This might be one of the busiest weeks of 2024 so far.
Sure, it’s not like Greater Manchester social calendar hasn’t already had a wide range of activities to get stuck into since the new year arrived, but this week, we’ve got both Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day to celebrate, and it’s even half term in some of the region’s boroughs too, as well as there being lots of other exciting events.
But if you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, not to worry, as we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Six Nations 2024
Greater Manchester
Monday 12 February – onwards
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It’s that time once again… the Six Nations is back.
With the international rugby tournament having now officially kicked-off, we thought it would be only right to put together a list of the very best places in Greater Manchester to head on down to and catch a game.
After all, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the action, we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.
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Read our round-up of the best places to watch the Six Nations here.
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Manchester Open Exhibition 2024
HOME
Monday 12 February – 28 April
Manchester Open Exhibition 2024 / Credit: HOME
Manchester Open Exhibition is back for the third time in our city.
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Taking place every two years down at HOME, the Open Exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, and sees HOME’s Gallery walls filled with 480 artworks created by the people of our region that have been specially-selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
Open to all, the Exhibition brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio, and so much more.
Hamilton: The Story of Tonight / Credit: Danny Kaan (via Supplied)
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is celebrating Manchester hosting the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton for the very first time with a photography exhibition showcasing moments both on and off stage.
Open for free to the general public until the end of February, Hamilton: The Story of Tonight offers a glimpse into the journey of the musical that captured the imaginations of audiences in our city.
20 photographs taken by Hamilton’s production photographer, Danny Kaan, are currently on show.
Did you know there’s currently 15,000 free cinema tickets up for grabs this month?
It’s all part of Escapes – a new project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding that’s giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema”.
The thousands of tickets are now available across the UK for completely free of charge, and there’s a handful of Greater Manchester cinemas taking part.
Escapes / Credit: Unsplash | A24
So whether you’re someone who prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more, there’s a free ticket to see brand-new wrestling biopic film, The Iron Claw, with your name on it
Back by popular demand, The Black Friar’s ‘Pie Festival’ has returned for 2024.
There’s nothing that sounds more inviting on a cold evening than a lovely warming pie, right? So when we heard that The Black Friar’s now-annual Pie Festival was making a 2024 comeback, we have no shame in admitting we did a little dance.
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Now in its third edition, the Salford restaurant has brought back the parade of meat and gravy, sweet and savoury, and all things pie and pastry-encrusted – with something for everyone on the menu.
Best of all, not only are there some enticing flavours on offer, but they’re also only £10 each.
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Welly Walk – A Family Trail / Credit: National Trust
The National Trust is encouraging Greater Manchester families to “brush off your best boots and wring out your waterproofs” to join in with a ‘Welly Walk’ around the gardens at the beautiful Dunham Massey this half term.
You’ll get to spot colourful displays, get stuck into playful installations, spot some resident deers, and see the first bulbs peeking out of the winter soil as you walk around, all before you sit down to enjoy a hot drink in the restaurant or café when your legs get tired.
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Find out more, and book your ‘Welly Walk’ timeslot here.
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Fancy scranning some of the city’s finest pancakes this week?
Well, considering it’s Pancake Day this Tuesday, there couldn’t be a better excuse to.
Considering all you need is water, flour and an egg or two, you wouldn’t think there could be so much variety in pancakes in Manchester, would you? But there’s so many different styles to choose from.
Pancake Day / Credit: | Ducie Street Warehouse | The Shack MCR | Hampton & Vouis
From sweet to savoury, miniature to fat, and thin to fluffy, no matter what pancake floats your boat, the city of Manchester is here to deliver… you just need to know where to look. So with Pancake Day finally here this week, we’ve broken down some of our favourites below to help you get your pancake fix.
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Read our round-up of where to find the best pancake places in Manchester here.
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In need of last-minute Valentine’s Day plans? Wondering where the most romantic restaurants and bars in Manchester are?
It’s Valentine’s Day this week, and Manchester is gearing up to welcome couples wanting to celebrate the international day of love in style.
