A brand-new comedy festival is set to take over one of the city centre’s newest arts venues this summer.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
That’s because renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, and hotly-tipped newcomers, for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre at the exciting new arts venue Fairfield Social Club – which is tucked away down at the Green Quarter.
The exciting new festival, which is called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 7 June with a gala show hosted by the company’s very-own Amy Gledhill, who comedy fans may recognise from appearances on BBC‘s Would I Lie To You, and more.
Then, across the rest of the three-day long weekend lineup, you can expect to catch comedy sets and work-in-progress performances from the likes of Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Phil Ellis (Icklewick FM on BBC Radio 4), and Olga Koch (Live at The Apollo on BBC One), Paddy Young, who recently won the BBC New Comedy Award, Chris Cantrill (Avoidance on BBC One), and Blackpool’s-finest Tom Lawrinson.
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Internet sensations such as Stevie Martin and Abi Clarke are also on the lineup, as well as hotly-tipped Edinburgh debutante, Hannah Platt, and Geordie sketch supergroup, Metroland.
You can even catch something a little bit different from Poppy Hillstead too, who’s set to transfer her popular podcast to the stage.
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One of Manchester’s newest arts venues is set to host a brand-new comedy festival this summer / Credit: @see_hef (via A Lovely Time on Instagram)
Split across two venues over three days, A Lovely Weekend is all looking set to be the largest undertaking from comedy production super-duo, A Lovely Time, which was created by promoter John Stansfield and comedian Chris Cantrill, and, as mentioned, it will take over the newly-opened Fairfield Social Club – a venue which has already hosted brilliant shows from the likes of Josie Long, Three Bean Salad, Ashley Gavin, and Nick Helm since opening back in March.
“We’re so excited to be bringing A Lovely Weekend to Manchester,” commented founder, John Stansfield.
“The city is long overdue a proper comedy festival, and across the three days at Fairfield Social Club, we’ve programmed some of our absolute favourites to ensure a lovely time for all.”
Tickets to A Lovely Weekend have just gone on sale yesterday (Wednesday 1 November), and are already selling fast – with both day and full weekend passes available from £20, and individual show tickets up for grabs from £6 each too.
Trafford Centre announces HUGE summer festival with K-pop, West End, and country music stars
Emily Sergeant
Performances from K-pop, West End, and country music stars are on the lineup at the Trafford Centre this summer.
With the days getting lighter and the temperatures warming up, Trafford Centre has now announced that a whole new festival and events lineup is coming this summer, as Live@TC is set to transform the shopping centre’s outside space with a series of high-energy live shows and family-friendly entertainment.
Taking place in a supersized big top on the overflow car park (opposite John Lewis), Live@TC is aiming to offer ‘a fresh twist’ on traditional festival lineups – with acts including K-pop Superstars, performers from the West End, and country music stars.
The festival event – taking place across to weekends in June – promises a packed programme of amazing acts, fairground rides, face painting, a silent disco, character appearances, and so much more.
Let’s break down this lineup a little bit then – first up, K‑pop Superstars will bring the infectious energy of Korea’s biggest pop icons, paying tribute to global K‑pop heavyweights such as K‑pop Demon Hunters, BTS, and BLACKPINK.
Then, prepare to be dazzled by some of the biggest West End stars for a show‑stopping celebration of musical theatre, featuring unforgettable songs from Wicked, SIX, The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and many more iconic productions.
Finally, it’s time to dust off your boots and shine up those belt buckles, as the one-day country extravaganza promises unforgettable live music from the hottest acts – including Nathan Carter, Kezia Gill, Twinnie, Janet Devlin, Harleymoon Kemp, and more.
Away from musical performances, you can also expect star-studded lineup of children’s TV stars, like Bluey, Bingo, and more, to make appearances, and Jurassic Earth – the UK’s original and best live dinosaur show – will also be stopping by, so you can meet a spectacular cast of jaw-droppingly-realistic dinosaurs and learn a thing or two while you’re at it.
The Trafford Centre has announced a HUGE summer festival with K-pop, West End, and country music stars performing / Credit: Supplied | Gary Lake
And as always, there’ll also be plenty of delicious food and drink options to choose from across the two weekends too.
Live@TC will take place from 13-14 and 20-21 June, with two live shows on 13, 14, and 20 June, and one mega show on 21 June.
Tickets are free for under twos, and £40 (+ booking fee) per person for general entry.
This includes live performances, fairground rides, face painting, character appearances, and much more to be announced. VIP tickets are also available for £80 (+ booking fee) per person and will include fast-track entry, private seating, waited service, and a private bar.
Find out more and get tickets here.
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 2 – 8 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
A new month is here, and we’re starting to see the first signs of spring popping up.
March is here, and as the days get lighter and the temperatures a little warmer, we’re really not short of exciting events and activities to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester this week – with everything from world-class theatre shows, family science festivals, and so much more happening this week.
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.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 2 March – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Mean Girls The Musical has arrived in Manchester, kicking off its UK tour in our city and landing on the legendary Manchester Opera House stage last week.
Just like the film, the musical follows Regina, Gretchen, and Karen, otherwise known as ‘The Plastics’ of North Shore High, as they meet homeschooled new girl, Cady Heron, as finds out that high school is a whole new level of savage.
When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.
Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.
L.S. Lowry’s iconic masterpiece ‘Going to the Match’ is being brought to life right before your eyes in this brand-new exhibition now open at The Lowry.
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LOWRY 360 is an immersive experience forming part of the legendary The Lowry theatre’s 25th anniversary programme, and it means that, for the first time ever, you can see one of Manchester’s most famous paintings by, arguably, the city’s most famous artist come to life through sight and sound.
Better yet, after you’ve immersed yourself in this incredible experience, then you can then see the actual painting in the full gallery – Modern Life: The LS Lowry Exhibition.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
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Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
NEW OPENING – Le Coq Boutique / Credit: The Manc Group
Le Coq Boutique has just landed in the Northern Quarter, and it’s doing one thing and one thing properly.
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And that ‘thing’ is 24-hour brined, butter-basted roast chicken, cooked to perfection and finished with your choice of sauce.
Our personal favourite was the Buffalo, but there’s everything from chicken jus, to herby butter, and so much more to pick from. And then for sides, think crispy, fluffy hash browns topped with pecorino foam, labneh carrots. Divine.
And yes… you can wash it all down with chicken wine, because they’ve got bottles of the stuff. If you’re bored of basic roasts and dry chicken, then this is your upgrade.
A huge jacuzzi pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and lounge pods – and all a five-minute walk from Manchester Victoria? Jayde Spa has just opened to the public for the first time, so you can quite literally float away from your daily grind.
There aren’t a whole lot of spa spaces in Manchester city centre, but this one is a real escape from the madness of town.
If you’re ready to relax, get yourself booked in here.
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Bubble Planet Experience
Depot Mayfield
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Monday 2 March – onwards
Manchester has welcomed a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant colourful bubbles, as Bubble Planet Experience is now open.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, but now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it has now popped up inside Depot Mayfield, so visitors can explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, is coming back to Manchester this week, and it’s taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
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Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
Families are invited to enjoy a free fun-filled weekend full of different interactive and hands-on science activities, as FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre this weekend to mark the launch of British Science Week.
The weekend-long celebration is hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
You can expect robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and interactive activities to be brought to life for visitors of all ages, and for completely free of charge.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd May 2024 
