The country’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ has arrived as Step 4 in the government’s roadmap begins, with rules around the wearing of face coverings, social distancing measures, and mass gatherings to all change under the most significant easing of restrictions since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
But despite life as we once knew it being flipped on its head, the spirit and culture of Manchester never failed to keep us entertained.
With plenty in the calendar now that restrictions are lifting, we’ve put together another edition of our ‘what’s on’ guide for the city of Manchester and beyond this week.
Some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance – but all are COVID-secure in order to still keep you as safe as possible.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s a few of our top picks.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
A Week of Manchester Club Nights
Manchester City Centre
Monday 19 – Sunday 25 July
Factory Manchester
If nightlife’s been one of the things you’ve missed most in Manchester, then what better way to spend your first week out of lockdown than in a different club each night of the week?
ADVERTISEMENT
Bit ambitious?
Maybe, but it’s been a while.
Either way, The Manc Audio has taken the opportunity to plan out the perfect week of Manchester city centre club nights with a pick of bunch from 19 – 25 July to celebrate getting our music scene back on its feet.
All tickets are available now and selling fast – and you can find more information here.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
DJ Paulette Presents Together
Homeground by HOME
Monday 19 – Friday 23 July
Homeground by HOME
Renowned Manchester artist DJ Paulette is currently hosting a jam-packed show called Together on The Bruntwood Stage at HOME MCR’s brand-new, festival-style outdoor events hub, Homeground, and the weekly event is said to “shine like a beacon of hope into our community, social lives and calendar.”
From 5pm – 7pm every weekday evening, The Bruntwood Stage hosts a stellar array of talent old and new from Greater Manchester’s homegrown, rich, diverse, and musical heritage – including the brightest stars from the club, alternative, pop, RnB, soul, and electronic arenas.
You can find more information about the acts on this week’s lineup, and book your tickets here.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
HOPE FEST at Hope Mill Theatre
Ancoats
Monday 19 July – 8 August
HOPE FEST
A three-week outdoor theatre festival has brought a jam-packed programme of arts and cultural events to Ancoats.
Created by Manchester’s iconic Hope Mill Theatre in association with Electric Park, HOPE FEST sees musicals, comedy, live music, family shows, film screenings, one-off special community events and even a dog festival all arrive in the city’s sought-after suburb right through until 8 August.
ADVERTISEMENT
The festival’s unique programme of community-centric events are taking place inside a large sheltered tent that’s set to accommodate 250 people based beside New Islington Tram Station, just a stone’s throw away from the theatre itself.
To offer a wide range of local beers, spirits and good grub, the new pop-up summer venue will also include an onsite bar and an eating area with a BBQ.
You can find more information about HOPE FEST here.
___
Looney Tunes Street Art Trail
Manchester City Centre
ADVERTISEMENT
Monday 19 July – 31 July
CityCo & Manchester BID
Have you seen that playful world of Looney Tunes has taken to the streets of Manchester?
Well, your eyes aren’t deceiving you.
11 of the most-beloved characters from the Looney Tunes series – including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, Tasmanian Devil and more – have all been spray-painted at various locations across the city centre as part of an exploratory street art trail that’s aiming to welcome people back to the city post lockdown.
There’s also a family-friendly walking tour taking place, too, so you can see all the colourful characters popping up around the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can find more information about the trail and artwork locations here.
___
Tatton Park Pop Up Festival
Knutsford
Monday 19 July – 29 August
Tatton Park Pop Up Festival
There are 52 events for families and festival-goers to get stuck into at the Tatton Park Pop Up Festival this summer.
ADVERTISEMENT
The outdoor boutique festival in Knutsford is featuring 10 weeks of music and entertainment performances between right through until the end of August, with acts during the day suitable for children, while the party continues at night for adults.
Just some of the events include ABBA Mania – the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute – and live performances of science show Brainiac.
For the kids, there’s also Jurassic Earth – a unique, immersive dinosaur experience for all ages, combining animatronics, performances, and the opportunity to walk with a Triceratops, roar with a T-Rex, scream with a Spinosaurus and run with a Raptor.
