A huge three-day weekender has been planned for the launch of the ABC Buildings in Manchester city centre.
A packed programme of free events will take over spaces at the creative hub on Quay Street, including in its new rooftop glass dome.
There’ll be everything from a silent disco to street food, rooftop yoga to a kids’ rave, plus Reform Radio DJs, a vintage flea market, football screenings, stand-up comedy, and a Northern Soul takeover.
Taking place between Friday 17 and Sunday 19 June, the ABC Buildings launch weekender will showcase the 1960s mid-century building in a new light.
Interior at ABC Buildings
Side Street Gallery
Credit: Supplied
The building complex is home to Everyman Cinema, Barry’s Bootcamp, ABC Gallery, and St John’s Bread and Coffee House, as well as 10 floors of studios and creative spaces for production and broadcast companies, including BBC’s Morning Live show, all operated by All Work & Social.
A new bar and lifestyle space, Side Street Studio, is located on the corner of Quay Street and Lower Byrom Street.
The action-packed weekend will kick off at 11am on Friday 17 June on the Roofdeck, with a guest speaker appearance from Monique Carayol, ex-NHS board executive director and a coach for theMakings.
She will discuss Brave Leadership, aiming to inspire and encourage confidence for people in their own career journeys.
The ABC Buildings in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
There’ll also be a DJ and food from Kong’s Meat and Three, and a silent disco in the glass dome running into the night.
The weekender coincides with the launch of the 70 The Exhibition in ABC Gallery, a group show curated by Monica Colussi to celebrate HM Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
28 unique pieces from a range of artists will be displayed at the six week-long exhibition to pay homage to the royal occasion.
The second day of events will begin with a vintage flea market on the roof deck, alongside pop-up bars and food vendors, and will finish with a Northern Soul takeover at the Side Street Studio.
On the final day, there’ll be a relaxing start to the day with morning yoga from Yogasoul, followed by healthy juices and breakfast in the dome.
Then families can celebrate Father’s Day with a family-friendly rave and craft activities hosted by Big Fish Little Fish.
The Roofdeck and Dome at ABC Buildings. Credit: Supplied
It will all wrap up on Sunday evening with an exclusive stand-up comedy show at Side Street Studio, while classic 1960s football matches are screened on the roof deck.
ABC Buildings are dog-friendly, so four-legged friends are welcomed throughout the weekend of events.
Full events schedule for the ABC Buildings launch weekender
Friday 17 June
11am – industry speaker in the Dome on the roofdeck
From 4pm – Roofdeck DJs and a silent disco
Saturday 18 June
10am – 6pm: vintage flea market, food trucks and pop-up bars on the Roofdeck
2pm – 10pm: Northern Soul takeover in Side Street Studio
Sunday 19 June
9am – 12pm: breakfast and juices on the Roofdeck
10am – 11am: morning yoga on the Roofdeck (or inside the Dome in inclement weather)
1pm – 3pm: Family rave + craft activity, hosted by Big Fish Little Fish
1pm – 6pm: 60s classic football match screenings on the Roofdeck
7pm – 10pm: Stand-up comedy in Side Street Studio
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 15 – 21 September 2025
Emily Sergeant
September, you’ve been treating us well so far.
Now that September is really in full swing, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that autumn is nearly here – but even though summer may be coming to an end, there’s still plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester 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 are featured.
A pioneering production company is bringing immersive theatre inside shipping containers to Greater Manchester this week.
DARKFIELD has announced their first shows in Greater Manchester for seven years, and will present their three most critically-acclaimed experiences at iconic venues across the region as part of an ‘exciting’ collaboration.
Keen audiences will be able to head to The Lowry, Aviva Studios, and HOME this month to see theatre like they’ve never seen it before.
The UK’s largest festival of history and culture has returned, and there’s thousands of free events on the lineup this week.
Always proving to be a smash-hit success, both here in Greater Manchester and nationwide, over the last 30 years, the National Trust’s Heritage Open Days are back by popular demand for the next couple of weeks, and this means loads of the UK’s top attractions will be open to visit for free.
You can explore historic houses, factories, museums, music halls, and countless of other places and spaces – some that are normally closed to the public.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh
Summer is nearly over, but Kargo on the Docks is clinging on.
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.
This is a stop-you-in-your-tracks addition to the city.
Mappin & Webb has opened the doors to its exclusive new store right in the heart of Manchester, and it’s two floors of jewellery paradise
The company has meticulously-restored this landmark pink building on St Ann’s Square and filled it with all things heritage and sparkly, with a luxury bar and lounge downstairs.
