86 events in Northern Quarter this week. Discover gigs, comedy, workshops, markets, and more with TownSpot.

What's On in Northern Quarter | Things To Do | TownSpot

esea contemporary marks its 40th anniversary with a new group exhibition bringing together six artists whose practices probe the architectures of transition and the fragile ecologies of the in-between. More info: https://www.eseacontemporary.org/current-exhibitions

🖼️ Exhibition: Thresholds of Becoming

esea contemporary, 13 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU, UK

Common Ground is an exhibition exploring the Peak District National Park, inviting audiences to connect with nature amidst a global climate crisis. The installation features works by graduates using foraged clay and immersive experiences. FREE. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/exhibitions-events/common-ground/

Common Ground Exhibition

Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Manchester M4 5JD, UK

We have a New Club! Every other Friday afternoon we are The Zine Club, here at Altogether Otherwise. A very informal meet up where we browse, swap, make and chat about zines. Come along, bring what you are working on or bring nothing at all! Just Join In. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-zine-club-tickets-1982682572948

📓 The Zine Club

Altogether Otherwise, 6-10 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4BB, UK

A friendly and warm weekly Eight Step Meeting, for anyone in recovery, at whatever stage. No need to book – just turn up at the Buddhist Centre, or join us online. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/eight-step-recovery/2026-05-01/

Eight Step Recovery Group

Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DZ, UK

Start your weekend with a laugh! Our Friday early show works on a "Pay what you think the night is worth" model and lasts for an hour! £1. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Friday-Comedy-Kick-Off--Creatures-Comedy-Club/42329225/

Friday Comedy Kick-Off

Creatures of the Night Comedy Club, 42-44 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE, UK

Celebrating 40 years in music, Omar Lyefook MBE returns with his new album Brighter The Days. A performer of effortless class and deep musicality, Omar’s live shows are a masterclass in groove, soul, and sincerity. £23-£27. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/omars-brighter-the-day-uk-tour/

Omar’s ‘Brighter the Days’ UK Tour + Steve Edwards

Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, UK

Join us for an unforgettable evening of conversation, storytelling, and LGBTQ+ history. Expect an evening filled with humanity, humour, heartfelt reflection, and a celebration of queer resilience. £5. More info: https://www.socialrefuge.com/event-details/an-evening-with-tash-walker-adam-zmith

An Evening With Tash Walker & Adam Zmith

Social Refuge, 27 Great Ancoats St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AJ, UK

Deya Collective are a five-piece funk-hop and rap group based in Manchester, with a jazz-inspired sound and a focus on live energy. Their name comes from the Caribbean word “deya” — meaning “we’re there” — a mindset they bring to every track and every stage. £8-£12. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/night-shift-x-deya-collective-3/

Deya Collective + Frog Pocket + Zonga

Our Barrel of Laughs show takes place every Friday and Saturday night with 3 top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog's fantastic comperes. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873660483/events/128631682

Friday Barrel of Laughs

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, 102 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LJ, UK

Welcome to Friday Night Showcase, a highlight of Manchester's premier comedy club! Every Friday, our stage comes alive with top-tier humour, featuring a mix of rising stars and international headliners. Our bar is open and we offer fresh popcorn for you to enjoy as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere. £14. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Friday-Night-Showcase-Creatures-Comedy-Club/41994230/

Friday Night Showcase

Hijack Horns grabs a fist full of feel-good tunes, a handful of high-energy bras, throws it all in a blender and serves you the spiciest, brassyest smoothie your aural tastebuds can handle. Made up of players from long established street bands who are no strangers to the impromptu alfresco rave, this new band squashes the punch of a much bigger outfit into a slinky 5-piece. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/hijack-horns

Hijack Horns

Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, 64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW, UK

Born from a love of dusty 45s and dancefloors that don’t quit, The Crocodile Club tears through the finest cuts of garage punk, soul, funk, rhythm & blues, psych, and all things wild and weird. Expect snarling guitars, deep grooves, and underplayed gems that hit hard and don’t let go. More info: https://nightnday.org/show/the-crocodile-club/