You can find more information about the festival here.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Platt Fields Park Story Trail
Fallowfield
Monday 19 July – onwards
Read Manchester | Unsplash
A brand new interactive story trail has arrived at Platt Fields Park for the summer.
The trail – which is based on a story about elves in the Fallowfield park written by children’s author Rebecca Lewis-Oakes and illustrated by Aaron Cushley – is delivered by the National Literacy Trust as one of 12 story trails across the country that are part of the Hungry Little Minds campaign.
The campaign provides children with lots of simple and fun activities to easily slot into their daily routines, all whilst building speech and language skills at home.
ADVERTISEMENT
As well as the story trail, there will also be an elf garden and elf-making activities to get involved with, and everyone will walk away with a free book thanks to Read Manchester’s Look for a Book partnership.
You can find more information about the Platt Fields Park Story Trail here.
___
Box on the Docks
MediaCityUK
Monday 19 July – onwards
ADVERTISEMENT
Box on the Docks
MediaCityUK’s popular outdoor dining concept Box on the Docks (BOTD) is welcoming customers to its waterside ‘pods’ this week, with the collection of 30 sheds and greenhouses having undergone renovation from local artists.
An exciting range of residents have moved into the neighbourhood for the summer, along with beloved local eateries from across the region such as The Spinn, Grandad’s Sausages, I Knead Pizza, Bada Bing Deli, and Batard Bakery.
You can find more information about Box on the Docks 2021 here.
There’s only a couple of weeks left to catch The OT Art Trail – organised by OT Creative Space and is funded by Arts Council England – which has seen a number of local artists work together with members of the Manchester community to create six individual large scale murals which have been painted onto walls and building gable ends around the area, including in Seymour Park and Ayres Road.
The new murals have been added to the murals and artwork already seen around Old Trafford.
The several new street art sites are linked together via a downloadable audio tour, which is suitable for people of all ages.
Each mural centres around the theme ‘community togetherness and diversity’.
Park N Party – the team that delivered both the sell-out successes of ScareCity, ChristmasCity and a number of other outdoor live events throughout 2020 – has launched a new venture titled SecretCity, and there’s a whole host of immersive drive-in entertainment events happening this week.
There’s screenings of spooky cinema favourites including Midsommar, Hereditary, and Get Out, as well as classics like Grease and more all on show throughout the week.
Tickets must be booked in advance, and you can grab yours from £35 per car here.
___
Use Hearing Protection
Science and Industry Museum
Wednesday 21 July – onwards
Science and Industry Museum
A special exhibition documenting the formation and early years of the iconic Factory Records has officially opened at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.
The exhibition also examines the period 1978 to 1982, revealing how the label grew and thrived to give the city an authentic voice and distinctive identity, and visitors will be guided through the pre-Haçienda years to uncover the history of the label and how it earned its status as a catalyst for innovation through rarely or never-before-seen objects.
The first 50 artefacts from the official Factory Records catalogue are on display, including creations from Joy Division, New Order, The Durutti Column, and so much more.
Great Northern Beach Club is hosting a drag bingo event this Thursday, and it’s set to be an “extravagant evening full of fun prizes”.
Hosted by the sensational Manchester-based drag queen and part-time comedienne Miss Blair, who’s well-versed at putting on a stellar show, the Drag Bingo on the Beach event is arriving at Great Northern’s new Ibiza-style bar, Sunset Lounge.
There’ll be big hair and even bigger prizes, with plenty of drinks tabs up for grabs and incredible cocktail offers on all night long.
You can find more information and grab your tickets for £12.50here.
___
The Peter Rabbit Secret Garden
Trafford Centre
Thursday 22 July – 30 August
Trafford Centre
A new Peter Rabbit-themed ‘Secret Garden’ is arriving at the Trafford Centre this week, and it’s set to be a “captivating indoor family experience” for the summer.
