Now that it’s been a good few weeks since restrictions were relaxed, the sun is shining, the streets are filled with smiling faces, and this extended summer holiday is always a busy time for our city region – but if you’re stuck for plans this weekend, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do right here in Greater Manchester.
A few of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, others will set you back a few pounds, and some may require you to book in advance.
Plenty are still taking COVID-safety measures to give you peace of mind though.
So in no particular order, here’s 10 of our top picks.
The iconic LGBTQ+ festival – which historically takes over the city each August Bank Holiday weekend – may have sadly had its 2020 edition cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and this year’s Pride Parade has also been cancelled following similar safety concerns, but it’s back once again, with Zara Larsson, Sigala, Annie Mac, Gabrielle, Katy B, Example, and Eve all leading a stellar lineup.
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The popular Gay Village Party also has an impressive lineup of acts performing too.
Several other events have been announced to take place instead of the Parade, including five ‘Equality Marches’ on Saturday 28 August, limited to just 400 people per march, with 2,000 participating overall.
The festival is this year to feature six key strands – Activism, Equality, Arts and Culture, Youth and Family, Community and Party.
You can find more information about Manchester Pride 2021 here.
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2. Festa Italiana
Manchester City Centre
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 August
Festa Italiana
The UK’s biggest Italian food festival Festa Italiana is returning to Manchester, with Cathedral Gardens turning green, white and red over the Bank Holiday weekend.
First launched in 2017 and featuring delicious pizzas, fresh pasta, sweet crepes, and deli meats as far as the eye can see, Festa Italiana is known for bringing amazing street food into Manchester city centre and showcasing top Italian chefs from across the region.
Top-class chefs like Aldo Zilli, Giancarlo Caldesi, Gennaro Cantaldo, specialist pasta maker and author Carmela Sereno Hayes, and Festa founder Maurizio Cecco are all confirmed to attend.
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The festival is promising some exciting new additions for its fourth edition too, including a massive outdoor cinema.
You can find more information about what’s on at Festa Italiana 2021 here.
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3. Bolton Food & Drink Festival
Bolton Town Centre
Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August
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Bolton Food & Drink Festival
The hugely-popular Bolton Food & Drink Festival is finally returning this Bank Holiday weekend after a year of postponement.
After COVID-19 restrictions sadly meant that the annual festival had to move online in 2020, the support of local businesses of all shapes and sizes is helping the North West’s biggest food and drink event to return in person for its 16th year this summer.
They’ll serve up some of the best food and drink the region has to offer.
World-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations, and a collection of outdoor bars, live music and street entertainment is set to create the usual festival atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.
The “world’s first immersive cricket experience with hospitality” is coming to the Corn Exchange this Sunday with the opening of Sixes Manchester.
A social cricket sports bar kitted out with three state-of-the-art cricket nets available to hire for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, as well as a champagne bar, a 70-seater dining space and an open kitchen, Sixes offers the chance to swing for the boundaries whilst enjoying a wide selection of high-quality food and drink.
The opening of this new Manchester venue coincides with an exclusive game at Sixes called ‘The Hundred’ – which is named after the 100-ball cricket tournament taking place for the first time this summer.
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You can find more information about Sixes Manchester here.
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5. Beat the Frog
Frog and Bucket Comedy Club
Monday 30 August
Frog and Bucket Comedy Club
Fancy a good laugh this Bank Holiday Monday? Beat the Frog is the legendary amateur comedy night at Manchester’s iconic Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, and has helped to launch the careers of some of comedy’s biggest names – including Peter Kay, John Bishop, Johnny Vegas, Smug Roberts, and more.
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At the start of the competition, three cards are handed out to lucky members of the audience, and up to 10 acts will then take to the stage and each try to do five minutes of material. If within those five minutes all three cards go up, then the act has lost and must leave the stage – but if the three cards stay down, that act has successfully ‘Beat The Frog’.
They are then invited back to the stage for a clap off at the end of the night – which will determine the overall winner.
It’s been named the “most unpredictable comedy night in the north”.
You can find more information, and grab your tickets via the Frog and Bucket website here.
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6. Deansgate Mews Street Festival
Great Northern
Deansgate Mews Street Festival
A festival full of food and live music is coming to Deansgate Mews at Great Northern Warehouse this weekend.
Completely free-to-attend and spanning three-days, The Deansgate Mews Street Festival was originally due to be held earlier this month, but postponed due to bad weather and rearranged for the Bank Holiday weekend.
It will celebrate the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street, alongside welcoming 30 different music acts.
