What's On

10 things to do in Greater Manchester this Bank Holiday weekend

Stuck for plans this Bank Holiday weekend? We’ve rounded up some of the best things to across the region.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th August 2021

August Bank Holiday weekend is finally upon us.

Now that it’s been a good few weeks since restrictions were relaxed, the sun is shining, the streets are filled with smiling faces, and this extended summer holiday is always a busy time for our city region – but if you’re stuck for plans this weekend, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do right here in Greater Manchester.

A few of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, others will set you back a few pounds, and some may require you to book in advance.

Plenty are still taking COVID-safety measures to give you peace of mind though.

So in no particular order, here’s 10 of our top picks.

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1. Manchester Pride 2021

Manchester City Centre

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 August

Manchester Pride

40+ big-name UK and international acts are on the lineup at this year’s Manchester Pride.

The iconic LGBTQ+ festival – which historically takes over the city each August Bank Holiday weekend – may have sadly had its 2020 edition cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and this year’s Pride Parade has also been cancelled following similar safety concerns, but it’s back once again, with Zara Larsson, Sigala, Annie Mac, Gabrielle, Katy B, Example, and Eve all leading a stellar lineup.

The popular Gay Village Party also has an impressive lineup of acts performing too.

Several other events have been announced to take place instead of the Parade, including five ‘Equality Marches’ on Saturday 28 August, limited to just 400 people per march, with 2,000 participating overall.

The festival is this year to feature six key strands – Activism, Equality, Arts and Culture, Youth and Family, Community and Party.

You can find more information about Manchester Pride 2021 here.

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2. Festa Italiana

Manchester City Centre

Friday 27 – Sunday 29 August

Festa Italiana

The UK’s biggest Italian food festival Festa Italiana is returning to Manchester, with Cathedral Gardens turning green, white and red over the Bank Holiday weekend.

First launched in 2017 and featuring delicious pizzas, fresh pasta, sweet crepes, and deli meats as far as the eye can see, Festa Italiana is known for bringing amazing street food into Manchester city centre and showcasing top Italian chefs from across the region.

Top-class chefs like Aldo Zilli, Giancarlo Caldesi, Gennaro Cantaldo, specialist pasta maker and author Carmela Sereno Hayes, and Festa founder Maurizio Cecco are all confirmed to attend.

The festival is promising some exciting new additions for its fourth edition too, including a massive outdoor cinema.

You can find more information about what’s on at Festa Italiana 2021 here.

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3. Bolton Food & Drink Festival

Bolton Town Centre

Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August

Bolton Food & Drink Festival

The hugely-popular Bolton Food & Drink Festival is finally returning this Bank Holiday weekend after a year of postponement.

After COVID-19 restrictions sadly meant that the annual festival had to move online in 2020, the support of local businesses of all shapes and sizes is helping the North West’s biggest food and drink event to return in person for its 16th year this summer.

They’ll serve up some of the best food and drink the region has to offer.

World-renowned chefs will share their secrets during free cookery demonstrations, and a collection of outdoor bars, live music and street entertainment is set to create the usual festival atmosphere that draws visitors from far and wide.

You can find more information here.

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4. Sixes Cricket

Corn Exchange

Sixes

The “world’s first immersive cricket experience with hospitality” is coming to the Corn Exchange this Sunday with the opening of Sixes Manchester.

A social cricket sports bar kitted out with three state-of-the-art cricket nets available to hire for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, as well as a champagne bar, a 70-seater dining space and an open kitchen, Sixes offers the chance to swing for the boundaries whilst enjoying a wide selection of high-quality food and drink.

The opening of this new Manchester venue coincides with an exclusive game at Sixes called ‘The Hundred’ – which is named after the 100-ball cricket tournament taking place for the first time this summer.

You can find more information about Sixes Manchester here.

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5. Beat the Frog

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Monday 30 August

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Fancy a good laugh this Bank Holiday Monday? Beat the Frog is the legendary amateur comedy night at Manchester’s iconic Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, and has helped to launch the careers of some of comedy’s biggest names – including Peter Kay, John Bishop, Johnny Vegas, Smug Roberts, and more.

At the start of the competition, three cards are handed out to lucky members of the audience, and up to 10 acts will then take to the stage and each try to do five minutes of material. If within those five minutes all three cards go up, then the act has lost and must leave the stage – but if the three cards stay down, that act has successfully ‘Beat The Frog’.

