The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard shares details of a bold, citywide cultural programme as the countdown continues to the biggest night in British music. The excitement is palpable across the city and wider North West region as it gears up to celebrate the BRITs’ debut show in its new Manchester home, Co-op Live, on Saturday 28 February.
From a curated art trail championing North-West artists to a bespoke exhibition showcasing iconic music artwork; with new details announced for FRINGE LAB, delivered by Brighter Sound and Manchester Music City, and a number of BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL shows taking place in Manchester; alongside an in-conversation event with one of Manchester’s musical pioneers to a special zine celebrating the BRITs and the city; plus free tram travel for BRITs ticketholders whilst hundreds of students from Manchester universities have been invited into the front of stage pit to attend - this calendar of activity will transform the city into a cultural playground and place Manchester at the heart of the BRITs.
The BRITs Art Trail
When: From Thursday 12 February
Where: Northern Quarter and Ancoats
Curated by renowned Manchester artist Stanley Chow and produced by local creative producers Wild in Art, this citywide art trail will bring Manchester’s streets to life across the Northern Quarter and Ancoats from Thursday 12th February. Featuring work from 21 North-West artists, the trail will unfold across striking wall murals, immersive window installations and bold billboard takeovers, transforming everyday city spaces into an open air gallery.
Celebrating Manchester’s vibrant creative community, the trail invites audiences to explore the city through art in the build up to the BRIT Awards, placing local talent front and centre across some of its most well known areas.
Featuring 21 artists including Stanley Chow, Kim Thompson, The Hammo, Jay Sharples, Oskar with a K, Clare Birtwistle, Caroline Dowsett, Pete Obsolete, Qubek, Jonathan Edwards, Rick Hyde, Florence Burns, David Bailey, Daren Newman, himHallows, Jessica Lee, Luke Insect, Charlie Cross, Barney Ibbotson, Dotto and Bed Studio.
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon, pop-up retrospective exhibition
When: Tuesday 17 February - Sunday 1 March
Where: Manchester Piccadilly Station, 12:00-18:00
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon is a bespoke gallery experience celebrating over three decades of iconic British music artwork and design, spanning 1990 - 2026. Designed and built by Manchester based design company M3 Industries, the exhibition will showcase designer and art director Cannon’s unmistakable visual legacy through work created for some of the most influential artists of the era, including Oasis, The Verve, Cast, Ruthless Rap Assassins, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums and Super Furry Animals.
Taking over Manchester Piccadilly Station’s concourse from Tuesday 17 February to Sunday 1 March, the exhibition will transform the landmark space into a cultural destination ahead of the BRITs. Visitors should be aware that most train services will not run into Manchester Piccadilly station between Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 February while major improvement work takes place. However, the station concourse is open as normal and Bee Network tram services will continue to run into the station.
Entry is free, with advance timed tickets available.
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The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine
When: Friday 20 February
Where: Selected locations (UNITOM, Piccadilly Records, Night & Day Cafe, The Rat & Pigeon, Fred Aldous, Ezra & Gil, The Bay Horse Tavern, Cane & Grain, Smithfield Social, Jimmy's, Pollen, Cloudwater)
To celebrate The BRITs coming to Manchester for the first time, independent Manchester music magazine The Rodeo are producing a special limited edition zine. The zine will feature interviews with some nominated artists, words from people across Manchester’s vibrant music scene, as well as showcasing all the events taking place in Manchester around The BRIT Awards with Mastercard, and interviews with some of the people behind them. The issue will launch on Friday 20 February and will be available in selected shops, record shops, music venues, cafes and bars.
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FRINGE LAB
When: Friday 27 February
Where: New Century Hall
Further details have been confirmed for BRITs Fringe, the week-long programme celebrating Greater Manchester’s music scene in the lead-up to The BRIT Awards. Under the banner 'Manchester Seen and Heard', BRITs Fringe harnesses The BRIT Awards’ global platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry. At the centre of this year's programme is FRINGE LAB, a one-day music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall on Friday 27 February. The newly announced daytime line-up features YolanDa Brown OBE DL, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music), The Lottery Winners, Donae’O, Zed Bias, Låpsley, Sam Potts (AWAL), Scott Lewis (EMI North) and Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck). The wider Fringe programme includes 3 days of workshops for young musicians looking to take their first professional steps into the music industry, and a partnership with Reform Radio's Soundcamp.
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Manchester Must Dance. An afternoon with Mike Pickering in conversation with Graeme Park
When: Saturday 28 February
Where: The Social, Aviva Studios, Factory International, 14:00
Celebrating Manchester-born musician, DJ and songwriter Mike Pickering, this special event spotlights one of the city’s true cultural pioneers. Guests will hear an exclusive preview of Mike’s forthcoming book Manchester Must Dance, alongside his take on the music, moments and movements that shaped his groundbreaking career.
Taking place at The Social at Aviva Studios, Factory International, the event will feature an in-conversation hosted by legendary house music DJ Graeme Park, with a live audience Q&A offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from Mike himself.
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BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL
When: Various days
Where: Various venues
A number of BRITs Week for War Child, Delivered by DHL shows are taking place in Manchester, as part of the biggest year yet for the unique series of gigs which offer fans the rare opportunity to see intimate, one-off performances from some of the most exciting names in music, in some of the UK’s most-loved, smaller venues. Artists playing in Manchester this year, in support of War Child’s vital work supporting children affected by conflict, include The K’s at Gorilla on 20 February, The Warehouse Project has partnered with War Child to bring Josh Baker to YES on 25 February and Rossi. to the same venue on 26 February, while Olivia Dean takes the stage at Albert Hall on 26th February, and Robbie Williams will be at Aviva Studios Manchester on 27 February.
