The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 10 – 16 April 2023
We’re into our second week of April, and it’s really starting to feel like Spring has sprung in Greater Manchester now.
The new season has breathed some new life right across the region, and with schools still out for another week, and one more Easter bank holiday left to make the most of, the events calendar is absolutely packed with plenty to do – so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.
Here’s our top picks.
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Spring Escape
Trafford Centre
Monday 9 April – onwards
A giant outdoor funfair full of vintage fairground rides and a circus is back at the Trafford Centre.
After several hugely successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, the UK’s third largest shopping centre’s outdoor space has “sprung to life” once again just in time for the school holidays, and is back with a whole host of thrilling rides, a glittering circus, and lots of delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy.
Spring Escape has popped up outside the Great Hall, and tickets are now available to buy for the wide range of events on offer.
Find out more here.
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Gaming Extravaganza
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 9 – Sunday 16 April
A massive “gaming extravaganza” is happening down at the Science and Industry Museum this month.
Inspired by the museum’s hugely-popular ongoing interactive gaming experience, Power UP, and an ideal way to keep the little ones educated and entertained while schools are out, visitors will be transported inside their favourite games as part of the Actual Reality Arcade – a life-size nostalgic gaming experience that’s promising to “unlock memories” players star in real-life versions of some retro favourite games, including Invaders and Breakout.
Young gaming lovers can also explore a special Pac-Man floor maze, and families can level up together with some super-size gaming too.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Really Wild Egg Trail
Chester Zoo
Monday 9 – Sunday 16 April
Chester Zoo’s launching an egg hunt with a twist.
If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained and educated at the same time while schools are out this Easter, the UK’s largest charity and conservation zoo’s ‘Really Wild Egg Trail’ will see giant 3D eggs hidden over the 128-acre site.
But the catch is, each of the six hidden eggs all belong to animals that you might not expect to hatch from eggs.
Find out more here.
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Read. Swap. Repeat
Corn Exchange
Monday 9 April – onwards
Corn Exchange has installed a book vending machine inside its stunning atrium space.
Whether you’re in need a book for your commute into the city, want to update your bookshelf at home, grab a page-turner for your holiday, or simply have a good read over a coffee or glass of something at Corn Exchange, the new vending machine has you covered.
Book lovers are invited to head on down with their old books, grab a token for the machine, and Read. Swap. Repeat.
With the aim to help the environment and reduce waste for book lovers, the machine includes a mix of pre-loved books of all genres, and you’ll just need to simply bring in a pre-loved book and swap it for a token with one of the Corn Exchange hosts to access the machine and choose your next read.
Find out more here.
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Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?
Spring has arrived, and with it, the region has ushered in a whole host of new openings in April.
From a new pasta concept over on Peter Street from the brains behind Gooey, to whole loaves of sourdough filled with Full English fry ups in Ancoats, plus a stunning new contemporary Chinese restaurant on the edge of the Gay Village, there’s many new places popping up in the city centre and further afield to try this month.
If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite this week, we’ve rounded up some of the best new openings to try.
You can read our list here.
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The Giant Easter Egg Hunt
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Monday 9 – Sunday 16 April
RHS Garden Bridgewater has got a whole host of family-friendly activities planned throughout the school holidays, but one of the stand-out events has to be the chance to head out on a hunt for giant Easter eggs.
Families can first search for giant eggs hidden around the garden to win a chocolate prize, before getting stuck into other activities including craft workshops, interactive performances, and more.
Find out more here.
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Castlefield Viaduct
Manchester City Centre
Monday 9 April – onwards
Families are encouraged to make the most of Manchester‘s new ‘sky park’ on Castlefield Viaduct during the school holidays.
The New York-inspired elevated urban park on the giant Grade II-listed 330-metre steel viaduct has been closed since December to allow time for the team of National Trust gardeners, volunteers, and community partners to prune, plant, and create new and exciting areas.
