We’ve been talking about it feeling like summer for the past few weeks now, but this week it’s finally official for thousands of kids in the region.
Schools are out across Greater Manchester from this Friday – and now, the fun begins.
If the region’s events calendar hadn’t already been exciting enough as it is as of late, the school summer holidays brings with it a whole host of things for everyone to be getting involved with – from festivals and family-friendly activities, to foodie feasts, immersive experiences, and so much more.
So once again, 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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King Pins
Trafford Palazzo
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Monday 17 July – onwards
King Pins / Credit: Supplied
King Pins is finally bringing a bowling experience for all the family to Greater Manchester from this week.
It’s been a long time coming, but from Monday 17 July, the brand-new King Pins will be open at Trafford Palazzo, and you can expect both state-of-the-art Ten Pin bowling and Duck Pin bowling lanes, as well as ice-free curling, shuffleboards, air hockey, arcades, karaoke booths, and so much more.
Not only that, but there’ll also be two independent street food stands, a dessert kiosk, and a full-service bar pouring cocktails, homemade slushies, and 20 different beers.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical / Credit: Joan Marcus
A musical version of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is currently out on a tour of the UK, and it’s stopping off here in Manchester.
After already proving to be a smash-hit on both the Broadway stage and in the West End, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical – which is based off the 1964 Roald Dahl novel of the same name and the Warner Bros. film – will be at the Manchester Palace Theatre right through until the end of July.
The musical tells “the devilishly delicious tale” of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard Willy Wonka.
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 – which debuted in the city centre last autumn – has taken over the roof of Depot Mayfield once again – but this time round, the industrial space has been transformed 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.
A brand-new Coronation Street Experience has opened, and it’s giving fans access to areas they previously haven’t been able to before.
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The Coronation Street Tour is known for giving people the chance to discover the hidden world that lies behind the camera at the external sets at MediaCityUK in Salford, and now, the already award-winning experience has got even better as the new exhibition extends the current 90-minute tour and makes it even more “immersive” for fans.
You’ll get the opportunity to see Dierdre’s famous glasses up close, take a seat in Roy’s Rolls, or even stand behind the bar at The Rovers.
A gigantic new music, food, and drink venue has opened at a former Manchester factory.
Diecast comes from the team behind popular Swan Street venues Ramona and The Firehouse, and has opened behind Manchester Piccadilly train station – kicking off with a grand opening as part of the venue’s first phase, ‘The MachineWorks’ AKA ‘Leno Ex Machina’, which has been unveiled after two years of intense anticipation.
Diecast boasts one of the biggest frozen drinks menus in the city, as well as a massive warehouse kitchen serving up pizzas, zesty Italian small plates, wood fired piadino, and Leno burgers.
A huge circus tent has been installed onto the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester, as the world-leading cabaret La Clique is in town.
The trailblazing show – which has had its stay in the city extended right through to 29 July – features the best circus and cabaret acts in the world.
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Presented by live entertainment company Underbelly, La Clique is wowing audiences with its genre-defining cabaret show, and for its Manchester stint, performers will include tension strap artist LJ Marles, singer Chastity Belt, aerial contortion artist Miranda Menzies, comedy and stunt performer Sam Goodburn, and more.
Trafford Centre’s new “immersive” disco-themed roller rink is officially opening this week for summer.
Popping-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 will be “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.
Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?
With summer now in full swing and al fresco drinking and dining in full flow, it feels right that a new venue boasting Manchester’s biggest beer garden opens this month – with a rum bar boasting a whopping 64 different frozen daiquiri combinations, no less.
There is more to check out at new Malaysian restaurant Kaya providing a melting pot of flavours on Chinatown’s Faulkner Street, and Altrincham food hall Chi Yip providing the Trafford market town with everything from traditional roast meats to bubble teas.
Add to that a new city centre wine shop and bar, a sun trap Northern Quarter bar with even more outdoor seating, and a new restaurant in Prestwich from lockdown sandwich dealers San San.
Find out where to put on your list this July here.
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bluedot Festival 2023
Jodrell Bank
Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July
bluedot Festival 2023 / Credit: bluedot | Lucas Sinclair
bluedot Festival is back for 2023 this week.
Cheshire’s multi award-winning celebration of music, science, and cosmic culture will once again be taking over the grounds of the iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory from Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July – with Grace Jones, Pavement, Roisin Murphy, Max Richter, and Leftfield among the names lined-up to take to the stage.
BBC Concert Orchestra, Young Fathers, and Annie Mac also form part of this year’s lineup over the four-day festival, alongside a series of hands-on science workshops, exhibitions, and so much more.
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60 years of legendary TV series Doctor Who will also be celebrated with impressive programme of talks, panels, and performances.
