The cancellation of three major events in the city’s seasonal celebration calendar have sadly been announced by Manchester City Council this afternoon.
Following a period of review around all major events in the city amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Manchester City Council has now confirmed which events will take place this year and which have sadly been cancelled.
The following events will NOT go ahead this year:
Bonfire and Community Firework Displays on 5th November.
They “support thousands of jobs across a range of industries, from event management, to hospitality” and “attract millions of visitors to the city each year”, and through the last six months, Manchester City Council has been supporting event organisers to postpone or cancel public events and, where appropriate, move content online to adhere to social-distancing.
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It’s not all doom and gloom though as some events are still set to go ahead.
It’s been confirmed that here will be Christmas lights in the city centre as usual, and of course the Giant Santa will return, along with a trail of light sculptures through the city.
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The Skate Manchester ice rink in Cathedral Gardens – which can limit entry numbers to ensure social distancing – will also go ahead and tickets can be booked here.
Tickets for the award-winning lantern and light festival Lightopia – which is once again returning to Heaton Park this year – are already on sale and you can grab yours via the website here.
The council has also crucially announced that Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets remain under review and this is to ensure that the event can adhere to COVID-19 regulations and keep visitors as safe as possible.
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Further detail will be released in the coming weeks.
Cllr Pat Karney – Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson – said: “Christmas in Manchester is an incredibly important time for the city’s economy. The city attracts millions of visitors each year, which local businesses rely on – and it’s important to the city’s recovery that we can bring people back into the city safely.
“COVID-19 means that Christmas will be different this year, but we are working hard towards celebrating the festive season as safely as possible.
“So watch this space.”
Cllr Luthfur Rahman – Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Leisure – added: “We understand that cancelling annual events will come as a blow to many people [but] we do not take these decisions lightly and we have been working with events organisers throughout the year to either postpone or take online where possible.
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“Public safety must be at the front and centre of everything we do – and where events can go ahead, they will do so inline with COVID-19 guidelines designed to keep visitors as safe.”
You can find more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
What's On
Former US President Barack Obama is coming to Manchester for a special ‘Evening With’ event
Danny Jones
No, not a prank: the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, is coming to Manchester on his upcoming UK tour.
Confirming just three domestic dates across Great Britain and Ireland, the 44th President turned successful global speaker has delivered talks all over the world, and now he’ll be coming to the Co-op Live arena.
We always knew the industry-leading events space was going to lead to some big names, but no one was expecting this one.
Set to deliver his first-ever ‘An Evening With’ here in Greater Manchester, Barack Obama will be coming to the Co-op later this year.
Officially announcing the live show in line with a key American date, Obama will be making his first-ever visit to our city.
The Co-op Live post reads: “As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, President Barack Obama joins us in Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester to discuss what comes next – for America, and for all of us.”
More than two and a half centuries on from the start of the nation becoming the United States, the series of intimate interviews comes alongside a significant anniversary for both countries.
Always praised for being a talented orator, the 64-year-old ex-Commander in Chief has found a fruitful second career on the so-called ‘keynote circuit’ following his time as POTUS.
Having served two consecutive terms in the post, it feels undeniably surreal to hear that he will be coming to visit, especially amid the obvious recent development of our very own Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, having now become the 59th British PM.
As for Obama, it’s no surprise that he booked the biggest venue possible for his debut talk in 0161.
Presented by SeatUnique, who specialise in affordable but premium hospitality seats/tickets for live entertainment, it goes without saying that this is an unprecedented moment for the venue, specifically.
Set to arrive on 15 October, tickets go live from 10am at the end of this month, with official Co-op members pre-sale passes available from the same time on Wednesday, 29 July.
You can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester is an international city and its popularity is growing rapidly. Barack Obama, former US President is reportedly coming to Manchester this October. pic.twitter.com/9twbfaIWbI
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via Co-op Live)/Pixabay (via Picryl.com)
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 27 July – 2 August 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s time to make the most of the last of July, as August will be here before we know it.
The school summer holidays are well underway and a new month will be soon, so that means there’s loads of things happening across Greater Manchester these next few weeks. If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, no worries, as 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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Summer in Space
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 27 July – onwards
Summer in Space / Credit: Science Museum Group
Get ready to spend the summer in space, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced its summer events programme and it’s full of free interactive events and activities to get involved with these next six weeks.
From live space shows and giant rockets, to tinkering activities Martian discovery trails, and the chance to visit the blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos if you haven’t already, budding astronauts are in for a summer to remember.
By far one of the stand-out free events this summer is the arrival of 30-foot-tall rocket ship, Skybolt 2 – hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company, Starchaser.
Find out more and book tickets for your visit here.
Manchester is bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer.
Thanks to additional Council funding that was allocated earlier this year, Manchester’s biggest-ever Parktastic programme has now launched – expanding from the summer holidays alone to include after-school sessions before schools break up, activities throughout the holidays, and even sessions continuing into September.
Back by popular demand and aimed at children ages six-12, Parktastic offers sports, games, arts and crafts, dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling and messy play.
Sessions are free, no booking is required, healthy snacks are provided, and children can simply turn up and join in.
On a budget and need somewhere to take the kids to eat for £1 or even FREE over the summer holidays?
In case the ongoing heatwave didn’t remind you, summer is in full swing and so are the school summer holidays.
