Every genre has made its mark on Manchester in one way or another, and the city continues to be a melting pot of live shows and festivals for all tastes.  

Across 2024, over 30 festivals and day events of all shapes, sizes and genres are booked into the city-region. From pop-punk to classical, up and coming artists to industry legends, there is truly something for everyone.  

Welcome to the North-West's Unmissable Year of Music. 

Described as ‘the biggest night in classical music’, the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards will shine much-needed light on inspirational individuals, groups and initiatives within the classical performance sector. Hosted at the RNCM on 5 March, awards for thirteen categories will be given out to numerous artists, composers and groups. 

Find out more here. 

Radio 6 Music Festival returns to Victoria Warehouse with a huge lineup in March. The station’s flagship live music festival, which is now based permanently in Greater Manchester, will once again feature unique performances not seen anywhere else, new music debuts, unique collaborations and surprise guests.  

Find out more here. 

Manchester’s longest running music festival returns this year with an impressive lineup of established and up-and-coming artists. The Manchester Jazz festival kicks off with a grand opening weekend at First Street and will be running in venues across the city until 26 May. Between 18 April and 26 May, 14 free-to-access pianos will be located around the city so you can show your own musical skills. 

Find out more here. 

The Northern Music Awards (NMAs) are one and only major awards show celebrating the best of music from the North. Hosted at Albert Hall on 23 April, the evening will bring together the biggest stars and rising talent of Greater Manchester and the North. All while raising money for Nordoff Robbins, a music therapy charity based in Manchester, aiming to reduce social isolation and enhance connections for local people. Artists such as Louis Tomlinson, Blossoms and The K’s have been nominated for awards this season.   

Find out more here.

One of the busiest venues in the world and having welcomed on stage some of the biggest names in live entertainment, AO Arena has prepared for an exciting 2024 with a multi-million-pound transformation. This year the likes of Girls Aloud bring their reunion tour to the venue and Thirty Seconds to Mars lead their first headline tour in five years, plus many, many more! 

Find out more here. 

One of the most anticipated venue openings in the city, Co-op Live arrives this year with a spectacular programme of world-renowned artists. Throughout the year you can expect incredible performances from the likes of Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks, Niall Horan and Janet Jackson in what is the UKs largest indoor music arena. 

Find out more here. 

Salford welcomes back its annual celebration of new music and art on Sunday, 5 May. This year’s Sounds From The Other City brings an exciting mix of emerging artists to venues all over the city including Maxwell Hall, Salford Museum & Art Gallery and Peel Hall. 

Find out more here. 

Heaton Park once again becomes the home for the largest metropolitan music festival in the UK between 8 and 9 June. With a packed schedule of artists taking the stage, including Doja Cat, Disclosure and Sugababes, Parklife welcomes thousands of fans to the event every year. 

Find out more here. 

Known as the home of Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford is welcoming American rock bands Foo Fighters and Green Day this June. You can even experience the concerts from the comfort of your own room balcony with the Hotel Experience at Hilton Garden Inn. 

Find out more here.  

Bringing thousands of people together to celebrate leisure time, We Invented the Weekend takes over Salford Quays and MediaCity UK on 15 and 16 June with plenty of musical performances including a headliner presented in collaboration with Unity Radio. 

Find out more here. 

A boutique festival set in the grounds of Walton Hall and Gardens with a great line up of internation house and dance artists. On 22 June, join Soul II Soul, Craig Charles and Rowetta for a day of great music, food and drinks surrounded by the beautiful Walton Hall.  

Find out more here. 

After two years of success, Little Glastonboro is back at Littleborough Cricket Ground on the 22 June. Named one of the best family friendly festivals in Rochdale, it’s a day filled with music, arts, food and drinks and kids entertainment. Combining headline artists, top bands, and local legends as well as hosting a dedicated kids zones and a busting food hall. 

Little Glastonboro 🎵 (@little_glastonboro_) • Instagram photos and videos 

Hardcore pop punk festival Outbreak is back this year at BEC Arena in Stretford. Coming to the city on 28 to 30 June, the weekend festival will see huge artists like Basement, Action Bronson, JPEGMafia and American Football headline. Named ‘the heart and soul of hardcore’ by Huck Magazine, it’s a big date in the diary for hardcore fans across the country.  

Find out more here.

A popular festival amongst music fans in the city, Sounds of the City has previously hosted sold out shows from New Order and Sam Fender at the exciting outdoor stage of Castlefield Bowl. This year will see the venue welcome pop-rock legend Avril Lavigne alongside Simple Plan and The National between 3 and 13 July. 

Find out more here. 

Get ready to (Sham)rock ‘n’ roll as Craic by the Creek will be returning to serve up three days of Irish and Country music from a hidden gem farm. Double-denim wearing pop sensation B*Witched headline the camping festival which is back for a fourth year this summer. The UK’s most authentic Irish & Country Festival attracts more than 3,000 the beauty spot in Stockport, Greater Manchester, from July 19-21. 

Find out more here. 

Dialled In is an artist-led platform showcasing the breadth of South Asian creativity. This year, its hosted at Niamos on 20 July and will host over 30 local artists and DJs. Running from 12 – 10 pm, the day will be filled with workshops, food, music and festivities.  

