What’s On in Manchester & the North West 2026: Live Music & Events
Posted on Tuesday 28th April 2026 at 16:00
Written by
Will Rabjohns
What's On in Manchester & the North West 2026
Looking for the best live events happening across Manchester and the North West in 2026? From major arena tours and city-centre gigs to festivals and one-off shows, this guide highlights the standout experiences coming to the region, and where to catch them!
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Major concerts and tours coming to Manchester and the North West
- Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
- Regional highlights from Manchester and Liverpool to Cumbria and Cheshire
- A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar
Main gigs & tours coming to Manchester & the North West
SIMON BRODKIN: UNLEASHED
STAND-UP TOUR 2026/27
When: Friday 11th December 2026 & Wednesday 17th February 2027 (O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester & Liverpool Philharmonic Hall)
Simon Brodkin brings Unleashed to the North West with a sharp new stand-up show packed with character, chaos and cutting comedy.
ALTERED IMAGES
PLAYING THE ICONIC ALBUM 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'
When: Tuesday 15th & Thursday 24th September 2026 (Band on the Wall, Manchester & Old Fire Station, Carlisle)
Clare Grogan and her band celebrate the iconic Happy Birthday album in full, bringing classic new wave sparkle to the North West.
PETE & BAS
When: Sunday 11th October 2026 (New Century, Manchester)
The viral UK rap duo bring their sharp, tongue-in-cheek lyricism and high-energy live show to New Century, Manchester this autumn.
JALEN NGONDA
DOCTRINE OF LOVE TOUR + BROOKE COMBE
When: Tuesday 3rd November 2026 (Manchester Academy, Manchester)
One of modern soul’s standout voices, Jalen Ngonda heads to Manchester with rich vocals, classic songwriting and a timeless live sound.
PAPA ROACH
RISE OF THE ROACH + SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Friday 6th November 2026 (Co-op Live, Manchester)
Papa Roach bring their arena-sized anthems and explosive rock show to Manchester as part of the Rise Of The Roach tour.
A League Of Their Own
LIVE TOUR 2026
When: Friday 4th & Saturday 5th September 2026 (M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool & AO Arena, Manchester)
The hit sports comedy panel show heads on tour, bringing big laughs, special guests and fan-favourite moments to arenas across the North West.
JOSHUA IDEHEN
+ SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Tuesday 10th & Thursday 12th November 2026 (New Century, Manchester & Arts Club Liverpool)
Poet, performer and genre-blurring artist Joshua Idehen brings his acclaimed live show to Manchester and Liverpool this November.
UB40 FEAT. ALI CAMPBELL
THE BIG LOVE TOUR + SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Sunday 6th December 2026 (Co-op Live, Manchester)
UB40 feat. Ali Campbell bring The Big Love Tour to Manchester for a night of reggae classics, singalong favourites and feel-good hits.
DEF LEPPARD
LIVE 2026 WITH SPECIAL GUEST EXTREME
When: Monday 6th July 2026 (Co-op Live, Manchester)
British rock icons Def Leppard return with a major UK arena tour, stopping at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
More events & musical moments across the North West
Beyond the headline tours, the North West’s calendar is packed with festivals, special events, comedy and grassroots shows across the region.
Neighbourhood Weekender 2026
RICHARD ASHCROFT, BLOSSOMS, KAISER CHIEFS & MORE
When: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May 2026 (Victoria Park, Warrington)
HOT WHEELS STUNT SHOW
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June 2026 (Co-op Live, Manchester)
NO PLAY FESTIVAL
PEST CONTROL, SPACED, LIQUID MIKE & LOADS MORE
When: Saturday 5th September 2026 (Various Liverpool Venues, Liverpool)
The Wonderful World of P.Louise
When: May - December 2026 (P.Louise Make Up Academy, Stockport)
Step into an immersive beauty experience at P.Louise HQ, featuring themed events, masterclasses and exclusive live experiences across the year.
JEFF WAYNE'S MUSICAL VERSION OF THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
LIVE! THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE!
When: Saturday 31st October 2026 (Blackpool Opera House, Blackpool)
AN EVENING WITH EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER
WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS
When: Monday 8th February 2027 (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall)
Looking for even more upcoming dates? Browse a wider selection of events across the region below.
