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Manchester’s live events calendar is shaping up to be nothing short of extraordinary.
From stadium-filling legends and Britpop icons to boundary-pushing theatre, immersive exhibitions and world-first cultural moments, 2026 is set to be a huge year for the city.
Whether you’re planning sun-soaked outdoor gigs, unmissable arena shows, cutting-edge comedy or unforgettable family experiences, there’s something to suit every taste and every diary.
Even better, many of the world’s biggest tours and award ceremonies are choosing Manchester as a headline destination, cementing the city’s status as one of the UK’s most exciting cultural capitals.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the gigs, shows and live events you need to have on your radar – and why 2026 might be Manchester’s best year yet for getting out and experiencing it all live.
LUMINISCENCE
Manchester Cathedral – 14th January 2026 – March 2026
Manchester Cathedral becomes the stage for one of the most breathtaking immersive experiences ever to arrive in the UK. LUMINISCENCE transforms the historic space into a fully enveloping world of sound, light and storytelling, combining spectacular 360° video projections with live choral performances and original narration.
Featuring new arrangements of iconic Manchester songs performed by Collectives Gospel Choir, the experience is brought together by a specially commissioned script from BAFTA-winner Tim Whitnall and narrated by Manchester legend Christopher Eccleston. Having already mesmerised over one million people worldwide, this UK debut promises a powerful fusion of heritage and cutting-edge technology. Expect soaring music, emotional storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals that reimagine the Cathedral like never before.
Pulp
Brit Pop legends Pulp return to Manchester
Wythenshawe Park – 28th August 2026
Pulp return to Greater Manchester for one of their only live shows of 2026, delivering a huge outdoor homecoming at Wythenshawe Park. Fresh from the release of More – their first studio album in 24 years: Jarvis Cocker and co. will blend long-awaited new material with Britpop anthems, including Common People, Babies and Disco 2000.
With other Wythenshawe Park concerts already selling out fast, this headline date is tipped to be one of the hottest tickets of the summer. Expect sharp wit, theatrical flair, and a crowd singing every word as Pulp remind everyone why they remain one of Britain’s most influential bands. For Northern fans, this is a rare and special chance to see a true Britpop icon outdoors.
BetMGM Premier League Darts
Premier League Darts returns to the AO Arena
AO Arena – 2nd April 2026
The biggest party in darts returns to Manchester as the BetMGM Premier League brings elite competition and electric atmosphere back to the AO Arena. Night Nine of the 2026 tournament will see the world’s top players battling it out across a packed evening of high-pressure matches, walk-on anthems and roaring crowds.
The Premier League spans 17 cities across the UK and Europe, but Manchester has a reputation for producing unforgettable nights, including Nathan Aspinall’s emotional home victory this year. With world number one Luke Humphries and reigning champion Luke Littler expected to feature, fans can anticipate nine-dart drama, fierce rivalries and championship-defining moments. Whether you’re a lifelong darts fan or new to the sport, this promises an exhilarating night of sporting theatre.
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – Love Earth World Tour
The rock n’ roll legend returns
Heaton Park – 19th June 2026
Neil Young makes a triumphant return to Manchester with the opening night of his Love Earth World Tour at Heaton Park. Joined by The Chrome Hearts, Young will deliver a powerful, career-spanning set that blends legendary classics with the raw, atmospheric sound of his more recent work.
As the first stop on a major European run, this show is set to attract fans from across the country eager to see one of rock’s most uncompromising voices live. Special guests Elvis Costello & The Imposters add further weight to an already extraordinary bill. Expect sweeping guitar solos, emotional storytelling and the unmistakable voice that has shaped decades of music history, all set against the stunning backdrop of one of Manchester’s most iconic outdoor venues.
Strictly Come Dancing Live 2026
AO Arena – 31st January – 1st February 2026
The glitz, glamour and sequins of Strictly Come Dancing return to Manchester as the hugely popular Live Tour dances into the AO Arena for four spectacular performances. Bringing the magic of the BBC hit show off the screen and onto the arena floor, the 2026 tour features eight sensational celebrity and professional pairings, including George Clarke & Alexis Warr, Lewis Cope & Katya Jones, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink & Lauren Oakley, and a very special guest appearance from 2023 finalist Layton Williams, reuniting with fan-favourite partner Nikita Kuzmin.
