DJs from Manchester’s iconic club The Hacienda are returning with a new gig series that lets concertgoers get up close and personal.
The Hacienda might be one of the greatest pieces of Manchester music history, and now people can relive it all over again with a new experience that is bringing clubbing back to its original roots.
Running across 2025, party people have multiple opportunities to relive the high life of traditional clubbing in a venue situated in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Well-established pub and frequent club-night host, Joshua Brooks, is bringing back The Hacienda but on a much more personal level, not like the Warehouse Project event hosting around 10,500 fans.
‘The Hacienda: All Night Long’ is a bi-monthly residency starting in February with a performance from Graeme Park followed by a packed lineup of incredible music makers and lovers.
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The original Hacienda club in its hay-day / Credit: Jon Shard.
The next event after the initial launch is in April with David Morales on the decks throughout the evening with good tunes and usual sleek style.
Greg Wilson is taking up a slot in June known for his work in dance music and the ‘re-edit movement’ which is still shaping music today.
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Keeping spirits high and vibes even higher, in August, attendees are in good company with your night soundtracked by Manc legend DJ Paulette.
Finishing off a phenomenal run of music mixing events is K-Klass who are notorious within the music scene for working with musical forces like Whitney Houston and Rihanna. The group even first met each other in The Hacienda!
Each event will include an extended set up to six hours long (or even more, if you’re lucky).
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Graeme Park putting on a show.K-Klass in their element behind the decks.Credit: Supplied
This run of live DJ sets are set to be an unmissable experience, partly due to the fact that there is a ‘No Photos, Just Music’ policy to help people live their life in real time and not through a digital device.
This rule is put in place by event organisers so that people can relive or first-hand experience an original club setting with no distractions and fully focus on the music being played out across the venue.
Graeme Park said of Haçienda – All Night Long: “A long time ago, in a nightclub, far, far away, I started DJing in a dark booth in the corner of a dark room, in a dark nightclub.
“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but over the next few years I learnt my craft by DJing all night long. Back then, it was all about the music and the crowd with the DJ being the person in the corner playing the tunes that mattered.
“This is why, after more than 40 years on the decks, I’m really excited to be back at the fabulous Joshua Brooks in February for another All Night Long session where I can play an extended DJ set in intimate surroundings, close up and personal with a superb sound system and an enthusiastic crowd right in front of me.
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“Last time we were all connected through the music and I can’t wait to do it all again.”
If you fancy celebrating clubbing in its truest form guided through the night by some Hacienda greats, you can grab tickets HERE.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 31 August – 6 September 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s time to say goodbye to August, and welcome in a new month this week.
We’ve got one final day of August – and the last bank holiday before Christmas, too – to make the most of this week, before all the beautiful colours of autumn arrive, and, of course, that means there’s loads happening across Greater Manchester this week.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as we’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Manchester Village Pride
Manchester City Centre
Monday 31 August
Manchester Village Pride / Credit: Supplied
One of the most important events in the city’s annual social calendar has returned as Manchester Village Pride this bank holiday weekend.
This year’s event includes a ‘diverse’ programme of events that build on some of the best-loved elements of previous years – a Pride Parade, candle-lit vigil, party with performance and music across various stages, as well as talks, exhibitions, and community activities.
All funds raised through the sale of wristbands and passes will support LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations, and vital community services.
Everything you need to know about Manchester Village Pride 2026 is here.
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Bolton Food & Drink Festival
Bolton
Monday 31 August
Bolton Food & Drink Festival 2026 / Credit: Paul Hayes (Supplied)
Bolton Food and Drink Festival is back this August bank holiday weekend.
The award-winning festival is the biggest of its kind in the North West, bringing together celebrity and regional chefs, cooking demos, live music, street entertainment, special events, and over 200 market traders.
Hosted right across the town centre, foodies can roam freely as they explore food stalls, bars, dedicated music stages, and plenty more at the free-to-attend festival.
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Summer Scran Fest
Manchester Arndale
Monday 31 August
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Summer Scran Fest / Credit: The Manc Group | Supplied
Looking for the best foodie deals in Manchester city centre this summer? We’ve got you covered. Summer Scran Fest is back at Manchester Arndale, bringing a month-long celebration of tasty food, refreshing drinks, and unbeatable offers.
Running right through until the end of the month, there’ll be discounts across 30+ restaurants, cafes, kiosks and leisure venues, all under one roof – from big-name chains, to local indies.