The Beatrix Potter character has been a mainstay of British literature for nearly 120 years, and now the shopping centre’s newest attraction is giving kids the chance to explore a secret garden that brings to life the world of Peter Rabbit, as well as the chance to meet the beloved bunny and all of his friends.
This “enchanting experience” also includes a wide range of activities for all ages, including flowerpot decorating and seed planting, as well as a Peter Rabbit costume character meet and greet for each family or group.
Merchandise and personalised photographs will also be available to purchase too.
A brand new festival dedicated to celebrating the very best in craft beer is coming to Manchester city centre this weekend.
Sour beers, IPAs, and low ABVs will all be on the menu for the occasion – with Mayfield Depot playing host to huge array of breweries including locals like Manchester Union, Marble, Pomona Island, Track Brewing Co, and Bundobust Brew Pub, and big international names including Norway’s Lervig, Denmark’s Mikkeller and Netherlands’ Fontaal and Kees.
Catering is being provided by “some of Manchester’s top foodies”, and the entire event will be soundtracked by a star-studded lineup of musicians.
You can find out more information and grab your tickets at £49.50here.
___
Dino Kingdom
Wythenshawe Park
Friday 23 July – 8 August
Dino Kingdom
An immersive family experience with a pre-historic twist is arriving at one of Manchester’s most popular parks this week.
From the team behind the award-winning light and lantern festival Lightopia, which took over Heaton Park this past festive season, comes Dino Kingdom – an epic outdoor, prehistoric exploration that features more than 100 life-like moving and roaring dinosaurs and creatures to uncover, plus state-of-the-art 3D and AR technology.
Dino Kingdom is “bringing dinosaurs back to life” at Wythenshawe Park, with unforgettable interactive experiences and thrilling fairground rides for all the family.
There’ll be 70 life-sized dinosaurs dotted around the park, as well as some smaller dinosaurs to seek out and other interactive “beastly beings” amongst the woodland, such as crocodiles, frogs, bees, spiders and much more.
Tickets start at £13 – and you can find more information here.
___
Ancoats Pop-Up Market
Ancoats
Saturday 24 July
Ancoats Pop Up
Nestled among the backstreets of Manchester and tucked into the courtyard of an old, red-brick historic mill, Ancoats Pop Up Market is a weekly-run market event which has teamed up with MUD (Manchester Urban Diggers) to supply the neighbourhood with a wealthy selection of fresh, organic and locally-grown fruit and veg, as well as dry goods.
The market also features Manchester-based stallholders serving speciality coffee, locally-brewed rum liquors, locally-sourced bakes and crafts, and more.
Street food and freshly-brewed coffee is also available while you browse.
The 2026 World Breaking Finals of the UK B-Boy Championships are coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: the UK B-Boy Championships are returning to Manchester this year for the 2026 World Breaking Finals, in what is a special anniversary for the annual tournament.
Celebrating three decades since the inaugural event this summer, the UK B-Boy Champs will once again remind fans why they still remain among the gold standard for competitive breakdancing.
With elite breakers and dance battlers from more than 20 different countries in attendance – and plenty of contestants from each, at that – it’s going to be a real global showcase of talent.
Returning to Manchester once again, we can’t wait to see breakdancing take over the Factory International concourse and wider campus.
Anyone in the world will know that the city also hosted another big European equivalent back in 2022 on behalf of the 2022 World DanceSport Federation, but the UK B-Boy Championships have a passionate following of their own.
This also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the event, so it’s a momentous occasion on many levels.
With live music from not only classic artists and legendary MCs, but artists for the future too, there’ll be plenty of tunes and impressive moves from start to finish.
Coming to Aviva Studios this summer, they’ve billed it quite short and sweet: “The sickest breakers on the planet will battle in a once-in-a-generation celebration of Hip-Hop culture.”
They’re promising “High-stakes rivalries. Gravity-defying moves”, and “Unforgettable performances”, adding, “This isn’t just another battle – this is the Champs legacy in motion.”
