A topless blacklight paint rave is coming to a Manchester nightclub this monthas the city gears up to welcome a night full of silliness and hedonistic anti-patriarchal partying.
Feminist, inclusive club night Party In Your Pants is coming to The Bread Shed on Friday 22 September, promising five hours of non-stop body doodling and shape throwing.
Soundtracked by banging beats, the rebellious paint rave seeks to #freethenipple with guests encouraged to get as naked as they like with a free all-night cloakroom multi-pass included in their ticket.
Ticket prices also include all the paints, pens and powders you could possibly desire to doodle on yourself (and others, consensually) until your heart’s content.
Inside the party, there is a ‘Splat-Attack Tunnel’, where revellers can get shot at with paint guns for a kaleidoscopic painting effect, and there’ll also be holi powder, fancy dress, silly games, and a giant ball pool to frolic about in.
Organisers, however, are keen to stress that whilst the party welcomes topless guests it is not a sex party.
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Stressing that the event is about ‘desexualised nudity’, they say that ‘if you can’t understand the concept’ then ‘this is not the place for you’.
The event page reads: “This is an event for the enlightened. If you can’t understand the concept of desexualised nudity, this is not the place for you. WE ARE NOT A SEX PARTY. (We can’t help it if we’re sexy, though – liberated humans just are!)
“For every feminist, whatever your gender, come and experience your equality and your liberty the Doodlecats way.”
Korn announce massive Manchester gig on first UK tour in a decade
Daisy Jackson
Korn have announced a major Manchester gig as part of a new UK tour – their first in more than a decade.
The nu metal legends will be heading to the AO Arena later this year, making a monumental return to British shores.
And they’ve announced very special guests will be joining them on the tour too – support will come from Architects, as well as Youth Code.
Korn burst onto the scene back in 1991 with their seminal self-titled debut album, and have gone on to release a whopping 14 studio albums.
The Californian group have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammy Awards, and headed out on countless world tours.
They’re often cited by newer bands as a major influence and have pushed the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres.
The Ringer has described Korn as ‘a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now’.
As well as performing in Manchester, Korn will play at venues across the UK including in Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, and London.
They’ll be joined by Architects, a British metalcore band who have continued to top the charts even after the tragic death of founding member, guitarist, and principal songwriter Tom Searle.
Korn will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 31 October, with pre-sale tickets available from Tuesday 17 March at 8am, before a general on-sale from Friday 20 March at 8am HERE.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
We’re right in the middle of March now, and we’ve got another busy week in store.
And what a week it is – we’ve got everything from new art exhibitions making their UK debut, to the return of Manchester Folk Festival for 2026, and of course, St Patrick’s Day too, all happening throughout Greater Manchester.
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.
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind, has officially made its UK premiere down at Depot Mayfield, and the amazing industrial space has been filled with more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street art superstar.
Fans are able to step inside the mind of one of the world’s most prolific artists in an immersive and interactive exhibition that has already wowed audiences in their millions.
Expect to see recreations of his most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, the thought provoking Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
Did you also know that The Christie cancer patients’ artwork is also being showcased at this exhibition too?
That’s right, The Christie – which is, at present, the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patient – has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork at the new exhibition, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
Patients will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be, all while raising money for a very important cause.
The Irish Festival Village is back in Manchester city centre.
With St Patrick’s Day arriving this week, and the popular annual Parade taking place on Saturday (14 March), it wouldn’t be a celebration in the city centre without the return of the Irish Festival Village, this year in St Ann’s Square.
Here you can expect back-to-back live music every day, plus Irish-themed food and drink, and unbeatable craic, of course.
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Wondering where the best Irish pubs and bars are in Manchester? Where serves the best pints of Guinness?
It would be St Patrick’s Day without a pint of the Black Stuff.
Manchester is home to an ever-growing collection of Irish pubs and bars of all sizes, so if you’re looking for somewhere to settle in and spend the night sipping on a Guinness or two, then you’re really not spoiled for choice in our city.
We’ve done all the hard work for you, and rounded up a list of the best places Manchester has to offer for you to take your pick from here.
Credit: The Manc Group
Oh, and on top of that, the city’s also recently been named as having one of the best ‘pub cultures’ in the UK, according to some new research… and we can’t disagree.
A new free exhibition by Pablo Picasso is opening in Manchester this week, including works never-before seen on public display.
The new exhibition, titled Picasso: A Legacy, is comprised of more than 35 original works on paper and ceramics, all of which were created by the artist from the mid 1930s up until his death in 1973, and visitors will get to be guided through the last four decades of his life.
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You’ll also get to encounter the artist’s lovers and muses, mythological alter egos, and playful zoomorphic ceramics, as well as feats of frantic artistic output that made up Picasso’s final decade.
Mamma Mia! The Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets | Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, has arrived back in to Manchester, and has taken to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 16 March – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Manchester Folk Festival is back for 2026 this week.
Hailed as arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, this multi-venue event offers a welcoming city-centred alternative to the traditional rural greenfield gatherings.
Discover the best contemporary and traditional folk, roots, and acoustic music across a variety of Manchester’s iconic music venues.
From intimate spaces to festival stages, there’s something for everyone, and as always, you can tailor the festival to your own tastes, as individual tickets are available for all gigs, as well as being able to purchase a festival wristband for the full three days.
Looking for a different and creative way to spend your weekend?
If you fancy unleashing your inner artist, or you simply just want a break from staring at your phone for a bit, then this vinyl painting workshop in Manchester is well worth checking out.
Hosted by INK at Renae over in the Northern Quarter, this unique class lets you transform old, damaged records into your own piece of art.
No experience is needed, you just turn up and get creative – with tickets setting you back £18.50, and each including the record, all the supplies you’ll need, and even a drink too. Not bad for a wholesome afternoon out, right?
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Stuck for somewhere to grab a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in February, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in March, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have loads of new openings too. From golden egg pops, to a pickle lover’s wet dream (… sorry) in pizza form, we’ve been scoffing the lot.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
Are you a fan of Mini Eggs? Oh boy, do we have a treat for you then.
If you ask us, one of life’s greatest pleasures has to be Mini Eggs, and Grandpa Greene’s and Greene’s Bistro over in Diggle and Uppermill have taken this humble choccy treat to the next level – with a whole menu dedicated to them.
There’s a full Mini Egg afternoon tea, stacked pancakes, waffles, French toast, milkshakes, and gigantic sundaes (plus, their homemade Mini Egg ice cream is up there with the best).
Oh and who can forget the Slattery x Grandpa Greene’s hot chocolate. The special Easter menu is available at both sites, but the question is, how will you have your Mini Eggs?
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Manchester Folk Festival
Georgina Pellant -
13th September 2023 
