From celebrating Manchester and iconic musical homecomings to theatre and family fun, Manchester is buzzing this July. Whether you live here already or are visiting for the summer, there’s never been a better time to embrace the city’s creative energy, cultural heritage, and sense of community. Here’s Northern Group’s top picks of things to do this July in Manchester.
Manchester International Festival 2025
Aviva Studios & city-wide
3rd–20th July
Manchester International Festival (MIF) returns for its eighteenth time this July, transforming the city into a stage for bold, boundary-pushing art. Taking place every two years, MIF is renowned for its world premieres and inventive use of space. Expect to see parks, squares, and even disused buildings turned into immersive performance spaces. This year’s programme features everything from ballet reinterpretations of literary classics to large-scale puppet performance art roaming the streets. Aviva Studios will once again be the festival’s central hub, hosting major performances, talks and installations, alongside an outstanding food and drink line-up to match the festival’s cultural celebration.
Ludovico Einaudi at Co-op Live
Co-op Live
Sunday 6th July
Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi brings his mesmerising show to Manchester’s largest arena, Co-op Live, this July. Known for his incredible piano melodies and emotive compositions, Einaudi is the most-streamed classical artist in the world, with over nine billion plays and counting. His music has featured in major films like Nomadland and The Intouchables, but it’s his live performances that offer the most powerful connection. Fans can expect an atmospheric, immersive evening that is a combination of classical music, cinematic experience and personal meditation. The acoustics and cutting-edge visuals of Co-op Live will provide the perfect setting for this one-night-only concert. Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering his work for the first time, Einaudi's show will be a highlight of Manchester’s musical summer.
Oasis Fans - 1994–1997 Exhibition & Homecoming Concerts
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & Heaton Park
From 2nd July
As Manchester gets ready to welcome Oasis back home with a series of sold-out gigs at Heaton Park, a new exhibition at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is taking fans on a trip down memory lane. Oasis Fans – 1994–1997 opens at 7pm on Wednesday 2 July and features never before seen photographs by acclaimed photographer Jon Shard, documenting the fan excitement in the band’s early years, before smartphones, online ticket queues or dynamic pricing existed. Visitors will see iconic images of fans queuing outside venues in the freezing cold for tickets costing as little as £17.50, plus the original NME shoots that helped cement Oasis as legends. The exhibition also includes a “Fan Wonderwall” showcasing hundreds of gig images from 1994–1997 and a pop-up shop with free limited-edition zines for the first 50 guests on launch night. The exhibition sets the scene perfectly for the Oasis reunion shows at Heaton Park on the 11th, 12th, 16th, 19th, and 20th July, which will be some of the most iconic gigs Manchester has ever seen.
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2025
Multiple venues across Greater Manchester
Throughout July
The Greater Manchester Fringe returns this July with a fantastic line-up of over 75 shows across 17 unique venues in Manchester, ranging from intimate pubs to historic mills and even a working railway station. This year's programme champions new voices and local talent, with standout performances including I Don’t Want to Play Anymore by Libby Hall, Adult Orphans by Becca Ashton, and Boys We Knew by 18-year-old Emilia Chinnery, all winners of the Shelagh Delaney New Writing Award. There’s also immersive theatre, musicals, comedy, and family storytelling. Highlights include Dr Black is Dead, a magician-led murder mystery at The Fitzgerald, and Missed Calls, a dance-and-mime performance experienced through headphones at Hallé St Peters. Expect everything from hard-hitting commentary on masculinity in Wink (53two) to joyous neurodiverse celebration in Happy As Pye. The Fringe is a celebration of raw creativity, just as the infamous Edinburgh Fringe Festival but with a proud Mancunian twist.
Football City, Art United
Aviva Studios
Summer-long exhibition
Art meets football at the summer-long interactive exhibition, Football City, Art United, hosted at Aviva Studios. Featuring artistic collaborations between 11 legendary footballers and 11 celebrated artists—including Eric Cantona, Ella Toone and Vivianne Miedema, it’s no ordinary art show. Audiences can explore paintings, sculptures, animations and even walk through a life-sized tunnel out onto a reimagined pitch. The exhibition breaks down traditional barriers between high culture and popular sport, making it the perfect day out for football fans and art lovers. With works by artists such as Ryan Gander, Edgar Davies and Keiken, the exhibit celebrates Manchester’s dual identity as both a cultural and sporting capital. Tickets start from just £9, and under-16s go free with a full-paying adult.
SIX the Musical
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Throughout July
Divorced. Beheaded. Live! The global smash-hit musical SIX makes its triumphant return to Salford this July, bringing its rebellious Tudor queens back to the stage. Winner of more than 35 international awards and hailed by critics as “pure entertainment,” SIX reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as fierce pop icons competing for the spotlight through song. With its bold costumes, electric choreography and catchy tunes, this 80-minute performance is an empowering celebration of womanhood and rewriting history. Following a string of sold-out performances on Broadway and the West End, this limited run at The Lowry is set to sell out fast, so grab your tickets and prepare for a royally good time.
Titanic Exhibition: Manchester
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
From 31st July
Manchester’s Exchange Hall transforms into the Titanic this summer as the internationally acclaimed Titanic Exhibition arrives in Manchester. Combining authentic artefacts with interactive displays and emotional storytelling, the exhibition charts the ship’s creation, tragic voyage, and cultural legacy. You'll discover personal stories from passengers across all classes, view rare items recovered from the wreck, and even see props from the 1997 blockbuster film, including a replica Heart of the Ocean necklace. The new immersive zones use music, narration and visuals to transport visitors into the heart of the Titanic’s story. Whether you're a history fanatic, film fan or just intrigued to find out more, this is an exhibition you won’t want to miss.
MCR Live 25: A Summer of Music and Manchester Magic
Various locations Across Manchester
Throughout July
Celebrating Manchester as the music capital of the UK, MCR Live 25 is a city-wide celebration running throughout July. Anchored by the Oasis reunion gigs and supported by events across the Northern Quarter, St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens, MCR Live 25 invites fans to relive iconic music moments while creating new ones. The MCR Live Hub in Piccadilly Gardens will offer daily DJ sets, live performances, food, drink and interactive art, perfect for soaking up a festival atmosphere. Don’t miss the Music for the Senses Art Trail, the Oasis merchandise pop-up, and the MCR Live Market featuring local artists and makers. This is Manchester at its loudest and proudest, ready to sing, dance and celebrate its rich musical heritage.
Screen on the Docks – FREE Outdoor Cinema
MediaCity, Salford
Throughout summer
A great way to embrace the outdoors this summer! Screen on the Docks at MediaCity is back, offering a free open-air cinema experience right by the water. Showcasing family favourites like Moana 2 and Wicked light up the big screen, alongside iconic classics like Dirty Dancing and Forrest Gump. There will also be live screenings of major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Women’s Euros, as well as podcasts and local film content. This Perfect for lunch breaks, weekend visits or spontaneous evening plans, Screen on the Docks offers something for all ages, plus, it's completely free to enjoy!
Manchester Day 2025
St Anne’s Square, Cathedral Gardens
Saturday 26 July
Manchester Day returns on Saturday 26 July for a free city-wide celebration of creativity, community and this year, music. With Oasis taking centre stage all month, the theme of Manchester Day 2025 pays tribute to the city’s iconic music scene, past and present. Expect live performances, street art, and pop-up installations from St Anne’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, with Deansgate transformed into a carnival-like parade route. Designed for all ages, the event is packed with family-friendly activities, food stalls and surprise performances. Now in its sixteenth year, Manchester Day is the perfect way to experience the city’s spirit in full swing.