From talks to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme to family-friendly pop up performances, The Quays has a range of events this season.

Greater Manchester’s waterfront destination, The Quays has announced its autumn/winter programme.

Among the events taking place will be December’s Lightwaves 2016, where artists design light displays to illuminate The Quays in the run up to Christmas.

IWM (Imperial War Museums) North will also be marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

There’s also Salford’s annual Food & Drink Festival and the Salford Music Festival plus an array of theatre productions and artisan food and craft markets.

The Quays in Greater Manchester is considered one of the Northwest’s best cultural, sporting and leisure destinations.

Housed within one square mile, all of its attractions are within easy walking distance.

Experience the award-winning IWM North with its range of exhibitions, tours and family activities.

Marking the 100 year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, the museum will hosts a series of free talks where visitors can discover details of real life stories from individuals who experienced the landmark battle.

These include: Behind the Lines on 19 September; New Technologies on 24 October and Famous Names on 28 November.

In Conversation: Wayne Hemingway and Lucy Siegle on Fashion and Sustainability will be held on 5 October.

FashionontheRation

Fashion on The Ration: 1940s Street Style

Drawing on issues raised by IWM North’s major special exhibition, Fashion on The Ration: 1940s Street Style, fashion designer Wayne Hemingway and journalist and author Lucy Siegle discuss fashion and sustainability.

They will be taking lessons from the Second World War as a starting point to discuss modern challenges and modern solutions.

A waterside venue housing theatres, galleries, a restaurant, cafe and bar, The Lowry offers visitors the chance to enjoy the very best in visual art and performance.

And this season is no exception with activities and events based around animals, conservation and movement to fit in with this year’s theme, Wild Time.

Some of the cast of Wind in the Willows at The Lawry at The Quay, Greater Manchester

Julian Fellowes’ Wind in the Willows is part of the programme

Star performances include The Wind in the Willows, Stick Man and Flying The Nest.

The Lowry is also hosting an array of family-friendly pop-up performances, activities and workshops as part of the Family Arts Festival, which runs from 22-30 October.

This aims to bring a wide variety of arts activities and events to families across the UK.

Other seasonal highlights include Pride & Prejudice and National Ballet of China.

Quays Culture launch Lightwaves 2016 as part of its winter wonder; following on from the success of Lightwaves 2015, Lightwaves 2016 will illuminate The Quays once more.

Featuring a brand new large-scale commission, exciting new work from emerging artists, presentations of incredible work from across the globe, and exciting workshops, Lightwaves 2016 will run from 9-18 December.

Salford’s annual Food and Drink Festival returns between 15-23 October, featuring local produce, tasty treats, events and offers from the city’s finest restaurants and bars.

Salford Music Festival will take place from 29September-1 October.

This popular event features three days of live music with over 150 acts playing across the city, plus it’s free.

Lowry Bridge, The Quays, Greater Manchester

Lowry Bridge. Credit: Megan Brown

The Lowry Outlet is bringing the spirit of Christmas to The Quays this winter with return of its iconic Christmas Market on 24-27 November and Shopping Event on 12 November.

Set sail, as visitors can take a boat ride along Manchester’s historic ship canal and explore the city’s stunning scenery with City Centre Cruises, which offer a range of cruise attractions.

If you fancy travelling further afield, Mersey Ferries offer a six-hour trip where you will travel the 35-miles of the canal to Liverpool enjoying spectacular scenery and lively commentary along the way.

At the end of the cruise you are returned to your point of departure by a dedicated coach transfer.

Thrill seekers and sport fans can book a wide range of courses and activities, from windsurfing and wakeboarding to sailing and power boating at the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre.

More information can be found on The Quay’s website.