2022 is here, and the new year is finally getting underway.
Once the hustle and bustle of December’s festivities have died down, January often tends to be a much quieter month that gives us the chance to reset and recharge for the year ahead. But although it may be a quieter month, that doesn’t mean is has to be a boring one – especially not in Greater Manchester.
So we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best things happening across the region this week to put together another fresh edition of our ‘what’s on’ guide for the city of Manchester and beyond.
Some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free – perfect for that post-Christmas bank balance – while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.
But plenty are still taking COVID-safety measures to give you peace of mind though.
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Here’s our top picks.
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Van Gogh Alive
MediaCityUK
Monday 10 January – 27 February
Over 100,000 people have been to visit theVan Gogh Alive experience since it arrived at MediaCity UK a couple of months back.
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And it’s now extended its Salford stay right through until 27 February.
Van Gogh Alive takes people on a trip through the periods of Van Gogh’s life that defined him as an artist and showcases 3,000 images, including some of his most iconic works like Starry Night and Sunflowers, and lesser-known paintings inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints. The exhibition is home to a life-sized walk-in representation of Van Gogh’s ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting, a ‘Sunflower selfie room’ – a 360° mirrored space complete with hundreds of sunflowers, and so much more
Tickets are priced at £23.50 for adults and £16.50 for children, with concessions and school group discounts available. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to make a donation to The Christie charity either when purchasing tickets, or while at the exhibition.
Manchester is one of the best places in the country to eat out if you’re trying to go vegan – be that for Veganuary, or any other time of the year.
The city has an absolute slew of dedicated vegan restaurants, serving up everything ranging from ‘dirty’ plant-based fast food to sit-down gastropub and fine dining-style restaurants, giving those exploring a plant-powered diet a real boost when it comes to eating out. But beyond that, you can even trust that most restaurants in the city – even if they’re not designed for vegans – will have one or two suitable dishes on their menu.
Veganuary 2022 could be a more perfect time to find out what Manchester’s plant-based foodie scene is all about.
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Check out our list of the best places to find vegan food in Manchester here.
A world-first free exhibition that’s set to explore the revolution in science that is transforming cancer care has opened at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.
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The Science Museum Group has partnered with expert partner Cancer Research UK for the curation of the new exhibition at what is a key moment in time when one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, but more of us than ever before are living longer and better with the disease.
Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation, and hope is the first “major object-rich exhibition” to reveal the past, present and future of how cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
Through never-before seen objects and stories, cutting edge treatment and research, reflection, new artist commissions and installations, film, photography, interactive exhibits and a breadth of personal stories, the museum says the exhibition will present the stories of people affected by cancer and those who study and treat it.
You can find more information about the exhibition here.
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The Glade of Light Memorial
Manchester City Centre
Monday 10 January – onwards
Have you seen that the memorial for the 22 people who died in the Manchester Arena terror attack has now finally opened to the public?
The Glade of Light has been created close to the Manchester Cathedral as a living memorial.
The peaceful garden space is centred around a Hawthorn tree, which will burst into white blooms every year at around the time of the anniversary in May. A white marble ‘halo’ is the memorial’s centrepiece, engraved with the names of the 22 people who lost their lives in the attack on 22 May 2017.
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The families of the victims have even been able to place memory capsules filled with mementos and messages inside the halo too.
You can find out more about visiting the Glade of Light Memorial here.
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Snorkel with Sharks
SEA LIFE Manchester
Tuesday 11 January
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Credit: SEA LIFE Manchester
Fancy trying something new in 2022? Time to conquer your fears?
SEA LIFE Manchester has launched a new snorkel cage experience that’s letting people get closer than ever have before to more than 1,000 creatures of the deep at the Trafford Centre-based marine life aquarium.
Snorkel with Sharks is a one-hour surface snorkelling adventure.
Suitable for swimmers age 10+, the session includes a full briefing, introduction to the incredible creatures you can expect to see, and 20 minutes snorkelling in the purpose-built shark cage.
You can find more information and book your tickets here.
2022 may be a new year, but two of the most popular foodie favourite events are back once again at at Manchester’s largest street food fair GRUB – which is currently based at the Red Bank Project just outside of the city centre in Cheetham Hill.
On Friday and Saturday, the GRUB Food Fair this week will see the likes of Rise, San San, Soka, and Paradiso Authentic Italian serve a wide range of mouthwatering delights for you to try, while on Sunday, whether you’re plant based, participating in Veganuary, or just curious, there’ll be handful of the finest vegan food traders there for Plant Powered Sundays to show you what it’s all about.
Didsbury’s very-own cookery school, Food Sorcery, is hosting a special class where you can learn some fun facts and even a little bit of science about coffee.
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During this three-hour session that’s suitable for all abilities, you’ll learn the differences in techniques used to make the perfect coffee, find out what’ll work best for you at home and how to use all the kit that you bought and have tucked away in the back of the cupboard.
