Events

Schools Celebration Day

Kick off the holidays with a joyful day of creativity as local schools showcase artwork they have created. Join us for free workshops led by artists, and take part in a range of fun, hands-on activities throughout the day.

Saturday 19 July
11am-3pm
Free, drop-in

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PLAYTIME

This summer, get creative with colour, paint and nature!
Free, drop-in activities for all the family. We are an art gallery open to everyone.

1 – 31 August

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J.M.W Turner-inspired Watercolour Classes

Perfect for beginners through to those refreshing their painting skills, this monthly watercolour workshop hosted by In Demand MCR draws on Turner’s masterful use of light and colour. 

31 July, 28 August, 25 September, 30 October
6-8pm
Tickets from £16

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Reading Circle: Talking Beasts and Trickster Tongues

The Contest of the Fruits at esea contemporary, invites you on a journey across continents and centuries at the Whitworth.

Thursday 21 August
6pm-8pm
Book your free tickets now

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The Grey Area Writing Group & Book Club

The Grey Area is a monthly event for trans and queer writers and book lovers.  

Monthly 
6pm-8.30pm 
Free, booking is essential 

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Manchester Camerata concert
The Angel in the Marble

Manchester Camerata have a reputation for creating stunning musical experiences right here in our very own city.

Thursday 4 September 2025
6.15pm & 8pm
Tickets from £3 to £22.50, booking is essential

Follow this link to find out more and book

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CHAORDIC – One Day Symposium

The CHAORDIC Symposium is a landmark, one-day event that offers key insights into and examines the transformative power and pivotal role of the arts within recovery. It is part of the Recoverist Curators exhibition programme, and links with Portraits of Recovery’s RECOVERIST Month this September.

Thursday, 25 September
9.30am-4pm
Free, booking is essential

Book now >

Sunday Concerts

Free Sunday concerts performed by students from the Royal Northern College of Music in our South Gallery, overlooking Whitworth Park.

Free, drop in

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Family events 

Come and discover, create, learn and play at our family events – all of which are free.

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Natural Cultural Health Service

Discover our programme of activities promoting physical and mental wellbeing – pilates, meditation and more.

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Curator led tour with Darren Pih

Thursday 23 October
5.30pm–6.30pm
Free, booking required, limited capacity

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Curator led tour with Hannah Vollam

Curator led tour of Santiago Yahuarcani: The Beginning of Knowledge with Hannah Vollam
Saturday 15 November
11am–12pm

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Artist in Residence

Join Venture Arts artist Sally Hirst in these free, family-friendly mark-making sessions as she explores the history of textile inventions, inspired by the sounds and movement of textile mills.  

Every Thursday
10am-2pm 
Free, drop in 

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Things to do in the area

Our guide to things to do close to the Whitworth 

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