On top of the work to add a variety of seasonal planting displays created by, four plots on the viaduct have also been handed over to local community groups and partner organisations to create their own unique gardens for visitors to enjoy.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Return to Wonderland: A City Hunt
Escape Hunt
Monday 9 April – onwards
Escape Hunt has launched a new City Hunt, and it’s giving families the chance to go outdoors, discover our city in a way like never before, and jump down the rabbit hole on this Alice in Wonderland-themed adventure.
The hunt will start at Escape Hunt at the Corn Exchange, where you’ll be set up with an iPad and picnic hamper filled with everything you should need to complete your adventure.
Tickets are now on sale, and children under eight go completely free.
Find out more here.
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DNA VR
Manchester City Centre
Monday 9 April – onwards
Manchester’s gaming scene continues to get bigger and bigger every year, and now one of the UK’s biggest VR arcades has opened in the city centre.
Promising some of the best and most immersive ‘alternative’ activities you’ll find anywhere in 0161, DNA VR’s arcade is packed out with an impressive library of games, over 100 virtual arcade challenges and even virtual escape rooms.
The new venue is right in the city centre and just a 15-minute walk away from Piccadilly Station.
Find out more here.
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Looking for somewhere to take the kids for a hearty meal this school holidays, but keen to keep the pennies in your pockets?
With the rising cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt on many families, plenty of supermarkets, independent and chain restaurants, and pub groups across Greater Manchester and the UK are offering kids the chance to eat a hearty meal out for as little as £1.
Some are even offering up children’s meals completely free of charge.
So if you’re looking to treat the kids to a meal, but you want to things on the cheaper side and save a few pennies, then thankfully, eating out just got a whole lot easier.
Read our roundup list of Easter school holiday food offers here.
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Selfridges Spring Kids Craft Workshop
Trafford Centre
Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 April
Selfridges at the Trafford Centre is hosting a workshop led by the creative experts at Pop Up & Play this week, and little ones will be guided through an hour-long spring-themed crafting session to make their own creations, which they’ll get to take home to proudly display once they’re done.
The interactive event is suitable for children aged four and above, with tickets setting you back £5 each and now available to buy.
Find out more here.
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Sour Sesh
GRUB
Thursday 13 April
Manchester’s largest street food fair, GRUB, is hosting its first Sour Sesh of the year to kick off Spring this week and it’s giving beer lovers the chance be introduced to a range of sour beers from a wide range of local breweries.
Atom Brewery, Brewery of Saint Mars Of The Desert, Pomona Island Brewery, Rivington Brewing Co, and Squawk Brewing Co are just some of the breweries you can expect to taste beers by.
Find out more and grab tickets from £7 here.
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The Wizarding Adventure
East Lancashire Railway
Thursday 13 April
One of the East Lancashire Railway’s (ELR) fan-favourite events is back again this week, and it’s giving families the chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’ and ride a Harry Potter-themed train through Greater Manchester.
Aspiring witches and wizards can gather at the ELR for a day of sharing spells and magic-themed fun.
This interactive adventure will see visitors, both young and old, enjoy a range of performances from colourful characters and magical creatures, all before boarding the ‘Wizard Express’ for a two-hour round trip journey through the Irwell Valley of wonders.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Bobbi Brown Pop-up PRO Artistry Studio
The Trafford Centre
Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 April
One of the world’s most-loved beauty brands will be back in Greater Manchester this week, as Bobbi Brown hosts its pop-up PRO Artistry Studio.
The pop-up in the Trafford Centre promises to be ‘bigger and better than ever’, offering make-up lovers a chance to take part in free 20-minute beauty services, masterclasses, and hop in to the selfie station.
The full service menu features five make-up looks to choose from, from golden-hour glow to ‘look less tired’ to minimal makeup.
Find out more and book your makeover here.
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Farm Weekend
Alderley Park
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 April
Farm Weekend is back at Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park this weekend.
With families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West set to make their way to Macclesfield, you can expect a weekend full of different outdoor activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
From tractor rides, falconry flying displays, and lamb cuddles, to bushcraft demonstrations, archery lessons, obstacle courses, interactive animal petting sessions, Easter-themed crafts, and artisan markets, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy at the two-day event.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Featured Image – The Manc Eats | Trafford Centre | Jody Hartley