Manchester Jazz Festival (May). A long-running celebration of jazz across intimate city-centre venues.
Parklife Festival (June). A major music festival in Heaton Park drawing global headliners.
Manchester Pride (Late August (bank holiday)). One of the UK's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations, centred on the Gay Village around Canal Street.
Manchester Christmas Markets (November–December). Sprawling continental-style markets across Albert Square and the city centre.
Manchester International Festival (MIF) / Factory International (Summer (biennial, plus year-round Aviva Studios programme)). A world-renowned festival of new commissions in art, music and performance.