___
NEW OPENING – Primark Home
Trafford Palazzo
NEW OPENING – Primark Home / Credit: The Manc Group
Home sweet (Primark) home.
New openings don’t get much bigger than this, both metaphorically and literally, as Great Britain’s first-ever dedicated Primark Home store has now opened its doors over at Trafford Palazzo, and it’s an absolute interior-lover’s paradise in there.
The huge new store is packed full of homewares and lifestyle items at Primark’s typical affordable price point so expect bathroom bits, kitchenware, soft furnishings, bedroom decor, and right now, LOADS of pumpkins.
Looking for a bite to eat in Manchester this month? We’ve got a few suggestions to share…
Ooh we were eating good in August.
Even with the last of the warmer weather throughout August, that doesn’t mean we haven’t been having some right feasts – with plenty of cheese pulls, saucy drizzles, and for some reason, ANOTHER Labubu-themed dessert.
With the festive season soon approaching, we’re expecting the next month to get extra cosy and indulgent.
If you need some inspiration for where to eat in our region this month, we rounded up some of our best suggestions for you to pick from:
Everyone knows that brunch is better when the booze is bottomless, and there’s bangers blasting in the background, so if you’re on the hunt for a bottomless brunch that will truly get your night out started, Manchester’s The Blues Kitchen is the place to head to.
Endless mimosas, rum punch, and prosecco, banging brunch dishes like their legendary Buffalo wings and popcorn shrimp, and DJs spinning 90s and noughties tunes throughout.
The vibes of a Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch are truly unmatched.
___
Manchester Wing Fest 2025
Victoria Baths
Friday 19 – Sunday 21 September
Manchester Wing Fest 2025 / Credit: Supplied | The Manc Group
The ultimate chicken wing showdown is back.
Wing Fest, the world’s largest chicken wing festival, will return to Manchester this weekend, taking over the city’s historic Victoria Baths and promising to be the ‘biggest and boldest’ event yet – with over 100,000 drums and flats served across the weekend.
As always, the festival will champion independent food traders, showcasing their skills as they compete for the coveted titles of Best Buffalo Wing, Best Wild Wing, and Best BBQ Wing.
Manchester Wing Fest will run across four sessions – Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and a Sunday afternoon finale, and tickets are now on sale here.
___
SciTech Extravaganza 2025
Alderley Park
Saturday 20 September
SciTech Extravaganza 2025 / Credit: Supplied
SciTech Extravaganza is back for 2025 this weekend.
Set to descend on the grounds of Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park – a unique place where world-leading science, innovation, and stylish living all come together in the Cheshire countryside – SciTech Extravaganza will be a day filled full of fun science-themed shows, interactive activities, new skill-building opportunities, and more.
The popular family festival is designed to ‘spark curiosity’ and ‘encourage engagement’ through STEM-related learning.
Last-minute tickets are on sale now at just £8.50 each, and you can get them here.
___
Featured Image – Paul Harris | The Manc Group | Science Museum Group
What's On
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved professionals, Oti Mabuse, is going to be hosting a free family dance class in Printworks this month.
The two-time Strictly champion will be getting Mancs jiving and waltzing with a fun and inclusive workshop, geared towards all ages and abilities.
Whether you’ve got a little one desperate to boogie or have two left feet yourself but love to dance, this event is for you.
Oti will be bringing her world-class moves and infectious energy to Printworks, dancing beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling just in time for the show’s glittering premiere, screened on the huge gaming screen.
After your own dancing workshop you can watch Strictly Come Dancing’s first show as the new cast of celebs and professionals hit the famous dance floor.
The evening will kick off at 6.10pm on Saturday 20 September, with a dance class led by Oti followed by the launch episode screened on the giant Printworks gaming screen.
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael WharleyOti will lead a dance class beneath the digital ceiling at Printworks
Ahead of the event, Oti Mabuse said: “I’m so excited to be coming to Manchester’s Printworks! It’s such an iconic venue, and I can’t wait to feel everyone’s energy and see how the city comes alive here – show me what you’ve got!”
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Printworks is the ultimate city centre destination for anyone ready to catch the Strictly fever.
“Europe’s largest digital ceiling will feature bold, bright and energy-inducing content to compliment the unique dance class led by the dancing queen herself Oti Mabuse, it’s set to be an unforgettable experience.”
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated (and twice-decorated with the glitterball trophy) performers – book your spot HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd June 2022 