The Crocodile Club

Night & Day Cafe, 26 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN, UK

Jo Farrow is an experienced Manchester based vocalist with a vast repertoire. Her bubbly personality and ability to engage with her audiences; aswell as her enviable vocal ability, create the perfect cocktail for an amazing night’s entertainment. Expect to hear standards with a twist, acoustic rock covers, and soulful sass. More info: https://www.thefitzgeraldmanchester.com/live-music/live-music-with-jo-farrow-2

Live Music With: Jo Farrow

The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB, UK

Great Danes & Rubber Works reunite to present Mumdance. Expect weighty selections, deep pressure and a packed basement from start to finish. More info: https://soupmanchester.com/2026/05/

Great Danes X Rubber Works Presents: Mumdance + Rosabella Allen

SOUP, 31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF, UK

This course will be led by Ratnaguna and Shraddhavijaya, on the theme of Transformations. In this course we will consider incidents to see what we can learn from them. £35. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/tools-going-deeper-may-26/

Tools for Living – Going Deeper: Four-Week Course Starts

A friendly and practical weekly introduction to Buddhism and meditation, here in-person at the Centre. There's no need to book. We gather together in the Buddhist Centre lounge about thirty minutes before the start of the session for coffee and bagels. £7. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/tools-living-4-2/2026-05-16/

Tools for Living Your Life

Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with non-stop music, incredible vibes, and a crowd of passionate dance enthusiasts. Our talented DJs will keep you grooving from morning to night with a diverse mix of genres and styles. More info: https://www.meandu.app/mala/dine-in/events/events/saturdays-at-mala-92nis54re

Saturdays at Mala

Come and swap your plants, seeds or cuttings, grow your collection and meet up with other plant lovers. If you don’t have a plant to swap – don’t worry! We’ll have plenty of extras to give away to get your collection started. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/news/plant-swaps/

🌱 Plant Swaps

Join us for a guided game session for ‘Liquid Dependencies: What does a decentralised, caring society look like?’ This live action role-playing experience invites 12 participants to inhabit characters within the fictional ReUnion society, a sustainable community shaped by long-term mutual care and collective responsibility. £10 - £12.50. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liquid-dependencies-guided-game-session-tickets-1985187102062

Liquid Dependencies: Guided Game Session

After All Festival is back and bigger than ever in 2026! With four stages spanning three venues, Manchester’s premier grassroots music festival once again descends on the city’s Northern Quarter. £20. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/after-all-festival-2026/

After All Festival 2026

DG Kollective is an 18-piece ensemble combining soaring brass, sleek saxes and a powerhouse rhythm section to deliver a bold, contemporary big band sound. Tickets and more info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/big-band-brunch

Big Band Brunch

Every Saturday, The Copper Bar heats up at La Fiesta: a vibrant, free celebration of global sounds and feel-good energy! Expect a lively mix of Afrobeat, Reggae, Funk, Soul Latin and Jazz, powered by a live band to keep the dancefloor alive ‘til late. FREE. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/la-fiesta-x-sueli-gil/

La Fiesta

Our Barrel of Laughs show takes place every Friday and Saturday night with 3 top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog's fantastic comperes. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873660476/events/128631672

Saturday Barrel of Laughs

Featuring four amazing comedians with one of our resident hosts, presenting a mix of up-and-coming talent and international headliners. £7. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Saturday-Afternoon-Showcase-Creatures-Comedy-Club/41997480/

Saturday Afternoon Showcase

Kemani & Friends is a fantastic showcase from Manchester vocalist and multi-genre artist Kemani Anderson, live at Matt & Phred’s. This special series highlights underground Manchester talent, featuring Kemani’s blend of soul, jazz, and RnB, alongside guest artists. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/kemani-and-friends

Kemani & Friends

Our Barrel of Laughs show takes place every Friday and Saturday night with 3 top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog's fantastic comperes. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873660477/events/128631673

Our flagship show features four amazing comedians with one of our resident hosts, presenting a mix of up-and-coming talent and international headliners. Enjoy our cocktail bar and fresh popcorn in a vibrant atmosphere. £17. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Saturday-Night-Showcase-Creatures-Comedy-Club/42006396/

Saturday Night Showcase

The Chinese Marbles are a collective of ten multi-instrumentalists from Macclesfield. This band plays a truly eclectic mix of genres including rock, ska, funk, disco, soul, reggae and blues. Bring your dancing shoes! More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/chinese-marbles

