Aviva Studios has unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 programme, with major exhibitions and touring artists set to share the building with a growing schedule of corporate conferences and brand activations — reflecting increasing demand from organisations looking to align business events with cultural experiences.
The Manchester venue, home to Factory International, will host the English National Opera, a major exhibition by Ai Weiwei, and live performances from artists including Lily Allen and Kesha as part of its public programme. This follows The BRITS Fringe, Robbie Williams, and the David Hockney Lightroom experience.
Alongside cultural moments, the venue continues to expand its corporate events pipeline, too. Recent wins include adidas, MAD North, Active England and a global automotive brand, with organisers increasingly scheduling events around key cultural dates in the city.
The approach reflects how brands and associations are rethinking traditional event formats, with many seeking venues that offer more than standalone conference space.
Ruth Halliday, senior event sales manager at Factory International, the organisation that programmes and operates Aviva Studios, said the early publication of the cultural calendar provides added value for corporate planners.
“Because our artistic programme is announced well in advance, organisers can see what else is happening in the building and the wider city,” she said. “For some, that creates an opportunity to schedule their event alongside a major cultural moment — whether that’s inviting delegates to experience an exhibition or building creative elements inspired by what’s on stage.”
She added that the overlap between culture and corporate activity is becoming more intentional. “We’re seeing brands wanting their conferences and activations to feel more immersive and culturally connected. Hosting an event in a space that also stages internationally recognised artists and exhibitions changes the atmosphere — it gives organisers permission to think differently about production and experience.”
Purpose-built to accommodate both large-scale performance and complex commercial builds, Aviva Studios’ technical infrastructure includes high rigging capacity, substantial loading access and adaptable performance spaces capable of switching between touring productions, exhibitions and conferences throughout the year.
Located in Manchester’s St John’s district, the venue forms part of the city’s expanding cultural quarter, which has attracted increasing interest from conference organisers seeking more experiential urban settings.
The 2026 season will see international touring productions, global artists and corporate clients all using the same flexible spaces — a model that Halliday says reflects a wider shift in the events market.
“Organisers are challenging long-running formats,” she said. “They’re looking at how to integrate creativity, wellbeing and live performance into business events. Being in a venue where culture and commerce genuinely sit side by side makes those conversations easier.”
With Manchester continuing to attract global brands and high-profile cultural programming, Aviva Studios’ 2026 calendar represents one of its most varied years to date — reinforcing the venue’s position at the intersection of international culture and corporate events.
