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.
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Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
Monday 17 April – onwards
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Pixies to play three Manchester gigs as part of major European tour in 2024
Emily Sergeant
Pixies are heading out on a European tour in 2024, and they’re stopping off here in Manchester for three nights.
After recently playing to intimate Manchester crowds at the relaunch of iconic music venue, Band on the Wall, and to thousands at Castlefield Bowl as part of 2023’s Sounds of the City concert series, Pixies have announced they’ll be making a return to our city once again next year, and they’ve got three gigs lined-up.
The influential and pioneering US alt rock band are set to head out on a tour of some of the biggest cities in Europe tour in 2024, and will be performing a selection of tracks from their hugely-acclaimed albums, Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde – which were released in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Black Francis and co will be taking over Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall for three major gigs on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, and Thursday 14 March 2024.
Bossanova was the band’s third studio album, and was praised by critics for showing their less primal side, with a recurring sci-fi theme running throughout, and surf and space rock influences at the forefront.
‘Alison’, ‘Dig For Fire’, ‘Velouria’, and ‘Cecilia Ann’ were just some of the notable tracks from the album.
Trompe Le Monde, on the other hand, was known for having bookended a run of landmark records for the band, and although it was their fourth album, it’s arguably the most playful in their catalogue – with singles ‘Planet of Sound’, ‘Alec Eiffel’, and ‘Letter to Memphis’ featuring lyrics on UFOs, conspiracy theories, and more to prove Black Francis and co were still restless to push their sound forward.
Both albums are described by critics as sounding just as fresh and relevant today in 2023 as they did when they were released over 30 years ago.
Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991) by Pixies / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Pixies’ celebration of these two iconic albums will see them perform across major European cites such as London, Dublin, Paris, and Amsterdam, as well as Manchester for three nights.
Pixies – Bossanova x Trompe Le Monde Tour 2024
8, 9 & 10 March – Olympia Theatre Dublin
12, 13 & 14 March – Albert Hall Manchester
16, 17 & 18 March – O2 Forum Kentish Town (London)
20, 21 & 22 March – Paradiso Amsterdam
25, 26 & 27 March – L’Olympia Theatre Paris
Tickets to the Bossanova x Trompe Le Monde Tour 2024 are officially set to go on general sale this Friday 9 June from 9am.
Hit Stockport sandwich shop Rack is opening a second cafe in Sale
Georgina Pellant
Stockport’s favourite sandwich shop is coming to Sale, it has been revealed this week.
The small but mighty butty shop is expanding, as owners unveiled plans to open a new cafe and brunch spot inside a former barber’s shop in Sale.
Set to open on School Road later this year, the team will move into a characterful and quirky space in M33 following a full refurbishment.
With a hidden entrance down a side alley and then up a flight of exterior stairs, it might not be the easiest to find but – based on the calibre of butties coming out of their original shop – we know with certainty this will be worth seeking out.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Promising to keep it ‘all things sandwich’, just as they do at the original Stockport shop, on the Sale menu fans of things in bread will be as well catered to as ever with a dedicated grilled sandwich menu, plus staple breakfast butties and regular specials.
That’s not all, though. Given the increased size of the new space, the Rack team is also planning on introducing a new brunch menu – although details are currently being kept under wraps.
Sharing the news with fans online in a post that has been liked over 500 times, the Rack team wrote: “Huge Sandwich & Brunch Announcement.
“We’re opening a brand new sandwich and brunch spot on School Road in Sale M33! Taking over the space that once was a quirky first floor barber shop on the high street – The entrance is down the side alley and up the stairs, it’s got bags of character.
“Swipe to see how buzzing we were to start smashing walls down and see some of the progress. Keep your eyes peeled for progress pics and the menu drop – opening soon!
“We’ll be keeping it all things sandwich but with the addition of a new brunch menu. It’s a much bigger space than the Stockport OG store and we’re very excited!”
Fans have been quick to share their excitement for the new opening, with one person writing: “Down the road from my office? Oh this is great news!”
Another person said: “It’s gonna be a good one! Great addition to Sale after the Foodhall sadly shut. New lunch spot right here!”
A third person added: “Brilliant news. Welcome to Sale!”
To find out more about Rack and keep up to date with the team’s news ahead of the Sale opening, make sure to follow them on Instagram here.
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2023 