See more events in Manchester & the North West
Festivals
- Could Be Real Tribute Festival 2026 — Friday 19th June 2026 (Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington)
- Daresbury Festival 2026 — Saturday 20th June 2026 (Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington)
- Infest 2026 — Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd August 2026 (University of Manchester Students' Union, Manchester)
- Rossendale Ska, Punk & Mod Fest 2026 — Sunday 30th August 2026 (St. Mary's Chambers, Rossendale)
Live shows, tours & events
- Jonathan Van Ness — Thursday 21st May 2026 (Albert Hall, Manchester)
- The Human League — Friday 22nd May 2026 (Victoria Park, Warrington)
- Calum Scott — Wednesday 27th May 2026 (AO Arena, Manchester)
- Billy Ocean — Friday 29th May 2026 (Leigh Sports Village, Manchester)
- BAFTA Games in Concert — Sunday 7th June 2026 (Aviva Studios (The Hall), Manchester)
- The Wonderful World of P.Louise — February - December 2026 (P Louise Make Up Academy, Stockport)
- CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso — Monday 31st August 2026 (O2 Apollo Manchester)
- A League Of Their Own — Friday 4th & Saturday 5th September 2026 (M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool & AO Arena, Manchester)
- Lottery Winners — Saturday 30th May 2026 (Leigh Sports Village, Manchester)
- Texas Is The Reason — Sunday 31st May 2026 (Academy 2, Manchester)
- An Evening with David Sedaris — Monday 6th July 2026 (The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester)
- The Drifters — Friday 10th, Thursday 23rd & Thursday 30th July 2026 (St. Mary's Chambers, Rossendale, Chester Cathedral & The Monastery, Manchester)
- The Bluetones Acoustic Show — Saturday 11th July 2026 (St. Mary's Chambers, Rossendale)
- Psychic Sally — Friday 11th September 2026 (The Sands Centre, Carlisle)
- Dance Gavin Dance — Wednesday 9th September 2026 (Manchester Academy)
- Mark Chadwick (Levellers) — Friday 18th September 2026 (St. Mary's Chambers, Rossendale)
- Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks — Tuesday 22nd & Saturday 26th September 2026 (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool & Opera House, Manchester)
- The Wonder Stuff + Inspiral Carpets — Friday 2nd & Saturday 31st October 2026 (O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester & Olympia, Liverpool)
- Don Broco — Saturday 3rd October 2026 (Mountford Hall, Liverpool)
- Walter Trout — Wednesday 7th October 2026 (Old Fire Station, Carlisle)
- The Blow Monkeys — Sunday 11th October 2026 (The Stoller Hall, Manchester)
- Tyber & Pete from The Dualers — Saturday 10th October 2026 (Academy 3, Manchester)
- Textures — Friday 23rd October 2026 (Academy 3, Manchester)
- The Five Hundred — Friday 23rd October 2026 (Star and Garter, Manchester)
- Foy Vance — Sunday 25th October 2026 (Albert Hall, Manchester)
- Gipsy Kings by André Reyes — Monday 9th November 2026 (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool)
- London Symphonic Rock Orchestra — Wednesday 11th & Thursday 26th November 2026 (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall & The Sands Centre, Carlisle)
- Young Knives — Thursday 19th November 2026 (Old Fire Station, Carlisle)
- Goldie Lookin Chain — Thursday 22nd October & Thursday 12th November 2026 (New Century, Manchester & Camp & Furnace, Liverpool)
- Chameleons - Home Is Where The Heart Is 2026 — Saturday 5th December 2026 (New Century, Manchester)
- Charlotte Wessels - The Obsession — Sunday 7th February 2027 (Manchester Club Academy, Manchester)
- The Dubliners Encore — Tuesday 30th March 2027 (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool)
Regional highlights — Where to go in the North West
Manchester
Arena-scale shows at Co-op Live and AO Arena, alongside a thriving mid-size and grassroots scene across venues like O2 Apollo, Albert Hall and Gorilla.
Liverpool
A key touring stop for UK and international acts, with iconic venues ranging from The Cavern Club to the art deco-style Grade II listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
Lancashire, Cheshire & Cumbria
From open-air festivals to intimate gig venues like St. Mary's Chambers, these areas offer standout one-off dates and regional events worth travelling for.
Browse events by town or city:
MANCHESTER | LIVERPOOL | BLACKPOOL | WARRINGTON | PRESTON | STOCKPORT | CARLISLE | SALFORD | CUMBRIA | CHESTER | CREWE
Need to know — Manchester & North West events
When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues.
Which venues should I keep an eye on?
Co-op Live and AO Arena for major tours, O2 Apollo and Academy venues for headline shows, and a wide range of theatres and clubs across the region.
Are there festivals in the North West in 2026?
Yes, the region hosts a mix of city-based festivals and outdoor summer events featuring both touring and emerging artists.
Ready to explore more live events in the North West?
Find all upcoming gigs, tours and festivals across Manchester, Liverpool and beyond.