At last, freedom awaits. After 485 days, club nights are back, and come July 19 we’ll be able to party like it’s 2019 again with no masks, no social distancing and no more “rule of six.”
Bring on ordering drinks at the bar, bring on dancing in a crowd and bring on the loud music.
Maybe you can tell, but we’re quite excited about the return of clubbing. It seems like quite a few spots in Manchester are, too, as there’s a load of places throwing open their doors at 00:01 to celebrate the return of nightlife.
We’ve made a little list here that we’ll keep updating as new parties are announced. Roll on freedom.
Clubbers inside Manchester nightclub Hidden which will throw open its doors at 00:01am on 19 July / Image: Hidden
Hidden: the reopening
Hidden opens at midnight on Sunday 18 July for a two-room club show, kicking off seven days’ worth of day&night parties that will take place every day throughout the club’s re-opening week.
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Head down for a mix of disco, electro house, house and techno.
Kicking off at 9pm and finishing at 3am, once the clock strikes midnight you’ll be out your seat and onto the bouncy dancefloor to vibe with the rest of the club.
Head down for a mix of grime, hip-hop, R&B and rap – and don’t forget to check out the Tetris wall whilst you’re there.
Playground Nightclub is another Manchester venue that is getting in early on the “Freedom Day” celebrations / Image: helenstavrou_
A Big Bash at Cirque
Glitzy nightclub Cirque will be throwing open its doors at midnight for a no holds barred party.
Bookings are being taken via DM through their Facebook page.
Quids in at Fac251
As the name suggests, it’s £1 entry and £1 drinks all night for Quids in at Factory 251.
The club will be opening its doors at 00:01am in line with government guidance – playing hip hop and R&B in the main room and a mix of indie, chart music and rap on the second floor.
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Upstairs, meanwhile, it’s all about the house and tech with some special guest DJs booked for the night.
Cruz 101 is throwing a huge reopening party at 00:01 on 19 July / Image: Cruz 101
The opening party at Cruz 101
Think Manchester’s best LGBT djs, full decor, theme performances and costumes and you’ve got a little sense of what’s coming from Cruz 101’s week-long opening party.
Things kick off on Sunday night with a mega reopening to set the tone for the week. Tickets are £10 and include queue jump.
Deansgate nightclub China White is throwing a big freedom bash at one minute past midnight, giving you the perfect excuse to let your hair down after sixteen months of doing absolutely nothing on the party front.
Bookings are being taken via DM through their Instagram.
What's On
Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best
Danny Jones
This Monday marks the start of the World Snooker Tour’s 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, which is back in Manchester once again– and there are some big names on show.
Returning to our city for a third consecutive time, this year’s Tour Championships began at 1pm, with the likes of world number one Judd Trump playing some of the opening frames against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, along with Barry Hawkins taking on 2026 World Open winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
These are just the first two opening fixtures in what is set to be an eventful week-long tournament that will span a total of 19 matches, concluding in the final on Sunday, 5 April.
Hosted once again over at Manchester Central, this elite field of in-form players is basically only missing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who the aforementioned Thai tour start beat in last week’s final.
Only the top 12 players from this season’s highly competitive rankings earned a place in the draw, so all pretty much all the greats and the next generation are shooting for the title.
Defending champions John Higgins – a four-time world champion – will be breaking off against Mark Williams on Tuesday, 31 March.
Meanwhile, other names on the schedule of play include World Champion Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby (who Higgins beat in Manchester last year), Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.
Put simply, this isn’t just another big sporting event landing in our city centre, but a showcase of some of the very best talent in the discipline.
With tickets starting from just £25, these games are also some of the most affordable premium sports you can enjoy in central Manchester.
Better still, it’s also worth noting that the official Fanzone over in the foyer of the venue is open to all, even without a ticket.
There’s completely free coaching for players of all ages, interactive games, and even the chance to try a proper full-sized professional table – a perfect day out for the Easter school holidays.
The event itself is being aired on Channel 5, but if you’re interested in going along to see the action up close and personal, you can grab your seats right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Manchester Central)/The Manc Group
What's On
Salford’s popular women’s running race is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
The popular women’s only five-mile race in Salford is back for another year, and it’s set to be one of the biggest yet.
Returning for its 34th iteration this spring, the 2026 edition of the Swinton Ladies Race is a mix of trail, gravel and road running.
It’s also remained a great entry-level run since it began, perfect not only for all ages and experience levels, but for those looking for a step-up in ability level and challenge with the mixed terrain.
Last May saw one of the best turnouts in the event’s history, and the Swinton Running Club founders are hoping for another big showing.
Now boasting a total of 400 places, the Swinton Ladies Race has remained a long-established cult favourite among locals over the past couple of decades.
Founded back in 1991 (then under the Worsley Woods Trail Race banner), it’s only grown in reputation but has still stayed true to its community-driven roots.
A one-lap course of lasting five miles, the course itself takes you through the aforementioned woodlands, as well as sections of trail and more defined paths.
Other notable sites featured include the Old Warke Dam, parts of the Bridgewater Canal and said Woods, which help make up a good chunk of the largest conservation area in Salford.
As they put it: “Whether you’re training for a new challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh countryside air, join us and enjoy a trail race through Worsley.”
In addition to promising chip times, bespoke medals for all finishers, free parking and plenty of other little perks, it’s also just super accessible and good value-for-money.
As for the race route itself, there are drinks stations at the halfway point and finish line, first aiders on hand should anyone need help, and, of course, toilet facilities; it’s just a very well-run event all-round.
The organisers – who are teaming up with run promoters SheRACES for 2026 – do advise trail shoes where possible, especially if it’s been raining in the days leading up to the starting gun, but road trainers will still do you just fine.
Road or trail shoes are suitable for the course; we would advise trail shoes if the days leading up to the race have been extremely wet.
The price for affiliated runners is just £15, while unaffiliated participants can sign up for £17 plus a booking fee of £2 entry on the day (subject to availability). It’s also worth noting, however, that this is very much first-come, first-served. You can grab your race ticket and bib for Sunday, 3 May, right HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
15th July 2021 
