We’ve waved goodbye to what was a busy April, and it’s now time to welcome in another new month in Manchester.
Starting off the month with a bank holiday, there’s a whole host of exciting activities lined up in the events calendar, and plenty to be getting up to across the region this week, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide for the city and beyond.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, 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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Day Out with Thomas
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 2 May
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Iconic heritage railway service East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand this early May bank holiday, and the Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will be able to hop on board the replica of the cult-classic blue train character for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
The journey begins at Bury Train Staion, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
A new display has been unveiled at the Science and Industry Museum, which celebrates 100 years of the BBC in Manchester.
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The hugely popular museum has brought together objects and photographs – including some never-before-seen items – that showcase Manchester as a centre of innovation in broadcasting, and it will take visitors from the early radio experiments of the 1920s right though to the revolutionary ideas of today.
The temporary display of 14 items, along with accompanying stories, shows off the BBC’s time in Manchester.
In what is a first for Manchester city centre, popular Deansgate venue Roxy Ball Room has added ice-free curling lanes to its adults-only playground this month, and it means that revellers can take on games of pool, crazy golf, ping pong, beer pong, shuffleboard, and curling, all in one evening.
The venue has remodelled its top floor to make room for two full-size, ice-free curling lanes.
Players are given four curling stones per team, which they have to carefully slide down the length of the ice-like surface, aiming for a huge target at the other end.
Printworks is launching its first ever brunch club exclusively for mums this week.
The landmark city centre entertainment venue’s new Mums Brunch Club is giving all the amazing Greater Manchester mothers out there an opportunity to meet likeminded people, make some new friends, share parenting tips, and ultimately, treat themselves like they deserve, no matter whether their kids are little, all grown up, or they’re expecting mums-to-be.
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The day will begin with a brunch at popular TexMex restaurant chain Chiquito, before taking part in a round of mini golf at Treetop Adventure Golf inside the complex.
Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are welcome at the event too, as the club comes complete with soft play toys and childminders, so that mums can enjoy brunch while the kids play.
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 celebrating the annual Mexican festival, Cinco de Mayo.
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 expect Cinco de Mayo celebrations, with traditional décor and absolute Latin party vibes.
Did you see that one of the Peak District’s most impressive landmarks has been been turned into a pop-up cinema by The Village Screen?
The dramatic Peak Cavern will be kitted out with a full cinema set-up, plus cosy blankets and hot water bottles, for an unmissable film experience. Visitors will be greeted by live music, street food stalls, and pop-up bars before heading through to the cinema area, surrounded on all sides by stunning natural limestone walls.
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Films on this week’s schedule include Pulp Fiction, The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Dune.
A brand-new festival filled with all things motorcycle and lifestyle is coming to Manchester city centre this week.
Mancunia Motorcycle Festival is pitching up at popular warehouse venue Depot Mayfield next to Manchester Piccadilly station from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022, and it looks set to combine the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment – and bring it right to the heart of our city.
City centre venue Peaky Blinders Manchester is inviting you to “peak your curiosity” each month with a diverse lineup of performance artists from the world of Burlesque, Circus, Drag, and many more at ‘Peaky’s Speakeasy’.
According to the event description, jazz quintet The Bourbon Street Band will provide the soundtrack to the show to take you into the night and “dance the blues away”, while Don Vinaste – described as being the purveyor of finery and quality goods – will be at the helm, and proudly welcome you to “sample the delights on offer”.
The performance will begin at 9:30pm and run until late, you’re advised to arrive early for the best views.
Manchester Cruises is inviting you to jump aboard Manchester’s number one party boat, the Princess Katherine, this Friday for a night of “totally bangin’ sounds” that all had us hitting the dance floor back in the 90s.
The boat will pick guests up at Salford Quays, where you’ll be greeted with a themed cocktail on arrival setting off for a three-hour 90s extravaganza.
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Tickets will set you back £25, and you can grab yours here.
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Bez’s Bingo Brunch
Escape to Freight Island
Saturday 7 May
Credit: Escape to Freight Island
Happy Mondays’ hype man Bez is hosting a bottomless bingo brunch in Manchester this weekend.
Taking place on Saturday 7 May, and includes an hour of bottomless drinks alongside a street food dish of your choice from any of Escape’s traders, which means you’ll be able to get stuck into some of the food hall’s brand new offerings – including new arrivals Gooey, Batard, Carnival and Lucky Foot.
Joined by a host of comedians, dancers, singers and DJs, Manchester’s best-loved party hero will lead the day’s festivities.
Tickets are priced at £45 per head, and you can find out more here.
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French Patisserie & Desserts
Food Sorcery
Saturday 6 May
Credit: Food Sorcery
Didsbury’s very-own cookery school, Food Sorcery, is hosting a dedicated French Patisserie & Desserts workshop this weekend.
