Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events and takes place biennially, in Manchester, UK. The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led, commissioning Festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.

The next Festival, MIF15, will take place from 2 - 19 July 2015.

The Festival has now become a major cultural event in the international calendar: an artist-led festival that enables leading international artists to create new work, encouraging local, national and international visitors to Manchester, and providing opportunities for local communities to participate, volunteer and see world-class artists in their city.

Festival events have taken place across Manchester and Salford in a range of established venues including the Palace Theatre, The Bridgewater Hall, the Opera House, The Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Some of the Festival’s free events take place in public spaces, such as Manchester Peace Gardens, MediaCityUK, the Town Hall and Deansgate. Non-traditional venues have also been used, including Manchester Velodrome, an office building in Spinningfields and the Festival’s specially built Pavilion in Albert Square.

Camping: No camping at this event – check out our ‘Find Nearby Hotels’ tab for other options.

Ticket prices (from): Priced per event. Some are Free. Refer to Tickets link for more details.

Artists booked to appear include Gerhard Richter, Arvo Pärt, Björk, Ed Atkins, FKA twigs, Douglas Gordon, Hélène Grimaud, Charlotte Rampling, Nico Muhly, Paris Opera Ballet, Wayne McGregor, Olafur Eliasson, Jamie xx, Maxine Peake, Antony, Justin Fletcher, Arca, Invisible Dot Ltd, Damon Albarn, Rufus Norris, and Moira Buffini. 

Here’s a link to a comprehensive Programme of Events