Is everyone ready for another busy week? We certainly are.
March has already brought with it food festivals, cultural celebrations, annual events, and so much more – and thankfully, there’s absolutely no shortage of exciting activities in the Greater Manchester social calendar to be getting involved with throughout this week either.
If you’re 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.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Manchester Film Festival 2024
Great Northern
Monday 18 – Sunday 24 March
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Manchester Film Festival 2024 / Credit: MFF | A24
Manchester Film Festival is back for its 10th year, and it’s bigger and better than ever before.
The biggest annual film event in our city, Manchester Film Festival is known and loved for shining a cultural spotlight on the talents and creativity of independent filmmakers.
At this year’s highly-anticipated festival, there’s so many incredible films sourced from all over the world, as well as right here in the North West, to watch – including shorts, features, premieres, Q&As, red carpet glamour, and so much more.
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Find out more about Manchester Film Festival 2024 here.
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Power UP
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 18 March – onwards
Power UP / Credit: Science Museum Group
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
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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.
Fairfield Social Club has now reopened in Manchester once again.
After a successful winter pop-up at the end of last year, and a soft launch via Isit Kitchen’s Supper Club a couple of weeks back, Fairfield Social Club – which is from the same family as beloved street food and social hub, GRUB – is now back up and running at its brand-new venue on Irk Street in the heart of Manchester’s Green Quarter.
A special lineup of events has already been announced to take place throughout the month – with quiz nights, speed-dating events, and plenty more on the agenda.
Manchester Open Exhibition is back for the third time in our city.
Taking place every two years down at HOME, the Open Exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, and sees HOME’s Gallery walls filled with 480 artworks created by the people of our region that have been specially-selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
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Open to all, the Exhibition brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio, and so much more.
The Great British Spring Clean 2024 / Credit: Keep Manchester Tidy (via Facebook)
Greater Manchester is being urged to take part in a huge UK-wide ‘spring clean’.
Residents across the region are being encouraged to “roll up their sleeves” and join in with the annual UK-wide ‘Great British Spring Clean’ organised by Keep Britain Tidy, and supported by Manchester City Council, that’s now running right through to the end of the month.
The Great British Spring Clean is calling on locals to get stuck-in by helping to tidy up local parks, pathways, and other green spaces.
Find out more about how to join in this month here.
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Did you know that a new ‘hobby house’ has opened up in the heart of Manchester city centre?
It’s called ‘Altogether Otherwise’.
Having recently opened down at Manchester’s growing neighbourhood, NOMA, the innovative new concept is is setting out to provide the Greater Manchester public with a welcome relief from all the demands and fast-paced culture of city centre life that we’ve, sadly, all become so used to.
It’s been dubbed a “place to pursue creativity” and a chance to explore and get stuck into some new activities, all while bumping into like-minded people in an ever-changing gathering space.
There’s an exciting lineup of workshops and events that are free to attend.
Manchester’s landmark entertainment venue Printworks will be celebrating the completion of its £21 million refurbishment this week with a massive free party.
The huge new-look venue will have TikTok sensation DJ SUAT headlining the launch party on Thursday (21 March), and he’ll be joined for the evening by Bohemian House Choir, and a host of other performers and dancers too.
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As part of the refurb, Printworks will be home to the largest digital ceiling in Europe, and launch partygoers will get to be the first to see it in all its glory.
After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion / Credit: Science Museum Group
Manchester’s legendary Science and Industry Museum is celebrating sustainable fashion with an ‘after-hours’ event especially for adults this week.
Fashion, sustainability, and heritage are all set to come together for a unique event in the heart of Manchester city centre this Thursday, where visitors are encouraged to “journey through the past, present, and future of fashion” during an exclusive evening of entertainment.
Kicking off from 6:30pm and running right through to 9:30pm, the event – which is named After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion – will showcase sustainable self-expression, offer nifty thrifting tips, and even unpick Manchester’s unique fashion history, all before shining a spotlight on the highlight of the night – a colourful cabaret catwalk.
Did you see that Chester Zoo is giving away 35,000 FREE tickets to children 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’s giving away tens of thousands of tickets to local schools in Greater Manchester and beyond for completely free of charge.
The free tickets are to help inspire a whole new generation of young conservationists.
Chester Zoo‘s free ticket scheme has been running since 2017, and has already seen more than 100,000 children get to experience all the wonders the zoo has to offer.
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.
Stockport Town of Culture Weekender / Credit: One Stockport (Supplied)
Stockport is coming together for a huge celebration to mark its current Town of Culture title this weekend.
In case you missed it, Stockport was named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 back in May of last year, so what better way to celebrate the coveted title than hosting a weekend packed full of cultural festivities for all the family, with access to some of the town’s must-visit venues? We can’t think of one.
