Manchester International Festival 2026
1 Upcoming Event
https://mif.co.uk/ 0161 200 1500
Mix of free and ticketed events. Some immersive shows require advance booking.
About
Manchester International Festival is a biennial festival of original new work — every performance and exhibition is a world premiere, commissioned specifically for the festival. This makes MIF unique among major arts festivals: you won't see these shows anywhere else, at least not first. The programme spans theatre, music, visual art, dance, and immersive experiences, often in unexpected venues — disused buildings, public spaces, and specially constructed environments. Past editions have included commissions from Björk, Maxine Peake, and Marina Abramović. MIF takes place across Manchester in July, with the new Factory International (a major new arts venue designed by Rem Koolhaas) as its permanent home. The festival attracts international attention and positions Manchester as a city that creates culture, not just consumes it.
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