Updated October 13th

We’re just about to update the list (expected in an hour or so) but thought you might like to hear BBC radio’s programme about the Manchester Food & Drink Festival on BBC iPlayer

1. A stunning show comes to the Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 12th October. The Houston Symphony Orchestra accompanied by a huge screen showing HD images of our Solar System.

2. Recorders at Manchester City Art Gallery is a major new exhibition in which the artworks can sense the visitors and react accordingly. This really is an exhibition with a difference and a must see.

3. Dr Faustus conjures up a fantasy world where the Devil and God are all too real. Spectacular stuff at the Royal Exchange theatre

4. Manchester Comedy Festival starts on October 8th. Highlights aplenty but one that has caught our eye is The Boy With Tape on His Face

5. The John Ruskin inspired Unstable States at Whitworth Art Gallery explores watercolour artists and their interpretation of water

6. Canadian folk band Genticorum are not exactly a household name but we cannot recommend them highly enough. They play at the Bury Met on Friday 8th October. You will not be able to keep still.

7. It’s an old friend to most of us but with thousands of new students in town, The Northern Quarter is a must for residents old and new. Highlights include Piccadillly Records (Mark Ronson takes over Piccadilly Records from 5pm on Saturday October 2nd), This & That cafe and the original Odd bar

8. CAMRA has developed 5 Pub Staggers to show off Manchester’s enviable Real Ale selections and, LOOKING AHEAD, The Great Northern Beer Festival is at The Palace Hotel from October 27th to November 1st

9. Take a trip to the moon or meet the pirates in the Museum of Science and Industry’s 4D theatre

10. The Manchester Weekender (1-3 October) is the result of some rather excellent thinking from Creative Tourist. They decided to ask eight museums and galleries to get together with some of the city’s other cultural events and get everyone to work together to create one very special weekend

BONUS: It’s in Huddersfield rather than Manchester but this is probably worth a visit