A new month is here, and we’re starting to see the first signs of spring popping up.
March is here, and as the days get lighter and the temperatures a little warmer, we’re really not short of exciting events and activities to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester this week – with everything from world-class theatre shows, family science festivals, and so much more happening 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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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 2 March – onwards
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Mean Girls The Musical has arrived in Manchester, kicking off its UK tour in our city and landing on the legendary Manchester Opera House stage last week.
Just like the film, the musical follows Regina, Gretchen, and Karen, otherwise known as ‘The Plastics’ of North Shore High, as they meet homeschooled new girl, Cady Heron, as finds out that high school is a whole new level of savage.
When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.
Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.
L.S. Lowry’s iconic masterpiece ‘Going to the Match’ is being brought to life right before your eyes in this brand-new exhibition now open at The Lowry.
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LOWRY 360 is an immersive experience forming part of the legendary The Lowry theatre’s 25th anniversary programme, and it means that, for the first time ever, you can see one of Manchester’s most famous paintings by, arguably, the city’s most famous artist come to life through sight and sound.
Better yet, after you’ve immersed yourself in this incredible experience, then you can then see the actual painting in the full gallery – Modern Life: The LS Lowry Exhibition.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
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Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
NEW OPENING – Le Coq Boutique / Credit: The Manc Group
Le Coq Boutique has just landed in the Northern Quarter, and it’s doing one thing and one thing properly.
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And that ‘thing’ is 24-hour brined, butter-basted roast chicken, cooked to perfection and finished with your choice of sauce.
Our personal favourite was the Buffalo, but there’s everything from chicken jus, to herby butter, and so much more to pick from. And then for sides, think crispy, fluffy hash browns topped with pecorino foam, labneh carrots. Divine.
And yes… you can wash it all down with chicken wine, because they’ve got bottles of the stuff. If you’re bored of basic roasts and dry chicken, then this is your upgrade.
A huge jacuzzi pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and lounge pods – and all a five-minute walk from Manchester Victoria? Jayde Spa has just opened to the public for the first time, so you can quite literally float away from your daily grind.
There aren’t a whole lot of spa spaces in Manchester city centre, but this one is a real escape from the madness of town.
If you’re ready to relax, get yourself booked in here.
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Bubble Planet Experience
Depot Mayfield
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Monday 2 March – onwards
Manchester has welcomed a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant colourful bubbles, as Bubble Planet Experience is now open.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, but now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it has now popped up inside Depot Mayfield, so visitors can explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, is coming back to Manchester this week, and it’s taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
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Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
Families are invited to enjoy a free fun-filled weekend full of different interactive and hands-on science activities, as FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre this weekend to mark the launch of British Science Week.
The weekend-long celebration is hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
You can expect robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and interactive activities to be brought to life for visitors of all ages, and for completely free of charge.
Featured Image – Mamma Mia! | The Manc Group | LUMINESCENCE
What's On
Full list of road closures set to be in place for Manchester Marathon 2026 this weekend
Emily Sergeant
The adidas Manchester Marathon returns to the streets of Greater Manchester this weekend.
Known for its flat route and incredible Mancunian crowd support, the Manchester Marathon returns this Sunday (19 April 2026) – welcoming more than 42,000 participants and 140,000 spectators for one of the UK’s biggest running events.
Now the second-largest marathon in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe, Manchester Marathon attracts both elite athletes, charity participants, and first-time marathoners alike.
The event is, once again, set to place Greater Manchester at the centre of the UK running calendar, bringing communities together across the city’s streets.
Millions of vital funds will also be raised for official charities, like The Christie, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and British Heart Foundation, alongside other associate charities.
And, of course, in order for the event to take place as smoothly and safely as possible, Manchester City Council has announced that a number of road closures and other measures will be put in place across the weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The adidas Manchester Marathon returns on Sunday 19 April!
Road closures will be in effect in parts of Manchester as thousands of runners raise millions for charity, visit https://t.co/mfxYlLe1z5 for full details about road closures. pic.twitter.com/UjS0vtsO4n
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 11, 2026
Manchester Marathon 2026 – Road Closures
6am on Saturday 18 April – 4am on Monday 20 April:
Oxford Road – from Grosvenor Street to Hulme Street
Rosamond Street West – from Oxford Road to Jenkinson Street
Booth Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Oxford Road
Booth Street East – from Oxford Road to Rumford Street
Dover Street – from Oxford Road to Brighton Place
Ackers Street – from Oxford Road to Portsmouth Street
Chester Street – from Oxford Road to Chester Street car park entrance
Newman Street – from Oxford Road to Loverose Way
Sidney Street – from Oxford Road to Grosvenor Street
Grosvenor Street – from Oxford Road to Upper Brook Street
Cavendish Street – from Oxford Road to Lower Ormond Street
