Bars and Pubs on Oxford Road
Oxford Road is packed with a great range of bars and pubs where you can get your fill of cocktails, spirits and any other liquor you can think of.
December on Oxford Road
December on the Oxford Road Corridor is filled with festive cheer, but there’s far more to discover this month than Christmas events alone.
From boundary-pushing exhibitions and celebrated speakers to major gigs, opera, cabaret and late-night encounters with art and ideas, the season brings an incredible mix of culture to explore across Manchester’s most creative district. And if you are looking for festive fun, you’ll find plenty of that too — you can browse our full Christmas listings here.
Green Spaces
Oxford Road Corridor has a number of historic parks and contemporary green spaces to enjoy.
Food and Drink on Oxford Road
The food and drink in Manchester is some of the best in the UK with many of the finest offerings found here on the Oxford Road Corridor.
More things to do in December
50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy
Manchester Central Library Until 31 December 2025Explore 50 years of LGBTQ+ history at Central Library with archive stories, artefacts, and community voices celebrating queer hope and joy.
Libraries 175
Manchester Central Library Until 31 December 2025Exhibition at Central Library celebrates 175 years of the Public Libraries Act with Manchester’s rich library heritage on display.
Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat
Manchester Museum Until 22 February 2026Discover Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat at Manchester Museum, a free interactive dinosaur exhibition for visitors of all ages.
TINA – The Tina Turner Musical
Palace Theatre Until 3 January 2026West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, comes to The Palace as part of its first ever UK & Ireland tour.
Freaky Friday
HOME Until 10 January 2026UK stage premiere of the new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films.
Poetry Library Drop In with Supriya Kaur Dhaliwal
Manchester Poetry Library 2 December 2025Book a one-to-one creative session at Manchester Poetry Library to discuss your ideas, writing projects or artistic questions.
Ríoghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet
Manchester Academy 5 December 2025Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet perform their folk-jazz fusion at Manchester Academy. An evening of skilled musicianship and varied styles.
Year’s End Festival 2025
Various Venues 6 December 2025Year’s End Festival returns to The Ritz with The Twang headlining and sets from The Small Fortunes, Pack of Animals, Lizzie Esau and more.
Pre-Christmas Capers with C. K. McDonnell
Blackwell’s Bookshop 11 December 2025Blackwell’s hosts C. K. McDonnell for Ring the Bells — a festive Stranger Times event of chaos, comedy, and Christmas mayhem.
Festive Beats and Seasonal Treats
Renold Building 11 December 2025A festive Venture Café Manchester evening with music, treats, workshops and networking at Sister – Renold Building this December.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Manchester Academy 12 December 2025Black Rebel Motorcycle Club bring their dark, defiant rock to Manchester Academy, performing songs from Wrong Creatures and beyond.
RNCM Big Band with Gareth Lockrane
Royal Northern College of Music 12 December 2025Gareth Lockrane leads RNCM Big Band in a night of soul-jazz, cinematic arrangements, and virtuosic flute alongside student musicians.
The Slow Readers Club
Manchester Academy 13 December 2025Critically acclaimed Manchester band The Slow Readers Club are back on the road with their anthemic post punk songs full of addictive melodies, sing-along choruses and heartfelt lyrics.
Circle Square
Circle Square is an exciting multi-million pound, mixed-use neighbourhood, created on the site of the former BBC building on Oxford Road.
First Street
First Street is a vibrant neighbourhood between Oxford Road and Deansgate, it is home to a number of businesses and is a popular spot for food, drink and culture.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Celebrates Its First Decade Open to the Public
November 2024Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd, Director of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, reflects on the 10-year anniversary of the house being opened to the public
Where to stay
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offers an unforgettable stay on Oxford Road Corridor in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
Hyatt Regency Manchester
Hyatt Regency Manchester is an elegant, modern hotel set in the heart of Oxford Road Corridor.
The Midland Hotel
The Midland Hotel is one of the most famous places to stay in Manchester, and one of Oxford Road Corridor’s most lavishly decorated hotels.
Holiday Inn Express
The Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road is a centrally located hotel that offers visitors great value for money.
Hotel ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street
Hotel ibis on Princess Street offers 126 value for money rooms in a central Manchester location near Oxford Road.