Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offers an unforgettable stay on Oxford Road Corridor in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
Things to do on Oxford Road, Mancheser
A vibrant nightlife and home to many of the city’s most iconic music venues, theatre spots and high-end cultural offerings such as the Whitworth, HOME and RNCM.
With one of the most concentrated, diverse and distinctive collections of cultural attractions in the UK, there are always things to do on the Oxford Road Corridor. Home to many of Manchester’s iconic music venues, auditoriums and exhibition spaces, Oxford Road also has a vibrant night-life and an abundance of cafés, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the beautiful architecture and significant landmarks and memorials are a number of historic parks and contemporary green spaces to discover.
Oxford Road Corridor’s love affair with live music dates back as far as 1858 when Sir Charles Hallé formed Manchester’s symphony orchestra at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. Fast forward to 1966 and the Free Trade Hall would become part of musical history again when Bob Dylan was famously heckled for going electric. Ten years later the Sex Pistols played the “gig that changed the world”. Punk was born with Joy Division, The Fall, Magazine and The Smiths, not far behind.
With over six million items from across the world, spanning over four floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries, Manchester Museum (reopening in Feb 2023) is an extraordinary space with a vast collection dating back as far as the early 1800’s. South of the museum and transformed by a £15 million development is the Whitworth, the first English gallery in a park, providing contemporary exhibition programmes that have gained global attention.
At the opposite end of the Oxford Road Corridor, presenting the most diverse, contemporary and challenging visual art, cinema and theatre in the region is HOME Manchester, who have specialisms in artist film, performance and participation.
The area is steeped in literary history, with the life and works of both Anthony Burgess and Elizabeth Gaskell immortalised here alongside iconic venues like Manchester Central Library and contemporary spaces like Manchester Poetry Library.
Latest Exhibitions
The transformation of the Pankhurst Centre exhibition space is incredible thanks to its new permanent exhibition, At Home with the Pankhurst Family.
HOME’s Manchester Open returns in 2024. Greater Manchester’s largest open art exhibition will showcase the work of nearly 500 artists.
40 Years of the Future: Painting welcomes back five artists who exhibited as part of Castlefield Gallery’s 1984 inaugural programme.
Matthew Bamber explores themes of memory and trauma, greed and power, queerness, and identity in his work.
Over 80 of Shirley Craven’s bold abstract textiles are displayed together for the first time in over 60 years alongside newly acquired works.
Home Run – is a group exhibition showcasing works by Manchester-based artists Jack Berry, Jasper Cheng and Beth Murray.
Show Me The World Mister is a solo exhibition by Ayo Akingbade comprising two new film commissions.
The spring begins with the first major retrospective exhibition of Caribbean British artist and poet John Lyons.
Join Manchester Museum for a celebration of Africa Day, Curated by Cultureville, where history, culture, and creativity converge.
Wild is an exhibition that explores our relationship with the natural world and unique approaches to environmental recovery.
An exhibition from artists Jeffrey Knopf, Theo Simpson and Hope Strickland – a sculptor, a photographer and artist-filmmaker.
Latest Gigs & Concerts
Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra and of Opéra National de Lyon, Daniele Rustioni returns to the Hallé.
John Storgårds conducts The BBC Philharmonic in an evening of Nordic Noir featuring Lotta Wennäkoski, Sibelius and Bruckner.
Nine Nights TV bring Jamz Supernova, Kings of Amapiano, Prido, Obeka, Me Gusta Collective and SHEwillprovidee to The Pink Room.
Ralph Corrigan conducts Manchester Wind Orchestra in an evening of classics, including Gregson’s Piano Concerto.
Kahchun Wong, incoming Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Hallé returns to conduct Fauré’s contemplative Requiem in a special post-work Rush Hour concert.
Expect scintillating tapestries of old-school rap with, soul, jazz and proggy psychedelia ad Shabazz Palaces visit YES.
Scottish indie pop darlings Camera Obscura are out on tour for the first time in five years and new music is on its way.
Experience the vibrant gamelan music from West Java, Indonesia in a concert that features a variety of classical and contemporary pieces.
In this audio-visual live concert, musicians and composers turn to the painter’s immense canvases for inspiration, reimagining them through sound and light.
Hurray for the Riff Raff will bring folk rock story-telling and soulful vocals to Deaf Institute this May.
Echobelly brings alternative rock vibes to Gorilla this May, promising a night of indie melodies and nostalgic 90s hits.
A moving musical performance, transforming The Deaf Institute venue into a space for connection. An MJF Trailblazer.
Part of Manchester Jazz Festival
Latest Theatre
The sensational new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, comes to Manchester.
This striking world première is inspired by the extraordinary experiences of deaf people living with dementia.
Drawing on the personal narratives of its company of refugee actors, Tender explores the true cost of the migration journey for young people.
HOME is excited to announce a brand new co-production musical Frankie Goes to Bollywood, coming to Manchester in Summer 2024.
Playful and poignant, full of pride and paradox, From England with Love plays like a ‘Dear John’ letter… a farewell note to old England
Wicked the smash-hit theatre show is coming to Manchester’s Palace Theatre in November 2024 as part of a UK tour.
Latest Literature Events
Blackwell’s present George the Poet in conversation with Okechukwu Nzelu for the launch of the ground-breaking new memoir Track Record.
Festival of Libraries celebrates the role that Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries play in wellbeing, culture, creativity and more.
Get the latest news from Oxford Road in your inbox
Where to stay
All you need to know now is where you are going to stay. There are plenty of hotels on the Oxford Road Corridor which cater for all tastes and budgets.
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.
The Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road is a centrally located hotel that offers visitors great value for money.
Hotel ibis on Princess Street offers 126 value for money rooms in a central Manchester location near Oxford Road.
Latest News
Stay up to date with the latest news from Oxford Road Corridor.
Ahead of the Universally Mancheser Festival, Dr. Julian Skryme reflects on The University of Manchester’s community engagement.
Tom Grieve looks at what makes audiences return year after year, how ¡Viva! has evolved and what the future holds for the festival.
Jonathan Schofield explores the fascinating shared history of Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester.