The hustle and bustle of a busy few weeks is now winding down as April begins to draw to a close.
The kids will be going back to school after the holidays, Easter has nearly passed us by, and those bank holidays will soon have been and gone – but there’s plenty to be getting up to across the region this week, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best things happening for our ‘what’s on’ guide for the city of Manchester and beyond.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, which is great for those looking to keep things on the cheaper side, while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.
Here’s our top picks.
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Spring Escape
Trafford Centre
Monday 18 – Sunday 24 April
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Credit: Trafford Centre
The Trafford Centre currently has a Spring Escape event running right through to 24 April, and it’s an ideal day out for the family.
Not only is there a brand-new show ROAR!, different live musicians, and arange of food and drink pop-up vendors – including retro American candy giants, Kingdom of Sweets – to make the most of, but there’s also a family funfair too, which has something for everyone, including a log flume, waveswinger, tea cups, bumper cars, hook a duck, a fun house, bungee trampolines, and so much more.
You can jump down the rabbit hole for an adventure this Easter, as the Alice In Wonderland Experience by Sneaky Experience will unfold in the magical setting of Wythenshawe Hall Gardens for one day only.
Alice and friends have escaped from the pages of Lewis Carroll’s novel, and the enchanted world of Wonderland will mysteriously spring up in the Hall’s Gardens this Easter Monday, so families are invited to dress-up and join the fun, and there’s also an Easter Egg included for every children’s ticket too.
Did you see that a massive new attraction has opened in the heart of Manchester city centre, and it’s giving visitors the chance to take on The Cube?
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Spread over two floors and spanning 4,000 sq metres, Urban Playground has taken over a row of units that once housed Arcadia shops Burton, Miss Selfridge, Evans and Dorothy Perkins, and inside, there’s a high-tech mini golf experience, and the first UK branch of burger restaurant The Butcher.
ITV’s The Cube has also been brought to life at Urban Playground, with teams of four taking on deceptively-simple tasks inside the high-pressure confines of the familiar perspex box, with games like taking on obstacles blindfolded and collecting balls in a set time window.
Tickets for ‘The Cube Live’ range from £30 to £45, and you can find out more here.
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Totally Roarsome
Arley Hall
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Monday 18 – Sunday 24 April
Credit: Totally Roarsome
One of the North West’s most-popular outdoor events has extended its run throughout the Easter half term, and you’ve still got this week to head on down there.
For the past two years, Totally Roarsome has taken the region by storm and has seen visitors flock from far and wide after it opened in untouched woodland following the initial lifting of lockdown restrictions in mid-2020, before returning after popular demand for the Easter half term in 2021.
And now, it’s found a new home for 2022’s event at Arley Hall in Cheshire.
There’s more than 200 individual dinosaur models making up the woodland trail this year, with tickets priced at £8.95.
Looking for some new restaurants and bars to try out that have just opened in Manchester city centre this month?
The nights are longer, the clocks have gone back, and spring has begun to sprung here in Greater Manchester.
With the turn of the season, comes a host of new openings in the city centre and beyond.
From bespoke butty shops to new delis and tasting rooms, to boozy coffee bars in a secret garden and pop-ups across town, there are loads of great new eateries to get stuck into this April.
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You can read our round-up to find out where to put on your list this month here.
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Disney Cinema at King Street Townhouse
Manchester City Centre
Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April
Credit: King Street Townhouse
Screenings of classic Disney films complete with brunch, afternoon tea, and fairytale-themed cocktails are happening at a little cinema in Manchester city centre this week.
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If you’d consider yourself to be a pretty big Disney fan, then you’ll probably want to get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, as the venue’s very-own exclusive cinema will be screening eight iconic films between Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April.
Offering both animated versions and live adaptation remakes of Disney classics, including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Aladdin and Beauty & The Beast, guests can enjoy their favourite film with an enchanting brunch or afternoon tea.
Manchester’s neighbourhood KAMPUS will play host a solid ten weeks of back-to-back block parties from its canalside garden, with each weekend seeing guest DJs take to the decks to spin tunes from different corners of the world – and this weekend’s event is brining the Spanish sunshine to our city.
Free-flowing beer will come courtesy of Manchester brewery Cloudwater, and food will be provided by Ramsbottom favourites Levanter serving up tapas, giant paella, and charcuterie boards aplenty.
This weekend, you can Spanish house music, specially-imported Basqueland beers and cider, plus a Record Store Day pop-up featuring indie record shops selling and spinning hot records.
One of Manchester’s best-loved authentic Italian restaurants, Cibo, has launched a three-course bottomless brunch, and you have the choice between ‘The Original’ or ‘The Premium’ – which features the famous flaming parmesan wheel pasta, which is cooked up before your eyes.
But no matter which option you choose, you’ll get to pick between some amazing Italian dishes. For starters, it’s between dishes like arancini and bruschetta. For mains they offer calzone, carbonara and risotto – and saving the best till last, for dessert you can pick between a classic tiramisu, creme brulee or a panna cotta.
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All this starts from just £45, and of course it also includes a selection of drinks including cocktails, prosecco or mimosa.
Manchester Sushi Festival is finally arriving this week, and it’s bringing together a whole host of the city’s best sushi parlours.
California rolls, maki, nigiri, temaki and more are all set to be on show, alongside other Japanese dishes like ramen, as the festival promises to “show you the greatest variety of sushi and Japanese cuisine” that Manchester has to offer.
There’ll even be a live workshop hosted by Manchester cookery school Food Sorcery teaching you how to handroll your own sushi at home.
You can find out more about Manchester Sushi Festival here.
Two of the most popular foodie favourite events are back at Manchester’s largest street food fair GRUB – which is currently based at the Red Bank Project just outside of the city centre in Cheetham Hill.
For the Bank Holiday weekend, the GRUB Food Fair this week will see the likes of Dhaba Catering, Little Yellow Rice Co, Marley’s Pizza, and Sally’s Dream Cakes serve a wide range of mouthwatering delights for you to try, while on Sunday, whether you’re plant based or just curious, there’ll be big handful of the finest vegan food traders there for Plant Powered Sundays to show you what it’s all about.
Both events are free to attend, and you can find more information here.
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The Stockport Collection by Heidi Alexander
Where The Light Gets In
Saturday 23 April – 1 May
Credit: Heidi Alexander
Long-lost images of life in 1970s Stockport are going display at local restaurant, Where The Light Gets In, this weekend after they were shared on social media.
Unearthed by a Swiss-born photographer Heidi Alexander during the COVID-19 pandemic, the images had been gathering dust for decades, and had endured several house moves and even storage in Scotland, but now, a selection of the shots will be free for all to see to at the restaurant.
A Mamma Mia-inspired bottomless brunch that celebrates all things ABBA is finally arriving in the city this weekend.
The Liquor & Brunch Squad has brought its Karaoke Brunch series back for 2022 after it was the sell-out successes of last year and reunited people to sing their hearts out after the COVID-19 pandemic kept us all apart for so long, and the Dancing Queen Brunch experience comes with a tribute band, a themed quiz, fancy dress and, of course, free-flowing drinks.
Featured Image – The Liquor & Brunch Squad | King Street Townhouse
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 January 2025
Emily Sergeant
It’s our first full week of January and of 2025.
Christmas has passed us by, and the new year has been rung in, but while all the fun of the festive season may’ve been and gone now, this doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of things to look forward to in 2025, as Greater Manchester‘s events calendar already seems very exciting.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide to help you out.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Wicked The Musical
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 6 – Sunday 12 January 2025
Wicked The Musical / Credit: Jennifer DiNoia / Limited Engagement
Wicked The Musical has landed in Manchester, taking over the iconic Palace Theatre stage, and this is your last week to catch it.
Sure, there may be a major motion picture adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande currently on in the cinema right now, but if you’re keen to see the beloved musical production on stage in the way it was originally intended, then you can head on down to the Palace Theatre to see the story of Elphaba and Galinda live.
Of course, this has been one of the hottest tickets in town for quite a while now, but there’ll still some last-minute seats left to get your hands on, so keep your eyes peeled.
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
Aviva Studios
Monday 6 – Saturday 25 January 2025
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) / Credit: The Manc Group
One of the most influential British artists of the 21st century, David Hockney, is taking you on a personal journey through 60 years of his art in the revolutionary Aviva Studios, and it’s now open for everyone to pay a visit.
This is a real sensory encompassing experience, from the grand and vibrant projections on the walls, to the sound system which will be playing throughout the exhibition.
Hockney opened this installation in London, and this is the first time these pieces of art have left the country’s capital to be viewed by even more spectators.
Fancy making the most of all the January dining deals on offer over these next couple of weeks?
The time has come again for Manchester’s restaurants and bars to slash their prices in a bid to entice customers to keep eating and drinking out all throughout January, and that means hundreds of places are offering up half-price scran, added freebies, or two-for-one offers this month.
There’s loads of offers beyond Manchester city centre too, as suburban gems are getting in on the action in 2025.
So whether you’re looking for a date night for less, an affordable family dinner, or a cheap eat after work with your mates, we’ve got you covered.
Read our massive round-up of January dining deals here.
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Wild
Manchester Museum
Monday 6 January – onwards
Wild / Credit: Manchester Museum
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, An Inspector Calls, is back in Greater Manchester.
Hailed as the theatrical event of its generation, winning more awards than any other production in history, and described as being “more relevant now than ever”, An Inspector Calls has thrilled millions of people worldwide, and it returns to The Lowry stage in Salford this month.
The play tells the story of Inspector Goole, who arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, with their peaceful dinner party being shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman.
A huge gaming event is happening in Manchester this weekend.
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP at the Science and Industry takes ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming, with everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more.
Power UP is taking place each weekend only throughout this month, with each ticket including unlimited play all day.
Could a trip to the theatre could be on the cards this year?
Greater Manchester has firmly earned itself a spot as a place for world-renowned touring theatre productions to make a stop off at.
While the past couple of years amid and post-pandemic may have hit the theatre pretty hard, it’s a beloved industry that has now well and truly bounced-back – with the region’s three main theatres, Palace Theatre Manchester, Opera House Manchester, and The Lowry, all having welcomed some absolute show-stopping productions in 2024.
And 2025 is set to be absolutely no different.
Our region’s theatre events calendar is already jam-packed with award-winning musicals, family-friendly plays, inventive dance productions, and so much more in 2025, so we’ve rounded up 10 of the best shows to see and grab tickets for this year.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known for across the world, it’s music.
Our region is not only a historic musical hub in and of itself, having been the birthplace of so many legendary famous names, but it’s also a major UK stopping point on many global artists’ tour schedules too, thanks to the city’s various sizes of stage and venues.
This means there’s a jam-packed schedule of gigs happening all throughout 2025 – with something for everyone, no matter your taste in music.
From world-famous pop and rock stars, to genre-bending artists, and a few comeback tours too, most-notably by one of Manchester – and the world’s – most famous bands of all time (they’re called Oasis… not sure if you’ve ever heard of them?), 2025 has got it all.
Read our picks for 13 of the best gigs happening in Manchester this year here.
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Featured Image – Science Museum Group | The Manc Group | Supplied
What's On
13 massive must-see gigs you need tickets for in Manchester in 2025
Thomas Melia
Some of the world’s biggest artists will be touching down in Manchester in 2025 with massive gigs announced that will fill up your concert calendar FAST.
We’ve been trawling through all the listings to bring you some of the best live shows coming to town next year.
Manchester is a hub of music and culture and is now home to TWO massive arenas, so it’s no surprise that some serious superstars are flocking to our lovely city to hear our lovely Manc voices sing their biggest hits back to them.
So keep reading for all the live music and gigs inspiration you need for 2025 in Manchester.
(If any of my friends or family are reading this and are struggling for gift ideas, I’ll happily go watch a 5 foot tall sun-kissed blonde sing about a certain coffee drink any day of the week, wink, wink, nudge, nudge…)
Must-see Manchester 2025 gigs
Katy Perry, AO Arena
Credit: Publicity Picture
The ultimate definition of 2010’s pop, this California girl is swapping the heat of the West Coast for the crowds of the North West.
Getting my daisy dukes ready as we speak and I’m DIY-ing my own cupcake bikini right now in preparation for the pop legend.
Katy Perry is bringing ‘The Lifetimes Tour’ to Manchester on 8 October 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Robbie Williams, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Featuring in chart-topping boyband Take That and also having a remarkable solo career, Robbie Williams is no stranger to performing in the music capital of the North.
The Stoke born singer will be hoping this batch of 2025 shows will be just as sweet as his 2012 single ‘Candy’.
Robbie Williams is bringing ‘Robbie Williams Live 2025’ to Co-op Live on 10 and 11 June 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Lionel Richie, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Richie and almost 24,000 people are gearing up to dance ‘All Night Long’ with the American hitmaker when he pays a visit to Manchester’s newest live entertainment venue next year.
Last visiting Manchester city centre in 2016, Lionel Richie’s star power hasn’t slowed down he’s always reaching new heights, and that’s because no one can get him down he’s always ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’.
The Jamaican born dancehall act has seen chart success with ‘Temperature’, ‘Got 2 Luv U’ and ‘Get Busy’, Paul has been steadily soundtracking people’s lives since his debut.
Ashanti has her own roster such as ‘Rock Wit U’, ‘Foolish’ and ‘Baby’, the latter single by the New York R&B artist even got an Aitch remix in 2022.
Sean Paul & Ashanti are bringing the ‘Bring It Tour’ to AO Arena on 20 April 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Pierce The Veil, Co-op Live
Credit: Wikicommons
This wouldn’t be a proper gig list if we didn’t have some serious headbanging going on and it’s Californian rock band, Pierce The Veil, who we turn to for some big guitar and drum numbers.
The band are hoping to be the ‘King For The Day’ as they command a spectacular 23,500 audience in autumn of next year.
Pierce The Veil are bringing ‘I Can’t Hear You World Tour’ to Co-op Live on 25 September 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Tyler The Creator, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Influential within the Hip-Hop genre, his latest album Chromakopia has a collection of 2020’s defining rap voices like Doechii, Sexyy Red and GloRilla.
Two support acts in the form of Georgia talent Lil Yatchy and Californian duo Paris Texas who are ready to drop some of the best bars Co-op Live has ever seen.
Tyler The Creator is bringing ‘Chromakopia: The World Tour’ to Co-op Live on 27 and 28 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Kesha, Albert Hall
Credit: Brendan Walter
The early 2010s wouldn’t have been the same without Kesha spinning our heads right round, right round and we’re not complaining, every single song is a banger.
There’s a number of hits fans can expect and with a discography as popular as this American vocalist’s, the crowd will be wild.
Her sixth album which is expected the same year as her tour is set to be her first official release under her independent music label Kesha Records with two singles ‘JOYRIDE’ and ‘DELUSIONAL’ out already.
Kesha is bringing ‘Kesha Live In The UK’ to Albert Hall on 30 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Sugababes, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Mutya, Keisha and Siobhán better known as UK girl group Sugababes have not long left Manchester performing at Parklife just this summer.
They have accumulated a total six number one singles in the span of five years including ‘Push The Button’ and its infamous line which “I’ve been dropping so many hints and you’re just not getting it”.
These leading ladies have been a UK music staple with ‘Freak Like Me’ and ‘Round Round’ , if you’re going to this you’ll soon be up on your feet busting your best moves.
Sugababes are bringing ‘Sugababes ’25’ to Co-op Live on 11 April 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Gary Barlow, O2 Apollo
Credit: Publicity Picture
2025 is set to be an epic year for this boyband heartthrob with the renewal of his TV show ‘Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour’ and a host of UK gigs, what can’t this man do?
Barlow is embarking on a huge tour of the country with 41 UK tour dates including O2 Apollo in Manchester and dates in Blackpool, Halifax, and Liverpool, if you’re after a nice, local afternoon out.
He’s seen much acclaim in Take That but with his solo records too, most notably ‘Sing’, ‘Forever Love’ and ‘Love Won’t Wait’, written by Madonna (We’re not joking).
Gary Barlow is bringing ‘The Songbook Tour 2025’ to O2 Apollo on 9 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Teddy Swims, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
One of the most recent rising stars, Teddy Swims has built a rapid fanbase who admire him for his strong vocal capabilities heard on his smash hit ‘Lose Control’.
Swims has collaborated with the likes of the incredible hitmaker Meghan Trainor and even country songstress Maren Morris.
The American male vocalist is seeing similar success with newest release ‘The Door’ which is just as soulful as his 2023 groundbreaking single.
Teddy Swims is bringing ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour’ to Co-op Live on 10 March 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Rizzle Kicks, Castlefield Bowl
Credit: Publicity Picture
As the two lads sing themselves in 2011’s ‘Mama Do The Hump’, “Yeah, yeah I love that sound” and we really do love the sound of this duo coming back to Manchester.
They’ve grafted hard with their memorable tracks like ‘Down With The Trumpets’, ‘Skip To The Good Bit’ and even featured on the Olly Murs record ‘Heart Skips A Beat’.
Jordan and Harley have sold over one million singles and 600,000 albums in the UK under the stage name ‘Rizzle Kicks’ and they’re taking over Manchester next summer.
Rizzle Kicks are visiting ‘Sounds Of The City 2025’ at Castlefield Bowl on 11 July 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Sabrina Carpenter, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
‘Espresso’, ‘Taste’ and ‘Please Please Please’ – Sabrina Carpenter’s grip on the charts this year has literally been phenomenal.
Carpenter is known for keeping her shows fresh from varying her ‘Nonsense’ outros, covering songs via ‘Spin the wheel’ or the big one on everyone’s lips, “What ‘Juno’ position is she going to do in Manchester?”.
Sabrina Carpenter is bringing ‘The Short ‘N’ Sweet Tour’ to Co-op Live on 13 March 2025 with tickets sold out, but you can try resell sites like Twickets. (Good luck).
Oasis, Heaton Park
Credit: Publicity Picture
We’ve saved our favourite Mancs til last and as many of you are probably aware, this tour is more than certainly sold out however it would be a dishonour not to mention it.
Burnage boys, Noel and Liam, have well and truly got the band back together ahead of their 2025 Oasis reunion tour and are set to play five shows at huge outdoor Manchester venue, Heaton Park.
Oasis are bringing ‘Oasis Live ’25’ to Heaton Park on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July 2025 with tickets sold out, however much like the pop princess above, you can also try resell sites like Twickets.
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2022 
