One of the most anticipated mountain festivals, The Banff Mountain Film Festival sets off on a world tour, visiting 30 different countries. Catch it at Stockport's Plaza Theatre for some jaw-dropping and thought-provoking features.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Manchester's Curry Mile is a stretch of the Wilmslow Road in Rusholme where curry houses compete for the business of thousands of Manchester diners a week. A huge student population and an abundance of neon ensure a vibrant atmosphere.
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Daily
Every summer, Platt Fields Park fills with a raucous celebration of South Asian culture at the Manchester Mega Mela. See poets and dancers perform on stage, or enjoy watching team sport, kabbadi, while you slurp on an Indian ice-cream.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Set within a magnificent deer park, Lyme was a Tudor house transformed in the 18th century into a huge Italianate palace by Venetian architect Leoni. Its splendid facade was featured in the BBC production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
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Daily
Tatton Park spans 2000 acres, with 1000 acres of deer park and 50 acres of gardens, as well as containing two historic houses. Originally owned by the Egerton family for nearly 400 years, today it is one of the National Trust's most popular attractions, hosting major events throughout the year.
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Daily
Renowned for its British watercolours and JMW Turner works, the Whitworth Art Gallery, in the central university district, houses themed exhibitions, modern and historic fine art prints, sculpture, textiles and rare wallpapers. Don't forget to try the gallery's award-winning café.
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Daily
The Friends Provident T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Lancashire Lightning play their home games at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Ancient history and world cultures are explored in the university-owned Manchester Museum's galleries in the city centre. Displays include dinosaurs, Egyptology and Mediterranean archaeology. Discover monitor lizards and Amazonian habitats in the award-winning Vivarium.
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Daily
The Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour goes behind the scenes of the world-famous Old Trafford football club. Stops include the Hall of Fame, Trophy Room, player's tunnel and even manager Alex Ferguson's spot in the dug-out. Pre-booking is recommended.
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Daily
Manchester United FC play their home matches at the Old Traffod Stadium. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
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18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
¡Viva! returns to Manchester's Cornerhouse for eleven days of contemporary visual arts and film. Presenting the best of Spanish and Latin American cinema, the festival features premières and previews of recent features, plus a special spotlight event.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Modern Italian cuisine is served in this canalside restaurant and bar with open kitchen and canalview outdoor terrace. Located on lively Oxford Street in the city centre, diners enjoy antipasto platters, rich pasta dishes and delicious pizzas in Felicini's airy dining room of dark wood, leather and mirrors. Leave space for dessert.
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Daily
Revolution, underneath the Arches at Deansgate Locks, prides itself on its vodka cocktails. Dress to impress, book a private booth, or admire the clientele from the mezzanine level. DJs provide an eclectic soundtrack of funk, soul and club anthems.
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Daily
The Bridgewater Hall is central Manchester's £42m, waterfront concert venue. Home to Manchester's Hallé Orchestra, its 2,400-seater auditorium features an organ with 5,500 pipes, and hosts over 250 annual performances from classical to jazz. Enjoy its award-winning restaurant and café-bar.
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Daily
Manchester Camerata's New Year's Eve Gala Concert at Bridgewater Hall features popular opera arias and choruses to welcome in the new year. A musical extravaganza, it concludes with a late Night of the Proms finale.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Built into a railway arch, the city centre Knott Bar has high ceilings, wooden interior, terraced balcony and jukebox. It boasts a varied selection of global beers and local ale and a tempting menu of homemade burgers, platters and tapas.
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Daily
Hundreds of exhibitors come to Manchester Central for the popular annual Holiday & Travel Show. Visitors are given the chance to plan all aspects of their dream holiday, from meeting tour operators to exploring exotic and specialist destinations.
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Jan 2014 (annual)
If you're at a loss what to do with the kids during those long summer holidays, head to Manchester Central's Kids Fun Ideas Show, where experts give ideas for countless children's games. Entertainment ranges from dance workshops to science shows.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Caravan and Motorhome Show returns to Manchester Central with the latest touring models and all the best accessories. From sat navs to awnings, it caters for all the enthusiasts' needs and even includes a Farmers' Market and a KidZone.
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Jan 2014 (annual)
Hailed as one of the most gorgeous bars in the gay village, Via Fossa is spread over several floors and its Gothic style gives camp a fresh twist. Check out the church pews and explore all those nooks and crannies. A 20-plus crowd (mixed gay/straight, mainly male) move to dance and handbag, with a DJ at times.
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Daily
Manchester's Cruz101 is a the city's largest purpose-built gay venue and packs out every week with an array of nights dedicated to the camper end of gay music.
