WHAT'S ON AT WATERSIDE, MANCHESTER
What's On at Waterside, Manchester
Waterside Arts Centre is a thriving venue in the heart of sale, boasting a theatre, studios, art galleries, and workshops. It hosts touring theatre productions, comedy, exhibitions, dance, music, an audience with evenings, family shows, premieres, and numerous classes and opportunities for the local community.
Opening in 2004, Waterside is nestled alongside the Bridgewater Canal on the Waterside Plaza, making it a stunning location. This modern arts venue has a 350 seated theatre and is home to the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive exhibition where you can meet much loved children’s characters including Postman Pat, Danger Mouse, The BFG, Wind In The Willows, Chorlton 7 The Wheelies, and Count Duckula.
Productions, shows and events coming up include the family show The Bear, The Totally Improvised Pantomime, Su Pollard, Far From The Madding Crowd, and Clinton Baptiste. See what’s on at Waterside Arts below and book tickets online.
Waterside Arts Centre is a thriving venue in the heart of sale, boasting a theatre, studios, art galleries, and workshops. It hosts touring theatre productions, comedy, exhibitions, dance, music, an audience with evenings, family shows, premieres, and numerous classes and opportunities for the local community.
Opening in 2004, Waterside is nestled alongside the Bridgewater Canal on the Waterside Plaza, making it a stunning location. This modern arts venue has a 350 seated theatre and is home to the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive exhibition where you can meet much loved children’s characters including Postman Pat, Danger Mouse, The BFG, Wind In The Willows, Chorlton 7 The Wheelies, and Count Duckula.
Productions, shows and events coming up include the family show The Bear, The Totally Improvised Pantomime, Su Pollard, Far From The Madding Crowd, and Clinton Baptiste. See what’s on at Waterside Arts below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Waterside, Manchester
The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths
Waterside
Fri 22 Nov 2024 - Sat 4 Jan 2025
John Lydon - I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Waterside
Thu 16 Oct - Mon 24 Nov 2025
What's On at Waterside, Manchester
Tom Dale Company - Surge VR
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 22 - Saturday 23 November 2024
Come with us to explore the digital re-imagining of live choreography. Â Get up-close and inside a boundless world, defy your senses and immerse yourself in a futuristic landscape. Â Tom Dale Company have developed this VR version of thei...Good Habits
The Chambers
Friday 22 November 2024
Manchester-formed folk duo Bonnie Schwarz (cello + vocals) and Pete Shaw (accordion) mix revved-up virtuosity and harmony with vivid storytelling, drawing on their diverse musical tastes and weaving them into an action-packed narrative of g...The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 22 November 2024 - Saturday 4 January 2025
Ray Harryhausen is known as the mastermind behind some of Hollywood's most iconic cinematic special effects. Inspired by John Walsh's book Ray Harryhausen: The Lost Movies, the exhibition explores the origins of Ray's creative career, with...COMEDYSPORTZ
The Chambers
Saturday 23 November 2024 - Saturday 22 February 2025
You've seen football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen Comedy as a sport? Then you don't want to miss this all ages, all action, all improvised competitive comedy show! Two teams battle it out for laughs with quick-witted gags, games, ...PRISM: Lets Glo UV Family Silent Disco with Our Kids Social
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 23 November 2024
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...The Glass Slippers
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 24 November 2024
EVENT INFORMATIONThe real story... of a girl who is brave, strong, clever and determinded to prove herself.?The real story... about a lonely prince, a new family and sisters who might not be as bad as you think.?The real story... of everyda...Wille Edwards
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 28 November 2024
EVENT INFORMATIONWille Edwards is one Cornwall?s most successful exports an eclectic songwriter, and frontman of internationally acclaimed band Wille and the Bandits. He has toured with the likes of Deep Purple, Status Quo, Joe Bonamassa, t...The Bear
Robert Bolt Theatre
Sunday 1 - Sunday 29 December 2024
Ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a polar bear's lap? Or ride on its back? Have you ever tried to give a bear a bath? Or clear up its poo?! Looking after a bear is exhausting stuff. One night when she's fast asleep, an enormous ...Best of Buzz Comedy
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 7 December 2024 - Saturday 6 September 2025
Waterside's legendary monthly comedy night showcasing new and established talent upstairs in the Old Courtroom Chambers. Buzz Comedy is a long-running, well-respected, and award-winning comedy night fronted since 1989 by the veteran wit...The Totally Improvised Pantomime
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 14 December 2024
Bored of the same pantomimes every year? The ComedySportz team are back this Christmas for more Totally Improvised Pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed this December as the gang create brand-new pantomime adventu...Comedysportz Improvised Panto (Juniors)