They are then invited back to the stage for a clap off at the end of the night – which will determine the overall winner.

It’s been named the “most unpredictable comedy night in the north”.

You can find more information, and grab your tickets via the Frog and Bucket website here.

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6. Deansgate Mews Street Festival

Great Northern

Deansgate Mews Street Festival

A festival full of food and live music is coming to Deansgate Mews at Great Northern Warehouse this weekend.

Completely free-to-attend and spanning three-days, The Deansgate Mews Street Festival was originally due to be held earlier this month, but postponed due to bad weather and rearranged for the Bank Holiday weekend.

It will celebrate the eclectic independent food and drink businesses on the street, alongside welcoming 30 different music acts.

You can find more information here.

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7. I’m A Celebrity… Jungle Challenge

MediaCityUK

Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August

ITV

Did you see that the highly-anticipated Salford Quays adventure attraction based on ITV’s popular survival reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! has officially opened to visitors?

The I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge – which was first announced back in April – will welcome fans into the wilderness from this Bank Holiday weekend, inviting them to “navigate a series of fun-filled physical challenges inspired by the blockbuster ITV show”.

Located at MediaCityUK, the attraction features a variety of familiar vantage points and landmarks – including the Main Camp, the Throne and, of course, the Winner’s Bridge.

You can find more information, and book tickets here.

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8. Moovin Festival

Stockport

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 August

Moovin Festival

Rap royalty Naughty By Nature will headline Moovin Festival at Etherow Country Park this August Bank Holiday weekend, with the hip-hop trio confirmed for a rare UK appearance.

Dance titans Basement Jaxx, rap pioneer Eek A Mouse, UK favourites Asian Dub Foundation, and disco don Todd Terje are also confirmed, alongside other big names such as Sugar Hill Gang, Mr Scruff, Krafty Kuts, Graeme Park, DJ Woody, Craig Charles, Stanton Warriors, K Klass and The Mouse Outfit.

An eclectic mix of support acts have also been confirmed, including Afrobeat collectives, beatboxing violinists, and the Elvis fronted Nirvana tribute band Elvana.

You can find more information, and grab tickets here.

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9. Manchester Pride Music Events

Manchester City Centre

Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August

The Refuge

If you haven’t managed to grab tickets for Manchester Pride 2021 taking place this Bank Holiday weekend but are still keen to properly celebrate, then there’s still plenty of venues right across Manchester city centre that are going all out for the iconic LGBTQ+ festival that you can head on down to.

Escape to Freight Island, Ducie Street Warehouse, and Feel Good Club are just some of the places hosting alternative celebratory Pride events over the weekend.

You can find more information, and grab tickets here.

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10. Summer Social

Trafford Centre

Saturday 28 – Monday 30 August

Trafford Centre

An 8,000 sq ft beach, retro fairground rides, entertainment, and independent food and drink brands have all arrived at the Trafford Centre for the summer.

The region’s biggest shopping mall has announced the opening of its new ‘Summer Social’ event space – a vast new outdoor area that brings together all the fun of the fair, alongside a beach, live music, exciting pop-ups, and selfie-ready backdrops.

As well as several covered events spaces where people can safely relax, a number of independent food and drink brands will also be popping up over the summer, kicking off with Boujee Bar – the renowned, all-pink Instagrammer’s dream founded by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra Adams.

Live musicians, street artists, and buskers will also be welcomed across the month at Summer Social.

You can find more information and grab your tickets here.

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Featured Image – The Refuge | Sixes Manchester

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 30 June – 6 July 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

July? July, really genuinely? Flipping heck, this past month’s gone by quickly.

That’s right, June has passed us by, and July has arrived in all its glory, so there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to in Greater Manchester this month, as you’d expect – we’re talking festivals, themed events, new foodie openings, and loads more on the horizon in the coming weeks.

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 too.

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MCR Live ’25

Manchester City Centre

Monday 30 June – onwards

MCR Live ’25 / Credit: MCC

A massive music-filled takeover of Manchester arrives this weekend ahead of 1.3 million music tourists descending on the city centre this summer.

MCR Live ’25 will celebrate what promises to be a sensational summer of sound.

