We’ve waved goodbye to what was a busy April, and it’s now time to welcome in another new month in Manchester.
Starting off the month with a bank holiday, there’s a whole host of exciting activities lined up in the events calendar, and plenty to be getting up to across the region this week, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide for the city and beyond.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.
Here’s our top picks.
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Day Out with Thomas
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 2 May
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Credit: East Lancashire Railway
Iconic heritage railway service East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand this early May bank holiday, and the Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Families will be able to hop on board the replica of the cult-classic blue train character for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
The journey begins at Bury Train Staion, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
A new display has been unveiled at the Science and Industry Museum, which celebrates 100 years of the BBC in Manchester.
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The hugely popular museum has brought together objects and photographs – including some never-before-seen items – that showcase Manchester as a centre of innovation in broadcasting, and it will take visitors from the early radio experiments of the 1920s right though to the revolutionary ideas of today.
The temporary display of 14 items, along with accompanying stories, shows off the BBC’s time in Manchester.
In what is a first for Manchester city centre, popular Deansgate venue Roxy Ball Room has added ice-free curling lanes to its adults-only playground this month, and it means that revellers can take on games of pool, crazy golf, ping pong, beer pong, shuffleboard, and curling, all in one evening.
The venue has remodelled its top floor to make room for two full-size, ice-free curling lanes.
Players are given four curling stones per team, which they have to carefully slide down the length of the ice-like surface, aiming for a huge target at the other end.
Printworks is launching its first ever brunch club exclusively for mums this week.
The landmark city centre entertainment venue’s new Mums Brunch Club is giving all the amazing Greater Manchester mothers out there an opportunity to meet likeminded people, make some new friends, share parenting tips, and ultimately, treat themselves like they deserve, no matter whether their kids are little, all grown up, or they’re expecting mums-to-be.
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The day will begin with a brunch at popular TexMex restaurant chain Chiquito, before taking part in a round of mini golf at Treetop Adventure Golf inside the complex.
Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are welcome at the event too, as the club comes complete with soft play toys and childminders, so that mums can enjoy brunch while the kids play.
Manchester’s neighbourhood KAMPUS will play host a solid ten weeks of back-to-back block parties from its canalside garden, with each weekend seeing guest DJs take to the decks to spin tunes from different corners of the world – and this weekend’s event is celebrating the annual Mexican festival, Cinco de Mayo.
Free-flowing beer will come courtesy of Manchester brewery Cloudwater, and food will be provided by Ramsbottom favourites Levanter serving up tapas, giant paella, and charcuterie boards aplenty.
This weekend, you can expect Cinco de Mayo celebrations, with traditional décor and absolute Latin party vibes.
Did you see that one of the Peak District’s most impressive landmarks has been been turned into a pop-up cinema by The Village Screen?
The dramatic Peak Cavern will be kitted out with a full cinema set-up, plus cosy blankets and hot water bottles, for an unmissable film experience. Visitors will be greeted by live music, street food stalls, and pop-up bars before heading through to the cinema area, surrounded on all sides by stunning natural limestone walls.
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Films on this week’s schedule include Pulp Fiction, The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Dune.
A brand-new festival filled with all things motorcycle and lifestyle is coming to Manchester city centre this week.
Mancunia Motorcycle Festival is pitching up at popular warehouse venue Depot Mayfield next to Manchester Piccadilly station from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022, and it looks set to combine the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment – and bring it right to the heart of our city.
City centre venue Peaky Blinders Manchester is inviting you to “peak your curiosity” each month with a diverse lineup of performance artists from the world of Burlesque, Circus, Drag, and many more at ‘Peaky’s Speakeasy’.
According to the event description, jazz quintet The Bourbon Street Band will provide the soundtrack to the show to take you into the night and “dance the blues away”, while Don Vinaste – described as being the purveyor of finery and quality goods – will be at the helm, and proudly welcome you to “sample the delights on offer”.
The performance will begin at 9:30pm and run until late, you’re advised to arrive early for the best views.
Manchester Cruises is inviting you to jump aboard Manchester’s number one party boat, the Princess Katherine, this Friday for a night of “totally bangin’ sounds” that all had us hitting the dance floor back in the 90s.
The boat will pick guests up at Salford Quays, where you’ll be greeted with a themed cocktail on arrival setting off for a three-hour 90s extravaganza.
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Tickets will set you back £25, and you can grab yours here.
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Bez’s Bingo Brunch
Escape to Freight Island
Saturday 7 May
Credit: Escape to Freight Island
Happy Mondays’ hype man Bez is hosting a bottomless bingo brunch in Manchester this weekend.
Taking place on Saturday 7 May, and includes an hour of bottomless drinks alongside a street food dish of your choice from any of Escape’s traders, which means you’ll be able to get stuck into some of the food hall’s brand new offerings – including new arrivals Gooey, Batard, Carnival and Lucky Foot.
Joined by a host of comedians, dancers, singers and DJs, Manchester’s best-loved party hero will lead the day’s festivities.
Tickets are priced at £45 per head, and you can find out more here.
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French Patisserie & Desserts
Food Sorcery
Saturday 6 May
Credit: Food Sorcery
Didsbury’s very-own cookery school, Food Sorcery, is hosting a dedicated French Patisserie & Desserts workshop this weekend.
As the French and fine dining are undeniably linked, it’s true that elegant desserts with quality ingredients make French cuisine great for occasions where you want to impress, but there are also some simple classics that can showcase your skills with minimal fuss – and this workshop will guide through how to make them all.
