Manchester’s biggest live yoga class is back for 2026 to celebrate International Women’s Day.
After the first event sold out in days, Yoga Social Club has now announced an additional morning date for its highly anticipated International Women’s Day Yoga + String Quartet celebration, giving even more women the chance to take part in the unique yoga and live music experience right here in Manchester.
Taking place the day before International Women’s Day 2026, the second session has now been released following ‘overwhelming demand’ from the local community.
The two-hour immersive experience combines 50-minutes of breathwork and yoga set to live music from the Manchester String Quartet, performing works by female composers and artists like Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and plenty other iconic female music artists.
It’s then followed by an hour of ‘relaxed’ networking with refreshments.
The session – led by Yoga Social Club, Christina Whittingham – is designed to bring people together through movement, music, and meaningful connection.
“This event isn’t just about yoga,” Christina commented. “It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, connect and celebrate women in a really uplifting and joyful way, all while being surrounded by beautiful live music.
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“Whether you come with friends or on your own, you’ll leave feeling connected, energised and part of something really special.”
Manchester’s biggest live yoga class with a string quartet is back for 2026 / Credit: Supplied
Yoga Social Club has gone from strength to strength since first launching.
What started as a small community-focused concept has expanded into a much wider network of classes and events led by trained community leaders – with sessions now running across more than 30 areas throughout Manchester, the North West, and the UK.
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The International Women’s Day Yoga + String Quartet experience is taking place on Saturday 7 March from 9:30-11:30am at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats, and participants of all abilities and yoga experience levels are welcome.
Tickets will set you back £45 each, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest craft fairs will be taking over a historic Manchester building later this year.
More than 200 of the UK’s finest contemporary makers and artists will gather in Manchester this autumn, as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) returns to the magnificent Victoria Baths in October, creating a shopping experience like no other.
Set within the spectacular Grade II-listed venue, the fair will transform the building’s iconic empty Gala pools into one of the UK’s most distinctive settings for contemporary craft.
Since launching in Manchester all the way back in 2008, the GNCCF has showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers, welcomed over 90,000 visitors and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent creative businesses.
A huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: GNCCF (via Facebook)
Now in its nineteenth year and expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK, the GNCCF has become one of the highlights of Manchester’s cultural calendar, having showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent businesses.
The fair will bring together designer-makers from the fields of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, and fine art.
Every exhibitor is selected by an independent panel of craft experts – with 2026 set to welcome 70 exhibitors making their GNCCF debut, alongside many of the UK’s most respected makers.
Prices will range from affordable handmade gifts to collector-quality pieces, meaning the fair will offer something to suit every budget, every taste, and every stage of collecting.
“Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s most remarkable heritage buildings and provides an extraordinary backdrop for the fair,” explained Victoria Scholes, who is the Development Director of GNCCF.
“The contrast between its beautiful Edwardian architecture and the very best in contemporary craft makes visiting GNCCF a truly memorable experience. People often tell us they love exploring the building as much as the craft.”
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 will be taking over Victoria Baths from 15-18 October, and you can get tickets here.
Featured Image – GNCCF (via Facebook)
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 3 – 9 August 2026
Emily Sergeant
August is here, and what a busy month we have in store.
Summer is properly here and the school holidays are well underway now, 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 though, 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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Afterglow 2026
Chester Zoo
Monday 3 – Sunday 16 August
Afterglow 2026 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is keeping its gates open late into the evening across two special weeks this summer.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo has announced the return of Afterglow, which is known and loved for offering visitors the rare opportunity to explore the zoo and its 30,000 animals after hours.
Unlike previous years, visitors will no longer need to leave Chester Zoo’s grounds and return with a separate event ticket. Instead, guests can spend the entire day exploring the zoo before enjoying Afterglow‘s evening programme, all as part of a standard admission ticket.
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.
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.
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Forest Tubing
Zip World Manchester
Monday 3 August – 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.
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 3 August – 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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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.
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.
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 see 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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National Play Day 2026
Greater Manchester
Wednesday 5 August
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National Play Day 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester is set to celebrate National Play Day this week, and there’ll be more than 100 free activities for families to join in with.
There’ll be whole series of free events taking place right across the city on a drop-in basis throughout the day. Activities will run from 11am through to 2pm, and will include things like sports coaching, circus skills, cycling taster sessions, live demonstrations, storytelling, and a range of other interactive and hands-on experiences.
Emergency Services Day 2026 / Credit: Trafford Centre
Dozens of emergency services vehicles, live demonstrations, meet and greets, and more will be heading to the Trafford Centre this week, as Emergency Services Day returns for 2026, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the lifesaving work carried out across the region every day.
Running from 10am through to 4pm, this free family-friendly event promises a full day of excitement, education, and entertainment.
Visitors can expect around 50 emergency service vehicles, live demonstrations, and interactive displays.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the year, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being ‘the ultimate first class foodie experience’, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Rochdale Feel Good Fest 2026 / Credit: Supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
Worried you might have missed your chance to attend a festival this year?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, as Rochdale Feel Good Festival returns this weekend with a star-studded main stage lineup featuring the likes of Gabrielle, Ash, and Wigan’s very-own Starsailor.
One of the longest-running and best-value festivals in Greater Manchester, Rochdale Feel Good Festival also proudly showcases upcoming artists too, and this year, two new Rochdale bands will play the biggest gig of their careers.
Emily Sergeant -
21st January 2026 