There’ll be plenty of opportunities to practise your skills and even try a little latte art to impress your friends, too.
You can find more information, and book your place here.
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Looking to keep your pennies in your pocket this January?
Despite many of our Christmas parties and plans getting cancelled, December was still pretty expensive for a lot of us, but if you’re also looking at your post-festivities bank balance and panicking that you’ll have to spend January in hibernation, then think again.
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Greater Manchester is great at delivering amazing things to do that are completely free of charge.
Reddish Vale / Credit: Geograph
From walks, to cultural fixes, feeding the region’s farm animals, and so much more, there’s loads you can do without spending a penny.
You can read our list of the best free things to do in Greater Manchester here.
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Need more of a reason to get excited about what’s in store for 2022?
2021 may not have exactly gone to plan, but our buzzing region is looking forward to the year ahead with some seriously exciting things on the horizon, and Marketing Manchester – the organisation that incorporates our tourism board and the official website visitmanchester.com – has once again pulled together a list of things to get excited about in the year ahead.
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Mayfield Park & Band on the Wall / Credit: Mayfield Partnership | Band on the Wall
The round-up list includes everything from outdoor experiences and cultural developments, to hospitality openings, events, and so much more.
You can read the list of 22 things to look forward to in Greater Manchester in 2022here.
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Fancy making the most of all the January deals, discounts, and offers in Manchester’s cafes, bars, and restaurants?
January is typically a time when many vow to change their eating habits.
But even the most committed dieter should be tempted by these Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers.
Whether you are starting a new diet, ditching alcohol, or trying out Veganuary, that’s no reason to stay at home – not when you’ve got January dining (and drinking) offers floating around like this.
Credit: Almost Famous | Bab MCR
From vegan restaurants running their 50% off deals right into February, to some top Manchester restaurants offering huge deals on food AND drink, plus half-price burgers, burritos, kebabs and more, keep reading to discover the best January restaurant deals to take advantage of in 2022.
Fancy setting some new fitness goals? Reckon you’re up for a 10K, or even a Half Marathon? It doesn’t have to be running, though – perhaps you’d prefer to tackle something else entirely?
A lot of us will already have our New Year’s resolutions picked out and lined up, but if you’re really up for a test this year, then did you know that one of Manchester’s most iconic charities is offering an ideal incentive to get going by giving The Manc’s readers and followers an exclusive opportunity to get £25-worth of entry fees to any sponsored event refunded if they choose to commit to raising some worthy funds in its name.
After their inaugural celebration last year, the Northern Music Awards are back for 2025 and they’ve got some incredible guests ready to soundtrack the night.
As if we Northerners needed any more excuses to celebrate and revel in our achievements, we now have an annual award show dedicated to celebrating our music, as we all know it’s the best in the country. Ah, stuff your modesty, it’s the best in the world.
Last year saw a stripped-back set by Liam Fray (The Courteeners), as well as performances by fellow award winners English Teacher, The Ks and a standing ovation for the first-ever ‘Northern Icon’, Lisa Stansfield.
Now returning for just its second ceremony, not only has the location been revealed but so too has the lineup of live performers set to delight crowds on the night.
This time it’s Merseyside who gets to welcome this important music night and it’s taking place at the Liverpool Olympia, a stunning 2,000-cap room and one of the city’s most historic live venues.
Performers, nominees, and winners alike will be seated in a venue packed with music royalty, as everyone from Manchester’s very own New Order, contemporaries like Jake Bugg and hometown hero Jamie Webster have all played here. Oh yeah, and some band called The Beatles…
One of the most anticipated performances of this year’s show comes in the form of the Stockport superstars Blossoms, who have been touring up and down the country with their latest release, Gary.
Also helping provide entertainment is indie rockers, The Zutons, who are ready to raise the roof and celebrate Northern music in style, especially after a Richard Ashcroft opening slot last summer.
Chiedu Oraka, an upcoming rapper from Hull, is set to put on a high-octane performance and is also shortlisted for the Newcomer of the Year Award.
Similarly, rising artist and Liverpudlian actLuvcat is also shortlisted and taking to the stage, bringing her unique brand of jazz-influenced romantic rock to her home crowd.
Also nominated for this same title are The KTNA who opened for R’n’B masterclass Janelle Monáe last summer. Other names include Beth McCarthy, Pixey and Seb Lowe.
As Northern music champions, more or less every region is covered from Greater Manchester all the way to Yorkshire, the North East, Lake District and beyond.
There is once again a great focus being pushed onto festivals at this year’s ceremony too, with the already coveted ‘Festival of the Year’ award going to Beat-Herder in Lancashire – but who will claim it this year and from which specific region?
Nominees include: Kendal Calling (Lake District), Tramlines (Sheffield), Neighbourhood (Manchester), Lytham Festival (Lytham Saint Annes), Parklife (Manchester) and Sound City (Liverpool).
The winner of this award championing live music festivals isn’t picked by officials; instead, it’s decided by public vote.
