9 events in Northern Quarter this week. Discover gigs, comedy, workshops, markets, and more with TownSpot.

What's On in Northern Quarter | Things To Do | TownSpot

A guided meditation session, led by experienced meditators and open to anyone. Just drop-in, no need to book. The class is held here in the Centre's Lotus Hall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/lunchtime-meditation/2026-06-02/

Lunchtime Meditation

Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DZ, UK

Sit quietly for 45 minutes. No phones, no pressure, no breakthroughs. Just boredom. Meeting in silence isn’t a new idea. We’re just sitting. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/do-nothing-club-tickets-1983255177624

🧘 Do Nothing Club

Altogether Otherwise, 6-10 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4BB, UK

Join us for a collaborative workshop exploring 'zhizha', the traditional Chinese practice of crafting bamboo and paper sculptures. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/to-build-a-bamboo-world-workshop-with-sophie-mak-schram-tickets-1990868513316

🎋 ‘To Build a Bamboo World’ Workshop With Sophie Mak-Schram

esea contemporary, 13 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU, UK

A journaling sewing club! A yarn club guided by the moon and seasons. Bring your current project and a notebook. All yarn crafts and levels welcome! Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen. Where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-stitching-circle-tickets-1801368554839

🧵 The Stitching Circle

Piccadilly Records hosts Beth Orton at Night & Day around The Ground Above, her raw new record of survival, renewal, motherhood and identity.

Piccadilly Records Presents: Beth Orton

Night & Day Cafe, 26 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN, UK

The Bad Plus bring their 2026 farewell tour to Band on the Wall, with Reid Anderson, Dave King, Ben Monder and Chris Speed revisiting the group’s adventurous modern jazz catalogue.

The Bad Plus - Late Show

Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, UK

STELLS brings Finn McCorry to the SOUP basement for a late session rooted in UK garage, house, grime, Baltimore and Jersey club.

STELLS presents: Finn

SOUP, 31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF, UK

If you’ve always wanted to paint with watercolours but have never been quite sure where to start, this is the perfect opportunity. Groups are small with no more than 4 people. I provide all materials and reference. £85. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/watercolour-painting/

Watercolour Workshop for Beginners

Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Manchester M4 5JD, UK

Craft & Chat with us! Bring along a project that you’re working on, chat with others and share your creativity. A queer-friendly and inclusive safe space. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/news/craft-chat-club/

Craft & Chat Club

Welcoming all musicians/singers to jam with the band - just chat to the band leader! Every 1st Monday of the month sees our resident Blues band, fronted by the fantastic Franny Eubank, take to the stage for a night of music like no other. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/may-2026/blues-jam

Blues Jam

Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, 64 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LW, UK

Altogether Otherwise is a place where things always happen—where making, doing, and shared endeavour are all part of the fun. We run workshops, create things, and keep the Hobby House buzzing with activity. No end goals, no pressure, just a space to tinker, try, and enjoy the simple joy of doing. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-and-writing-club-tickets-1232919378049

📖 Reading and Writing Club

We have a New Club! Every other Friday afternoon we are The Zine Club, here at Altogether Otherwise. A very informal meet up where we browse, swap, make and chat about zines. Come along, bring what you are working on or bring nothing at all! Just Join In. FREE. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-zine-club-tickets-1982682572948

📓 The Zine Club

A free Night & Day DJ session from Happy Sticks, moving through Paradise Garage disco, Chicago house, Detroit techno, street soul, downtempo and rare groove.

N&D DJ's // Happy Sticks

Manchester Earth Sangha Kula offers a monthly outdoor meditation session open to all. Join us here at the Centre at 2 pm and we’ll head into the city for a street meditation lasting around forty five minutes before we have a cuppa together. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/manchester-earth-sangha/2026-04-11/

Manchester Earth Sangha Gathering

A late SOUP basement night from Abantu and Piano In City, built around Amapiano and club sounds from the wider African dancefloor.

Abantu x Piano In City

We are open on the 2nd Sunday of the month in conjunction with the Northern Quarter Maker’s Market! Visitors can browse and buy from our makers in person, see the products being made, commission something special, or simply relax and take in the beautiful surroundings of our Victorian market building. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/news/sundays/

Sundays at Manchester Craft & Design Centre

Join fashion illustrator and clothes designer Nicola Sutcliffe for a fashion illustration workshop! Escape into the world of fashion illustration, develop your drawing skills, and explore new techniques! All materials provided along with a complimentary drink. £60. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/fashion-illustration/

Fashion Illustration Workshop

Welcoming all musicians/singers to jam with the band - just chat to the band leader! Every 2nd Monday of the month sees M&P’s become an unmatched nucleus of all things Jazz for both local musicians and visitors. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/june-2026/jazz-jam

Jazz Jam

Create your unlimited beaded bracelet stack using a curated collection of reclaimed beads. Join us in creating jewellery that celebrates both beauty and sustainability. All materials will be provided. Suitable for those aged 18 and over. £25. More info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bottomless-bracelets-workshop-tickets-1987985204261

Bottomless Bracelets Workshop

Saan1, 5 Kelvin St, Manchester M4 1ET, UK

Come and swap your plants, seeds or cuttings, grow your collection and meet up with other plant lovers. If you don’t have a plant to swap – don’t worry! We’ll have plenty of extras to give away to get your collection started. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/news/plant-swaps/

Plant Swaps

Checkin is a monthly in-person meet-up to chat about how things are going in our meditation and Buddhist practice, and to be part of the Manchester Young Buddhist community. It's completely informal and you don't need any prior experience to attend. More info: https://manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk/whats-on/youngbuddhistscheckin-3/2026-05-18/

Young Buddhists Group: Checkin

Welcoming all musicians/singers to jam with the band - just chat to the band leader! The New Orleans Jam sees our little jazz club filled with the blaring brass, Rhythm and Blues, Second Line Grooves, Street Beats, Funk, Rock’n’Roll, and Rhumba of New Orleans. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/january-2026/new-orleans-jam

🎷 New Orleans Jam

Do you have any unwanted or underused craft materials you’d like to swap for something else? Then join us on the last Saturday of the month from 12pm – 1pm where you can donate your craft materials, explore new craft mediums and meet like-minded craft folk. More info: https://www.craftanddesign.com/news/craft-swap/

Craft Swap

Welcoming all musicians/singers to jam with the band - just chat to the band leader! Every 4th Monday of the month, House band Dreamer take to the stage to invite musicians to join them in filling M&P’s with the very best Funk, Soul, and Disco from across the decades. FREE. More info: https://mattandphreds.com/january-2026/all-star-jam

What's On in the Northern Quarter

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