Find out more here. 

Over the weekend of 26-28 July, one of the most exciting new festivals, Radar, is back for its fourth year in action. Hosted at O2 Victoria Warehouse, join artists like Tesseract, Dirty Loops, The Midnight, Leprous and others for a weekend packed with prog rock, food stalls and drinks. 

Find out more here. 

Firevolt Rock Festival, set in the stunning surroundings of Etherow Country Park, Stockport between 8 and 11 August. Now in its 3rd year has quickly grown its reputation for being one of the friendliest Rock Festivals on the circuit. The two covered stages, with no clashes, showcase bands that are ripping up the scene from Hard, Heavy, AOR, Blues, Alt, NWOCR and some old school Classic Rock Too. 

Find out more here. 

On 10 August, Rochdale Town Hall will be filled with entertainment for the annual Rochdale Feel Good Festival. With headliner act Heather Small, a multi award-winning solo artist and the voice of Brit and Mercury Award winning dance act M People. With more acts to be announced, expect good music, great selection of food stalls and drinks vendors and a great atmosphere. 

Find out more here. 

Having started as a secret barn festival, Moovin has quickly become an August Bank Holiday staple. Stockport’s best kept secret is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Between 23 and 25 August, and will be a weekend full of reggae, drum and bass, funk, house and soul. Artists include Laurent Garnier, Sampha the Great, Souls of Mischief and much more.  

Find out more here. 

Celebrating LGBTQ+ equality, community and culture, the Manchester Pride Festival hosts the annual Gay Village Party during August Bank Holiday weekend. Between 23 and 26 August the party will be on with artists including Loreen, Katy B and Jessie J bringing spectacular performances. 

Find out more here. 

The 109 hectare open parkland in South Manchester is no stranger to hosting a range of year-round leisure and educational opportunities for all ages including a varied programme throughout the year. This summer, New Order will be live from the park on 24 August, joined by Manchester legend Johnny Marr and Roisin Murphy. The very next day, Stockport’s beloved Blossoms will be performing on 25 August, alongside Inhaler, Shed Seven and up and coming Manchester band The K’s. 

Find out more here. 

Raising vital funds for Bury Hospice, the annual Glaston-Bury is back on 26 August. With over 15 stages across Bury that will be filled with local artists and djs, comedians and other performers, it’s set to be an exciting event for a great cause. The family and accessibility-friendly festival promises to be a fun day out for everyone.   

Find out more here. 

The multi-venue day festival Psych Fest is back. With bands playing iconic city centre venues like Albert Hall, O2 Ritz, Projekts MCR Skatepark, Man Met Student Union, Gorilla, YES, Deaf Institute with more to be announced. With artists like The Horrors, BC Camplight, Temples, New Dad and more set to play the city during the day on 31 August. 

Find out more here. 

After an incredible 11-year run at St Mary’s Park in Prestwich, Festwich, the UK’s Biggest Tribute Festival, is embarking on an exciting new chapter by relocating to Heaton Park. Over 31 August and 1 September, tribute experiences for bands like ACDC, Metallica, PINK, Foo Fighters, The Smiths and Joy Division will make their way to Heaton Park for the ultimate tribute festival at an affordable price for the whole family. 

Find out more here.

September sees the start of Warehouse Project’s four-month season for another year. This season is comprised of 10 shows across September to December, with artists like Gorgon City, Annie Mac, Rudimental and much more gracing the 10,000 cap venue Depot Mayfield.  

Find out more here. 

Ashton Cricket Field is welcoming back one of the UK’s best loved tribute festivals. Over 6 and 7 September, tribute experiences for huge artists like Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, New Order and The Killers to name a few will come to Ashton to perform. With plenty of food stalls, bars and traders joining in too.  

Find out more here. 

Immerse yourself in an unparalleled openair concert, set against the backdrop of Barton Airports bustling runway. With three huge shows already announced for September, the first show being pop boy band McFly on 12 September, followed by JLS on the 14 September and finally UB40 on 15 September. With food and drinks stations on site, this unique live music experience in Eccles is not one to be missed. 

Find out more here. 

Over 100 artists will descend on Manchester for one of the most loved music festivals in the city. Taking place across 16 venues, Neighbourhood Festival returns this year bringing with it local and up-and-coming artists including Pale Waves, Corella and Bradley Simpson, as past acts include Sam Fender, Declan McKenna and Yungblud. Your festival wristband will give you access to all venues, such as Albert Hall, The Refuge and the Ritz. 

Find out more here. 

Returning for its second edition, Beyond the Music is a global music conference and festival taking place in venues in and around Manchester between 9 and 12 October. The event brings together music industry professionals from across the world with over 150 artists set to perform across the four days. 

Find out more here. 

The world’s largest music convention and exhibition takes over the city between 23 and 27 October. WOMEX brings together thousands of music professionals from around the world and will host stage performances in some of the city’s most iconic venues. 

Find out more here.  

Previously held in cities across the world, the MTV EMAs take place in Manchester for the first time on Sunday, 10 November. The brand-new Co-op Live hosts the major event, now in its 30th year, that brings together the world’s biggest artists for a celebration of global music. Previous editions have seen performances from Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. 

Find out more here.