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 14 December 2024
EVENT INFORMATIONBored of the same pantomimes every year? The ComedySportz team are back this Christmas for more Totally Improvised Pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed this December as the gang create brand-new ...The Totally Improvised Adult Pantomime
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 21 December 2024
Bored of the same pantomimes every year? The ComedySportz team are back this Christmas for more Totally Improvised Pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed this December as the gang create brand-new pantomime adventu...SALE NOMADS: PUSS IN BOOTS
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 10 - Sunday 19 January 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...Mark Thomas
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 8 February 2025
Jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing song. If you don't know what he does ask your parents. In his time he has won awards (current total is now officially 'fuckloads'), forced a politician to resign, changed laws on tax and ...Groove Onto The Moon
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 9 February 2025
EVENT INFORMATIONStrap in and prepare to blast off on a cosmic adventure like no other as you venture into the thrilling music experience of Groove Onto the Moon!In this fun sci-fi adventure, children aged 3 to 7 and their adventurous grown...Su Pollard
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 18 February 2025
 A night of hilarious laughter, fabulous songs and wonderful stories. For 50 years the legendary Su Pollard has delighted audiences, starring in the nation's best-known TV shows and on stages around the globe in some of the world's most-l...FILM: The Secret Garden
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 19 February 2025
EVENT INFORMATIONA young, recently-orphaned girl is sent to England after living in India all of her life. Once there, she begins to explore her new, seemingly-isolated surroundings, and its secrets. ACCESSIBLE FILMS FOR ALLOur Friendly scr...The Little Prince
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 21 February 2025
Through mesmerising puppetry and beautiful songs the boy who fell to earth teaches his friend the Aviator about love, life and real happiness. Has a sheep on a star eaten a rose?' If that sounds silly then you might be like the King and the...Jack and The Beanstalk
Robert Bolt Theatre
Saturday 22 February 2025
Fee Fi Fo Fum! This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo Theatre treatment so expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow for 5 magic beans and finds hims...Far From The Madding Crowd
Robert Bolt Theatre
Tuesday 4 March 2025
Thomas Hardy's masterpiece about love, class and gender roles is set against the rural landscape of Victorian England and is thrillingly brought to life in a new adaptation by the acclaimed Conn Artists Theatre Company, performed by an ense...Arthur Smith & Clare Ferguson Walker: Two Poets & A Packet of Crisps
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 7 March 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...Angelica Sprocket's Pockets
Robert Bolt Theatre
Sunday 9 March 2025
Based on the Quentin Blake children's book and filled with Folksy Theatre's touch of live music, puppetry, audience interaction and madness, this fun-filled show is the perfect treat for the whole family! Angelica Sprocket lives next door. ...Clinton Baptiste
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 14 March 2025
Solo again, Britain's most celebrated clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights returns with his brand new hilarious one-man stand up show. As well as venturing into the audience to offer his unique spirit readings, Clinton...Shaun Ryder
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 16 March 2025
He's the wild man of rock who became a national treasure. Happy Mondays and Black Grape frontman Shaun Ryder is hitting the road for a new, spoken word tour. The star of more-TV-shows-than-anyone-has-a-right-to-feature-on - including Celeb...Harriet
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 21 March 2025
 Sheffield singer Harriet Robert's sell-out show, Trying To Get The Feeling Again, sees her performing intimate interpretations of her favourite sounds of the 70s, including hits by The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Carole King,...Edy Hurst's Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 21 March 2025
Hark! And Boo! Recent revelations hath shone a torch upon the ancestry of Edy Hurst! What visions await in our dark voyage? And why are the Vengaboys here? The latest bonkers show from the man behind "Edy Hurst's Comedy Version of Jeff Wayn...Romeo & Juliet
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 26 March 2025
EVENT INFORMATION"Two households, both alike in dignity. In broken Belfast, where we lay our scene...?A brand-new adaption set on the streets of Northern Ireland?s capital in 1998 - the year that the Good Friday agreement was signed."From a...That Knave Raleigh
Waterside, Manchester
Monday 31 March 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...Aled Jones
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 3 April 2025
Prepare to hear the original, classical crossover star as you've never heard him before. He was the boy treble who captivated the world with his angelic voice, selling over seven million albums. His recording of Walking in the Air, from ...The Smartest Giant in Town