As the French and fine dining are undeniably linked, it’s true that elegant desserts with quality ingredients make French cuisine great for occasions where you want to impress, but there are also some simple classics that can showcase your skills with minimal fuss – and this workshop will guide through how to make them all.
Traditional French Apple Tart, Profiteroles, and Citron Curd Tartare just some of the dishes you could learn how to prepare during this five-hour class.
Find out more and book your spot on the class here.
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Featured Image – ELR | The Village Screen
What's On
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation
Danny Jones
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.
After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.
With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.
Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.
Yesterday's canceled Manchester show has been Rescheduled for this Saturday at AO Arena! We won't give up that easy let's go!
The switch to the AO comes after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie issued a statement admitting he was ‘heated’ about the situation.
Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.
Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”
We’re excited to welcome @ArtistHBTL and his fans to AO Arena this Saturday. 💛 It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here. ⚡️ More ticket info will be available in due course. pic.twitter.com/Q9LKGU6RND
The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.
Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.
Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.
It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.
You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 May 2024
Emily Sergeant
We’re into our first full week of May now, and it’s already starting to feel like summer’s on the way across our region.
April saw the likes of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more happening all throughout the month… but thankfully, there’s even more where that came from in May.
There’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with this week and beyond.
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, so here’s some of our recommendations.
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The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 6 May – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine has once again made a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester this early May Bank Holiday weekend.
The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns in a couple of weeks time for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Don’t forget there’s a world-first exhibition still running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.
The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
Did you see that Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024?
Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is already familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world.
But now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.
The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.
Castlefield ViaductManchester Green Spaces Trail / Credit: Carl Sukonik | Annapurna Mellor
Workers and visitors are being invited to discover some stunning outdoor spaces across Manchester city centre and beyond this summer.
Keen to get out and about on foot? Manchester has launched Manchester Green Spaces Trail – a brand-new walking trail celebrating the best green, blue, and outdoor areas the cities of Manchester and Salford have to offer.
Created in collaboration with Manchester tour guide, Jonathan Schofield, the walking trail is free to do and accessible via a downloadable map, and it features 16 garden and water spaces.
Have you seen that Noi Quattro has just launched a full new menu of pastas?
Down at the beloved Manchester Italian restaurant’s site inside popular foodhall, Society MCR, is where you’ll find slow-cooked ragú, homemade pesto, loads of parmesan cheese all served with a generous portion of rigatoni or penne pasta.
Disco Bingo – Taylor Swift vs Harry Styles / Credit: GRUB
‘Disco Bingo’ is one of GRUB’s best-loved events, and this week, it’s putting two of pop music’s biggest names, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, against each other.
If you find yourself at a loose end this Friday night, you might fancy nipping down to GRUB, as the Green Quarter-based street food market and social hub is hosting a Taylor vs Harry edition of ‘Disco Bingo’, and it’ll be combining all your favourite bangers by the two superstars with lyric challenges, karaoke, guess the intro, bottomless brunch, and classic bingo hall vibes.
There’s loads of exciting prizes up for grabs too.
Tickets will set you back £6 for ‘standard’ and £25 for ‘bottomless’, so you can find out more and grab yours here.
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Freight Island’s Spring & Summer Festival Season 2024
Depot Mayfield
Saturday 11 May – onwards
Freight Island’s Spring & Summer Festival Season 2024 / Credit: Freight Island
In case you missed it, Freight Island has announced a huge lineup for its Spring/Summer season, with a free-to-attend festival series.
The huge urban street food and entertainment destination, located at Depot Mayfield just beyond Manchester Piccadilly, is now back open in full swing, and is promising its most electrifying season yet throughout this spring and summer.
David Rodigan, Greg Wilson, Crazy P (DJ set), and Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) are just some of the names on the lineup over the next few months.
It’s official… the best doughnuts in Manchester have found a beautiful new home.
Word on the street is that these fluffy brioche doughnuts are even better than Gooey’s… ‘the street’ being the guy sat next to us who was eating one with his eyes closed in a state of bliss. That’s right – DGHNT has moved into the beautiful foodhall, Mackie Mayor, and are now serving up gorgeous from-scratch bakes topped and stuffed with delicious flavours.
Currently, there’s a collab on with Manchester Italian stalwarts, Salvi’s, so ricotta chocolate chip, Amalfi lemon, pistachio tiramisu, and black cherry almond are some of the flavours on the ever-changing lineup.
Did you see that the 2024 Eurovision Grand Final is set to be show live in cinemas across Greater Manchester this Saturday?
Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.
The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.
Hosted by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and be “united by music” to share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.