Popular city centre venue Albert’s Schloss has launched its very-own ‘Albert’s Marching Band’.
Exclusive to Manchester, an eight-piece formation of the region’s finest musicians will be marching through the palace doors every Thursday evening throughout July, and you can catch them playing unique arrangements of classic New Orleans beats, family favourites, and big brass versions of ‘klub klassics’.
Further performances and DJ sets will then continue right through to midnight to get the weekend started early.
A brand-new exhibition is set to have its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester this week, 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”.
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.
Summer Daze is back at the Trafford Centre from this weekend, and it’s set to be better than ever.
Set to open from Saturday 22 July, and run all summer right the way through until early September, Summer Daze will see a massive 600sqm beach ready for sunbathing and sancastles, and not one but two “thrilling splash parks” with loads of water jets, pop up outside the shopping centre.
Not only that, but the much-loved retro funfair will also be making a comeback too with over 20 fairground rides.
You can also expect crafting workshops, face painting, costume characters, live music and entertainment, and so much more.
Julia and Axel – 30 Years of Favourite Stories / Credit: The Lowry / MediaCityUK
The incredible work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is to be celebrated in a new exhibition at The Lowry this summer.
Opening this Saturday 22 July, the free family-friendly exhibition will feature several of Julia Donaldson’s personal writing notebooks that contain her first ideas and creative thinking behind her picture book stories, and these will be shown alongside Axel Scheffler’s artwork to show the process of his illustrations.
Little Mancs will get to be creative themselves at the exhibition, as they are guided to write their own stories, draw pictures, dress up, and play fun games inspired by the books.
Featured Image – Lucas Sinclair | The Manc Eats | Albert’s Schloss
What's On
The Manchester restaurant serving up the ‘world’s hottest curry’ for just a few days
Danny Jones
City centre favourite Zouk is serving up ‘the world’s hottest curry’ again to celebrate National Chilli Day next week.
The popular tea bar and grill located on Chester Street just off Oxford Road is slap bang in the middle of student central and has hordes of patrons lining up day in, day out, to taste their incredible Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Now, to celebrate every spicy-food lover’s favourite day, Zouk is putting on special, limited-time-only menu to cater to all you heat freaks and speaking collectively on The Manc‘s behalf (several of us having tried it), it’s no joke.
The World’s Hottest Curry will be available for five days from Monday 24 to Friday 28 February, with a challenge on Thursday 27 February with prizes to anyone who can finish the fiery karahi.
The dishes
When it came to coming up with the world’s hottest curry, Zouk didn’t have to look far for inspiration, they simply picked the world’s hottest chilli: the Carolina Reaper Chilli.
Combining the 1,569,000 Scoville scorcher of a chilli with their much-loved and already spicy chicken karahi and vegetable karahi recipes, they knew they were on a winner. You might have to sign a waiver to eat it but that’s all part of the fun, right?
Typically prepared in a wok and cooked over hot flames with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, peppercorns and cumin to create the sauce base, the karahi originates from the Northwest region of Pakistan and has a great flavour. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you can have it as a kebab or a full curry.
Credit: Supplied
That being said, this version does contain dried Carolina Reapers so you might not taste much beyond the heat of the sun after a few seconds. While the chilli is deemed suitable for human consumption, even Zouk’s chefs have admitted to struggling with the dish. Gulp. So, what can you win?
The challenge and prizes
Us Brits love a good curry and we already know that plenty of you won’t be able to resist the urge to take on the Reaper Challenge simply out of pride, so we might as well just tell you what you’ll have to eat in order to win the prizes.
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
Finish the full Carolina Reaper Curry (either chicken or veg) in one sitting (max eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions), Zouk will give you the meal for free.
PLUS, a £50 Zouk Gift Card so you can come back at a later date to try their full menu (including some less omg-spicy options).
You’ll also get a Zouk Ice Cream Sunday to help cool off afterwards. Trust us, you’ll need it.
Issuing a statement for National Chilli Day and the Reaper Challenge, owner Tayub Amjad said: “Our food is usually more about flavour than heat but it’s National Chilli Day, and we know our customers love this challenge.
“For those who complete the challenge, you still have chance to come back and dine on us at a future date, so you will still get to experience the real Zouk too.”
What you thinking, Manchester? Are you up for taking on the world’s hottest curry?
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 24 February – 2 March 2025
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe it’s March already at the end of this week?
Of course, February is a short month so it’s no wonder , but now that March there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to in Greater Manchester throughout this week – both free things, and those that’ll set you back a few pennies too.
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, so here’s some of our recommendations.
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Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 24 February – onwards
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
NEW OPENING – Oxygen Activeplay / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
A brand-new indoor activity park has now opened down at MediaCity/
Salford was chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, and the brand-new park has descended on Quayside MediaCity, just above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, following a £2.5 million investment – with state-of-the-art equipment and activities to help local families stay active whilst having fun at the same time.
