Top Rated Concerts and Shows in Manchester Ship Canal

"The perfect excuse to visit the oldest building in the city centre The Bluecoat!. Discover hidden gems in the form of gorgeous indies including Dressology Evening and Bridal boutique, R&J Porter Silversmiths, Lalligrass Himalayan goods, Roots Houseplants & Mary Mary Florals and Probe Records. Visit Bluecoat retailers here"

"The Bluecoat on School lane is a perfect place to get your camera out. The 300 year old building is home to art galleries, places to eat, a book shop, a sun trap courtyard and loads more. You could spend a whole afternoon here filling up the photo album."

"As far as theatrical experiences go, nothing comes close to the thrill of catching a live show. Be it a drama, a comedy act, a musical, Shakespeare or some combination of them all, Manchester’s thriving arts scene make it one of the best places to take in theatre. The Royal Exchange building and its theatre have survived a lot, having been badly damaged during both World War II and the Manchester bombing in 1996."

"This is truly an amazing building and its history also tells the history of Manchester. Not officially a museum, The Royal Exchange is definitely worth exploring. You only need to step into the great entrance hall to understand why you should pop in."

"One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to go see a show. Is there anything more fun than theatre?. During my time in Manchester, we went to see a local production of Frankenstein at the Royal Exchange Theatre."

"St Luke’s Church, or the Bombed Out Church to the locals, sits proudly at the top of Bold Street and is a great spot for a photograph, especially if you get to head inside. Known as the Bombed Out Church because it no longer has a roof, it makes for an interesting photo for the collection. View this post on Instagram"

"St Luke’s which is popularly known as the bombed-out church was destroyed during World War II. It has no ceiling and plants are growing inside. You and your loved one can find tranquility in the city center there. It also serves as a memorial to the people who lost their lives during the world war."

"More commonly known as 'the bombed out church' St Luke’s was destroyed during the Blitz of World War II. With no ceiling, and plants now growing inside, it is a real place of tranquility in the centre of the city and serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the war."

"Set in the historic heart of town is the Storyhouse building which houses, not only a library and restaurant but a theater and cinema too. A very popular place, it puts on lots of excellent plays and performances with countless cultural events and films also shown during the year. Since its opening in 1936 as an Odeon cinema, the Art Deco building has been at the center of cultural life in the city."

"Storyhouse is Chester’s theatre, cinema and arts centre housed in a rejuvenated 1930s art deco Odeon cinema building. The Storyhouse’s theatre transforms from an 800 seat proscenium (the Touring Stage) to a 500 seat thrust (the Storyhouse stage)."

"Storyhouse is the place to visit to get your arts and culture fix, including a library, theatre, cinema, community hub, cultural centre and restaurant. Take a look at what events are coming up during your stay."

"Contact Theatre will be heading out across Manchester this summer for a series of outdoor performances. Contact is an Oxford Road theatre and performing arts venue creating and producing its own shows, as well as hosting tours from the world’s best theatre companies. Contact will be heading out across the city this summer, delivering a series of outdoor performances before its building reopens to the public in September 2021."

"Liverpool Everyman Theatre, 5-9 Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BH - Visit now. The Everyman reopened in March 2014 after extensive renovation to its stage, restaurant and backstage areas; the newly opened version is sustainable, accessible and really rather swish. Inclusiveness runs through the new design – its frontage, dominated by a new “portrait wall”, shows 105 different Liverpool residents, cut into a metal facade."

"Founded in 1964, the Everyman Theatre has been bringing groundbreaking talent to Hope Street for over half a decade. The stage for early performances from Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Bernard Hill, this venue is steeped in history – the building itself won the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture. Showing a range of plays from classic Shakespeare to brand new material, a show at the Everyman is not to be missed."

"Since opening their doors in November 2015, Hope Mill Theatre has become one of the most successful independent venues in England. Located in Ancoats, they produce full scale musicals from their Grade II listed former mill. The theatre will be reopening this summer, as well as hosting Hope Fest, an outdoor arts and culture festival."

"This wonderful independent venue, located out in New Islington, was one of the few theatres that managed to reopen last year after lockdown. It'll be back again with a reduced capacity and socially distanced seating for a Meet Me At Dawn, from HER Productions. You can get tickets at hopemilltheatre.co.uk."

"Another one that you'll have to exercise patience for is the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music), which is - understandably - prioritising the return of students and tutors. You can see the latest updates at www.rncm.ac.uk."

"The Royal Northern College of Music is an internationally acclaimed conservatoire, as well as an eclectic performance venue delivering a diverse programme of music and opera performances."

"Tate Liverpool is the only place in the North to be for modern and contemporary art from the world over. Since opening its doors in 1988 Tate Liverpool has become one of the most visited art galleries outside of London and has a stunning array of work from the National Collection, as well as regular exhibitions of some of the finest art there has ever been, including exhibitions and events relating to Gustav Klimt, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Keith Haring, to name just a few."

"1 km from city center 6 out of 10 places to visit in Liverpool. Named after a Liverpool industrialist Henry Tate, the Tate gallery is the subsidiary of famous Tate gallery in London. Like its London counterpart, this one also has an amazing collection of classical and contemporary art."

"From personal survivor accounts to common conflict themes, the Imperial War Museums explores the human aspect of war and the effect it has on everyday life before, during and after. Featuring one-off exhibitions as well as a main showcase and connected to other similar museums around the UK, the IWM shines and light on the conflicts Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved in since World War I. Focusing on the many changes war has brought to the UK, from the role of women in society to technology and science advances."

"One of five Imperial War Museums in the UK, Manchester’s addition to the repertoire is located in Media City. The striking aluminium-clad building houses a timeline of Britain’s conflicts since the First World War, drawing on different elements of war such as the involvement of women and the impact of science and technology on how wars are fought. Alongside the permanent exhibits are plenty of films and photographs showcasing what life was like during these conflicts.Imperial War Museum | © the yes man / Flickr"

"Walk through a timeline of history from the First World War to the present day. Again, although tickets are free, they must be booked in advance. Find out more and book here."

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."