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Daily; not Tue or Sun
A city-centre Spanish winehouse and restaurant, Evuna's signature dish is seabass baked in rock salt filleted on the wooden tables. Renowned for its award-winning wine list, Evuna's exposed brick walls are lined with Spanish wines, for ordering and taking home.
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Daily
Yang Sing's Shanghai-inspired 1930s interior, open kitchen and Art Deco bar offers a chic dining environment in Manchester's Chinatown. With more than 200 menu items, specialities include dim sum and speciality spare ribs. Plan ahead and order a customised four-course banquet, be it vegetarian, a meat feast or seafood spread.
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Daily
The Air & Space Centre and Electricity Gallery are among the entertaining galleries at the Museum of Science & Industry, in the world's oldest railway station in Manchester's regenerated canal district. Get hands-on in Xperiment or crawl through Underground Manchester.
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Daily
Every Saturday in the city centre, the Manchester Fashion Market showcases one-off independent label designs by fledgling Manchester designers. Browse and buy everything from clothes and lingerie to bags, hats and jewellery in the region's first dedicated designer fashion market.
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Sat only
The refurbished city centre Manchester Art Gallery houses thousands of exhibits from 17th-century European art and Pre-Raphaelite paintings to Victorian dolls' houses and a Levi jeans chair. Enjoy the special exhibitions or take a break in the café.
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Daily; not Mon
Pioneering artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer uses highly sophisticated responsive technologies such as robotics, video projection, and sound to sense the actions of nearby people. This installation at Manchester Art Gallery allows visitors to leave a trace of themselves in his art.
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Daily; not Mon
The Lowry Outlet Mall in the redeveloped Salford Quays docklands houses discount stores from Nike, Whistles and Molton Brown to M&S and accessories at Antler. Take a break in the 400-seat Food Court.
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Daily
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1877, Manchester's impressive neo-Gothic town hall rises almost 90m above Albert Square. Once inside, look up to see the Great Hall's hammer-beam roof, and don't miss the pre-Raphaelite murals by Ford Madox Brown.
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Daily
Every item is for sale at the Dazzle exhibition of contemporary jewellery and applied art, held at Manchester Town Hall. Just before Christmas, this is the ideal opportunity to buy some striking and unique gifts for friends, family and yourself.
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Nov 2013 - Jan 2014 (annual)
Brightly coloured gaiety takes place around Albert Square and Chinatown to usher in the Chinese New Year in Manchester. Dragon dances, kungfu demonstrations and fireworks are just some of the highlights of this annual public celebration.
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Jan 2013 (annual)
Around 10,000 people celebrate Manchester's diversity with two stages hosting performances from more than 25 different countries. Food stalls include treats from Pakistan, West Africa, Poland and Bosnia, and there's a series of workshops to keep kids busy.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Christmas Markets in Manchester's Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Street incorporate a traditional German Market, a European Market and an Arts and Crafts Market. The popular markets have now spread to New Cathedral Street and Brazennose Street.
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Nov - Dec 2013 (annual)
Manchester marks the festive season's arrival with the switching on of the city's Christmas lights and two hours of entertainment for the enthusiastic crowds in Albert Square. The event is seen by many as the official beginning of Christmas.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The Imperial War Museum North is housed in a fabulous modern building by star architect Daniel Libeskind (creator of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, among others). Take the kids to explore the key themes of war in the 20th century.
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Daily
On Salford Quays in revamped docklands, The Lowry's glass-and-metallic structure houses an eclectic blend of galleries and visual art including LS Lowry's urban cityscapes. The complex offers waterside dining, gift shops and theatres; opposite is the Imperial War Museum North.
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Daily
Opera North returns to The Lowry Salford for its first visit this season. Joining revivals of Puccini's Madama Butterfly (directed by Tim Albery) and Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore (directed by Jo Davies) is a new production of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Manchester's House Of Fraser department store is the place for a leisurely browse and a reviving cuppa in the traditional tea shop. The classic Art Deco façade has earned the building a listing for its architectural merit.
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Daily
Manchester's Buy Art Fair is one of the country's largest consumer art exhibitions and offers potential buyers the opportunity to purchase original artworks. More than 300 renowned artists, sourced from over 75 respected galleries, are on display at Spinningfields.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
Inspired by the street stalls of Mexico, Bar Burrito is an award-winning city centre Mexican eatery with open kitchen and contemporary interior. Enjoy tasty bean- and rice-filled burritos, toasted quesadilla sandwiches and crispy corn tacos with salsa and cheese. Those wanting a quick bite can enjoy a beer with nachos or a healthy salad bowl.
Available :
Daily
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