Spring is here, and the events calendar in Greater Manchester is looking as exciting as ever as we head into another week.
April is in full swing, and it’s another week that’s absolutely packed with plenty to do in our region, so as always, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
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.
___
Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
Monday 17 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
A new walking trail has been created around Greater Manchester to celebrate the spring blossom, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
The National Trust has created a 30-stop ‘Bloomtown Blossom’ trail all around the city centre and beyond where you can soak in the prettiest of springtime scenes – from the famous purple blooms in St Peter’s Square, to the showers of blossom in Alexandra Park, and the clouds of pink in Sackville Gardens.
Some of the city’s newest spots are included on the trail too – including the Castlefield Viaduct, Mayfield Park, and Plant NOMA.
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, 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.
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.
RHS Garden Bridgewater is back hosting another one of its ‘Walkies at Bridgewater’ evenings by popular demand this Tuesday, and it means dogs owners can take a stroll around the picturesque gardens with their canine companions when the Worsley-based park opens up its grounds from 4pm–7pm.
With the sun set to shine, RHS says the special event is the perfect time to explore the horticultural delights of the season with your four-legged friend.
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.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is arriving at The Lowry this week.
Adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler, and based on the International No.1 bestselling book by Christy Lefteri, The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of beekeeper Nuri and his artist wife Afra – who live a “simple life in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo”.
Described by critics as being a “compassionate and beautiful play”, it’s a story of connection between friends, families, and strangers.
Award-winning street food champions GRUB are once again teaming up with Manchester City Council to bring their monthly food and drink festival, GRUB Carnival -The Travelling Food Festival, back to Wythenshawe.
The monthly event is set to bring together the very best of GRUB’s top street food traders, alongside a series of pop-up brewery bars and take-home produce stalls.
Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The line-up features some well-renowned names in thecomedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp.
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)
What's On
Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils supporters trust, The 1873, have outlined details of their next major march in protest over the club’s well-publicised ownership troubles and financial crisis.
The fan group, which has mobilised on multiple occasions already this year, is set to hit the streets once again this month and in larger numbers than ever, confirming another big demonstration before their next home game this weekend.
Sharing the update with fellow Red Devils on social media, 1837 leaders are demanding “truth and accountability from the top” ahead of the peaceful protest through Salford.
They have dubbed the event ‘The Last Rally’, but we can only assume there’ll be more fan action as the weeks and possibly months of uncertainty continue.
As you can see, The 1837 are calling for like-minded supporters to rally outside another nearby amateur rugby league football team, Salford City Roosters, before marching on to a second meeting point and, ultimately, the Salford Community Stadium.
Starting in Eccles, with a stop at Barley Farm, before arriving at their club’s home ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, the plan is to gather as much awareness, support and local attention as possible.
Writing in the caption of the above post, they added: “We’ve dominated headlines. We’ve exposed bad ownership. We’ve stood together.
“A history worth fighting for. A future worth protecting. Our last chance to be heard. Don’t stay silent. Make it count.”
Following a recent meeting of the RFL and the two Greater Manchester Mayors, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett, Salford Red Devils were given somewhat of an even further stay of execution, as it was confirmed that their ‘winding up’/administration deadline has now been adjourned until October.
Nevertheless, the majority of fans are still being kept in the dark about the exact and up-to-date nature of their rugby league club’s situation at present.
Back in June, it looked like new investors could very well still be injecting vital funds to keep key players and staff on the books, but jump to now, and it looks like they don’t know if even things like the big screen even belong to them much longer.
Salford Red Devils aren’t just in debt – our very identity is up for grabs.
The badge. The name. Even the big screen. All signed off as collateral to financiers.
Once again, the march and peaceful protest will take place this Friday, 19 September, prior to the next fixture against Wakefield Trinity.
Getting points on the board will no doubt be a big plus for all, but the game looks like it will very much serve as the backdrop to the wider ongoing saga.
Are you a Red Devils fan, and if so, will you be attending the demonstration? Better still, even if not, what do you make of the circumstances surrounding your side at the moment?
Fantastic to see the fans turn out again, Salford Red Devils will never die 1873 👹🏉 pic.twitter.com/Gne5peQK6u
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2023 
