5 uplifting events in Manchester to take you through to spring

There’s a reason why holiday bookings shoot up in January. Treading water somewhere between Blue Monday and the first signs of spring, we badly need something good to look forward to.

Ideally it’d be a beach holiday in Mauritius but smaller treats will do the trick too. With that in mind, we’ve pulled out some of the most uplifting events in Manchester happening over the next few months.

Head to the theatre for some Y2K nostalgia, plan a crafty day out with cream teas, or take in a rainbow-hued, three-dimensional light show narrated by Christopher Ecclestone in a cathedral. Winter in Manchester might be cold and wet but it definitely isn’t dull.

Luminescence Manchester

Manchester Cathedral

14 January to 26 March 2026

Manchester Cathedral is an awe-inspiring space even without a massive 3D light show bouncing off the alter and archways. With live music from a gospel choir and narration from actor Christopher Ecclestone, this immersive show takes a spectacular setting and turns it into something mesmerising and a little bit magical.   

Standard single tickets from £21. Group and family tickets are cheaper. Book tickets

Mean Girls the Musical

Manchester Opera House

23 February 7 March 2026

Another classic movie gets a musical theatre makeover – this time it’s acerbic high school satire Mean Girls, and Faye from Steps is playing the lead. Tina Fey was behind the adaptation to stage so it should please fans of the film. Go for the nostalgia factor, the pop-rock soundtrack, and the iconic lines.

Book tickets

Tyler Childers

8 March

AO Arena

It wasn’t that long ago that country singer Tyler Childers played a basement bar on Oldham Street – now he’s headlining the AO Arena. You don’t achieve that level of meteoric rise unless you’re doing something very special. Watch him hypnotise the crowd with his raw, emotive singing and slick guitar playing. If you like your country music rough around the edges and rooted in rock, folk and Americana, it’s for you.

Book tickets

The Mystery of Banksy: A Genius Mind

Depot Mayfield

13 March to 5 July 2026

It’ll never have the thrill of seeing a Banksy out in the wild but if you’re a fan of the elusive street artist, you’re not going to pass up this chance to see recreations of more than 200 of his works. This ‘unauthorised’ exhibition toured Europe before landing in Manchester so we can safely say it’s worth checking out, even if it has no official links to the man himself.

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TexStyle

Manchester Central

14 and 15 March 2026

We’re all going back to our analogue roots nowadays, with traditional textile skills like knitting, macrame, and weaving enjoying a major revival. If you’re one of those people who get excited by worsted yarn, handcrafted buttons, and the endless possibilities they contain, you’ll love this two-day festival. You can learn new techniques in the workshops, shop suppliers from all over the UK, and chat to fellow yarn-heads over cream teas in the cafe.

Buy tickets