MOBO announce biggest ever Fringe programme coming to Manchester

As the MOBO Organisation marks its landmark 30th anniversary and the MOBO Awards heads to Manchester for the first time, MOBO Fringe 2026 returns with its biggest and most exciting programme to date, transforming Manchester into a city-wide celebration of Black music, culture and creativity. 

Running from Thursday 19 March to Tuesday 24 March, the free weeklong programme will bring together live performances, industry conversations, cultural activations, workshops and talent development initiatives across the city, building momentum ahead of the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live on Thursday 26 March.

For the first time in its history, the MOBO Awards is coming to Manchester, a city globally recognised for shaping musical movements and cultural conversations. MOBO Fringe 2026 extends that moment far beyond the awards ceremony, spotlighting Manchester’s vibrant creative communities while creating meaningful opportunities for artists, young people and cultural leaders across the region.

Delivered with support from Manchester City Council in partnership with Manchester Music City, the MOBO Fringe programme has been developed in collaboration with more than 50 community leaders, creatives, grassroots platforms and industry representatives, ensuring the Fringe reflects the voices and energy of those already shaping culture in the city. 

The 2026 cohort brings together a range of leading Manchester-based platforms and organisations working across the city’s music and creative sectors. This includes Studio 88, Aaspire Records, SHIMRISE Selects, Habitat, FARO Presents, Melophile, 54 Agency and Black Creative Trailblazers and journalist Amelia Fearon. Together, they represent expertise spanning management, live events, media, artist development and community-led initiatives.

With the fringe spanning live music, showcases, industry panels, education programmes, heritage activations and community-led events, a major highlight of the programme is the MOBO Summit in association with Amazon Music, taking place on Tuesday 24 March at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International.

To register for free tickets and view the full programme, please visit: mobo.com/fringe.