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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
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.
Available :
Daily
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.
Available :
Daily
¡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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Dec 2013 (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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Daily; not Tue or Sun
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Jan 2014 (annual)
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.
Available :
Sat only
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Daily
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.
Available :
Daily
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
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.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
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.
Available :
Daily
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
Platform 4 Piccadilly returns for another festival of free outdoor performances. Offering three days of eclectic entertainment, Piccadilly Gardens is transformed into an arena offering music, dance, theatre and circus acts for all to enjoy.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
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.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
Behind Lounge 10's Grade-II listed city centre façade lies a Parisian nightclub interior of chandeliers, red velvet and provocative art. Enjoy indulgent French cuisine plus an extensive wine and champagne list. Singers, dancers and magician offer live entertainment while the last Friday of the month hosts a late-night supper club.
Available :
Daily
Huge windows look onto bustling King Street from Room Restaurant and lounge bar. Antique blends with contemporary with its vaulted ceilings and modern fittings and the retro cuisine includes the best of British comfort food and traditional desserts. Try their signature Roomberry cocktail from the extensive drinks list during cocktail hour 5-7pm Monday to Friday.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Manchester's Literature Festival is a city-wide celebration of new literature and spoken-word entertainment, attracting writers from around the globe. Watch out for readings from well-known national and international authors, with special attention also given to independent publishers and magazines.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
The Manchester International Festival is unique in consisting solely of specially commissioned work. It presents a series of large-scale world premières at venues across the city centre, many of which then begin international tours.
Available :
Jun - Jul 2013 (biennial)
Manchester's award-winning urban digital arts and music festival, FutureEverything presents a programme of experimental performance and exhibitions at venues across the city. The festival also expands its focus beyond the arts to include lively debate on environmental and global issues.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Held every year in May, Queer Up North is a groundbreaking three-week festival that showcases new lesbian, gay and queer work across the arts. Events take place in venues all over Manchester and include exhibitions, talks, shows, cabaret and performance art.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
If you're looking for things to do with the kids during the interminable summer holidays, Manchester's Family Friendly Film Festival presents screenings and workshops at venues across the city. The programme includes award-winning features and shorts, as well as UK premieres.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
The annual Manchester Jazz Festival features a programme of international performers with concerts throughout the city. Catch open-air and indoor shows at venues including Albert Square, St Ann's Square, the Green Room and the Bridgewater Hall.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Long renowned for its famed Rusholme Curry Mile, real ale pubs and Chinatown, Manchester has also earned an enviable reputation for its many chic, world-class restaurants. The 11-day Food & Drink Festival celebrates the city's culinary status in style.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
The x.trax showcase returns to the parks, fountains, squares and gardens of Manchester for more outdoor street art and theatre. The three-day festival features work by acts from the UK and across the world.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
08457 76 76 76
