The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 17 – 23 July 2023
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
Monday 17 July – onwards
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.
Find out more here.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 17 – Sunday 30 July
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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Backyard Cinema: Miami Beach
Depot Mayfield
Monday 17 July – 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 – 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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Coronation Street Experience
ITV Studios
Monday 17 July – onwards
A brand-new Coronation Street Experience has opened, and it’s giving fans access to areas they previously haven’t been able to before.
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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Diecast
Piccadilly
Monday 17 July – onwards
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.
Find out more here.
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La Clique
Depot Mayfield
Monday 17 – Saturday 29 July
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.
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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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StarWash Roller Disco
Trafford Centre
Wednesday 19 July – onwards
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.
Find out more here.
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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 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.
60 years of legendary TV series Doctor Who will also be celebrated with impressive programme of talks, panels, and performances.
Find out more here.
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Albert’s Marching Band
Albert’s Schloss
Thursday 20 July
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.
Find out more and book here.
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Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Friday 21 July – onwards
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”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Red Rose Diners
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 21 – Sunday 23 July
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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Summer Daze
Trafford Centre
Saturday 22 July – onwards
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.
Find out more here.
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Julia and Axel – 30 Years of Favourite Stories
The Lowry
Saturday 22 July – onwards
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.
Find out more here.
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Featured Image – Lucas Sinclair | The Manc Eats | Albert’s Schloss