AO Arena, managed and operated by ASM Global, is one of the busiest venues in the world and the largest indoor sporting arena in Europe. Since opening in 1995, the Arena has hosted the biggest names in live entertainment including U2, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Pavarotti. Staging some of the biggest events in the UK sporting calendar including several Commonwealth Games' events, the 2012 Olympic basketball warm-up match between team USA and GB, the 2008 FINA World Swimming Championships and international boxing bouts by Mike Tyson, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe and local champions Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan. The Arena plays a key part in Manchester's rich musical heritage with historic shows by local bands Take That, Oasis, Elbow, New Order, James, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, M People, Doves, The Verve, Simply Red and The Courteeners. Attracting over one million visitors The 23,000 capacity Arena attracts over 1 million guests per year.

Manchester Cathedral has been centre stage in its city’s history for nearly 600 years. In 1421 Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built. In 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this historic church became a Cathedral. The doors are open 7 days a week and the admission is free. Do not miss one of the most interesting churches in the land at the heart of one of the most exciting cities on Earth.

The Bridgewater Hall is Manchester's international concert venue, built to give the best possible space for music. The Hall hosts over 250 performances a year including classical music, rock, pop, jazz, world music and much more. The Hall is home to three resident orchestras: the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. The Hall also programmes its own classical music season, the International Concert Series. The Hall works with a range of promoters and charity hirers on other programming.

Centered around the Canal Street area in Manchester is a thriving gay scene, which offers a plethora of bars, clubs, restaurants and other nighttime venues for gays and straights alike.

Manchester’s Chinatown is one of the largest outside of China. It’s home to shopping and restaurants and is the center of the city’s Chinese community.