The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 12-18 August 2024
August is really in full swing now.
Not only have little Mancs across the region broken up for the school holidays, but the sun has even been showing its face over the past couple of weeks too, so it’s pretty hard to deny that summer is here now – and thankfully, Greater Manchester‘s social calendar is packed full events and activities to celebrate.
If you’re 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.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Backyard Cinema – Romeo + Juliet
Albert Hall
Monday 12 – Monday 19 August
Backyard Cinema is back, and this time, it’s taking over the iconic Albert Hall in Manchester for immersive Romeo + Juliet screenings.
Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed 1996 film will be screened beneath the historic stained glass windows and ornate ceilings at the city centre venue, and it’ll all be accompanied by a live choir and musicians.
Tickets for the screenings this week have been in hot demand, after the event built such a loyal following down in London last year, but there’s still time to get your hands on them if you fancy seeing once of the best films of all time like never before in a truly stunning setting.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Jurassic World: The Exhibition
Trafford Centre
Monday 12 August – onwards
A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world has now arrived here in Greater Manchester for the summer.
Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Find out more and grab ticket here.
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Wild
Manchester Museum
Monday 12 August – onwards
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.
Find out more and grab your FREE tickets here.
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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 12 August – onwards
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
The best bit? It’s absolutely FREE to attend, and advanced tickets are available to book on the Museum’s website now.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Bright Lights, Big Fun!
Trafford Centre
Monday 12 August – 1 September
The Trafford Centre’s massively-popular summer celebration is back, and tickets are only £2.50 each.
Back by popular demand for plenty of family fun, only this time with a new name, Bright Lights, Big Fun has seen a retro fairground and a massive 600sqm beach perfect for sunbathing and sandcastles pop up outside the Greater Manchester shopping centre, alongside a splash park with loads of water jets, and so much more.
There’s also a yummy selection of food and drink traders on site to take your pick from if you’re feeling peckish after getting stuck into some fun and games.
Find out more and get yourself some £2.50 tickets here.
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Batman Unmasked
Depot Mayfield
Monday 12 – Monday 26 August
Did you see that a huge Batman experience has now swooped into Manchester?
Having taken over Depot Mayfield in the city centre, and offering fans a chance to see real jaw-dropping props and costumes from the actual Warner Bros. archives, this exclusive event brings the cinematic world of Batman to life.
Through a series of themed rooms, exhibitions, and a comic book and gaming area, Batman Unmasked is packed full of items from this iconic character’s film history.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Did you see that Warburtons and Morrisons have teamed up to give away 100,000 crumpets for FREE this summer?
In a bid to help “alleviate holiday hunger” and ease the additional financial strain often put on parents, carers, and guardians when children are not at school, the supermarket chain and Bolton-based bakery are relaunching their popular ‘Ask for Ellen’ initiative.
This means that anyone and everyone who ‘asks for Ellen’ at one of the 395 Morrisons cafes across the UK will be given toasted crumpets with a choice of topping, completely for free with “no questions asked”.
The offer will be available all day every day from until 25 August, while stock lasts.
Find out more here.
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50 Years of the Replica Shirt
National Football Museum
Monday 12 August – onwards
A new exhibition telling the story of the football shirt pioneers, Admiral, is now open at the National Football Museum.
50 Years of the Replica Shirt will take visitors right through the Admiral’s history, from their humble beginnings in a Leicestershire textile town, to the official kit manufacturers for the England national team – with key moments in the company’s timeline highlighted through a range of objects, photographs, and kit designs.
Find out more about the new exhibition here.
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The Great Summer Social
Cheshire Oaks
Monday 12 August – onwards
Cheshire Oaks has brought its popular The Great Summer Social event back for another year, and there’s currently loads to get involved with while schools are out.
Not only is there a bunch of retail offers and promotions to make the most of, as well as free family-friendly interactive activities to get involved with too, but there’s also a big wheel, a mini golf course, a big screen showing sporting events, DJs blasting out tunes, and a wide variety of street food and drink vendors across the Designer Outlet.
Find out more here.
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Summer Scran Fest
Manchester Arndale
Monday 12 August – 1 September
Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back for 2024, and there’s loads of tasty food and drink offers to make the most of.
Running for a whole month until Sunday 1 September, there’s discounts on over 40 of the city centre shopping hub’s fan-favourite food and drink restaurants, cafes, and kiosks – including Tortilla, Pizzaluxe, Millie’s Cookies, Lazy Sundae, Boost, and Krispy Kreme – and you can tuck into everything from burgers and bagels, to doughnuts, smoothies, and so much more.
Pick up a voucher booklet from the stands located around the centre, or claim an offer in-store on your mobile.
Find out more here.