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If you’re after ways to enjoy some quality family time without having to break the bank, we’ve found lots of places where kids can eat for £1 or free – 15 of them, to be exact.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty Italian, a bit of brekkie, or even a big Greek feast, just because you’re on a budget shouldn’t mean you have to limit your and your family’s taste buds.
Did you see that Forbici has been named one of the best pizzas in the world?
That’s right – a pizzeria with restaurants in Manchester and Sheffield has been named not just the best in the city, but in the top 100 globally. Forbici won big at the The Best Pizza Awards last month, so we popped in to hang out with master baker Davide Argentino and learn all his secrets.
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It’s all about slow-fermented Biga pizza dough, proper Italian ingredients, and cutting that puffed-up crust with scissors.
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 27 July – onwards
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National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails / Credit: James Dobson | Annapurna Mellor
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout summer at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
Find out where to get involved and book tickets here.
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Forest Tubing
Zip World Manchester
Monday 27 July – onwards
Forest Tubing / Credit: Supplied
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you – as Zip World Manchester has launched its new Forest Tubing experience, and it’s bringing the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide is coming to Heaton Park.
The new family‑friendly outdoor adventure gives visitors the chance to soar along two slides, winding through woodland at one of the largest parks in the North West.
Suitable for children aged four and above, visitors can book an hour-long session – with unlimited rides during that time slot – and either ride solo, or share the experience with fellow adventurers.
Manchester’s biggest exhibition of local artists is back again for the summer.
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Taking place every two years, Manchester Open is a celebration of local talent, showcasing the work of 420 artists inside the gallery space over at HOME. The exhibition includes work from artists in all media formats who have been selected from each of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, ranging in age from four to 80 years old.
Oh, and the whole thing is completely free to visit. Find out more about the return of this incredible exhibition here.
Sale has a new bistro and it’s already making moves on the foodie scene in this suburb.
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Blossom Bistro covers everything from colourful brunch plates like their steak and eggs or hot honey halloumi, to tapas style sharers, fully-loaded gyros bowls, and even a whole patisserie fridge filled to the brim with some insane sweet treats.
With an impressive drinks menu to match too, and live music on every Friday and Saturday, it’s a proper vibe.
This newcomer hit the headlines because it had a live parrot in the restaurant… but now that Rio’s been rehomed, it seems only right to show off Gardens properly.
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It’s a beautiful new restaurant and lounge, perched right on the banks of the River Irwell, serving a huge menu of Mediterranean brunches, grills, mocktails, and more.
If you like your brunches hearty and spicy, and your dinners very meaty, you’re going to love this spot.
We have been screaming out for more bagel spots in the city, and finally, someone has heard us.
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This is Milo Bagels – serving up stacked bagel butties, open ‘tartine’ sandwiches, and the most incredible French crullers (kind of like a doughnut), that hit that sweet and salty spot just right.
Ran by partners Lewis and Frank, with vast experience in the Manchester hospitality sector already, we just knew this was going to be a smash – and it absolutely is.
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GRUB On The Docks
MediaCity
Tuesday 28 July – onwards
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GRUB On The Docks / Credit: Supplied
GRUB On The Docks has returned for the summer.
MediaCity’s waterfront site has been transformed into a vibrant open-air destination built for warm weather and big moments across the season, as GRUB On The Docks returns.
Running across the summer months, you can expect some of Greater Manchester’s best street food traders to be serving up global flavours and summer-ready drinks, alongside live music, DJs, and just an all round laid-back atmosphere turning daytime hangouts into evening sessions.
One of the UK’s biggest events in skating is hitting the city this week.
Ramp on the Roof is taking over the rooftop at Depot Mayfield later this week, bringing with it four days of world-class competition, live music, workshops, skate demonstrations, banging food, and so much more.
You can catch Ramp on the Roof from 30 July to 2 August across their four-day skate event.
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Fancy a wholesome summer activity?
It’s strawberry season, and Kenyon Hall Farm has officially opened up its strawberry fields (plus plenty of other pick-your-own produce) for the season for you to frolic amongst, with loads of summer treats in its cafe and award-winning farm shop too.
Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and it’s proven as popular ever since.
Did you know you can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer?
For the past three years running now, Chester Zoo has officially been named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews, and now this summer, you’ll get to see exactly what makes it such a special place worth visiting for a cut price, as £10 tickets are now available to book for a limited time only.
With the offer only applicable to afternoons this summer, Afternoon Tickets allow entry to Chester Zoo from 2pm onwards – with the last entry being one-hour before it closes.
You can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer / Credit: Chester Zoo
Without this offer, standard admission tickets to Chester Zoo usually cost up to £38 for adults, £37 for students, and £28 for children, all including a 10% donation to the zoo’s conservation efforts, so it really is worth making the most of these limited-time £10 tickets while you can.
Find out more and book your tickets in advance here.
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Or did you know that seven Manchester green spaces have been named some of the best in the UK?
Once again, seven of our city’s green spaces – including parks and cemeteries – have been named some of the best the UK has to offer. That’s because leading environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, has handed out its coveted Green Flag Awards, which recognise accessible green spaces that set ‘an international benchmark for management’.
The awards shed light on the groups, volunteers, and staff who devote themselves year-round to the maintenance and upkeep of these areas.
Read more about this incredible honour and find out which green spaces have been chosen here.
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Stuck for somewhere to have a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in June, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new in July, 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 a bunch of new openings too.
The Manc -
30th September 2020 
