heads up: What’s on?

Is your 2023 calendar looking a bit dry? Well, look no further. aAh! rounds up the latest events in Manchester that we think you’ll love.

March

MANCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL

10/03/23 - 19/03/23@ ODEON Manchester Great Northern

Calling all film buffs! Manchester Film Festival is back with a line-up of films from around the world. From narrative features to animation, there’s a vast expanse of genres to explore. Grab some popcorn and take a seat.

April

PARAMORE

18/04/23 @ AO Arena

By Anna Torrance

MaY

HATERS ROAST

30/03/23 @ O2 Apollo Manchester

A drag comedy spectacular hosted by Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne! Nine unforgettable queens star in this nationwide tour, ensuring a night of laughs and fun.

CUPCAKE DECORATING CLASS

11/12/22 - 13/04/23 @ Hey Little Cupcake!

Fancy jazzing up your bakes? Then this is the class for you. Ongoing cupcake decorating classes will be held throughout March. Classes are small and you can take up to six cupcakes home! What’s not to like?

Don’t miss the iconic American rock band, Paramore, as they hit the stage here in Manchester. The band have teamed up with environmental non-profit REVERB to tackle the climate crisis and will be hosting an eco-village at the show where fans can take action on environmental issues.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

24/03/2023 - 29/04/2023 @ Royal Exchange Theatre

Roy Alexander Weise’s spin on the Tennessee Williams classic will be hitting the stage for a month this year. Get ready to be transported from damp old Manchester right into the heart of the stifling Mississippi heat.

RNCM 50th ANNIVERSARY: MADE IN MANCHESTER 03/05/23 @ Royal Northern College of Music

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) celebrates its 50th birthday in 2023 with a three-day Manc music festival. Brand new music will be introduced, all created by staff and students alike.

FLASHBACK FESTIVAL

20/05/23 @ Platt Fields Park

Flashback Festival is returning this May, serving you oldschool 90s and 00s dance anthems right in the heart of student-central Fallowfield. After their successful sell-out debut in 2022, Flashback will be serving up nostalgia including artists from Katy B to Alice Deejay.

Neighbourhood Weekender

28/05/23 - 29/05/23 @ Victoria Park

PARKLIFE FESTIVAL

10/06/23 - 11/06/23 @ Heaton Park

Liven up your summer with Manchester’s biggest music festival! Packed with pop, indie, rock, hip-hop, grime and club music, this is one festival not to be missed. With a line-up featuring The 1975, Central Cee, Camelphat, Loyle Carner and Megan Thee Stallion - there’s truly a bit of something for everyone.

June July

YOU, ME AND THE BALLOONS

29/06/23 - 28/08/23 @ Factory International

The renowned Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama, brings her artwork to life through giant dolls, tendrilled landscapes and polka-dot spheres. Visitors can escape reality and take a tour through Kusama’s trippy world.

August

Manchester Pride Festival

26/08/23 - 29/08/23 @ Manchester City Centre

Manchester Pride brings together tens of thousands of people to celebrate queer people of all backgrounds. The event will feature the world-famous Manchester Pride Parade, the Gay Village Party, Candlelit Vigil, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR, Superbia Weekend and Human Rights Forum.

Neighbourhood Weekender returns this summer with a packed weekend of live music. Headliners Pulp, The Kooks and Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will hit the main stages alongside The Wombats, Anne-Marie, Ocean Colour Scene, Sugababes, Ella Henderson, Everything Everything, The Enemy, Reverend And The Makers, and more!

SABRINA CARPENTER

14/06/2023 @ O2 Apollo Manchester

The 23-year-old pop-icon is gracing Manchester with a spot on her first-ever UK tour. From Disney to pop star, Carpenter will be touring her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send which has seen 320 million global streams.

SIX

18/07/2023 @ Opera House Manchester

Manchester is welcoming the 2022 Tony Award winning musical, Six. Henry VIII’s disgruntled wives tell their side of the story through song.

WIGAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

07/07/23 - 10/07/23 @ The Village on the Green

One of the UK’s longest jazz festivals, this event features some of the world’s best musicians and is considered one of Europe’s finest jazz festivals.

POWER UP

25/07/23 - 31/12/23

@ Science and Industry Museum

Power Up is an interactive gaming experience not to be missed. Featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past five decades, you can try out over a hundred different consoles including classic Mario Kart, Pacman and Pong. You can even test out some of the latest virtual reality experiences.