There are 16 awards in total with two new trophies courtesy of ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Industry Rising Star’. Here’s a full list of the awards you can expect at the 2025 Northern Music Awards:
The Northern Music Award 2025, sponsored by Live Nation
Special Recognition Award, sponsored by SJM Concerts
Artist of the Year, sponsored by Ticketmaster
Band of the Year, sponsored by ASM Global
Album of the Year
Music Moment of the Year, sponsored by American Express
Disruptor in Music
Newcomer of the Year
Breakthrough Act of the Year
DJ of the Year
Music and Culture for Wellbeing
Festival of the Year, voted for by readers of The Guide Liverpool
Inspirational Venue of the Year Under 2,000 Capacity, sponsored by Seat Unique
Inspirational Venue of the Year Over 2,000 Capacity, sponsored by Seat Unique
It’s time to part ways with January and welcome in a new month.
Can you believe our first month of a new year is already coming to a close? February is here at the weekend, and not only does Greater Manchester‘s events calendar already seem very exciting over these next few weeks, but there’s also lots of things to look forward to in 2025 too, so it’s time to fill up your diaries.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide to help you out.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Wild
Manchester Museum
Monday 27 January – onwards
Wild / Credit: Manchester Museum
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
PUSH Festival is set to return to Manchester from this week for its biennial celebration of North West creative talent.
Set over two weeks, the stages, screens, and spaces down at HOME MCR will be dedicated to showcasing fantastic works from around the region, as well as offering opportunities for creatives to meet industry professionals, share ideas and inspiration and develop their skills.
Fancy making the most of all the January dining deals before they end this week?
Manchester’s restaurants and bars have slashed their prices in a bid to entice customers to keep eating and drinking out all throughout January, and that means hundreds of places are offering up half-price scran, added freebies, or two-for-one offers this month.
There’s loads of offers beyond Manchester city centre too, as suburban gems are getting in on the action in 2025.
So whether you’re looking for a date night for less, an affordable family dinner, or a cheap eat after work with your mates, we’ve got you covered.
Read our massive round-up of January dining deals here.
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Six Nations Fanzone 2025
Freight Island
Friday 31 January – onwards
Six Nations Fanzone 2025 / Credit: Freight Island
Freight Island’s Six Nations fanzone returns for 2025 at the end of this week.
The iconic international tournament gets underway on Friday, and so too does Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.
Set to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country, promising everything from free pints and prosecco, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors, and so much more.
Chinese New Year 2025 / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade will make its way through the city centre this weekend.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what the Dragon Parade is all about, it’s the focal point of the city’s annual Chinese New Year celebrations, known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region each year – and it’s a real spectacle, to say the least.
Aside from the Parade itself, there’ll also be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with across the weekend over in Manchester’s popular Chinatown too.
Find out everything happening for Chinese New Year in Manchester here.
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LEGO Mini Master Model Builder Competition 2025
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 February
LEGO Mini Master Model Builder Competitio / Credit: Supplied
Is your child a LEGO super fan? Do they reckon they could build impressive LEGO creations in their sleep?
Well, if they’re feeling brave enough and are ready to put their skills to the test, then you’ll want to take them down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester this weekend, as from now until the start of February, the hunt is one for a talented youngster to be crowned the UK’s – and the world’s – newest ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
A huge gaming event is happening in Manchester this weekend.
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP at the Science and Industry takes ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming, with everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more.
Power UP is taking place each weekend only throughout this month, with each ticket including unlimited play all day.
Could a trip to the theatre could be on the cards this year?
Greater Manchester has firmly earned itself a spot as a place for world-renowned touring theatre productions to make a stop off at.
While the past couple of years amid and post-pandemic may have hit the theatre pretty hard, it’s a beloved industry that has now well and truly bounced-back – with the region’s three main theatres, Palace Theatre Manchester, Opera House Manchester, and The Lowry, all having welcomed some absolute show-stopping productions in 2024.
And 2025 is set to be absolutely no different.
Our region’s theatre events calendar is already jam-packed with award-winning musicals, family-friendly plays, inventive dance productions, and so much more in 2025, so we’ve rounded up 10 of the best shows to see and grab tickets for this year.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known for across the world, it’s music.
Our region is not only a historic musical hub in and of itself, having been the birthplace of so many legendary famous names, but it’s also a major UK stopping point on many global artists’ tour schedules too, thanks to the city’s various sizes of stage and venues.
This means there’s a jam-packed schedule of gigs happening all throughout 2025 – with something for everyone, no matter your taste in music.
From world-famous pop and rock stars, to genre-bending artists, and a few comeback tours too, most-notably by one of Manchester – and the world’s – most famous bands of all time (they’re called Oasis… not sure if you’ve ever heard of them?), 2025 has got it all.
Read our picks for 13 of the best gigs happening in Manchester this year here.
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Featured Image – Freight Island | Chinese New Year MCR | The Manc Group