Manchester is a popular cultural destination for tourists, with a great musical culture. The city also hosts famous festivals, such as Manchester Pride and the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
Manchester is first known as England’s second largest city. A former industrial lung, the city is now famous for its many nightclubs, libraries, and glorious sporting history. Some areas of this city like the Northern Quarter have many independent shops, bars and cultural spaces and offer a beautiful playground for lovers of street art.
Large buildings such as Town Hall and Manchester Central Library can be found around St Peter’s Square. Here are some must-see things to do in Manchester throughout the year if you have the chance to visit this magnificent city!
Must-see Activity: The Manchester Museum
The Manchester Museum is as famous as the British Museum in London. The permanent exhibitions showcase more than 4 million objects. Dinosaur skeletons and mummies from ancient Egypt can be found there. The site also has a vivarium, in which researchers breed extremely endangered frog species. The local café will allow you to take a break between the different galleries. As admission is free, you can spread your visit over several days.
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St Mary’s RC Church “The Hidden Gem”: In the Heart of Manchester
The “Hidden Gem” is a little-known little church in the heart of Manchester. A modest brick building set in a quiet street lined with similar buildings, St. Mary’s is Manchester’s oldest Catholic church. Behind its walls lies a treasure trove of marble sculptures, works of art and stained glass. Don’t miss the 7-astonishing works of modern art by Norman Adams displayed on the left wall as you enter.
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Manchester’s Famous Nightclubs
Music has been an important part of Manchester culture since the 1960s. Since the 1980s, the “Madchester” movement has flourished in the nightclub and rock scene. Even today, Manchester is renowned as one of the best cities in the UK to party. The Warehouse Project, which takes place every 12 weeks from September to December, attracts over 3 000 visitors per night. You should also go to the Gorilla, the Soup Kitchen, and the Hula, which offer a wide variety of festive atmospheres.
Old Trafford, Home to One of The World’s Biggest Football Clubs
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Manchester United have supporters all over the world. Its stadium is therefore a must-see for football fans, which is why it is one of the largest in the UK. It is renowned for the fantastic atmosphere that reigns there on match days. You can take a tour of the museum and the stadium, which will allow you to admire the club’s rich collection of trophies!
A Thoroughbred Horse Breeding Farm Near Manchester
Some thoroughbred horse breeding farms are located near Manchester. These farms select the best thoroughbred horses from the best lines. Some horses are also chosen to compete in the most famous horse races in the country. A racehorse can follow several paths to become successful. It can be bred in national or private stud farms on a larger or smaller scale. There are also racing stables which are there to bring together horses from all backgrounds to perfect their training and make them suitable for racing performance. The Cheltenham Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience the best horses in the country. If you are passionate about horse racing, don’t hesitate to visit these farms and follow the cheltenham festival tips for the week. to fully enjoy this event.
Heaton Park, Far from The Hustle and Bustle of The City
Heaton Park covers an area of over 240 hectares and is one of the UK’s largest city parks. You will have access to sumptuous gardens, a famous golf course, several ponds, and many well-preserved historic buildings. This is a popular spot with families thanks to the Animal Centre, playgrounds, navigable lake, and various cafes. Kilometres of paved paths allow you to walk or run in the park. If you don’t feel like walking, a tram can help you go around the park.
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Famous Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the UK’s largest Chinatowns. There are dozens of Chinese businesses: restaurants, shops, supermarkets and even banks. Year after year, the Chinese New Year festivities in this district are growing in scope and intensity.
Manchester
Shaun the Sheep Sculpture trail appears across Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A flock of adorable, colourful Shaun the Sheep sculptures has appeared in Manchester.
Find The Flock is an art trail of six ‘ewe-niquely’ designed artworks, created by Wild in Art and the Academy Award-winning animation studio Aardman.
Mancs will be able to hunt out all six 160cm-tall Shaun the Sheep sculptures, each one designed and painted by a local or international artist.
From a sheep in Spinningfields with a strawberry for a head, to a colourful ‘Shaun the Shape’ outside Aviva Studios, the beloved character has well and truly moved into town.
The trail has been installed to celebrate the European premiere of Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show at Aviva Studios.
The show comes from acclaimed circus company Circa and Aardman, combining the classic slapstick character with live circus performers.
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International said: “Wild in Art’s public works create lasting memories in cities across the globe, including here in Manchester where we still enjoy Bee in the City at iconic locations across the city centre.
“Working with Wild in Art and building on our relationship with world-famous animation studio Aardman, Find the Flock is a joyful art trail bringing the excitement of Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show out into St. John’s and Spinningfields.
“We regularly host free activity for families during the school holidays at our home in Aviva Studios, and this winter we’re thrilled to offer a fun adventure to have on your way to or from the venue too.”
Part of the Shaun the Sheep sculpture trail. Credit: The Manc Group
Gillian Fletcher, Director of Estates and Creative, Form Property said: “Form Property as managing agents for Spinningfields and St. John’s are thrilled to be working collaboratively with Factory International, Wild in Art and Aardman to welcome this exciting activation to our communities.
“Find the Flock is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, spark creativity, and showcase the vibrancy of our neighbourhoods.
“We can’t wait to see everyone interacting with the installations and being part of the experience.”
Ngaio Harding-Hill, Head of Attractions & Live Experiences at Aardman said: “We are delighted to bring Shaun the Sheep to Manchester for the festive season.
“Find the Flock is a wonderful opportunity for fans of all ages to celebrate Shaun’s arrival ahead of his Circus Show premiere at Aviva Studios, and we can’t wait to see everyone join in the fun.”
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing our ongoing partnership with Aardman Animations through our Find the Flock trails, and to be able to collaborate with Aviva Studios again.
“We hope visitors will discover the joy of the trail and see how our incredible artists have brought this iconic and cheeky character to life.”
The Shaun the Sheep Find the Flock sculpture trail will be in situ until 4 January.
Trail maps are available from John Rylands Library or Aviva Studios.
Lily Allen adds another massive Manchester arena show to West End Girl tour
Daisy Jackson
Lily Allen has just announced an extra show here in Manchester, after her previously announced dates in theatres across the UK drove phenomenal demand.
The much-loved British singer sold out some of the nation’s finest theatres in just minutes with her West End Girl tour.
Since then, the star has announced her biggest-ever headline tour, with a run of arena shows coming next summer.
Lily Allen is now set to visit the AO Arena in Manchester not just once but twice, as well as playing other big cities including Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham and London.
West End Girl was released less than a month ago and has received critical acclaim across the board, amassing 150 million streams and sticking near the top of the UK Albums Chart.
The bear-all, scathing, deeply personal record has catapulted Lily Allen back into the spotlight, and now she’s got the arena tour she deserves.
The show – ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘ – will see the singer/songwriter play her brand-new album in its entirety, in the order the songs appear on the record.
She had already announced two nights at Aviva Studios in Manchester next March, which sold out almost instantly.
Before this era, Lily was famed for her big hits like ‘Smile’, ‘The Fear’, and ‘F*ck You’. It’s fair to say she’s now riding one of the biggest waves of popularity in her career thus far.
Lily Allen is set to play at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 19 June 2026, with tickets on sale from 10am on Thursday 27 November.
You can get your tickets right HERE, but we’d be quick about it…
The Manc -
2nd January 2021 