There’ll be 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.

Find out everything happening here.

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Summer of Senses

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 30 June – onwards

Summer of Senses / Credit: Science Museum Group

The Science and Industry Museum has got a spectacular summer holiday programme packed with all sorts of things to be getting up to.

At the heart of it all, you can explore the world of senses inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition, Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.  

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.

Find out more here.

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Screen on the Square

New Jackson

Monday 30 June – onwards

Screen on the Square will open at New Jackson this week
Screen on the Square / Credit: Renaker

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.

Find out what’s being screened this week here.

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Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Monday 30 June – onwards

Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline / Credit: Supplied

A new free exhibition is now open allowing visitors to open the door into the rich history of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings, the Refuge Assurance Building, which is now the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.

Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline has transformed the walls of the hotel’s Refuge bar and dining space to chart the building’s remarkable journey, from its beginnings in 1895 to its current life as one of the city’s most loved luxury hotels.

Alongside the story of the building itself, the exhibition also highlights the people who have shaped the building over the decades.

Find out more here.

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National Trust – Sky Gardening Challenge

Manchester

Monday 30 June – onwards

National Trust – Sky Gardening Challenge / Credit: The Manc Group

It’s time to get your green thumbs out, as the National Trust has challenged city dwellers to ‘green’ their balconies this summer.

We know the city is a little lacking in greenspace, so why not bring the greenspace to you? If you need some tips and tricks on how to get a little greener, and what plants would work best in your mini oasis, then you can grab yourself booklets, seeds.

Plus, they’re also running free workshops across Greater Manchester.

Oh and hey, if you think you’ve got a bloomin’ lovely balcony, then you can now enter the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge and be in with the chance of winning some exciting prizes.

Find out more here.

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NEW OPENING – Zaap Thai

Lincoln Square

Noodles at Zaap Thai Manchester
NEW OPENING – Zaap Thai / Credit: The Manc Group

From the streets of Bangkok to the streets of Manchester – Zaap Thai has arrived.

Imagine the delicious street food of a Bangkok street market, but without the rampant humidity and scorpions on sticks, and you’ve got an idea of Manchester’s newest opening down on the popular Lincoln Square.

This vibrant spot is filled top-to-bottom with neon signs, graffiti, tuk-tuk seating booths… and even a Moo Deng mural.

The expansive menu features 80 dishes from across Thailand, with some of the highlights including chicken satay, crispy pork belly, stir-fries like Pad Ga Prao, and sweet dishes such as mango sticky rice and pandan custard pancakes.

Read more here.

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NEW OPENING – Oasis Live ’25 Fan Store

Spinningfields

The Oasis official fan store is open in Spinningfields in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
NEW OPENING – Oasis Live ’25 Fan Store / Credit: The Manc Group

The UK’s first official Oasis merch store has now opened in Manchester.

Officially throwing its doors open in Spinningfields, the Oasis Live ’25 Fan Store is stocked full to the brim of all the official merch for the hotly-anticipated reunion tour this summer, and it’s also launching online as well as in store.

As well as the official tour merchandise, the store sells exclusive brand collaborations, limited-edition products, and items not available to buy anywhere else.

Read more here.

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Stories – Brought To Life

MediaCityUK

Monday 30 June – 31 August

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.

Find out more here.

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Kargo on the Docks

MediaCityUK

Tuesday 1 July – onwards

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.

Find out more here.

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Oasis Fans – 1994-1997

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Wednesday 2 July – onwards

Oasis Fans exhibition
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 opening in Manchester this week.

As Manchester gears up to welcome Oasis back home once again, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s new free exhibition is set to take music fans a trip down memory lane.

Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 will showcase 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. 

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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MIF25

Manchester City Centre

Thursday 3 – Sunday 20 July

MIF25
MIF25 / Credit: MIF (via Supplied)

MIF is back for 2025 this week, and all the fun’s heading out to the boroughs too this year.

Manchester International Festival (MIF) is all about showcasing Manchester as a global hub of creative innovation, this year’s lineup presents some of the most exciting creative minds of our generation.

MIF25 is set to be a celebration of homegrown artists returning to the region, with many of the names on the lineup originally coming from, or having important ties to, Greater Manchester and the North West.

