Cheshire and Chester are buzzing with life this May 2025, offering experiences across comedy, music, visual art, and unmissable live performances.
Whether you’re planning a family day out, craving comedy with bite, or looking to lose yourself in an immersive soundscape or street festival, this month’s lineup has it all.
From star-studded concerts and boundary-pushing theatre to free festivals and intimate exhibitions, we’ve curated a premium guide to the best things happening in and around Cheshire. Let us help you make the most of every moment with our handpicked cultural highlights.
Things to Do in Cheshire and Chester in May 2025
Nish Kumar
Dates:18 May
Venue: Aviva Studios, Manchester
With the country in turmoil, there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further… Nish Kumar – named as one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century – will be tackling climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who didn’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. It’s 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe killing.
Get your tickets at Factory International
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Dates: 29 May
Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced her biggest ever UK headline tour on the back of her new single, Freedom of the Night. An energetic, fun, and glitteringly catchy track, the new single sees Sophie enter a new era with a confident return to her iconic and esteemed disco-pop sound.
Book at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Amelia Coburn
Dates: 31 May
Venue: The Live Rooms, Chester
Weaving together the literate lyrical approach of Scott Walker with the melodic genius of Paul McCartney, Amelia Coburn has a knack for making the unusual sound timeless.
Drawing inspiration from gothic literature and the shadowy allure of film noir, there is a darkness at the heart of many of her songs, populated by vivid characters and nocturnal creatures that inhabit the liminal space “between the moon and the milkman”.
The Dark Side of the Moon
Dates: Until 13 July
Venue: Jodrell Bank
After sell-out dates in 2024, Jodrell Bank’s popular ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ Space Dome Experience is back. It is a show that brings the magic of this iconic album to life in spectacular style on their curved Space Dome screen. Fusing captivating visuals with surround sound, this is an album listening party like no other, designed to take you on an immersive journey through time and space.
The Happiness Index
Dates: 16 May
Venue: Liverpool Royal Court
After their critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jonny & The Baptists (Jonny Donahoe and Paddy Gervers) will take their hilarious and poignant new show The Happiness Index on a UK tour in 2025. This witty musical comedy will explore the connections between personal tragedy, government austerity, and mental health.
Rory Bremner
Dates: 30 May
Venue: Storyhouse, Chester
For four decades, Rory Bremner has mimicked Prime Ministers and Presidents, pundits and Princes. Now, the master satirist is back with an intimate show that combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation, accompanied by a rotating cast of special guest hosts. His virtuoso display of vocal mimicry, topical satire and revealing insights will be on full display as he looks back on his career in an evening filled with acute observations, pitch-perfect impressions, and surprising revelations about the people he has imitated and his own self-discovery.
James Barr
Dates: 10 May
Venue: 53two, Manchester
Multi-award-winning comedian, podcaster, radio presenter, TV Host – and gay icon – James Barr is taking his fearless, critically acclaimed stand-up show Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum) on a UK tour – fresh from successful runs at Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals. Choosing to tell his story in a performance that is both funny and bittersweet, James takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster offering a refreshingly bold take on the impact of abuse and the chaos that follows in an hour of poignant stand-up comedy.
Now Northwich
Dates: 3 May
Venue: Northwich
Expect the unexpected as Now Northwich, a major free outdoor dance and street arts festival, returns to town on Saturday 3rd May. For the fifth year, a world of performers will animate the streets and stop you in your tracks at locations across the town centre and Barons Quay. Totally free to attend, activities for all ages will run from 12pm well into the evening and feature a host of dance and performance artists who have toured internationally.
Torvill & Dean
Dates: 8-9 May
Venue: Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
An incredible cast of Dancing on Ice skaters, Olympic medalists, and talented future stars
Will join legends of the ice Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on their final ever UK tour. Our Last Dance commemorates 50 years since Torvill & Dean formed their incredible skating
partnership. The tour is the last chance audiences will have to watch Torvill & Dean in action on the ice together, before they hang up their skates for good.
Chris Rose
Dates: Until 15 June
Venue: Warrington Museum and Art Gallery
Chris Rose, who has worked with the likes of Disney, Sony, Lego, Hasbro and Mattel on advertising campaigns, is bringing his new show to his hometown. With ‘Figured Out: Toy Stories in Nature’, the Culcheth photographer will share his love of toys and action figures and show how keeping a piece of his childhood alive has led to a high profile career.
Chris’s passion for toys began, aged six, when he started collecting Star Wars figures and imagining their backstories. This led to lifelong pursuit of blending narrative and photography and crafting scenes that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
Chris has found a real flair and eye for this unique artform and what began as a hobby has led to opportunities all over the world. As well as being headhunted for campaigns by the likes of Disney and Sony, his work has been exhibited as far as Cape Town and Shanghai. He is also an active member of the ‘Stuck in Plastic’ community, where he shares his passion for toy photography with like-minded creatives.
But, despite global opportunities, what Chris likes nothing more is to shoot on location in and around the north west – preferring real world environments and natural lighting to bring his scenes to life – making this exhibition a celebration of both his art and the local landscapes that inspire it.
How Absolutely Picks the Best for You
At Absolutely Magazines, we pride ourselves on curating only the finest recommendations for our refined readers. Our editors leverage their extensive expertise in lifestyle journalism to ensure that every selection meets the highest standards of quality and relevance. From scouring local insider tips to understanding trends and feedback, we leave no stone unturned in identifying the most exceptional venues for you. Guided by an appreciation for your taste, we prioritise venues and events that epitomise luxury, style, and premium experiences. You can trust us to bring you the Absolute best, every time.