Did you see that the highly-anticipated Salford Quays adventure attraction based on ITV’s popular survival reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! has officially opened to visitors?
The I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge – which was first announced back in April – will welcome fans into the wilderness from this Bank Holiday weekend, inviting them to “navigate a series of fun-filled physical challenges inspired by the blockbuster ITV show”.
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Located at MediaCityUK, the attraction features a variety of familiar vantage points and landmarks – including the Main Camp, the Throne and, of course, the Winner’s Bridge.
You can find more information, and book tickets here.
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8. Moovin Festival
Stockport
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 August
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Moovin Festival
Rap royalty Naughty By Nature will headline Moovin Festival at Etherow Country Park this August Bank Holiday weekend, with the hip-hop trio confirmed for a rare UK appearance.
Dance titans Basement Jaxx, rap pioneer Eek A Mouse, UK favourites Asian Dub Foundation, and disco don Todd Terje are also confirmed, alongside other big names such as Sugar Hill Gang, Mr Scruff, Krafty Kuts, Graeme Park, DJ Woody, Craig Charles, Stanton Warriors, K Klass and The Mouse Outfit.
An eclectic mix of support acts have also been confirmed, including Afrobeat collectives, beatboxing violinists, and the Elvis fronted Nirvana tribute band Elvana.
You can find more information, and grab tickets here.
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9. Manchester Pride Music Events
Manchester City Centre
Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August
The Refuge
If you haven’t managed to grab tickets for Manchester Pride 2021 taking place this Bank Holiday weekend but are still keen to properly celebrate, then there’s still plenty of venues right across Manchester city centre that are going all out for the iconic LGBTQ+ festival that you can head on down to.
Escape to Freight Island, Ducie Street Warehouse, and Feel Good Club are just some of the places hosting alternative celebratory Pride events over the weekend.
You can find more information, and grab tickets here.
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10. Summer Social
Trafford Centre
Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August
Trafford Centre
An 8,000 sq ft beach, retro fairground rides, entertainment, and independent food and drink brands have all arrived at the Trafford Centre for the summer.
The region’s biggest shopping mall has announced the opening of its new ‘Summer Social’ event space – a vast new outdoor area that brings together all the fun of the fair, alongside a beach, live music, exciting pop-ups, and selfie-ready backdrops.
As well as several covered events spaces where people can safely relax, a number of independent food and drink brands will also be popping up over the summer, kicking off with Boujee Bar – the renowned, all-pink Instagrammer’s dream founded by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra Adams.
Live musicians, street artists, and buskers will also be welcomed across the month at Summer Social.
You can find more information and grab your tickets here.
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Featured Image – The Refuge | Sixes Manchester
What's On
Pitbull at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, stage times, setlist and more
Danny Jones
People of the world and more specifically Manchester, get ready for the time of your lives because Pitbull is coming to town for his Co-op Live debut, and so is an army of fans in bald caps.
That’s right, ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself is playing his biggest-ever Manc show this Sunday as part of his global ‘Party After Dark’ tour, with European legs starting this month.
His UK and Ireland leg got underway with a double header in Dublin earlier this week, and now Pitbull is coming to Manchester for the first time in seven years.
Safe to say he’s hit on a bit of a renaissance since then, and his fandom – however random it may seem at times – is rampant right now. Exhibit A:
Pitbull gig guide | Manchester – all the important info
As for those of you looking to dress up as the currently viral rapper and singer this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about his 2025 gigs.
Pitbull UK/IE tour dates
5 June – 3 Arena, Dublin
6 June – 3 Arena, Dublin
8 June – Co-op Live, Manchester
9 June – The O2, London
10 June – The O2, London
Are there tickets left for Pitbull in Manchester?
Now, if any of you are looking to score some last-minute tickets for Pitbull in Manchester, we have some good news and some less good news: there are a fair few tickets left, however, they are pretty pricey as verified resale.
The lowest we’ve found clocks in at just under £90 (before fees), and some would set you back even more than VIP packages start from.
Nevertheless, if you’re just thinking, ‘Dale! Let’s make some memories’, then you can see the remaining availability HERE.
Pitbull comes to Co-op Live, Manchester on Sunday, 8 June. (Credit: Press Shot)
Who is supporting Pitbill in Manchester?
Besides already being one of the biggest nights of pop music in Greater Manchester this year, with so many of his shows up and down the country selling out, there’s another big name on the road with him.
If there’s one figure in the genre who has even more Caribbean cache and worldwide status than the Cuban solo star, it’s Jamaican legend, Shaggy.
