuring some of the best and boldest new cinema from the UK and around the world, book your tickets now to Manchester's biggest celebration of cinema https://t.co/6eRXJpkwmvpic.twitter.com/arIVqxl51k
Returning this coming March and spread over the course of 11 days, the latest edition of Manchester Film Festival is the biggest the city centre has seen to date.
Featuring everything from locally made short films from Greater Manchester and the wider North West, to bigger but still ‘small’ budget independent movies, there’s something for everyone.
Obviously, indie flicks are the lifeblood of this event, but there’s still plenty of A-listers connected to MFF26. For instance…
Actors featured this year:
Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps and Cate Blanchett (Father Mother Sister Brother)
Angelina Jolie (Couture)
Callum Turner and George Mackay (Rose of Nevada)
Charli XCX (Erupcja)
Jason Isaacs (Honey Bunch)
Josh O’Connor (Rebuilding)
Kit Connor (One of Us)
Mads Mikkelsen (The Last Viking)
Tom Hardy (Rhino)
It remains to be seen how many of these famous faces will be in attendance, but the annual film fest always manages to secure a few.
For instance, with Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) bringing his directorial debut, Psychopomp, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll see Jon Snow in the flesh.
As you can see, the 2026 edition is being hosted across five different central and varied locations, including big screen cinemas like Odeon, as well as HOME on First Street and even the home of Factory International, Aviva Studios.
Speaking ahead of the start date, festival director Neil Jeram-Croft said: “We are incredibly proud to present the programme for the 12th edition of Manchester Film Festival, which marks our biggest and most ambitious year to date.
“This year’s line-up brings together an exceptional range of films and filmmakers, with screenings taking place across more venues than ever before, reflecting both the growth of the festival and the appetite for independent cinema in the city.
“We are especially looking forward to welcoming filmmakers from across the UK and internationally, as well as welcoming back our brilliant volunteers, whose support is vital to bringing the festival to life.
“We can’t wait to welcome audiences this March for ten days of powerful storytelling, standout premieres and inspiring conversations.”
Once again, the BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festival and its accompanying awards ceremony will take place between 19 and 29 March 2026; early bird passes have already sold out, but you can grab your general admission tickets right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Film Festival)
What's On
Harry Styles announced as latest performer at the 2026 BRIT Awards
Danny Jones
Yes, in what is set to be his Co-op Live debut (yes, the venue he’s literally invested in), Harry Styles has been confirmed as the latest blockbuster performer at this year’s BRITs.
The lineup for the 2026 BRIT Awards was already pretty stacked, but this just takes the cake.
Not long after FINALLY announcing his fourth album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally and releasing the new lead single, ‘Aperture’, the Cheshire-born singer-songwriter is coming to the Co-op Live arena for the very first time as part of the ceremony’s live music lineup.
Absolute scenes. Screaming, crying, throwing up.
we've got news… Harry's coming home 💋🪩@Harry_Styles will be making his live TV performance debut of music from his new album 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.' at The BRIT Awards 2026
Watch the performance live Saturday 28th February on ITV1 & ITVX in the UK and on… pic.twitter.com/Aax3lV03xM
The 31-year-old former One Direction member turned solo artist and global megastar recently revealed a raft of live shows this coming May (and there’s been plenty of discussion surrounding ticket prices), but he’s sadly overlooked Manchester for now.
However, anyone who already secured a seat at the first-ever BRITs here in Manchester will no doubt be doing cartwheels now following the announcement.
As if that wasn’t a mega enough name, he will be joining the likes of the wonderful, already award-winning and fellow multi-time nominee, Olivia Dean.
As quite literally two of the biggest musicians on the planet right now, we couldn’t pick a better roster if we dreamed it up ourselves.
Speaking of Ms Dean, she is also one of several acts confirmed to be playing a series of intimate acts across the country – and her’s is right here in Manchester.
You can see the full lineup of gigs HERE – all we’ll say is that there’s some seriously big hitters playing very small capacity venues on this list.
What a great few weeks for music, eh?
Taking place on Sunday, 28 February, public tickets for the show unfortunately sold out some time ago for what will also be his first-ever live musical TV performance.
Perhaps his booking is at least partly why we haven’t got a standalone Harry Styles Manchester gig on the ‘Together, Together’ tour, but we’re still keeping everything crossed that he’ll announce a second leg of shows here in the UK.
You’d think he’d fancy properly headlining the gaff he helped pay for, or maybe a return to the Etihad Stadium across the way, right?
Find the complete shortlist of nominees, as well as the rest of the live music lineup for the 2026 BRITs ceremony here in Manchester, down below; and if you see on screen trying to clutch at Harry’s ankles, we’re sure you’ll understand…
Danny Jones -
26th July 2023 