Credit: Supplied
The World Breaking Finals get underway in Manchester on 16 August at Aviva Studios, and it’s all set up to be arguably the biggest yet.
General admission went on sale this past Friday, 13 March, with adult tickets starting from only £20 and kids from just a tenner.
As we mentioned before, this isn’t the only big sporting date coming to Manchester this year, with the likes of the British basketball’s annual Cup Finals concluding at AO Arena and another big Super League set to for a grandstand finish at our other big indoor entertainment venue…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Get the Affects Communications)
What's On
The best Mother’s Day deals in and around Manchester this year
Danny Jones
Mother’s Day is one of the most important days on the calendar at any point, not just in 2026, as it’s a reminder to thank our wonderful mums for everything they do for us all throughout the year.
Of course, you should be grateful for them every day, especially since they had the good sense to give birth to bring you to this part of the world, but we know life can get busy.
However, that’s exactly what Mothering Sunday is for: reminding them that you’d roll out the red carpet and shower them with praise and eternal gratitude 24/7, 365 if you could.
So, without further ado, please rifle through some of the best Mother’s Day freebies, deals and offers your mum can enjoy in and around Manchester this year.
The best Mother’s Day deals and offers in Manchester city centre and beyond | 2026
What is it:A stunning boutique hotel in the heart of Manchester city centre, which is home to a rooftop terrace, a hidden cinema, and a lovely British restaurant.
For their Mother’s Day Deal:They’ve launched a new Manchester-inspired afternoon tea (complete with Vimto macaron and a tribute to the chippy tea), and if you book in between 13 and 16 March, you’ll get an exclusive ESPA Beauty & Wellness Gift Bag to celebrate Mother’s Day. Find out more HERE.
NQ64 – Northern Quarter and Peter Street
What is it:Manchester’s much-loved subterranean gaming bar, where the consoles and cocktails are as retro as each other.
Mother’s Day deal:They’re bringing back ‘Shorty Sundays’, which allows under-18s to visit for a whole family afternoon out gaming. It’s running from 11am until 3pm.
The Refuge – Oxford Road Corridor
What is it:A beautiful, grand restaurant space located within the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Oxford Road, serving everything from eclectic small plates to one of the best Sunday roasts in Manchester.
For Mother’s Day:There’s a complimentary glass of fizz for mums dining on Sunday 15 March, alongside its Sunday roast menu.
You can always grab her some flowers on the way out, too. (Credit: The Manc Group)
The Head of Steam – Northern Quarter, Didsbury and more
What is it:Beloved group of largely Northern boozers, often found at train stations or in key central locations, including a relatively new NQ branch.
For Mother’s Day:A free glass of fizz for mums when you book in advance, available 9-15 March.
Pip at Treehouse Hotel – Central
What is it:A creative new British restaurant from award-winning chef Mary-Ellen McTague, where the cooking is always comforting and seasonal.
The deal:Signature Sunday roasts will be served with a complimentary glass of fizz for mums. Bookings are live now.
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate
What is it: A four-star hotel located just beyond the main Deansgate strip, featuring the downstairs Chez Mal Brasserie, as well as the rooftop Sora ‘sky’ bar and restaurant.
The deal: Two Mother’s Day Weekend packages from £34.95 per person; choose between afternoon tea or Sunday lunch – both of which include a glass of Lombard and champagne truffles for mum.
Albert’s Schloss – Peter St
What is it: Peter Street’s popular day-to-night bars in town, regularly packed most evenings and all weekend, specialising in Bavarian food and drink, live music, and lots of dancing on benches (not the tables, remember). We always recommend booking where you can.
We don’t really need to tell you what goes on in here, do we? (Credit: The Manc)
The deal: A full day of food, drink and entertainment, starting with a ‘Rise and Shine DJ’ set with breakfast offerings from 9am, lots of spritzes in official partnership with Aperol, their usual Sunday roasts, as well as two Mother’s Day special dishes: curry roasted cod with cauliflower, buttered spinach and fennel sauce, and a decadent sticky toffee pudding with Jameson toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream.