Chinese Marbles

This is a special one. The award-winning Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra continue their exploration of big band music looking this year at the work of the great Duke Ellington. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/tom-sharp-jazz-orchestra

Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra

Escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of live jazz every Sunday at Mala. Our all-day jazz event offers a perfect blend of soulful melodies, delicious food, and a relaxed ambiance. More info: https://www.meandu.app/mala/dine-in/events/events/jazz-sundays-1yz4s4jrz

Jazz Sundays

Take your improv skills to the next level! Building on the principles from Level One and extending into longer scenic structures and techniques to get the best out of your stage time. £200. More info: https://www.improvnorth.com/service-page/level-2-long-form-structure-sundays-1

🤣 Level 2: Long-Form Structure (Sundays)

Improv North, 10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF, UK

An evening in two parts featuring a funny look back at thirty years in comedy and Smug’s debut one-hour stand-up comedy special, performed live at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. £15. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873661707/events/128642144

Smug Roberts Live & Almost Famous

The heats begin! Rising comedians compete across 12 weeks for a place in the semi-finals. Expect a night packed with fresh voices, big laughs and the excitement of competition as the next wave of comedians battle it out. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Comedian-of-the-Year--Heat--Creatures-Comedy-Club/42247646/#about

Comedian of the Year | Heat

Join Food Tastes Good Club every Monday evening - bring, cook, eat! Every Monday evening, gather to bring, cook and share food together. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/food-tastes-good-club-tickets-1349593653949

🥘 Food Tastes Good Club

COME SEE A LINE UP OF ALL BABY COMEDIANS IN THEIR FIRST YEAR! Its our show to have a warm supportive crowd for new comedians! £1. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Hatched-Creatures-Comedy-Club/42334069/

Hatched

Checkin is a monthly in-person meet-up to chat about how things are going in our meditation and Buddhist practice, and to be part of the Manchester Young Buddhist community. It's completely informal and you don't need any prior experience to attend. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/youngbuddhistscheckin-3/2026-05-18/

Young Buddhists Group: Checkin

Kaitlin Butts’ fearless approach to country music is helping her reach new heights. In 2024, Butts released her acclaimed album Roadrunner! £21.50. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/kaitlin-butts/

Kaitlin Butts

For this extra special Jam Night, Matt & Phred’s are teaming up with Manchester Jazz Festival to give all singers and musicians the opportunity to come down to our little backstreet Jazz Club and get on stage to perform. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/jazz-jam

M&P X MJF Jazz Jam

At the start of the competition 3 cards are handed out to lucky members of the audience. Up to 12 acts then take to the stage and each try to do 5 minutes of material. This is the most unpredictable comedy night in the north. More info: https://frogandbucket.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873650187/events/128638437

Beat the Frog

Off the Page is a new-material comedy show where comedians from across the UK bring jokes that are brand new, freshly written, and still warm from the notebook. £3. More info: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Creatures-Comedy-Club/Off-The-Page--Creatures-Comedy-Club/41949799/

🤣 Off the Page

A regular short class for anyone who wants to try meditation, or come to a led meditation session from time to time. No need to book. Please make sure you arrive in good time so the class isn’t disturbed by latecomers. £4. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/lunchtime-meditation/2026-05-13/

Lunchtime Led Meditation

Sit out the rush hour in style, with a special edition concert for MJF, from the Beat the Jams series at Band on the Wall. This intimate set promises an eclectic musical journey from two of Manchester’s leading contemporary jazz performers. £12.50-£15. More info: https://bandonthewall.org/events/beat-the-jams-tom-thorp-george-king-x-mjf/

Beat the Jams – Tom Thorp & George King X MJF

Come along every Tuesday evening to potter around in our community garden. Anything gardening related - you name it, we probably do it. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-gardening-club-tickets-1349824825389

🌱 Evening Gardening Club

A mending club open to all skill levels. Bring an item of clothing that needs some TLC and any sewing supplies you may have! Tools and materials are provided, and inspiration is always on hand. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-ill-mend-tickets-1710937483069

🧵 Maybe I'll Mend

In a world that often feels rushed, lonely, and uncertain, this six-week course offers something different: a chance to slow down, come together, and ask the questions that really matter – about life, death, love, and what it means to be truly human. £130. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/intro-buddhism-28-04-26/

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