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Chester Zoo ‘Afterglow’
Chester Zoo
Tuesday 13 – Sunday 25 August
Chester Zoo’s popular ‘after hours’ evenings are back once again this summer after they proved so popular in previous years.
Giving visitors the chance to explore the UK’s biggest charity zoo “in a whole new light”, the unique event series offers unlimited access to animal habitats, indoor areas, and restaurants after the gates normally close to the public, and if you missed out in the past, there’s even some new “immersive” features for 2024 too.
You can discover the zoo as the sun goes down with spectacular live entertainment, exciting games and activities, and delicious food and drink.
Tickets are on sale at 50% cheaper than a standard day ticket, and you can get them here.
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Kargo on the Docks
MediaCity
Tuesday 13 August – onwards
One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.
‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
Find out more and see who’s pitched up here.
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Did you see that Manchester’s LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has launched half-price kids tickets over the summer holidays?
As the rising cost of living crisis unfortunately continues to make its impact felt across the UK, the popular Trafford Palazzo attraction wants local families to “say yes to real fun”, and is on a mission to help parents, carers, and guardians entertain their little ones as schools are out, all while keeping pennies in their pockets.
In a bid to make “money go further” and “memories last longer”, the family-friendly venue has slashed the price of a children’s general admission ticket from the usual £21.50 right down to just £10.75.
Find out more here.
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Summer of Play
Great Northern
Wednesday 14 August
Have you noticed an outdoor sandpit has popped up in Manchester city centre?
That’s right, Manchester finally has a beach – and families are invited down to Great Northern this Wednesday to make the most of it from 12pm-4pm for some child-led play, all facilitated by an onsite Play Specialist.
With 50-tonnes of sand, wooden logs, and plenty of buckets and spades, it’s the perfect spot for kids to have fun, and there’s no booking needed either, so you can just drop in.
Find out more here.
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Picnic in the Pool 2024
Victoria Baths
Wednesday 14 August
It’s time to party in the pool… although, this is a slightly different kind of pool party.
That’s because the stunning Grade II-listed Victoria Baths, just outside Manchester city centre, is bringing back one of its best-loved events by popular demand this week, and it’s sounding set to be just like the retro summers of years gone by.
Picnic in the Pool will take over the historic building’s empty Gala Pool at the heart, and families are invited bring their “tastiest treats, cosiest blankets, and snuggly cushions” and pop along for afternoon of fun.
Advanced booking is advised, and you can find out more here.
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First Street Dates
Square Gardens
Wednesday 14 August
A First Dates-style event is happening in Manchester this week, but attendees won’t be looking for love this time… instead, they’re on the hunt for the right roommate.
Inspired by the hit TV show, ‘First Street Dates’ is hosted by Manchester’s new co-living development, Square Gardens, and will be taking over the development’s Gino D’Acampo restaurant this Wednesday to offer guests canapes, drinks, and live music while they mix with fellow flatmate hunters.
Leading global dating and relationship expert, Jacob Lucas, will also be on hand to offer practical tips and advice on living together harmoniously and avoiding common pitfalls.
Find out more and register on the Square Gardens website here.
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Printworks’ Summer of Sport
Printworks
Thursday 15 August
Printworks is gearing up for a “bonanza” of free family-friendly sporting celebrations this week.
In the spirit of the 2024 Olympics, and to also celebrate the ongoing summer of sport, the leading city centre entertainment complex will be hosting a free interactive gaming sessions this Thursday, as well as an archery class so kids can “sharpen their aiming skills” and try out a new skill.
The venue’s new digital ceiling is also set to dazzle visitors with animations of synchronised swimmers, divers, cyclists, and more to create a “truly immersive” sporting experience.
Find out more here.
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Dean McCullough’s Pop Machine Brunch
The Anthologist
Saturday 17 August
BBC Radio 1’s king of pop, Dean McCullough, is hosting his very-own Pop Machine Brunch in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Being hosted at The Anthologist this Saturday from 12pm-4pm, you can hit the dance floor and belt out all your favourite pop hits from the 80s, 90s, and noughties, featuring radio DJ Dean on the decks with fresh remixes and his infectious energy for “an afternoon that is sure to pop off”.
Tickets include entertainment, two courses, and two cocktails, and you can find out more and get your hands on them from £15 – £30 per person here.
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‘Mini Disco’ with The Arabian Princess
Kargo.MKT
Sunday 18 August
Little Mancs are invited down to Kargo.MKT at MediaCity this Sunday for another one of the venue’s popular ‘Mini Disco’ events.
Hosted by The Arabian Princess, and running from 10am through to midday, families can embark on a spellbinding journey to the mystical city of Agrabah, via Greater Manchester’s newest waterside dining destination.
The best bit? It’s completely free to take part in, so you can find out more and get your hands on some tickets here.
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Featured Image – LEGOLAND | Backyard Cinema | Great Northern