The Ivy – Spinningfields
What is it: Surely needs no introduction, this one – the huge three-storey restaurant and brasserie on the edge of Spinningfields that’s a firm favourite with the city’s more glamorous residents.
The deal:There’s a special Mother’s Day Breakfast on Sunday (complete with Champagne, truffled eggs and mini pastries), with a free bunch of tulips and a box of The Ivy Chocolate Truffles to take home for mums. Reserve your table HERE.
Dirty O’Sullivans – Albert Square
What is it:One of the city’s newer Irish bars, doing Sunday roast ‘cauldron’ feasts, pies, and (naturally) lots of Guinness. Perfect if your mum isn’t exactly a dainty afternoon tea type.
The deal:Mums eat free when dining with a group of four or more on Mother’s Day, plus she’ll get a free glass of prosecco.
Mum will be buzzing if you treat her to a proper posh one like this.
Fenix – St John’s
What is it:A stunning and VERY glitzy Greek-Mediterranean restaurant in St John’s, with a bright Mykonos-inspired restaurant upstairs and smart cocktail bar downstairs.
The deal:All mums will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or ‘Lady Athena’ cocktail. Book your meal right HERE.
MAYA – Canal Street
What is it: A stylish Canal Street bar with a renovated basement restaurant, serving elegant food and drinks across a total of three floors – a growing Gay Village favourite.
The deal: A special Mothering Sunday ‘Evening With…’ event for one night only featuring Pianist Eden Binks and RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Viola. There’s also a Sunday Roast available to book from 12-5:30pm, as well as all mums and mother figures being entitled to a complimentary glass of Tattinger with food.
Federico – King Street
What is it: One of Manchester city centre’s most gorgeous new wine bars, serving signature cocktails, spritzes, house DJs and even live jazz in a low-lit setting over at Pall Mall.
The deal: Mother’s Day wine flight of three glasses of wine for £15 available on the Sunday only; the team will create a bespoke lineup based on each person’s tastes.
The Cut & Craft – Central
One of the prettiest rooms you’ll ever eat in. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
What is it: Increasingly one of the best-known steak and seafood restaurants in the North, now serving up gourmet plates, champagne bottomless brunches and more from a beautiful old bank on Mosley St.
The deal: ‘Brunch in Bloom’ event, hosted in partnership with local florists, where guests will be welcomed with a bellini board on arrival and guided through creating their own personalised bouquet to take home, along with a brunch dish and goodie bag from Molton Brown. £60 per person, 10am–12pm.
Electric Shuffle – Deansgate
What is it: One of many places to play shuffleboard in the heart of Manchester, but also happens to be one of the coolest spots to do so, with party-friendly food and sharing platters, as well as a healthy supply of drinks.
The deal: Mothers are entitled to a free glass of Prosecco, and the first 100 mums to join the fun will receive a miniature bottle of Mermaid Pink Gin as a gift to take home. You can book now.
Carden Park – Chester
What is it: One of the most luxurious and relaxing leisure destinations in the North West, offering fine food and drink, spa and wellness services, as well as stunning views of the Cheshire countryside.
The deal: They’re doing an afternoon tea offer for £35pp, which can be upgraded to the sparkling version (Prosecco included) for £44, swapped for gin at £42.50, or an even more glam option of Bollinger champagne for £48.50. You can always book these as part of a full hotel stay.
Piccolino – Central, West Didsbury, Wilmslow, Hale, Knutsford and more
What is it: A tried and tested Italian restaurant that never disappoints; great for a laid-back bite on your dinner break, with their popular lunchtime offer, and is even busier come the evenings. They also do great e-card options if you’re in a pinch.
The deal: A special ‘scented’ Sunday lunch, centred around a roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings (two courses for £40/three for £45); plus, mums get a glass of fizz included and are also invited to stay and design their own Jo Malone fragrance, as well as take home a personalised candle and engraving.
Stock Exchange Hotel – Central
What is it: Well-known Mancunian hotel co-owned by former Man United legend turned businessman Gary Neville, which also boasts the Tender restaurant by Niall Keating in-house.