Audiences can also expect appearances from Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, with Janette Manrara hosting. Packed with show-stopping routines, live music and jaw-dropping choreography, the tour puts the power in the audience’s hands – with fans voting live to decide who lifts the Glitterball Trophy each night.
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Lily Allen will be playing both Factory International and the AO Arena
Factory International (10th–11th March 2026) & AO Arena (19th–20th June 2026)
Lily Allen returns to the stage with West End Girl, an ambitious new performance project blending her signature lyrical honesty with theatrical storytelling. Spanning intimate shows at Factory International followed by arena dates at the AO Arena, the production marks her most substantial live return since touring No Shame in 2018–19.
Drawing on material from her first album in seven years, the show explores love, identity and emotional fallout with Allen’s trademark wit and vulnerability. Known for her fearless candour and magnetic stage presence, she promises a performance that balances humour, heartache and sharp social observation. Whether in the intimacy of Aviva Studios or the scale of the AO Arena, West End Girl is set to be a defining cultural moment in Manchester’s 2026 calendar.
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Co-op Live -25th & 26th April 2026
Olivia Dean brings her soulful, emotionally rich live show to Manchester’s Co-op Live for two major nights as part of The Art of Loving tour. Following a breakout year featuring three simultaneous UK Top 10 singles, these dates confirm her status as one of Britain’s most exciting rising stars. Known for her warm vocals, thoughtful songwriting and intimate connection with audiences, Dean’s live performances explore themes of love, self-growth and identity with honesty and grace.
Supported by lush arrangements and a full band, the Manchester shows come just before six landmark nights at London’s O2 Arena, highlighting the scale of her ascent. Expect a beautifully crafted performance that feels both deeply personal and arena-ready – a must-see moment in 2026.
English National Opera – Così fan tutte
Cosi Fan Tutte is coming to the Bridgewater Hall
The Bridgewater Hall – 27th February 2026
English National Opera makes its first-ever appearance at The Bridgewater Hall with a semi-staged concert performance of Mozart’s sparkling comedy Così fan tutte. Conducted by Alexander Joel and directed by fast-rising talent Ruth Knight, this production brings together a stellar cast to explore love, loyalty and human folly with wit and elegance.
The opera follows two smug lovers whose faith in romance is tested by the mischievous Don Alfonso, leading to deception, disguise and emotional chaos. Arriving direct from the London Coliseum, the performance forms part of ENO’s new partnership with Greater Manchester. With glorious music, sharp storytelling and a modern theatrical edge, this promises to be a highlight for opera lovers and newcomers alike.
James Acaster
James Acaster is coming to LOWRY in April
LOWRY – 22nd–25th April 2026
James Acaster returns to Manchester with a brand-new stand-up show, bringing his unmistakable blend of surreal storytelling, razor-sharp observation and unpredictable humour to LOWRY. Across four nights, fans will get an intimate chance to see one of the UK’s most inventive comedians debut fresh material.
Known for pushing the boundaries of stand-up, Acaster’s comedy thrives on unexpected tangents, clever wordplay and meticulously constructed chaos. His recent work spans books, podcasts and acclaimed comedy specials, all marked by a fearless creative voice. This new show continues that evolution, promising an evening that’s thoughtful, absurd and laugh-out-loud funny.
Happy Mondays – Pills ’n’ Thrills 35th Anniversary
Madchester legends are back
O2 Victoria Warehouse – 11th April 2026
The Happy Mondays return home to Manchester to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their era-defining album Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches. Performing the record in full, Shaun Ryder, Bez and the band will revisit classics including Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit, alongside Madchester favourites 24 Hour Party People and Hallelujah.
The show forms part of a major UK and Ireland tour and features special guests The Farm and Northside, reuniting the legendary Elland Road lineup. Expect a high-energy, nostalgia-fuelled night that captures the chaos, attitude and dancefloor spirit that defined a generation.
Johnny Marr
Manchester’s greatest guitarist – Johnny Marr
Castlefield Bowl – 9th July 2026
Johnny Marr headlines the biggest solo show of his career with a landmark outdoor performance at Castlefield Bowl. Celebrating his acclaimed live album Look Out Live!, Marr’s set will span his four solo records alongside fan favourites, all delivered with his unmistakable melodic guitar style.
