The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 19 – 25 February 2024

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We may be coming off-the-back of one of the busiest weeks of year so far, but there’s still so much happening this week too.

Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day are over and done with now, but that doesn’t mean the Greater Manchester social calendar is slowing down any time soon, as there’s still a wide range of exciting events and activities to get stuck into this week – especially as it’s half term in some of the region’s boroughs.

But if you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, not to worry, as 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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Hamilton: The Story of Tonight

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Monday 19 – Thursday 29 February

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is celebrating Manchester hosting the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton for the very first time with a photography exhibition showcasing moments both on and off stage.

Open for free to the general public until the end of February, Hamilton: The Story of Tonight offers a glimpse into the journey of the musical that captured the imaginations of audiences in our city.

20 photographs taken by Hamilton’s production photographer, Danny Kaan, are currently on show.

Find out more about the new exhibition here.

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Manchester Open Exhibition 2024

HOME

Monday 19 February – 28 April

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.

Open to all, the Exhibition brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio, and so much more. 

Find out more here.

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Six Nations 2024

Greater Manchester

Monday 19 February – onwards

It’s that time once again… the Six Nations is back.

With the international rugby tournament having now officially kicked-off, we thought it would be only right to put together a list of the very best places in Greater Manchester to head on down to and catch a game.

After all, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the action, we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.

Read our round-up of the best places to watch the Six Nations here.

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Did you know there’s currently 15,000 free cinema tickets up for grabs this month?

It’s all part of Escapes – a new project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding that’s giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema”.

The thousands of tickets are now available across the UK for completely free of charge, and there’s a handful of Greater Manchester cinemas taking part.

So whether you’re someone who prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more, there’s a free ticket to see brand-new wrestling biopic film, The Iron Claw, with your name on it

Find out more, and claim your free ticket here.

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The Pie Festival 2024

The Black Friar Salford

Monday 19 – Wednesday 28 February

Back by popular demand, The Black Friar’s ‘Pie Festival’ has returned for 2024.

There’s nothing that sounds more inviting on a cold evening than a lovely warming pie, right? So when we heard that The Black Friar’s now-annual Pie Festival was making a 2024 comeback, we have no shame in admitting we did a little dance.

Now in its third edition, the Salford restaurant has brought back the parade of meat and gravy, sweet and savoury, and all things pie and pastry-encrusted – with something for everyone on the menu.

Best of all, not only are there some enticing flavours on offer, but they’re also only £10 each.

Find out more here.

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Operation Ouch!

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 19 February – onwards

Don’t forget there’s a world-first exhibition still running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, 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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Welly Walk – A Family Trail

Dunham Massey

Monday 19 – Sunday 25 February

Welly Walk – A Family Trail / Credit: National Trust

The National Trust is encouraging Greater Manchester families to “brush off your best boots and wring out your waterproofs” to join in with a ‘Welly Walk’ around the gardens at the beautiful Dunham Massey this half term.

You’ll get to spot colourful displays, get stuck into playful installations, spot some resident deers, and see the first bulbs peeking out of the winter soil as you walk around, all before you sit down to enjoy a hot drink in the restaurant or café when your legs get tired.

Find out more, and book your ‘Welly Walk’ timeslot here.

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Mini Master Model Builder UK

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester

Monday 19 – Sunday 25 February

Is your child a LEGO super fan? Do they reckon they could build impressive LEGO creations in their sleep? Well, if they’re feeling brave enough and are ready to put their skills to the test, then you’ll want to take them down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, as the hunt is one for a talented youngster to be crowned the UK’s newest ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.

For only the second time ever, young LEGO fans will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild in a “bricktastic” competition, by building the most epic creation entirely out of LEGO bricks in an attempt to take home the coveted title. 

Oh, and they’ll could also win a handsome £500 too, if they take the crown.

Find out more here.

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GRUB’s Weekly Street Food Fair

Green Quarter

Wednesday 21 – Sunday 25 February

One of the most popular weekly foodie events is back at Manchester’s largest street food fair GRUB over several days this week.

Taking place from Wednesday right through to Sunday, with different independent street food traders on the lineup each week, the GRUB Street Food Fair will this week see the likes of Eat Like A Greek, Gatto Pizza, Nina’s Taco Truck, and Mary’s Cakery Makery all serve up wide range of mouthwatering delights for you to try.

With loads of vegan and gluten-free options on the menu too, this is an inclusive weekly event with something for all appetites to tuck into.

Find out more on the GRUB website here.

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The Wizarding Adventure

East Lancashire Railway

Thursday 22 February

The hugely popular wizard-themed steam train will be back travelling through Greater Manchester once again this week.

Aspiring witches and wizards for all ages are invited to enrol in the spellbinding school of sorcery on the East Lancashire Railway this summer as they take a “wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour” of the Wizard Academy.

They’ll get to learn to become a master of mystery and magic during this immersive interactive experience through the Irwell Valley of wonders that’s hauled by a genuine steam – and spell – powered train.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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00s Brunch

Brickhouse Social

Saturday 24 February

00s Brunch / Credit: Brickhouse Social

Brickhouse Social has announced that it 00s-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 over the nexr couple of months – with a resident DJ playing all the best tunes from the 2000’s. 

Tickets will set you back £33pp, 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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Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery

Freight Island

Sunday 25 February – onwards

Freight Island’s most famous Sunday feast, Seconds Carvery, is back to bring the good people of Manchester some proper winter-warming comfort food.

Diners can now dive into this modern take on a classic carvery every Sunday.

Running between 12pm and 6pm, you book yourself a half-hour slot to see the carvery chef on the terrace, where you choose a main from roast topside of Highland beef, marmalade glazed gammon joint, roast turkey crown, or roast squash and wild mushroom wellington.

But the stand-out feature of Seconds has to be the bottomless trimmings – including proper Yorkshire puddings, garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, buttered mash, broccoli, glazed carrots, petit pois, and 48-hour gravy. 

Find out more and book your carvery slot here.

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Featured Image – Unsplash | ELR | GRUB