The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 17 – 23 June 2024
We can all agree that Greater Manchester definitely seems to be getting itself into the spirit of summer at the moment, right?
Thankfully, there’s more where that came from this week.
Sure, the temperatures over the past couple of weeks have definitely dropped from the heights they hit in May, and it’s been a lot more windy and rainy than we would like, but now that June is in full swing, our region’s social calendar is packed full of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome family-friendly events, and so much more.
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 this week, so here’s some of our recommendations.
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Power UP
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 17 June – onwards
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Find out more about the exhibition here.
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Wild
Manchester Museum
Monday 17 June – onwards
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
Find out more and grab your FREE tickets here.
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Fancy exploring the Yorkshire Dales in all their glory this summer?
Greater Manchester residents are now able to hop onboard a new train service to discover one of the most picturesque places in the North.
If you’re after a scenic adventure over these next couple of months, then Northern has decided to bring back the ‘Yorkshire Dales Explorer’ train after it proved to be so popular with passengers the last time it was out on its travels.
The new service is now departing from Rochdale to Ribblesdale twice a day every Saturday throughout the summer, and tickets will set you back around £25 each.
Tickets are now on sale, and you can find out more and grab yours here.
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Disney’s Aladdin
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 17 June – 7 July
The magic carpet has officially landed, as Disney’s smash-hit musical Aladdin is now here in Manchester for the summer.
Based on the beloved 1992 animated film of the same name, and following several critically-acclaimed and sold-out runs on both Broadway and in London’s West End since it first debuted back in 2011, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated production has taken to the stage down at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.
The musical features all the timeless songs we know and love from the film, and people are already describing it as a seriously magical show.
Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.
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The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 17 June – onwards
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Find out more here.
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Abridged on a Bridge
Castlefield Viaduct
Wednesday 19 – Saturday 22 June
Facing North Theatre is returning to Castlefield Viaduct this week with a unique open-air adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed against the Manchester skyline on an iconic structure.
Returning to mark this year’s Summer Solstice, families and theatre lovers are invited to join some of Shakespeare’s best-loved characters to celebrate “fast paced, fun-filled farce” – with two shows taking place each day from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 June at 2-3pm and 7-8pm.
Find out more and grab tickets for £17 here.
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Horizons Festival 2024
HOME
Friday 21 – Sunday 23 June
HOME’s popular Horizons Festival is making a 2024 return this weekend, and the Greater Manchester public is invited down to the city centre-based venue for three days of newly-commissioned theatre, performance, visual art, film, community events, family-friendly workshops, live music, and so much more.
Horizons 2024 will respond to this year’s theme of ‘Our Planet, Our Home’, and has been co-curated with the theatre’s Arts & Migration Network of displaced local artists.
Most events are free to attend, and you can find out more about everything happening here.
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Looking for somewhere to watch UEFA Euro 2024 in Greater Manchester this summer?
European football’s flagship tournament has now officially kicked off.
But if you haven’t been lucky enough to grab tickets to catch a game over in Germany itself, and you don’t fancy sitting at home and watching on your own, then thankfully, our region is filled with places where you can catch all the action surrounded by hundreds of other football fans.
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice this year, as there’s plenty of places in Manchester city centre and beyond screening all the games.
Will England bring football home though? Only time will tell.
Check out our round-up list of all the best places to watch the Euros in Greater Manchester here.
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Sip & Paint with Music – Taylor Swift
GRUB
Friday 21 June
Consider yourself a Swiftie? Fancy getting creative at a synesthesia-inspired musical painting night?
Taylor Swift superfans are invited down to GRUB in the heart of Manchester’s Green Quarter this Friday for a ‘Sip & Paint’ event like no other, where you can learn all about synesthesia and paint along to your favourite Taylor tunes in a relaxed, fun, and friendly environment.
The special Taylor-themed session will be led by artist, Libby Ayres, and in a bid to celebrate the release of the new Tortured Poets Department album, the team from Lillet will also be at the event to show you how to make Taylor’s favourite cocktail – the French Blonde.
Find out more and grab tickets for £30 each here.
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Red Rose Diner
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 21 June – onwards
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 March right through to November this 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.
Find out more and book here.
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NEW OPENING – Habbibi
Spinningfields
Habbibi Manchester has finally opened its doors down at Spinningfields.
Famous in Leeds for its culinary fusions of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, the restaurant is now one of the most luxurious and vibrant spaces to eat in Manchester – with a menu that has been meticulously-crafted to captivate the senses.
As well as the stunning interior, the venue’s terrace offers a unique and relaxed setting for enthusiasts to savour their favourite shisha flavours, all while enjoying the atmosphere.
Find out more here.
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The 90s Brunch
Brickhouse Social
Saturday 22 June
Brickhouse Social’s 90s-themed brunch is back by popular demand.
The Manchester social hub is inviting music lovers down to enjoy 90-minutes of bottomless pizza slices, fizz, bottled beers, and select cocktails on its ooftop terrace every Saturday throughout the summer months – with a resident DJ playing all the best tunes from the 1990s.
Tickets will set you back £35pp, and there’s two Brunch sittings available, so you can opt for 1-3pm, or 3:30-5:30pm.
Find out more and book your table here.
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Featured Image – ELR | Road To Victory | National Trust