Events & Festivals - Manchester

Events & FestivalsGuide was updated: 2. prosince 2025

As one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the UK, there’s always something on in Manchester. With a rolling calendar of events, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and theatre, you’ll never be stuck for world-class entertainment.

Manchester Craft Beer Festival (May)

Manchester Craft Beer Festival, Manchester's only city-wide beer festival, allows you to explore Manchester's thriving artisanal beer scene, alongside food, art, and music.

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Manchester International Festival (July)

Manchester International Festival (MIF) is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events, held every two years in Manchester. Since its launch in 2007, it has premiered works by artists such as Björk, Steve McQueen, Wayne McGregor, Maxine Peake, The xx, and Marina Abramović.

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Manchester Film Festival (March)

Manchester Film Festival is a truly independent film festival, committed and dedicated to sharing great stories from both new and established international and domestic filmmakers from the world of independent cinema.

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Manchester Jazz Festival (May)

The award-winning Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF) is back in the city every May. The main festival hub will now run the length of St Ann’s Square to New Cathedral Street with a host of free music stages and bars. As always, gigs will also be staged in venues across the city.

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Manchester Pride (August)

Manchester Pride is the charity that runs Manchester's annual LGBTIQA+ celebration, The Manchester Pride Festival. The charity exists to celebrate queer life, campaign for greater LGBTIQA+ equality, and create opportunities for engagement for queer people in Greater Manchester. The Manchester Pride Big Weekend incorporates The Big Weekend at Manchester's world-famous Gay Village, The Manchester Pride Parade on the streets of the City Centre, and The Candlelit Vigil in Sackville Park.

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Parklife Festival (June)

The much-loved Parklife music festival takes place in Heaton Park every June. Prepare for two days of vibrant energy, showcasing over 200 live acts and DJs from around the world. It's a dance and electronic music extravaganza, but there's also plenty for pop and hip-hop fans to enjoy.

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Just So Festival (August)

With a love of stories and childhood escapades at its heart, Just So Festival enables families to step out of their day-to-day lives and into a wonderland of world-class literature, arts, theatre, dance, music, comedy and creative pursuits together. Underpinned by the Carnival of the Animals, the most bonkers competition in the land, it takes audiences (from bumps to great grandparents) on a unique expedition of mischief and mayhem, to lands full of magical midnight feasts, curious creatures, raucous pillow fights, hidden retreats, top-notch food, drink and boutique camping options and breathtaking beauty.

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Lanterns & Light at Chester Zoo (November & December)

Every winter holiday season, get ready to enter the mesmerising, fantastical worlds, bursting with colour and brimming with animal-inspired illuminations and traditional festive scenes. It's an experience that will leave you with that cosy, warm glow inside. Colourful Butterfly Garden, the authentic allure of Nordic markets, twinkling Christmas trees and a magical ice kingdom — all uniting with our favourite animal lanterns from Christmases past.

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