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 9 - Thursday 10 April 2025
George wishes he wasn't the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it's time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Now he's the smartest giant in town . ....Hari Budha Magar: No Legs No Limits
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 22 April 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...Home Service
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 20 May 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...ADHD Unmasked
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 23 May 2025
? Book Now We?ve made some changes to our Box Office system and things may look a little different. The great news is we have removed booking fees from all ticket purchases. ...John Hegley - Biscuit of Destiny
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 30 May 2025
Luton performance poet, comedian, musician and songwriter John Hegley presents his hour-long award-awarded 2022 Edinburgh show, with John Keats's hobby horse, elephant drawings and a teacher who made a word of difference. Yes, it took only ...The Manfreds
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 5 June 2025
The '60s group Manfred Mann is now considered, more than ever, one of the finest and most respected bands from that era. Their numerous hits were R&B based with an undercurrent of jazz - a very unusual but winning combination of playing sty...Something About Lennon - The John Lennon Story
Robert Bolt Theatre
Thursday 26 June 2025
Imagine a show that tells the story of one of popular music's most iconic figures in a totally unique way. A tale of controversy, genius, politics and protest, Something About Lennon charts John's story from the breakup of The Beatles to h...Kerry Ellis
Robert Bolt Theatre
Friday 26 September 2025
 Kerry Ellis is the Queen of the West End. From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre's biggest roles, making shows her own and earning ...John Lydon - I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 16 October - Monday 24 November 2025
He's a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon - aka Johnny Rotten - changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a poli...Nik Kershaw
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 9 November 2025
One of the most popular pop stars and talented songwriters of the '80s is ready to look back with an intimate evening to coincide with the release of his new book. Expect songs, stories, and silliness from one of the nation's most-loved per...How to get to Waterside, Manchester
Waterside Frequently Asked Questions
1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF
The nearest carpark to Waterside Arts is Q Park Waterside.
Waterside ticket holders can claim a 20% discount by requesting a ticket upon entry to the car park and showing it to the Waterside box office.
Sale metrolink tram stop is just across the road.
The theatre capacity at Waterside is 350.
If you lose your tickets for seated events at Waterside, you can request replacements to be printed out for collection on the day of the performance (ID required upon collection). This service will be charged per ticket.
For further ticket information you can contact Waterside team for further information.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from Waterside Box Office, they open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm.
Alternatively, you can see what's on and book online here.
When we know of a duration of a show, we add it to the description of the show on our event pages. For example, on our Wicked event page, after the description of the show we have added the duration of the show in large capital letters. If the time isn't listed, we do not have the information yet. We update our pages daily so it maybe a case of knowing closer to the performance itself, so keep checking.
Please click here for more information on accessibility at Waterside Arts.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to Waterside, please click here for more contact information.
If you have lost an item during a visit to Waterside Arts, click here to contact the venue.
Waterside Arts Centre can welcome you to their Sup Bar & Coffee House.
There are also eateries at Watersale Plaza.
With loads of great places to eat in Manchester and decent pre-theatre menus, you should check out our Manchester Restaurant site here!
Sup Bar & Coffee House within Waterside arts is a great place for a re show drink.
There are also bars on Waterside Plaza.
Manchester is full of great bars and pubs and some decent ones close to the venue. check out our Manchester Bar site here!
Either use the map at the side of the FAQ section as it has all types of accomodation or click here for hotels in Manchester
You can also check out the recommended local accomodation by Waterside Arts.
If you need further information, you can contact the Waterside team directly.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the Waterside and all other venues in Manchester and the local region. Feel free to contact us if you need more help though and we'll do our best to support you.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Waterside, Manchester
The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths
Waterside
Fri 22 Nov 2024 - Sat 4 Jan 2025
John Lydon - I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Waterside
Thu 16 Oct - Mon 24 Nov 2025
