Chinese New Year, Jan or Feb, China Town (around Faulkner Street) is turned in to a carnival of colour and noise culminating in an impressive fireworks display
Manchester International Short Film Festival, late Feb-early Mar (website: www.kinofilm.org.uk)
Manchester Irish Festival, Mar, celebrates all things Irish in Manchester (website: www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk)
Manchester International Festival, Jun-Jul, biennial festival celebrating the city, its popular culture, music and the arts (website: www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com)
Manchester Jazz Festival, Jul, wide-ranging international jazz festival (website: www.manchesterjazz.com)
Manchester International Caribbean Carnival, Aug, includes a procession made up of steel bands, floats with DJs and colourful dance troupes, as well as stalls selling traditional Caribbean food, drink and handicrafts, Alexandra Park in Moss Side (website: www.manchestercarnival.com)
Manchester Pride, Aug Bank Holiday weekend, carnival parade as well as live music and comedy acts on the main stage, Gay Village (website: www.manchesterpride.com)
Dpercussion Festival, Aug, renowned popular music festival in the Castlefield area by the canal (website: www.dpercussion.com)
Manchester Comedy Festival, Nov, 11-day event that puts on a packed programme of comedy including big names acts as well as new talent (website: www.manchestercomedyfestival.com)
Manchester European Christmas Markets, Nov-Dec, daily European markets take over Albert Square, St Ann's Square and Exchange Street selling a variety of unusual Christmas gifts and glühwein (hot mulled wine)