Joined by special guests Everything Everything, the night promises a celebration of Manchester’s musical legacy in one of the city’s most atmospheric venues. Marr’s live sound is expansive, emotional and uplifting, showcasing his evolution as a solo artist while honouring his deep roots in British music. With a career that continues to thrive creatively, this homecoming show is set to be one of the defining music moments of Manchester’s summer 2026.
Jane McDonald – Living the Dream
Jane McDonald is Living the Dream
AO Arena – 10th September 2026
Jane McDonald brings her Living the Dream tour to Manchester’s AO Arena, delivering one of the biggest shows of her 2026 schedule. Inspired by her Nashville-recorded album, the show blends original songs with reimagined country classics, reflecting her lifelong love for the genre. Known for her powerhouse vocals, warmth and storytelling charm, Jane’s arena production promises joy, emotional connection and show-stopping moments.
Her career spans chart-topping albums, BAFTA-winning television and sold-out international tours, and this new show builds on that legacy with a celebratory tone and elevated production. Expect laughter, tears and sing-along moments as one of Britain’s most beloved performers delivers an unforgettable night.
English National Opera – Angel’s Bone
Factory International – May 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Angel’s Bone arrives in Manchester in a bold new collaboration between English National Opera, Factory International and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Composed by Du Yun with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, the opera tells a haunting modern allegory about exploitation, power and survival.
Mixing opera, punk rock, chamber music, cabaret and electronics, the score delivers an intense, emotionally charged experience. Directed by acclaimed Australian director Kip Williams, making his UK opera debut, the production promises striking visuals and fearless storytelling. Staged at Aviva Studios, this challenging and unforgettable work explores the realities of modern slavery through daring theatrical innovation, marking one of the most important operatic events in Manchester’s recent history.
Wet Leg
Wet Leg are playing Castlefield Bowl in July 2026
Castlefield Bowl – 8th July 2026
Wet Leg bring their biggest Manchester headline show to date to Castlefield Bowl, kicking off a trio of major UK outdoor dates. Since bursting onto the scene with Chaise Longue and their Mercury Prize-winning debut album, the Isle of Wight duo have become one of the UK’s most exciting live acts.
Their shows are packed with playful lyrics, sharp guitar hooks and irresistible energy. Joined by special guests English Teacher, the night promises a vibrant celebration of contemporary indie music. Expect humour, attitude and singalong moments in one of Manchester’s most atmospheric outdoor venues – a perfect summer gig for 2026 (if it doesn’t rain).
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Dr Big Brain
Science and Industry Museum – 13th February 2026 – 3rd January 2027
A world-first exhibition blasts off in Manchester as Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos launches at the Science and Industry Museum. Bringing the hit TV series to life for the first time, this interactive adventure invites visitors to explore the solar system through hands-on experiments, immersive environments and playful challenges.
Dance on alien planets, uncover cosmic mysteries and encounter the villainous Dr Big Brain as you journey through space. Designed for curious minds of all ages, the exhibition blends humour with real science, encouraging visitors to learn while having fun. Created in collaboration with the BBC and the original Horrible Science team, this galactic experience promises to be one of Manchester’s most popular family attractions of 2026.
The BRIT Awards 2026
Manchester’s Matt Williamson designed 2026’s trophy
Co-op Live – 28th February 2026
History is made as The BRIT Awards leave London for the first time, landing at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Hosted once again by Jack Whitehall, the ceremony brings the biggest night in British music to the North in a landmark cultural moment.
Expect headline performances, surprise collaborations and the crowning of the year’s biggest artists across British and international music. Broadcast nationwide, the event will transform Manchester into the epicentre of UK pop culture for one unforgettable night. With the scale and ambition to match the UK’s newest arena, the 2026 BRITs mark a bold new chapter and a huge win for the city.
MOBO Awards – 30th Anniversary
The MOBO Awards are coming to Manchester
Co-op Live – 26th March 2026
The MOBO Awards celebrate their 30th anniversary with a major Manchester debut at Co-op Live. This milestone edition expands beyond the ceremony itself, with city-wide events celebrating Black music and culture across Manchester. On the night, the awards will honour the artists shaping British music today across grime, R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeat, jazz and gospel.
Expect standout performances, emotional tributes and landmark moments reflecting three decades of cultural impact. With Manchester’s rich musical heritage providing the backdrop, this anniversary edition promises to be one of the most significant and celebratory MOBOs yet.
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