Just as advertised, OVO had those in attendance at Manchester’s AO Arena last week and over the Easter bank holiday utterly enthralled as they watched over a “colourful ecosystem teeming with life – where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love”.
While the already pre-fascinated audience made their way to their seats, a lone giant egg occupied the stage before being soon replaced by an array of bright-coloured insect-like performers, resembling crickets, spiders and other critters.
The captivating introduction to the world of OVO was then followed by what may very be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking shows to grace the AO Arena in many, many years.
A showcase of acrobatics, skill and sheer mind-blowing talent, the production takes you on a journey of awe, shock and bewilderment. As the insects and bugs swung around the stage, being thrown through the air and contorting their limbs those watching on were left gasping. Nothing but exclaim and applause.
If we had to sum up Cirque du Soleil’s return to Manchester succinctly, mind-bending doesn’t even begin to cover it.
From stunning set to stunning set, each performer evoked emotion from those in their presence. Soloists left the stands in stunned silence as they moved oh so gracefully around the stage, telling the audience a story they may not always quite understand but are simply left with no choice but to feel every moment.
Ethereal violins are the perfect accompaniment for the physical movement that had emotions swelling, chests tightening and eyes widening all around the AO.
Such moments were still broken up with more traditional comedic circus craft, as heads flew back in laughter in response to the rather hilarious love story of the travelling blue fly and ladybird love interest.
They even got members of the audience up on stage to create further amusement for all the family.
But then, before you know it, things whip straight back into a world of high-risk stunts you’ll struggle to believe you’re witnessing live — we certainly did.
Performers are thrown from trapeze to trapeze, basically being caught by pinky fingers and little toes, twisting and turning through their air and even flying between the support struts of the apparatus, before the cast are then thrown into the air and dive into the netting below.
Crickets throw themselves up walls, tumbling back down towards trampolines only to rebound right back to the top, as their counterparts tumble towards the crowd performing double and triple summersaults… and we’re still genuinely out of breath even just recounting it all.
The Manchester crowd absorbed every ounce of energy, clapping and whooping in sheer disbelief and wonder. As the story concludes the crowd are still left speechless but driven once again to fill the arena with applause.
After half a decade since the world-famous circus and entertainment group last landed in Manchester, Cirque du Soleil truly brought an experience unlike any other to the city.
We might have to wait another little while before they’re back but we sincerely recommend giving this other-worldly performance art a go if you haven’t before. Better still, they rock up to our friends over at The Hoot‘s territory for a run of shows later this week.
Lastly, if you want to find out more about every other big event coming up at the AO Arena in the first half of 2024, we’ve got a handy little list for you down below:
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 21 – 27 July 2025
Emily Sergeant
Schools are out, summer is here, and Manchester looks stunning in the sunshine.
The dust may finally be settling following Oasis’ nostalgia-filled run of gigs at Heaton Park, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun is over with across Greater Manchester, in fact, it’s just getting started and there’s plenty happening this week – from festivals, and themed events, tp new foodie openings, family fun, and loads more.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. 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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Music for the Senses
Manchester City Centre
Monday 21 July – onwards
Music for the Senses / Credit: David Oates Photography
An all-new multi-sensory art exhibition has taken over the streets of the city centre this summer.
The new exhibition, which is titled Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, is a collaboration between global art producer Wild in Art – the creators of the famous Bee in the City project – and Manchester City Council.
There’s everything from a pop-up bar in Piccadilly Gardens with surprise live acts doing sets, and markets in St Peter’s Square selling vinyl and vintage goods, to block parties in the Northern Quarter, and the already-announced Music for the Senses art trail dotted around all the well-known city centre sights.
The Science and Industry Museum has got a spectacular summer holiday programme packed with all sorts of things to be getting up to, making it one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle with your little ones in the city centre this summer.
With events running up until 31 August, whether it’s disco dancing around a giant brain, unveiling the science behind optical illusions, or journeying through a giant ear canal, there’s something for everyone during the museum’s ‘sense-sational’ summer.
Loads To Do / Credit: Artem Kniaz | Yan Krukau (via Unsplash & Pexels)
Thousands of free activities have been planned by Manchester City Council ready for local families to take part in this summer.
A many parents, carers, and guardians will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks before the new term starts, the Councilhas relaunched its popular Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) to help keep little Mancs active during the summer break.
From arts and crafts, to sporting events and plenty other physical activities, there is a whole host of entertaining things for everyone to get involved with, no matter your budget, making sure no one gets bored over the holidays.
A beach, splash park, fairground rides, and loads more family fun has returned to the Trafford Centre for the summer.
After proving to be massively-popular over the past couple of years, with thousands of families travelling from across Greater Manchester and beyond to bask in the sunshine and make the most of all the fun and games, the Trafford Centre has welcomed back its Summer Fair for 2025.
And this year, the beloved event has got itself a new family activity zone, and it sounds set to be bigger and better than ever.
The best bit? Tickets will only set you back just £3 each.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 / Credit: Molly Darlington / The FA (via England on Facebook) | Wikimedia Commons
England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches are being shown on big screens for free in Manchester this summer.
As England women’s national football team look to retain their title and continue to build on their ever-growing success as one of the best national football teams in the world, Manchester’s National Football Museum is hosting a series of family-friendly watch parties after hours for the UEFA Women’s Euros this summer.