The new park features more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more “epic” activities.
Freight Island’s Six Nations fanzone has returned for 2025.
The iconic international tournament is now underway, and so is Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.
Already proving to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country, with everything from free pints and prosecco, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors, and so much more.
Looking for other places to watch the Six Nations?
We’re absolutely spoiled for choice with places showing all the sporting action across Greater Manchester, so if you’re looking to get together with your mates, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to head to here.
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Bat Out Of Hell
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 24 February – Saturday 8 March 2025
Bat Out Of Hell / Credit: ATG Tickets
Bat Out Of Hell is back in our city this week.
Are you ready ready for the ultimate rock experience? Bat Out Of Hell roars back to Manchester this week, with the iconic music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf once again taking over the iconic Palace Theatre stage, delivering an electrifying journey that will ignite your love for rock like never before along the way.
Described as being a ‘heart-pounding’ production, you can expect to see a stellar cast and a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage.
Did you see that Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 free tickets to kids this year?
The UK’s largest charity zoo is on a mission to help nature to “survive and thrive”.
And so, in a bid to do just that, has announced that it will once again be handing out tens of thousands of tickets to schoolchildren for completely free of charge, so that they can explore the zoo up close and learn all about the inspiring work the conservation charity does.
With the hopes of empowering as many youngsters as possible, and sparking their passion for saving species once again, the zoo has now opened the scheme back up for the 2025/26 season – with a whopping 33,000 tickets available for schools, nurseries, and colleges to claim.
Those who secure tickets will have the opportunity to visit the zoo between this November and February 2026.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat / Credit: ATG Tickets | Tristram Kenton
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is back on stage in Manchester this week.
The beloved musical production actually started out as a concept album based off a small-scale school show, before it grew into what we know today.
Told entirely through song with the help of the narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph, and features songs that have gone on to become musical theatre stapes, including ‘Any Dream Will Do’, ‘Close Every Door To Me’, ‘Jacob and Sons’, and ‘Go, Go, Go Joseph’.
It is, of course, the first major stage musical collaboration between theatre legends, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice.
One of Manchester’s most iconic charities is bringing back one of its most iconic fundraising challenges next week.
Back to impress Mancs for a fourth time, the We Love MCR Sponsored Firewalk is returning to St Ann’s Square, and it’s sounding set to be bigger and better than ever, as the charity is upping the stakes by putting on not one, but two, lanes of fire for walkers to conquer… if they’re brave enough, that is.
To add to the already-scorching atmosphere, award-winning samba drummers Batala will also be back to set the scene with lively music.
A Taste of Altrincham Festival / Credit: Altrincham BID | The Manc Group
Ready for 10 days of food and drink showcasing everything Altrincham’s vibrant dining scene has to offer? A Taste of Altrincham kicks off this week.
This new celebration of food and drink – which has been organised by Altrincham BID – includes special offers, interactive demos, culinary classes and workshops, supper clubs, chef demonstrations, and of course, lots of tasty food to took into.
With downloadable offers and engaging activities, A Taste of Altrincham gives you the chance to explore new venues and cuisines, and enjoy Altrincham’s gastronomic landscape.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the year, East Lancashire Railway’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.
After a successful first run last summer, where thousands attended as a diverse array of music, art, dance, and interactive workshops descended on the streets of Stretford, The StretFest is back again for 2025, and will be taking over the whole Trafford neighbourhood with loads of free events and activities to get involved with.
This new spring edition of the neighbourhood festival will spread across Stretford’s favourite venues and public spaces to celebrate ‘new beginnings’.
Free events will be at venues such as Stretford Public Hall, the Mall, Victoria Park, St Matthew’s Church, and Stretford Library, alongside loads of local independent businesses.
Did you see that one of Greater Manchester’s popular museums has been named the best free museum in the UK?
With the Easter holidays not far off, plenty of parents, carers, and guardians across Greater Manchester will likely be looking for a ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while schools are out, and without having to break the bank too.
Luckily enough, Bolton Museum has taken the top spot in a list of the best free museums and galleries to visit in the whole of the UK.
Bolton Museum has been crowned the best free museum to visit in the UK / Credit: Bolton Council
The museum – which is on the Grade II-listed Le Mans Crescent in the town centre, and dates back to 1852 – has been a part of the leisure and education of Boltonians for over 120 years, and is home to one of the largest regional Egyptology collections in the UK, made up of over 10,000 archaeological objects.
There’s also an extensive local history section, with 38,000 objects from the 17th to 20th century relating to Bolton.
Emily Sergeant -
13th July 2023 