Pride Fringe / Credit: Supplied | Jason Lock Photography
Of course, we all know Manchester Village Pride has returned for 2026 over the August bank holiday weekend, but aside from the official festivities around the Village, an extensive new Pride Fringe event is also taking place for the first time this year.
You can expect an exciting mix of LGBTQIA+ arts, culture, live entertainment, family events, food, drink and shopping experiences.
On top of that, the city’s hotels will also be joining in the celebrations – with dedicated Pride packages, parties, free gifts, and discounts this month.
You can find out everything happening these new few weeks here.
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Summer in Space
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 31 August – Tuesday 1 September
Summer in Space / Credit: Science Museum Group
Get ready to spend the summer in space, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced its summer events programme and it’s full of free interactive events and activities to get involved with these next six weeks.
From live space shows and giant rockets, to tinkering activities Martian discovery trails, and the chance to visit the blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos if you haven’t already, budding astronauts are in for a summer to remember.
By far one of the stand-out free events this summer is the arrival of 30-foot-tall rocket ship, Skybolt 2 – hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company, Starchaser.
Find out more and book tickets for your visit here.
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High School Musical
Lowry
Monday 31 August – Saturday 19 September
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High School Musical / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)
If you want to relive your childhood, High School Musical is now on stage at the Lowry.
We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.
The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending.
Read our review of the show and get last-minute tickets here.
Manchester is bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer.
Thanks to additional Council funding that was allocated earlier this year, Manchester’s biggest-ever Parktastic programme has now launched – expanding from the summer holidays alone to include after-school sessions before schools break up, activities throughout the holidays, and even sessions continuing into September.
Back by popular demand and aimed at children ages six-12, Parktastic offers sports, games, arts and crafts, dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling and messy play.
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Sessions are free, no booking is required, healthy snacks are provided, and children can simply turn up and join in.
Remember earlier this summer when Chester Zoo invited families from across the North West to visit for just £10? Well, as the offer proved so popular, they’ve brought it back again for a limited time. Without this offer, standard admission tickets usually cost up to £38, so you really are saving some important pennies. And the best bit about the offer returning is that the zoo is currently operating its extended opening hours until 6pm too, so you’ll even get to see the animals as the sun goes down.
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you – as Zip World Manchester has launched its new Forest Tubing experience, and it’s bringing the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide is coming to Heaton Park.
The new family‑friendly outdoor adventure gives visitors the chance to soar along two slides, winding through woodland at one of the largest parks in the North West.
Suitable for children aged four and above, visitors can book an hour-long session – with unlimited rides during that time slot – and either ride solo, or share the experience with fellow adventurers.
The huge new MCR Made exhibition by incredible local artist Stanley Chow has now taken over Manchester Arndale.
Running through until the autumn, shoppers and locals will be able to admire 13 portraits of Manc icons, which measure up to six-metres in length – whether it’s Oasis legends or Suffragettes, football heroes or creative pioneers.
The gigantic inflatable portraits are suspended right across the iconic shopping centre for an art trail that celebrates the figures who have shaped the city.
Manchester City Stadium Tours / Credit: The Manc Group
If you’re looking for something to do this summer, did you know you can currently get 15% off Manchester City’s tours of the Etihad Stadium?
You’ll get to walk in the players’ footsteps down the tunnel, sit in Enzo’s seat, get pitchside, see the Domestic Double Winners’ trophies, and loads more. Plus, from 17 August, you’ll be able to see City’s brand-new dressing room too.
Now, this might just be one of our favourite new finds in Greater Manchester.
This is Holy Grounds, serving up fresh doughnuts at their newest spot in Wigan, right out of a church – quite fitting for their name, really. Doughnuts here are made fresh every single day, with the flavours changing each month.
Our favourite? The OG, dunked in a coffee – what a treat.
A Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant with a whole host of breakfast, brunch, and sweet treat dishes you need to try, and with a dinner menu coming soon too (plus, everything is halal), get yourself down Deansgate and try it out.
Proloco is gearing up to open its doors on Great Ancoats Street, and this is a neighbourhood restaurant we can all get behind – think £7 negronis, great wine, and ‘butter pie’ pizzas (where mozzarella is replaced with slivers of butter).
As well as pizza made with top local ingredients, there are little scoops of gelato that pack a big punch, plus fantastic small plates, so you can fill your table with the things that make you very happy indeed.
