The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 14 – 20 August
We’re mid-way through the month, and summer still hasn’t really shown its face.
Despite the grim Greater Manchester weather over the last few weeks, the region’s events calendar luckily still continues to be jam-packed with events for everyone to be getting involved with while schools are out – from festivals, family-friendly activities, and foodie feasts, to immersive experiences, exhibitions, and so much more.
If you’re stuck for choice, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s our top picks.
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Dinosaurs in the Park
Heaton Park
Monday 14 August – onwards
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have taken over the grounds of Heaton Park for the summer.
Manchester has become “a palaeontologist’s playground” as around 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have descended on the popular park to give dino fans of all ages the chance to get up close and personal with well-known favourites such as the Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Velociraptor, as well as the lesser-known Dilophosaurus, Kentrosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus.
Visitors can expect dinosaurs around every corner, and “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family“.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Summer Daze
Trafford Centre
Monday 14 August – onwards
Summer Daze is back and better than ever at the Trafford Centre this summer.
Running all summer long right the way through until early September, Summer Daze is home to a massive 600sqm beach for sunbathing and sandcastles, and not one but two “thrilling splash parks” with loads of water jets outside the shopping centre.
Not only that, but there’s also a retro funfair with over 20 fairground rides, and you can also take part in crafting workshops and face painting, and catch costume characters, live music, and entertainment.
Find out more here.
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Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 14 August – onwards
A brand-new exhibition is currently having its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.
The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Great Frogtastic Invention Trail
Stockport
Monday 14 August – onwards
Stockport’s beloved giant colourful frog sculptures have returned.
Following the undeniable success of previous art trails in both 2019 and 2021, the Stockport Frogs are back for a brand-new adventure this summer, with 19 multi-coloured amphibians having hopped onto podiums across the town centre.
This year’s trail is themed all around ‘Frogtastic Inventions’, and will see frog-spotters of all ages get to make their way around the town centre on what’s set to be an “educational, engaging and vibrant” outdoor adventure.
Find out more here.
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Barbie-oke at Provence Wine Bar
Spinningfields
Monday 14 August – onwards
Thought Barbie fever was finally dying down? No sir, think again.
Spinningfields wine bar Provence is giving its excellent ‘wine-oke’ offering (which is, as you might have guessed, karaoke fuelled by wine) the Barbie treatment.
You can book 90 minutes of all-pink fun, with any pink drink included on arrival for £20pp – or you can go bottomless for £40pp, which includes unlimited selected wine, prosecco, or beer and one of Provence’s sharing grazing boards.
And anyone who shows their Barbie cinema ticket at Provence can enjoy half-price rose sangria (£4 per glass) and 2-4-1 on Pornstar Spritz.
Bookings can be made here.
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Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?
How is it August already? Somehow, this summer has felt like the shortest one yet, but no matter if you’re feeling a bit meh about this wonderful British summertime, as there’s always food to turn to in Greater Manchester – and that, as we know, makes everything better.
Failing that, there’s always a drink. Or a few.
As we do every month, we’ve rounded up the best new bars and restaurants opening in Greater Manchester this month, and there’s some really good ones to look forward to, so you can find out where to put on your list here.
Also, if you’re looking to keep your spending within a budget, check out our round-up of some of the best food and drink deals to take advantage of this month here.
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StarWash Roller Disco
Trafford Centre
Monday 14 August – onwards
Trafford Centre’s new disco-themed roller rink has officially opened for the summer.
Having popped-up in The Orient food court in front of the Main Stage area, the shopping centre’s new StarWash Roller Disco is described as being a “dazzling disco-themed roller rink” that’s an immersive experience where skaters can “get down both on and off the rink”.
Skaters are “transported” to a world of “vibrant lights, pulsating beats, and a kaleidoscope of colours”, all while a DJ blasts out a soundtrack of feel-good tunes and disco classics.
Find out more here.
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The Capri Beach Club
Exchange Square
Monday 14 August – onwards
A pop-up beach club has appeared right in the heart of Manchester city centre, and it’ll transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
The Capri Beach Club – which has appeared at Exchange Square outside Selfridges – has been kitted out with cabanas, boardwalks, swing chairs, and even real sand, and it promises to recreate the ambience of a real Capri beach club.
There’s a DJ playing chilled-out beats from the 80s up to the latest chart-toppers, plus resident saxophonist Elliot Slater, who has graced the stages at some of the biggest clubs in Ibiza.
As you lounge back on luxury seating, you can work your way through the summer cocktail list that includes Aperol spritzes, margaritas, bellinis, and espresso martinis, and then grab a bite to eat from the range of street food vendors.
Find out more here.
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New Opening – NQ64
Northern Quarter
Monday 14 August – onwards
Have you heard that NQ64 has got itself a new Northern Quarter home? And it’s big.
The much-loved arcade bar that’s packed with retro arcade games and themed cocktails has shifted over from its original site in a Tib Street basement to a brand new location… in a Tib Street basement.
Taking on the former Dive bar site next door, here there’s much more room for activities – with free-play retro consoles, classic arcade games, competitive simulations like Guitar Hero, dance mats, and so much more to get stuck into.
Now that it’s four times the size, the new super-sized NQ64 has space for 350 people inside.
Find out more here.
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Backyard Cinema: Miami Beach
Depot Mayfield
Monday 14 August – onwards
Backyard Cinema is back in Manchester for the summer, and has created a Miami Beach rooftop experience that’s transporting people back to the 1980s.
The immersive cinema experience has taken over the roof of Depot Mayfield and transformed the industrial space into Miami Beach – using 30 tonnes of sand and signature palm tree cocktails to create the UK’s largest pop-up beach.
The summer-long series will include cinematic parties and screenings of major summer blockbusters, plus sing-alongs and loads more, all with sand between your toes and ultra-comfy seats.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Picnic in the Pool
Victoria Baths
Wednesday 16 August
One of Manchester’s most iconic and historic venues is hosting the perfect rainy day summer holidays event this week.
How does a picnic inside a hollowed-out Grade II-listed gala pool sound? As part of Victoria Baths’ weekly ‘Welcome Wednesdays’ event, this week’s ‘Picnic in the Pool’ gives families the chance to soak up the sun without a chance of rain, as you picnic under the glorious glass roof and get stuck into a whole host of activities for all ages.
The event is free, but booking is advised to avoid disappointment as spaces may be limited on the day.
Find out more here.
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Red Rose Diners
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 18 – Sunday 20 August
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
Running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday right through the summer until September, ELR’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.
Find out more and book here.
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You, Me and the Balloons – Late Night
Factory International
Friday 18 & Saturday 19 August
New late-night tickets for Yayoi Kasuma’s giant polka-dot inflatable art exhibition in Manchester have been made available after what was an undeniably successful run as part of this year’s jam-packed Manchester International Festival programme.
Tens of thousands of people made their way to see the major new installation by celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, and it’s fair to say they were left mesmerised by the jaw-dropping spectacle.
‘You, Me and the Balloons’ gives visitors the chance to “immerse themselves in Kusama’s psychedelic universe”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Featured Image – Trafford Centre | The Manc Group | Totally Stockport