There’s plenty to keep you busy this Autumn in the city

September 28 – October 9

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival

This nationally acclaimed event is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Alongside the festival hub, which features cookery demos and street food, event highlights include the ‘Big Indie Wine Fest’, a six-course tasting menu from Aiden Byrne and the Manchester Tart Off.

Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA

Tel: 0161 834 1779, www.foodanddrinkfestival.com

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September 28th - October 15th

Orbit Festival

This festival brings together innovative new work from theatre makers across the globe who want to explore our place in the world. Many of these shows come straight from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, exploring our relationship with the past, how we remember, the stories we tell ourselves and what it is that makes us who we are.

Home, Manchester

0161 200 1500 homemcr.org/event/orbit-2017

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October 6 - 20

Manchester Literature Festival

A city wide celebration of the written and spoken word, the festival features an eclectic and packed programme of performances, in conversations, interactive activities for families and walking tours. High profile guests include Maxine Peake, Sarah Millican, Viv Groskop and Alan Hollinghurst.

Various Manchester venues

Tel: 0843 208 0500, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

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October 15

Manchester Half Marathon

One of the flattest and fastest races around, expect to see great times, outstanding crowd support and glorious finishes at Emirates Old Trafford. All finishers will receive a medal and technical t-shirt.

Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX

www.manchesterhalfmarathon.com

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October 17 - 21

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

X-Factor winner Joe McElderry dons the coveted coat in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this musical is full of unforgettable songs.

Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT Tel: 0844 871 3019, www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

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October 19 - 29

Manchester Science Festival

People of all ages can ignite their curiosity in science here. The first headliner is Robots, an exhibition exploring humanity’s 500-year quest to recreate ourselves in mechanised form. It features over 100 robots, from a 16th-century mechanical monk to robots from both science fiction and modern research labs.

Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP

Tel: 0161 606 0169, www.manchestersciencefestival.com

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November 3

Northern Chamber Orchestra with Craig Odgen

A concert featuring the Australian guitarist, Craig Ogden, in a performance of two guitar concerti: The Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez and the premiere of Andy Scott’s concerto written for Craig.

The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1DA

Tel: 0333 130 0967, www.stollerhall.com

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November 15 - 18

The Little Greats

The Little Greats festival from Opera North has something for all. It features six short operas bursting with passion, including Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, L’enfant et les sortilèges, Osud, Trouble in Tahiti and Trial by Jury.

The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays M50 3AZ

Tel: 0843 208 6000, www.thelowry.com

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November 21 - 25

Cilla - The Musical

A new musical adaptation of the hit ITV series, Cilla, telling the story of the teenage girl from Liverpool whose dreams of stardom led to her becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers. The score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s and includes Cilla’s greatest hits.

Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT Tel: 0844 871 3019, www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

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November 25

Hacienda Classical

Dance heritage collides with the world of classical music at this concert. FAC 51’s original DJ partnership Graeme Park and Mike Pickering reinterpret the dance classics which shaped the club scene, alongside Manchester Camerata, conductor Tim Crooks and guests. O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, M12 6AP

Tel: 08444 777 677, www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester