What's On in Manchester
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Wednesday in Manchester is pulling out all the stops, with a lineup that careens joyfully from underwater wonders to alt-country magic, vintage rock royalty to a pound-a-ticket comedy riot. Whether you are six years old with your nose pressed against a shark tank or standing in a packed theatre watching a legend command a stage, the city has got something to make this midweek feel anything but ordinary. Get out there.
Highlights

Sea Life Manchester - Standard Entry — Kick off your Wednesday morning beneath the waves at Sea Life Manchester, where rays glide overhead, seahorses drift past in their unhurried way, and the ocean feels thrillingly close. It is a brilliant pick for families or anyone who fancies swapping the city streets for something a little more otherworldly before lunch. Doors open at 10:00am — check the website for pricing and to secure your slot.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton — Few songwriters carry the kind of weight Elvis Costello does — decades of restless, brilliant music that refuses to sit still in any one genre — and seeing him live at the gorgeous Palace Theatre Manchester is the sort of night you will be telling people about for years. With Charlie Sexton along for the ride, the musicianship on that stage is going to be staggering. Showtime is 6:00pm, so check the website for tickets before they are gone.

Sierra Ferrell — Sierra Ferrell is one of those artists who makes you wonder how you ever got along without her — a wandering, genre-bending talent whose music weaves old-time country, folk, and bluegrass into something that feels ancient and entirely fresh all at once. Manchester Academy at 7:00pm is the perfect room for her storytelling voice to fill, and this is the kind of gig that sells out fast for very good reason. Tickets via the website — do not sleep on this one.

The Comedy Chaos Gameshow || Creatures Comedy Club — For just £1, Creatures Comedy Club is offering a full-blown gameshow-style comedy night where anything can happen and almost certainly will — this is unpredictable, audience-involving fun at a price that makes saying no feel genuinely absurd. Starting at 7:00pm, it is the perfect warm-up to a big night or a brilliantly low-stakes evening out in its own right. Grab a ticket, bring a friend, and prepare to lose it.
The Comedy Circus | Stage And Radio — Stage And Radio is one of Manchester's most characterful comedy spots, and The Comedy Circus promises exactly the kind of lively, unpredictable evening that the name suggests. Starting at 7:00pm, it is a great shout if you want to discover new voices and enjoy the electric atmosphere of a room genuinely willing to be surprised. Check the website for tickets and details.

LAUGH THERAPY || Creatures Comedy Club — If the earlier gameshow has warmed you up nicely, stick around at Creatures Comedy Club for Laugh Therapy at 8:30pm — a bargain at £4 and exactly the kind of late-evening comedy fix that turns a midweek night into a proper occasion. Think of it as the cure for the working week, administered by people who have made it their business to make you howl. Your prescription is waiting.
Full listings
| Event | Venue | Time | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Music | |||||
| Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton | Palace Theatre Manchester | 6:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Sierra Ferrell | Manchester Academy | 7:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| Comedy | |||||
| The Comedy Circus | Stage And Radio | 7:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |
| The Comedy Chaos Gameshow || Creatures Comedy Club | Creatures Comedy Club | 7:00pm | £1 | Tickets | |
| LAUGH THERAPY || Creatures Comedy Club | Creatures Comedy Club | 8:30pm | £4 | Tickets | |
| General | |||||
| Sea Life Manchester - Standard Entry | SEA LIFE Manchester | 10:00am | Check website | Tickets | |