With so many great restaurants, bars, and date spots in the city centre, if you’re looking to take your other half out, then you are quite literally spoilt for choice, so we thought we’d help make things a little bit easier by recommending some of our favourite popular date night spots to help get you started.
Valentine’s Day 2023 / Credit: 20 Stories | Unsplash
If you’re looking to spend a romantic evening celebrating the best of Manchester’s hospitality scene, then we’ve rounded up some of the city’s most romantic bars and restaurants here.
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Need some date inspiration? We picked five of the best date ideas here.
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Valentine’s Night
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 16 & Saturday 17 February
Valentine’s Night / Credit: ELR
East Lancashire Railway’s special ‘Valentine’s Night’ luxury dining experiences are back once again by popular demand this weekend.
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Lovebirds can hop on-board a vintage steam train and enjoy a four-course meal while riding through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside as the sun sets.
Part of ELR’s ongoing – and massively-popular – ‘Dining with Distinction’ series, which runs all throughout the year, these Valentine’s Night luxury dining experiences are promising to provide couples with an “elegant” and “atmospheric” evening as they travel through the Irwell Valley and raise a toast to each other to celebrate their love.
Find out more and book your last-minute tickets here.
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Party For The People
Manchester Museum
Sunday 18 February
Party For The People / Credit: Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum will be celebrating the anniversary of its impressive £15 million makeover with a free birthday party this Sunday, and it all sounds pretty nostalgic.
Taking place down at the Oxford Road attraction from 10am all the way through to 5pm, all of the museum’s spaces will be transformed into a ‘party for the people’ – with a gigantic game of pass the parcel, craft workshops where you can make your own party hats, and a good old-fashioned round of musical dinosaur statues, overseen by Stan the T-Rex.
The event will be completely free of charge, and you can find out more here.
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Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery
Freight Island
Sunday 18 February – onwards
Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery / Credit: Freight Island
Freight Island’s most famous Sunday feast, Seconds Carvery, is back to bring the good people of Manchester some proper winter-warming comfort food.
Diners can now dive into this modern take on a classic carvery every Sunday.
Running between 12pm and 6pm, you book yourself a half-hour slot to see the carvery chef on the terrace, where you choose a main from roast topside of Highland beef, marmalade glazed gammon joint, roast turkey crown, or roast squash and wild mushroom wellington.
But the stand-out feature of Seconds has to be the bottomless trimmings – including proper Yorkshire puddings, garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, buttered mash, broccoli, glazed carrots, petit pois, and 48-hour gravy.
Featured Image – National Trust | Hampton & Vouis | HOME
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 13 – 19 May 2024
Emily Sergeant
How glorious has the May weather been so far this month? Let’s keep hoping there’s more where that came from.
Over the past couple of weeks and throughout the month of May so far, the Greater Manchester social calendar has featured the likes of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, and wholesome spring-themed events… and thankfully, there’s loads more 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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Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 13 May – Sunday 9 June
Operation Ouch! / Credit: Science Museum Group
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”.
Manchester’s landmark entertainment complex, Printworks, is encouraging everyone to “move their bodies” during Mental Health Awareness Week this week by hosting a series of free fitness classes underneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
As part of a collaboration with Nuffield Health, the city centre venue is set to transform the local community’s lunch break with, and it’s promising a “midday fitness fiesta like no other”
Classes will be running from Monday 13 – Friday 17 May, and you can find out more here.
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Tales of Manchester 2.0
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Monday 13 May – onwards
Tales of Manchester 2.0 / Credit: Supplied
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.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 13 May – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College are now showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall.
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.
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.
Manchester 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.
NEW OPENING – Malibu Beach Club / Credit: Malibu Drinks
Malibu Drinks is opening a pop-up outdoor lounge with a relaxed beach bar theme, bright decor, and an extensive summer cocktail list in Manchester this week.
The only official Malibu bar outside of London, and aptly-named ‘Malibu Beach Club’, the colourful pop-up will open right in the heart of Manchester city centre on Great Northern Square, and we’re already being told to expect cute and colourful aesthetics, an unbeatable beachy charm, quirky lanterns, and palm trees.