Eric Cantona, Juan Mata, The Royal Ballet, Blackhaine, Shilpa Gupta, Richard Russell, Edgar Davids, and Ella Toone are just a handful of the well-known names contributing to this extraordinary bi-annual celebration of creativity this summer.

See what’s on this year’s festival lineup here.

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SmileyWorld® Art Trail

Stockport

Friday 4 July

SmileyWorld® Art Trail
SmileyWorld® Art Trail
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography

Stockport will transform into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail takes over the town.

Visitors are being told to 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.

Everything you need to know is here.

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Did you see that Manchester Museum has been named European Museum of the Year for 2025?

Talk about a prestigious title.

Yes that’s right, congratulations are in order, because Manchester Museum – which is part of The University of Manchester (UoM) – has received one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world, the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA).

Not only that, but it’s made history in doing so too, as it’s the first university museum to ever receive the annual prize.

Manchester Museum has been named the European Museum of the Year for 2025 / Credit: Manchester Museum

It beat out 41 other cultural hubs across the continent to claim the coveted prize.

Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises new or redeveloped museums that showcase the best in excellence and innovation in their field.

Read more here.

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UEFA Women’s Euro 2025

National Football Museum

Saturday 5 July – onwards

England women's football
National Football Museum
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 to be 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 set to host a series of family-friendly watch parties after hours for the UEFA Women’s Euros this summer.

Not only will the matches be shown in all their glory for free on a big screen, but you can also expect 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 here.

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Street Life

Ashton-under-Lyne

Saturday 5 July

Street Life / Credit: Supplied

This is Street Life – a brand new one-day community festival taking over Ashton-under-Lyne town this weekend.

From giant Star Wars machines to a full-scale wrestling ring, life-sized dinosaurs roaming around, and everything in between, this bold new community celebration hits Market Avenue in the Tameside town this Saturday… and as you can tell, there’ll be something for visitors of all ages to get involved with on the day.

Free to attend and open to all ages, event organisers are promising that it’ll be an ‘explosion’ of creativity, culture, and big day-out energy, all to celebrate the very best of what Ashton has to offer.

Read more here.

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Featured Image – Science Museum Group | The Manc Group | Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

What's On

You can sleep in a luxury train carriage at an old railway station in Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s an Airbnb listing in Delph where you can stay in a classic converted train carriage, and it’s even situated in an old train station, so someone buy my ticket ASAP.

Get ready to have the best train experience of your life, as the only cancellation you have to worry about is booking the day off work.

The Carriage at The Old Station is a two-person character property in Delph, Saddleworth that offers you the chance to live out your vintage fantasy by stepping back in time on a luxury static train coach.

It may be situated at an old station, but the interior is refreshing and light with mint blue beams, fuchsia cushions and a royal red carpet and curtains.

As well as a majestic interior, this carriage has an equally impressive amount of amenities, including a Bluetooth sound system, board games and its own indoor fireplace.

This Airbnb is fairly new too, with only 44 reviews to its name – the first only dating back to September of last year; don’t say we don’t find you some absolute gems.

Inside the airbnb that's an old converted train carriage.
Inside the Airbnb that’s an old converted train carriage.
The interior of this Airbnb listing is bold and impressive.
The interior of this Airbnb listing is bold and impressive.

One user even stated, “We regularly stay in five-star locations and this surpassed five-star easily! We highly recommend a stay here.”

While another opened her review with three simple adjectives that we also feel perfectly sum up this train carriage property perfectly: “Opulent, indulgent, extravagant”.

It should come as no surprise that this place is beautiful inside and out, as in the description, host of the property Nigel states he’s a retired designer.

The train carriage stay is also close to a proper country pub, The Old Bell Inn, as well as the Diggle canal walk if you fancy a stroll and a pint before tucking into bed in your old train carriage for the night.

Even the bathroom has pops of colour throughout.
Even the bathroom has pops of colour throughout.
You could stay in this train carriage at an old train station.
You could stay in this train carriage at an old train station.

Looking for an equally interesting Oldham-based, transportation-themed overnight stay, well, how about renting out a beautifully restored VW camper?

If you’re after boarding The Carriage at The Old Station and having a fabulous overnight stay or mini holiday of your own, you can find the Airbnb listing and everything you need to know HERE.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Supplied via Airbnb

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