What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 24 – 30 June 2024

Emily Sergeant - 20th June 2024

We’ve arrived at our final week of June, and we just can’t believe how quickly this past month has flown by.

Well you know what they say, ‘time flies when you’re having fun’, and all that.

But despite how much of a cliché that saying is, it definitely sums up these last few weeks, as the Greater Manchester social calendar has been packed full of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, sporting tournaments, wholesome family-friendly events, and so much more – and thankfully, there’s even more where that came from.

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 this week, so here’s some of our recommendations.

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Armed Forces Week 2024

Manchester City Centre

Monday 24 – Saturday 29 June

Manchester is to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of the nation’s Armed Forces this week.

As well as the Armed Forces flag being raised on top of Central Library all week, on actual Armed Forces Day on Saturday, there’ll be a military parade and “poignant” performances, while Manchester City Council will also hosting a family fun day in St Peter’s Square from 11am, where members of the public to go along and get involved for free.

There’ll be a whole host of themed activities all honouring the members of the Armed Forces Community for their dedication and service. 

Find out more about what Manchester’s doing for Armed Forces Week 2024 here.

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Wild

Manchester Museum

Monday 24 June – onwards

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.

Find out more and grab your FREE tickets here.

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Disney’s Aladdin

Palace Theatre Manchester

Monday 24 June – 7 July

The magic carpet has officially landed, as Disney’s smash-hit musical Aladdin is now here in Manchester for the summer.

Based on the beloved 1992 animated film of the same name, and following several critically-acclaimed and sold-out runs on both Broadway and in London’s West End since it first debuted back in 2011, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated production has taken to the stage down at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.

The musical features all the timeless songs we know and love from the film, and people are already describing it as a seriously magical show.

Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.

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Looking for somewhere to watch UEFA Euro 2024 in Greater Manchester this summer?

European football’s flagship tournament has now officially kicked off.

But if you haven’t been lucky enough to grab tickets to catch a game over in Germany itself, and you don’t fancy sitting at home and watching on your own, then thankfully, our region is filled with places where you can catch all the action surrounded by hundreds of other football fans.

You’re absolutely spoiled for choice this year, as there’s plenty of places in Manchester city centre and beyond screening all the games.

Will England bring football home though? Only time will tell.

Check out our round-up list of all the best places to watch the Euros in Greater Manchester here.

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The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition

Manchester Central Library

Monday 24 June – onwards

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.

Find out more here.

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Power UP

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 24 June – onwards

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.

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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Fancy exploring the Yorkshire Dales in all their glory this summer?

Greater Manchester residents are now able to hop onboard a new train service to discover one of the most picturesque places in the North.

If you’re after a scenic adventure over these next couple of months, then Northern has decided to bring back the ‘Yorkshire Dales Explorer’ train after it proved to be so popular with passengers the last time it was out on its travels.

The new service is now departing from Rochdale to Ribblesdale twice a day every Saturday throughout the summer, and tickets will set you back around £25 each.

Tickets are now on sale, and you can find out more and grab yours here.

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Street Food at GRUB

GRUB

Wednesday 26 – Sunday 30 June

There’s some seriously tasty street food to scran down at GRUB this week.

Every week from Wednesday to Sunday, you can head on down to the popular Green Quarter-based social hub and find an exciting lineup of traders cooking fresh-to-order food right before your eyes by some of the UK’s most passionate street food chefs.

GRUB only work with small independent businesses, and some of them on this week’s lineup include Oscar’s Dogs, Korean Grub Club, and Munchie Mummy’s Bakery.

Find out more here.

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TP Family Fest

Trafford Palazzo

Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 June

Trafford Palazzo is hosting a Glastonbury-themed festival for all the family this week.

For those who didn’t manage to get tickets to the biggest festival of the year, not to worry, as Trafford Palazzo has a jam-packed schedule of live music, wellness, and activity workshops taking place from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 June instead, and it’s FREE for everyone to head on down and “experience some magic without the mud”.

As well as a live screening of Glastonbury, families can also tuck into tasty festival food from various local vendors, and explore a range of festival themed pop-ups too.

Find out more about this event here.

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Summer Spa Showcase

King Street Townhouse

Thursday 27 June

King Street Townhouse is inviting you to “step into summer” at its spa this week.

You can head on down to the popular hotel for an exclusive showcase of its luxurious ESPA treatments and products this Thursday, and indulge in summer-themed drinks and canapes as you make the most of interactive skincare sessions with experienced therapists, and expert talks on maintaining healthy summer skin.

And for the price of your £15 ticket, you’ll also walk away with an exclusive ESPA goody bag filled with must-haves for the summer season.

Find out more and grab some tickets here.

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Red Rose Diner

East Lancashire Railway

Friday 28 June – onwards

Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.

Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays right through to November this year, East Lancashire Railway’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.

The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.

Find out more and book here.

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IRONMAN UK 2024

Bolton

Sunday 30 June

IRONMAN UK returns to Bolton once again this weekend.

With Bolton having been the UK-based home to the world-renowned triathlon event for the past several years now, IRONMAN UK has become known for its iconic spectator support, incredible bike course scenery, and impressive finish line that’s in the heart of the town centre – with the Greater Manchester public always encouraged to line the streets to cheer the athletes on.

A number of temporary road closures will be in place across Bolton on race day to ensure the safety of athletes and the public.

Find out more about IRONMAN UK 2024 the road closures set to be in place here.

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Manchester Festival of Nature 2024

Heaton Park

Sunday 30 June

Manchester Festival of Nature is back at Heaton Park this Sunday for a celebration of the wild plants and creatures that inhabit the city and its surroundings.

Organised each year by the Manchester Nature Consortium, there’s everything from mindfulness, forest bathing, and giant Jenga, to wildlife recording, woodland games, willow weaving, scavenger hunts, den building, and so much more to get involved with for free throughout the day.

You’ll probably also want to go in your best insect-themed fancy dress to take part in the ‘Pollinator Parade’ too.

Find out more about this year’s festival here.

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Featured Image – The FA | Manchester City Council | IRONMAN