There’ll also be plenty of seating both in the beaming sunshine (… or when it arrives) or undercover and heated for when it inevitably rains.
In celebration of World Bee Day, the award-winning River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel has launched a ‘Bee Afternoon Tea’.
For just £30 per person, the indulgent afternoon tea comes complete with a themed sandwiches and savouries, a traditional cream tea, a selection of pastries and sweet treats, and the chance to try an accompanying cocktail menu, all inspired by Manchester’s beloved bee symbol.
Freight Island’s Spring & Summer Festival Season 2024
Depot Mayfield
Saturday 18 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.
Blue Peter is launching a book club for kids right here in Manchester this weekend, and it’s free for everyone to get involved with.
Book-loving mini Mancs are in for a real treat, as the iconic BBC children’s TV series is partnering with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency for an exciting new project called ‘Blue Peter Book Club Live’.
Officially kicking off at Manchester Central Library this Saturday, Blue Peter Book Club Live is set to be a “fun-filled event” that’s open to all.
MediaCity’s new waterfront street food hub and community events venue, Kargo.MKT is hosting an ‘All Things Vintage’ market this weekend.
Fashion enthusiasts are invited to head on down and browse some of the best vintage traders in Manchester, all while listening to amazing vintage live music and tucking into a wide range of yummy food and drink.
Running from 12pm right through to 4pm, the market is free to attend, and there’s no tickets needed either, so you can just rock up.
South Terrace Yoga / Credit: FORM MCR | King Street Townhouse
One of Manchester’s most popular hotels is hosting another one of its yoga brunches on the terrace overlooking the city’s skyline this weekend.
As part of a ‘Wellness Series of events geared towards those who are keen to start the day with the best intentions, King Street Townhouse is inviting you to “stretch with the city skyline as your backdrop” at an exclusive yoga and brunch event on its impressive sixth-floor terrace.
The one-hour class is run by FORM, and is suitable for all abilities, and it will be followed by brunch with a smoothie to sip on once you’re done.
Featured Image – KSTH | Malibu Drinks | Freight Island
What's On
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
A huge pop-up fashion fair full of vintage, pre-loved, and small business clothing is back in Manchester this weekend.
Clothes Cycle is the UK’s biggest curated second-hand clothing market.
With a focus on championing sustainable clothing and helping fashion fans find a gem they’ll treasure forever, each pop-up market organised by the student-led initiative sees dozens of carefully-curated sellers offering a wide range of styles and items – including plus-sized, gender-neutral, male and female – come together all under one roof.
Taking over the unique space inside the historic Victoria Baths this Sunday (12 May), Clothes Cycle will welcome more than 100 different sellers showcasing everything from bargain vintage finds and designer pieces, to pre-loved wardrobes and picks from local small businesses.
Organisers say the Manchester event will be a combination of in-person thrift shopping, a filtered car boot sale, and the best of sustainable high street stores.
Sellers on the day will be offering up something for everyone on every budget.
With plenty of bargains under £5 up for grabs, you can expect to find vintage clothing of all kinds, alongside the best of streetwear, y2k, retro, archive pieces, luxury brands, current trends, and handmade clothing if you head down on the day, as well as bags, shoes, jewellery, and lots of other accessories.
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend / Credit: Clothes Cycle Markets
If that wasn’t enough, there’ll also be vendors selling home decor, art and prints, greeting cards, plants, ceramics, and so much more, as well as tooth gem and nail art stalls to get involved with.
There’ll even be three DJs blasting out tunes in various rooms throughout the day.
And if all that shopping gets you a bit peckish, there’ll even be some of the city’s best-loved independent street food vendors pitching up to serve a wide range of mouthwatering grub – including pizza, burgers, dumplings, gyros, streak sandwiches, and ice cream, alongside freshly-brewed coffee, and other alcoholic drinks and cocktails.
Clothes Cycle is coming to Victoria Baths in Manchester on Sunday 12 May from 11am-5pm, and tickets are now on sale from £5 online or on the door – with several concessions and VIP ticket options also available.