More than 50 events and activities are set to take place over the two days, and the best part is, they’re all FREE to get involved with.
Spanish Bottomless Brunch / Credit: The Beeswing (via Instagram)
Popular Manchester wine bar The Beeswing down at Kampus has just launched a new ‘Spanish Bottomless Brunch’.
Called ‘Domingo’ – which means ‘Sunday’ in Spanish, and now running every Sunday until the summer and beyond – the brand-new event features a curated collection of classic Spanish brunch dishes to be served alongside free-flowing mimosas, sangria, and Bloody Marys for the pretty-impressive price of just £35 per person.
Hungry foodie fans can take their pick from a menu of Spanish-inspired brunch dishes like smoky shakshuka, and Ibérico eggs benedict, all while sipping on 90-minutes worth of drinks.
Featured Image – One Stockport | The Beeswing | Science Museum Group
What's On
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/Supplied
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 3 – 9 November 2025
Emily Sergeant
November is here, and the festive season is on its way.
Can you believe we’ve left October behind last week? Now that spooky season has been and gone, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Greater Manchester – especially as the annual Manchester Christmas Markets get underway this week.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Land of Lights 2025
Gulliver’s World
Monday 3 November – onwards
Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World / Credit: The Manc Group
The magical Land of Lights has returned to Gulliver’s World once again.
After proving to be a huge success the past two years, the one-mile trail showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, creating a wondrous, wild, and magical atmosphere that’s suitable for all ages, and this year, there’s even some new additions.
Alongside returning favourites, visitors can now experience all-new lanterns filled with light and colour inspired by the wonders of nature.
Skate Manchester 2025 / Credit: Matt Eachus (via Supplied)
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2025, ready for families, friends, and festive fun seekers to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas, Skate Manchester is festive staple in Cathedral Gardens, and skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.
This year, there’s also a giant turbine by Octopus Energy that’s partially-powering the rink too, and you can skate around it while enjoying the ski scene in the globe.
The Oast House’s popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is back for the festive season.
Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee is made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.
It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.
One of the greatest British sitcoms of all time is back, but this time, on stage.
50 years since it first graced our TV screens, Fawlty Towers is now a brand-new stage play adapted by comedy legend John Cleese and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, and it’s arriving in Manchester this week to take over the iconic Opera House stage.
Fresh from a sold-out West End season, this laugh-out-loud production is set to bring sharp wit, chaos, and calamity at every turn.
Feeling brave? Halloween may be over but Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience, and you’ve just got one weekend left to visit.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book for the last weekend at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s that time of year once again… Manchester Christmas Markets open for 2025 this week.
The iconic annual event is an absolute staple in Manchester’s festive events calendar, and always draws in thousands of visitors from all across the globe – with hundreds of stalls across several sites all set to line the streets of our city this year.
Visitors will be able to tuck into a wide range of festive foods and drinks, and shop for Christmas gifts from countless independent traders.
Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 here.
Remembrance Sunday 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester is set to remember the fallen during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
Just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has revealed the details of how the city will mark this important occasion.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Find out all the parade plans and road closures here.
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Meet Dr Chris at Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Sunday 9 November
Meet Dr Chris at Operation Ouch! / Credit: The Manc Group | Science Museum Group
Got a curious kid on your hands? Well, you can take them to meet the star of one of their favourite TV shows at the Science and Industry Museum this weekend.
In case you hadn’t heard, Operation Ouch! is back in Manchester again with a fresh new experience for 2025, and this time around, visitors can journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
And now, Dr Chris Van Tulleken will be at the museum to meet visitors as part of his myth-busting mission to answer some of the public’s deepest questions about our senses.
Did you see that Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter?
After millions of local residents have visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme once again this year.
All 22 of Manchester’s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Just choose the base item you want to personalise, then go to town picking your favourite patches and designs from their huge selection. Once you’ve found your favourites, head over to the till to get your chosen patches ironed onto your item all ready for you to use.
This is perfect for gifting or a fun activity with friends.
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Fancy a roast dinner? Tis the season, after all.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone… you can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely.
Check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
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Roast dinner not your thing? Well how about an autumnal pizza menu instead.
The Northern Quarter’s legendary Neapolitan pizzeria Ciaooo has just released its autumn menu, and it’s everything we’ve been missing and more.
Think that signature thick crust, but topped with classic faves such as lasagne, boscaiola, and the spicy ‘King’ (which is one for the heat lovers out there). Also did we mention there’s a garlic bread fully-loaded with an entire wheel of camembert?
To make it even better, Ciaooo will be offering 30% off for the first week of November, so book in and get your pizza fix for less.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