Not only are matches being shown in all their glory for free on a big screen, but there’s also an on-site bar, and even the option to pre-order pizza ahead of time to feast on while you’re watching the action.
Find out more about the viewing parties at the National Football Museum here.
Keen to catch the football somewhere else instead?
Manchester is a city synonymous with sport, and football is arguably what we’re best at, so of course there’s plenty of other places screening the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 this summer.
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography
Stockport has transformed into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail has taken over the town.
Visitors should get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail is making its North West debut and taking over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.
The trail is created by trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld.
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 / Credit: Jon Shard (via Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & British Culture Archive)
A new free photography exhibition showing never-before-seen pictures of Oasis fans from the 90s is still open in Manchester.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s new free exhibition takes music fans on a trip down memory lane.
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 showcases a series of exclusive photographs by renowned photographer, Jon Shard, to the public for the first time ever, opening the door to a world before online sales, dynamic ticket pricing, and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town.
A free open-air cinema has arrived Manchester city centre for the summer.
With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline, Screen on The Square the go-to hangout for Mancs this summer, as audiences can recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views, and watch everything from classic and family films, to music, sporting events, and so much more.
It’s launched down at New Jackson – Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.
Adventure awaits, as premium outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx has now opened its first UK store outside of London right here in Manchester city centre, and it’s set up shop on the swanky New Cathedral Street.
Inside the brand new two-storey retail space, shoppers will find everything they need for their outdoor adventures – whether it’s hiking, climbing, or snow sports.
The new store is packed with technical, high-performance outerwear and equipment, from footwear, packs and accessories to Arc’teryx harnesses you can try out in-store.
NEW OPENING – Three Rooms by Platzki / Credit: The Manc Group
Three is definitely the magic number.
Platzki is already known and loved here in Manchester city centre, serving up some of the most authentic Polish cuisine from their little restaurant on Deansgate – but over Didsbury is their newest addition to the dining scene.
Three Rooms by Platzki is a real treat, bringing a modern twist on traditional Polish dishes to the suburbs, all with a splash of global flavour.
From their signature Platzki pancakes with whipped feta, to pulled duck pampushky buns, and punchy cocktails to match, this cosy three-floor spot is made for lingering.
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NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester
Market Street
NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester
adidas has made its big return to Manchester, and it’s back on Market Street where it belongs.
Spanning two floors, the new space delivers the best of both worlds, as downstairs is a full-on Oasis takeover with memorabilia, rare archive pieces, and custom shirt printing, but if you head upstairs, and it’s all about adidas Originals – terrace culture, football heritage, and iconic streetwear.
To mark the launch of their new flagship store, adidas has actually teamed up with Oasis for a one-off collab celebrating 30 years of iconic style, music, and legacy.
The limited-edition 26-piece drop brings together classic 90s silhouettes with a fresh twist including bucket hats, Firebird tracksuits, jerseys and more.
Stories – Brought To Life / Credit: The Manc Group
A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition has arrived in Salford.
The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative has opened at MediaCity, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.
Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period, and will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.
Visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I, and William Shakespeare.
Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh
Kargo on the Docks is back for the summer.
MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.
Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.
Manchester Day 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this weekend, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
Aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’ Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council | The Manc Group | Renaker
Art & Culture
Manchester Fashion Week is returning for 2025 this autumn after a decade-long hiatus
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a long time coming… but this autumn, Manchester Fashion Week is back.
Returning with a ‘bold blueprint’ for the future of fashion after what has been a decade-long absence, it has been announced this week that Manchester Fashion Week will be back this September at what is a pivotal moment for the city’s £12 billion fashion industry.
Due to the unprecedented challenges the industry faces around sustainability, technology, and cultural relevance, Manchester Fashion Week 2025 will be rooted in the textile heritage of the city but rebooted by technological advancements and innovation to make fashion future-proof.
Running from 9-11 September, and taking over the vibrant St. John’s area of the city, with its official hub set in the newly-refurbished Campfield – one of Manchester’s most exciting new cultural venues – organisers say the event will unite emerging designers and established brands on a platform that bridges Manchester‘s industrial heritage with cutting-edge innovation.
Manchester Fashion Week is returning for 2025 after a decade-long hiatus / Credit: Yogendra Singh (via Unsplash)
The event is aiming to trace a path from historic Mancunian mills to contemporary catwalks, honouring textile traditions along the way, all while accelerating toward fashion’s future.
Manchester Fashion Week’s 2025 return is seen to be yet another factor in the city fast becoming the culture capital of Britain, and comes not long after it was announced that The BRIT Awards would be hosted here next year – which is the first time outside of London in its 48-year history.
The three-day event will serve as a platform for ‘honest dialogue, visionary thinking, and radical collaboration’ by activating spaces across the city and inviting brands, creators, and communities to participate.
“Manchester has always led,” said Gemma Gratton, who is the Executive Producer of Manchester Fashion Week, ahead of the event’s return this autumn. “In music, in manufacturing, in movements. And now, it’s time to lead again by future-proofing fashion from the ground up.
“Manchester Fashion Week is not just a celebration of style, but a cultural catalyst for people, purpose, and progress.
The Manc -
2nd April 2024 