Traditional French Apple Tart, Profiteroles, and Citron Curd Tartare just some of the dishes you could learn how to prepare during this five-hour class.
Find out more and book your spot on the class here.
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Featured Image – ELR | The Village Screen
What's On
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’
Emily Sergeant
A weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ is returning to Manchester next month.
Taking over Manchester Central in early November, The Good Clothes Show is set to make a return to our city for one of the most fashionable weekends of the year, and will bring together dozens of brilliant independent brands, vintage and pre-loved treasures, hands-on workshops, catwalks, expert talks, and more all under one roof.
Visitors can expect an extensive shopping lineup of independent fashion brands, local artisans, contemporary labels, vintage specialists and pre-loved sellers.
At the heart of the weekend is a huge programme of opportunities to ‘learn, make, mend, and transform.’
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
You’ll get to try everything from darning, sashiko, and crochet, to creating makeup bags, transforming shirts, and upcycling football tops. Or if you fancy something completely different, there’ll be a chance to make a fascinator from scrap materials, create a statement necklace, or give tired old shoes a spectacular new lease of life.
No matter whether you’re a complete beginner or already quite handy with a sewing needle, organisers say The Good Clothes Show it’s all about learning new skills and leaving inspired.
And this year, TV star Leigh Francis is joining the fun as the show’s special guest for the weekend too.
Get ready for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ / Credit: Supplied
There’s plenty happening beyond the shopping and workshops, as you can take a seat beside The Good Catwalk, get ideas and advice at The Style Stop, hear from fashion voices and changemakers, or simply stop for a glass of sparkling and compare shopping finds.
And it’s not just about the grown-ups either, as The Kids Club will encourage the next generation to discover design, textiles, and creativity through hands-on activities of their own.
The Good Clothes Show arrives at Manchester Central on Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 November 2026, and tickets are on sale here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 5 – 11 October 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s a new month and our first full week of October, so there’s loads happening across Greater Manchester.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as 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, so take a look.
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Scare City
Camelot Theme Park
Monday 5 October – onwards
Scare City / Credit: Jason Roberts (Supplied)
Scare City will be back taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park this spooky season.
And this year, there’s eight new chilling horror zones to discover.
There is no single story to survive. Instead, guests will be thrown from one nightmare into another – from a Victorian barber with blood on his hands, to a demonic orphanage, a cannibal settlement, a cursed forest, and a military bunker where the deceased are no longer dead.
Find out more about this year’s Scare City experience and book tickets here.
50% Off Kids Tickets at SEA LIFE / Credit: Supplied
Families looking for an affordable day out over the next couple of weeks can make the most of a new offer from a popular attraction, with 50% off child one-day tickets when purchased alongside a full-price adult ticket.
The offer gives families the chance to enjoy an underwater adventure for less at either SEA LIFE Manchester inside Trafford Palazzo, or even a tad further afield at SEA LIFE Blackpool.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group (Drew Forsyth)
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.
Grimmfest, also known as Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, is back this week with four fear-filled days showcasing the best in brand-new horror genre cinema.
You can expect some ferocious feature films, a savage selection of shorts, hair-raising horror classics back on the big screen, and more premieres than ever before.
Find out what’s on the lineup and get tickets here.
Salford is set to become the canvas for a spectacular celebration of its people when Salford Everywhere premieres this week.
Created by award-winning visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Rosier, the monumental artwork features more than 1,500 Salfordians, from NHS workers and builders to schoolchildren, supermarket teams, athletes, Royal Mail staff, dementia support groups and food bank volunteers.
Video artworks featuring the local contributors will be projected onto buildings across the city.
Stockport, you lucky lot – Prologue has now opened right on your doorstep.
This beautiful new bookshop is stuffed with the latest releases, award-winners, cult classics, and plenty more. And while you can cosy up with a coffee and a book in the daytime, by night, it’s all about fantastic cocktails and great wines.
Home is where the pudding is, as one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands, Buttercup, has now officially opened the doors to its new home on Deansgate.
What started as a home-based baking project has now transformed into a gorgeous new cafe, where you can tuck into a range of puddings and load them up with all your favourite toppings.
Find out more about this glorious new opening here👇
There’s a lot happening inside New Century this autumn.
First up, there’s the new 450-capacity Locker, which is bringing grassroots live music to the ground floor space, while In Hand by New Century Kitchen is taking care of the all-important gig food with Detroit-style pizzas, chicken tenders, and more.
The two spaces are opening alongside a packed season of live shows, making this a pretty big new chapter for one of Manchester’s best-known music venues.
Autumn has officially arrived, and the pumpkin patches are finally opening their doors… or, should we say, fields.
Right across the region, there’s fields of pumpkins for you to pick for yourself, and many even have more inside in case it’s raining or if you don’t fancy heading into the field.
So, without further ado, here’s some of the best pumpkin patches in and around Greater Manchester for you to choose from👇
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in September so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat this week, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have a bunch of new openings too.
Did you hear that iconic Manchester music movie, 24 Hour Party People, is returning to UK cinemas this month?
If you’re a fan of Manchester’s music history, this one’s for you. 24 Hour Party People is returning to UK cinemas from this week – 24 years after it first hit the big screen, and this time, it’s been remastered in 4K.
The cult classic tells the story of Manchester’s legendary music scene from 1976 to 1992, following Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, played by none other than Middleton-born Steve Coogan, alongside the likes of Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays.
Emily Sergeant -
29th April 2022 