The deal: They’re offering a special afternoon tea for Mother’s Day 2026, with live performances by the one and only Hallé Orchestra. Prices starting from £40pp.
Zouk Bar and Grill – Oxford Rd Corridor
What is it: Some of the best Indian and Pakistani food not just in the city but maybe even Greater Manchester full stop, offering various deals year-round, from bottomless packages, breakfast and brunches, Sunday roast sharing platters and much more.
The deal: All mums get a free glass of fizz and a red velvet rose dessert for Mother’s Day bookings – worth it for that Sunday roast sharer platter we mentioned alone…
Chotto Matte – Central
What is it: One of Manchester’s newest and swankiest hospitality venues, located inside Gary Neville’s St Michael’s tower, blending the flavours of Peru and Japan, a.k.a. ‘Nikkei’ cuisine.
The deal: They’re serving Peruvian Sunday roast for their Mother’s Day in the city this year, which includes a complimentary glass of prosecco and a special lip gloss for mum to take home (on a first-come, first-served basis).
King Street Townhouse – Central
What is it: One of Manchester’s best and most boutique hotels, with stylish, spa and all-round hospitality services across the board – perfect for any special occasion.
The deal: Traditional Afternoon of ‘High’ Tea for £35pp, or you book them an hour-long ‘ESPA’ treatment (Inner Beauty Facial, Inner Calm Massage or an ESPA Wellness Hour). Find out more.
The Lowry – Salford
What is it: Needs no introduction, really. One of the most famous hotels in the region, if not the entire country, and for good reason – it’s brilliant.
The deal: They’re doing an exclusive Mother’s Day brunch for £25, or £30 with sparkling wine; afternoon tea for £39 (or another tenner with booze once again), OR treat your queen to a full-on RE:TREAT spa day experience, priced at £145 during weekdays and £160 at weekends.
What is it: Similar to The Lowry, the Beetham Tower (and former Hilton) is one of the most famous hotels and parts of the Manchester skyline, and it has luxury food and drink offerings both way up high and in its AA-Rosette ground-floor restaurant.
The deal: They’re doing a bottomless lunch (two courses for £35 or three for £40) over the course of 90 mins, or you can make it a boozy one with rivers of Prosecco at £59.
Browns – King/Brown Street
What is it: A long-standing fine dining restaurant group, with Manc site on the corner of Brown Street and the top of King St, specialising in a wide range of brasserie dishes and British classics.
The deal: Mums get a complimentary glass of fizz for Mothering Sunday when purchasing any main from the à la carte menu; there’s also a special set Sunday roast menu (must put down a deposit to secure your booking).
James Martin Manchester – Great Northern
What is it: Gourmet restaurant by the popular Northern TV chef, located just above Manchester235 Casino, well-known for serving elevated but unmistakably British classics.
The deal: Special set menu – two courses for £48 or three for £52, complete with welcoming nibbles on arrival; available until 15 March 2026.
Seven Brothers – Ancoats
What is it: Local brewery and beerhouse founded in Salford that remains one of the best bars not just on Cutting Room Square but all of Ancoats, if you ask.
The deal: Free glass of Prosecco for mum when you put ‘Mother’s Day’ in the booking notes – you can do so right HERE.
Sexy Fish – Spinningfields
Credit: The Manc
What is it: A swanky seafood restaurant on ‘The Avenue’ just up from Hardman’s Square, specialising in fine dining, sushi, as well as small plates, dim sums, grilled meats and cocktails.
The deal: Exclusive multi-course set menu for Mother’s Day, priced at £48pp, including dessert, a complimentary glass of fizz, and Applied Nutrition X Coleen Rooney Collagen box.
Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but this is just a taster of what the city and some surrounding areas are offering for mums this year.
If you do know of any particularly good ones we’ve missed, please feel free to drop them in the comments, and we’ll make sure to update this round-up with as many as we can.
Emily Sergeant -
16th July 2021 