Everything you need to know about Proloco is here.
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NEW OPENING – Aldi
Market Street
Okay, we’re kidding a bit with this one… but also kind of not.
Everybody can calm down now, because after several weeks of refurbishment, Aldi on Market Street in Manchester city centre is now back open. The shelves are stacked, the floor’s brand new, there’s loads more self checkouts, and the Specialbuys aisles are full.
On a budget and need somewhere to take the kids to eat for £1 or even FREE over the summer holidays?
In case the ongoing heatwave didn’t remind you, summer is in full swing and so are the school summer holidays.
If you’re after ways to enjoy some quality family time without having to break the bank, we’ve found lots of places where kids can eat for £1 or free – 15 of them, to be exact.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty Italian, a bit of brekkie, or even a big Greek feast, just because you’re on a budget shouldn’t mean you have to limit your and your family’s taste buds.
It’s strawberry season, and Kenyon Hall Farm has officially opened up its strawberry fields (plus plenty of other pick-your-own produce) for the season for you to frolic amongst, with loads of summer treats in its cafe and award-winning farm shop too.
Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and it’s proven as popular ever since.
Did you know that Go Ape now runs adult-only sessions?
We nipped over to Go Ape at Rivington as we heard you can now act like a big silly kid there without having to share anything with actual children.
It’s one of the region’s top attractions for good reason, giving you a chance to clamber and fly through the treetops on a sky-high obstacle course, and now every Thursday and Friday evening, you can escape your work inbox and switch it out for a maze of ziplines, ladders, swings, and more.
Less than an hour from Manchester, you’ll find what is essentially a gigantic floating bouncy castle which makes for an incredibly silly afternoon out.
At Wild Shore Delamere you can take on slides, monkey bars, ninja jumps, tyre runs, and plenty of other opportunities to slip and spectacularly fall into the lake. And if you don’t fancy wiping out in front of a lake full of children, there’s also paddleboarding, wakeboarding, open-water swimming, and even a lakeside sauna.
If you’d like to say on land, how about a shopping trip?
You already know Cheshire Oaks is the ultimate shopping destination, but have you seen its summer transformation yet?
The huge designer outlet has areas like a summer chill-out zone, its rooftop bar Under The Oaks, fairground rides, and absolutely loads more, plus kids eat free deals at restaurants across the village. That’s in addition to the big-name stores packed with summer essentials, the huge kids’ play area, and photo opps like murals and a massive floral installation.
We’re deep in the school holidays now, and if you’re running out of things to do, don’t worry as we’ve got you covered. To make life even easier, all the activities are accessible by the Bee Network AND they’re tried and tested by us, so we can guarantee you’ll love them.
Featured Image – Supplied | Matt Crockett (Supplied) | The Manc Group
Gigs & Nightlife
Fontaines D.C. announce massive return to Manchester on new European tour
Daisy Jackson
Fontaines D.C. have just announced their biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena gig here in Manchester.
The wildly popular Irish rock band are set to play a whopping 20 arena shows across Europe and the UK this autumn.
The tour has been announced in celebration of their upcoming fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, which is set for release this October.
Fontaines D.C. will hit the road just five days after the album drops, kicking off their European tour in Lisbon on 21 October.
Then they’ll make their way over to the UK, with shows in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Fans in their home country of Ireland are told to stay tuned for live news very soon.
As we speak, Fontaines D.C. are warming up to play one of the country’s biggest festivals, with headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.
They’ve already released Marianne, the first single from their new album, and frontman Grian Chatten says of the album: “The album itself is a dopamine chamber. You step inside and we test these different mind- or mood-altering pieces of music on you.”
The new record has been recorded between London, the English countryside, and Palermo, where Chatten recorded vocals in a makeshift booth built from mattresses and cushions.
He said: “There’s a poignant sense of us being on the brink of some other kind of form of humanity, or non-humanity.”
Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 3 September, with pre-sale live from 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
You can access tickets for Fontaines D.C. in Manchester HERE.
Fans who pre-order Dopamine Chamber from the official store by 6pm on Monday 31 August will gain access to the UK pre-sale.
Fontaines D.C. UK tour dates in full
Friday 20 November – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Saturday 21 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sunday 22 November – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tuesday 24 November – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 25 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Thomas Melia -
27th November 2024 