York Street – from Grosvenor Street to end of street
Sunday 19 April
From 4:30am to 11:59pm
Oxford Road – from Whitworth St West to Hulme Street
Wakefield Street – from James Leigh Street to Oxford Road
New Wakefield Street – from Great Marlborough Street to Oxford Road
Hulme Street – from Great Marlborough Street to Oxford Road
Charles Street – from Oxford Road to York Street
Chester Street – from Chester Street car park entrance to Cambridge Street
Rosamond Street West – from Boundary Lane to Higher Cambridge Street
From 4:30am to 7pm
Newman Street – from Loverose Way to Princess Street
Higher Ormond Street – from Lower Ormond Street to Boundary Street West
Lower Chatham Street – from Lower Chatham Street to Boundary Street West
Boundary Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Higher Ormond Street
Rosamond Street West – from Higher Cambridge Street to Jenkinson Street
Higher Cambridge Street – from Cavendish Street to Lloyd Street North
Burlington Street – from Pencroft Way to Higher Cambridge Street
Lloyd Street North – from Higher Cambridge Street to Monton Street
Denmark Road – from Pencroft Way to Aberdeen Street
Cecil Street – from Denmark Road to Dilworth Street
Acomb Street – from Denmark Road to Dilworth Street
Sanctury Close – from Acomb Street to end of close
Burleigh Street – from Denmark Road to end of street
Aberdeen Street – from Denmark Road to end of street
The full list of road closures for the Manchester Marathon have been announced / Credit: Supplied
From 4:30am to 8pm
Oxford Road – from Grafton Street to Hathersage Road
Grafton Street – from Oxford Road to Nelson Street Hospital Entrance
Nelson Street – from Oxford Road to Hospital Access Road
Denmark Road – from Aberdeen Street to Oxford Road
From 7:30am to 1pm
Chester Road – from Chester Road to Deansgate Interchange
Chester Road – from Deansgate Interchange to Bridgewater Viaduct
Great Jackson Street – from Chester Road to Silvercroft Street
Bridgewater Viaduct – from Chester Road to Whitworth Street West
Deansgate – from Chester Road to Owen Street
Westbound off slip – from A57(M) to Deansgate Interchange
Eastbound off slip – from A57(M) to Deansgate Interchange
Chorlton Road – from Deansgate Interchange to Stretford Road
Jackson Crescent – from Chorlton Road to Barrhill Close
Royce Road – from Shawgreen Close to Elisa Street
Lower Moss Lane – from Chester Road to Bramfield Walk
Barrack Street – from Chester Road to Tatton Street
Hulme Hall Road – from Chester Road to Ellesmere Street
Manson Avenue – from Chester Road to Malt Street
Malt Street – from Chester Road to Manson Avenue
Princess Street – from Bridgewater Way to Nancey Street
Ellesmere Street – from Chester Road to Hulme Hall Road
Trentham Street – from Chester Road to Dinton Street
Cornbrook Road – from Chester Road to Dinton Street
From 7:30am to 2pm
Stretford Road – from Chorlton Road to Talbot Road
From 8:30am to 6:30pm
Edge Lane – from Kings Road to Wilbraham Road
Edge Lane – from Wilbraham Road to Kingshill Road
Ryebank Road – from Daresbury Road to Edge Lane
Hampton Road – from Daresbury Road to Edge Lane
Wilbraham Road – from Edge Lane to Albany Road
Whitelow Road – from York Road to Wilbraham Road
Manchester Road – from Nicolas Road to Wilbraham Road
Brundretts Road – from Groby Road to Wilbraham Road
Barlow Moor Road – from Groby Road to Manchester Road
Nicolas Road – from Manchester Road to Manchester Road
Manchester Road – from Barlow Moor Road to Seymour Grove
Longford Road – from Oswald Road to Manchester Road
Brantingham Road – from Keppel Road to Manchester Road
Kensington Road – from Oswald Road to Manchester Road
Railway Terrace and Buckingham Road – from Clarendon Road West to Manchester Road
Stratton Road – from Strathmore Avenue to Manchester Road
Upper Chorlton Road – from Seymour Grove to Chorlton Road
Sylvan Road – from Upper Chorlton Road to Whalley Road
From 9am to 7pm
Chorlton Road – from Upper Chorlton Road to Stretford Road
Stretford Road – from Chorlton Road to Cavendish Street
Bonsall Street – from Bus Gate to Stretford Road
Slip Road (Southbound off slip) – from Princess Road to Stretford Road
Epping Street – from gates to Oxford Court (allowing access) to Stretford Road
Cavendish Street – from Stretford Road to Cambridge Street
Boundary Lane – from Stretford Road to Bronte Street
Burlington Street – from Boundary Lane to Pencroft Way
From 10am to 5:30pm
Oswald Road – from Kensington Road to Wilbraham Road
A number of parking suspensions will also be in place on the day / Credit: Supplied
There will also be a number of one-way traffic restrictions in place, even including on the M60 Junction 7, Chester Road (clockwise and anti clockwise slip roads closed) from 6.30am to 7.30pm on the Sunday (19 April).
Parking restrictions will also place.
For more information about all the road closures, traffic and parking suspensions for the weekend can be found on the Manchester City Council website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
The Strokes announce first Manchester gig in two decades
Daisy Jackson
The Strokes are finally set to return to Manchester for the first time in years, announcing a huge arena show today.
The iconic indie rockers have shared details of a new European tour, which includes a night at the massive Co-op Live arena here in Manchester.
The news comes hot off the heels of their celebrated Coachella set over the weekend.
The Reality Awaits Tour, named after their upcoming seventh studio album, will take The Strokes to Manchester as well as London and Newcastle, plus several cities across Europe.
The Strokes broke into the industry back in 2001 with their seminal debut album Is This It, which spawned massive indie anthems like Last Nite, Hard To Explain, and Sometimes.
Since then, they’ve released six studio albums, all of which have climbed into the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
You can expect to hear all sorts of fan favourites, like Reptilia, Juicebox, and You Only Live Once, plus new music including their latest single The New Abnormal.
Co-op Live said: “This is set to be an unmissable show as they come to Co-op Live for the first time and we can’t wait!”
Last time The Strokes played in Manchester, it was at the O2 Apollo way back in 2006 – the same year they supported Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
They played Lytham Festival more recently, but haven’t ventured back into Manchester itself since.
The Strokes will play at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 October 2026.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 17 April HERE, with a number of pre-sales beginning from Wednesday 15 April.
Emily Sergeant -
27th February 2026 