The now 56-year-old Kingston-born artist is along for the ride on every single one of Pitbull’s EU tour dates, and we can’t wait to welcome him back to Manchester city centre.
For the last time, it wasn’t him…
The two have collaborated on more than one occasion.
What are the stage times for Pitbull at Co-op Live
In terms of when you’ll get to see both of these legends, doors to the venue will open from 6:30pm, and the show is due to get underway an hour later (7:30pm).
Although we don’t know exactly how long Shaggy’s set will be, you can expect at least a 15-minute intermission between the superb support act and your headliner, with Pitbull set to take the stage around 9pm for the main event.
Co-op Live‘s curfew is 11pm, so you can expect approximately two hours of non-stop hits out ‘on the floor’ spanning years of international chart hits.
Pitbull after-party
But don’t worry, the dancing doesn’t have to stop there, as the arena is also hosting one of their increasingly popular after parties for anyone with a valid event ticket.
Pitbull after-party tickets are separate from general admission and are strictly 18+, with tunes kept going until late right after the main show ends, courtesy of multi-genre Manc DJ, Just Yaz. You can secure your spot for the after-party ahead of time.
Now, while we obviously don’t have a fully confirmed setlist for Pitbull’s upcoming Manchester tour date, nor has the running order from his first pair of performances at the 3Arena been published, we can give you an average setlist based on his most recent shows.
Be honest, did you realise he actually had this many bangers!?
A taste of what Co-op Live can expect from a Pitbull concert.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes via the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/Audio North/slgckgc (via Flickr)
What's On
The T20 Family Festival is back at Lancashire Cricket Club for 2025
Danny Jones
If you’re a cricket fan or looking for something to keep the kids busy this weekend, get ready for a Blast because Vitality’s T20 Family Festival is back at Emirates Old Trafford.
Lancashire Cricket Club is once again hosting the sport’s fastest-paced format over in Stretford for the latest 2025 fixture, but it also marks the return of the much-loved T20 Family Fest here in Manchester.
With high-flying home side Lancashire Lightning taking on Northants Steelbacks, it’s set to be a stormer (pun very much intended) and fun for all ages.
The question is, are you free this Sunday?
Credit: Lancs Cricket Club (supplied)
Promising big hits, flying catches, music, family-friendly activities to keep the little ones entertained and plenty more, the T20 Vitality Blast’s Family Festival might just be one of the best value for money days out and live sport events you’ll find.
Along with tonnes of street food and drink stalls to keep you fuelled through the action, not to mention everything from circus acts and face painting to free kids’ games in the concourse, there’s plenty to keep you engaged even between the play.
You just better hope for clear blue skies, because that’s when the Blast is at its best.
As mentioned, another reason the T20 is so popular here in Greater Manchester is the Fan Village culture atmosphere itself; we’re not just talking the usual ‘Barmy Army’ antics you get win any domestic cricket – with all there is on offer – it really does feel like the start of a sporting summer.
Better yet, as well as being guaranteed to deliver a brilliant experience for all ages, there will be the opportunity to create even more lasting memories, thanks to the ‘Emirates First Ball Flyer‘ game.
The prize is one you don’t want to overlook, as you can win two return flights to Dubai: all you need to do is be in your seat and hope that Lancashire Lightning take a wicket with their first ball of the match to be in with your chance of winning.
To top things off, the Lancashire stars will then make their way to the front of Lightning Stand C to sign as many autographs and take as many pictures with fans as possible.
Credit: Supplied
Speaking of things being top, this is also a great time to watch the Lancs as Lightning are currently leading the table in the North Group campaign, winning three of their last four games – two of which have come here at Old Trafford.
After winning his first Indian Premier League (IPL) title with Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier this week, Lancashire and England all-rounder Liam Livingstone is also expected to make his return to action against the Northamptonshire side.
Speaking ahead of the game, he said: “I’m really excited to play in this summer’s Vitality Blast with Lancashire Lightning – I love playing at Emirates Old Trafford and I love playing for Lancashire.
“This year, I’ll have even more opportunities to play for the Red Rose throughout the Blast campaign. We’ve got a really strong squad and we have a proud record, particularly at home, in the group stages.
“Hopefully I can have a big involvement in us doing something special as a team in T20 cricket this year, ten years on from 2015, it would be really nice to go on and win another.”
There are just four home games left for Lancashire Lightning in this year’s T20 Vitality Blast, and there’s still a £5 discount on adult tickets purchased before matchday; plus, children’s prices are super affordable. You can grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
27th August 2021 
