What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 2 – 8 May 2022

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th April 2022

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

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.

You can find out more, and book tickets here.

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Celebrating 100 Years of the BBC in Manchester

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 2 May – onwards

Credit: Science and Industry Museum

A new display has been unveiled at the Science and Industry Museum, which celebrates 100 years of the BBC in Manchester.

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.

Find out more here.

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Roxy Curling Lanes

Roxy Ball Room

Monday 2 May – onwards

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.

You can find out more here.

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Mums Brunch Club

Printworks

Wednesday 4 May

Credit: Printworks | Chiquito

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.

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.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Cloudwater X Levanter – Mexico

KAMPUS

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 May

Credit: KAMPUS | Cloudwater Brewery

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.

You can find out more here.

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The Village Screen

Peak Cavern

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 May

Credit: The Village Screen

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.

Films on this week’s schedule include Pulp Fiction, The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Dune.

You can find out more here.

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Mancunia Motorcycle Festival 

Depot Mayfield

Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May

Credit: Mancunia Motorcyle Festival

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.

You can find out more and grab tickets here.

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Peaky’s Speakeasy

Peaky Blinders Manchester

Friday 6 May

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.

You can find out more and grab tickets here.

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Back To The 90s Boat Party

Salford Quays

Friday 6 May

Credit: Manchester River Cruises

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.

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

Stage times confirmed for Oasis Live ’25 at Heaton Park in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Stage times for Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester have been confirmed

Oasis will finally return to Manchester for five massive hometown gigs this week – and stage times for their Heaton Park show have been confirmed.

The Gallagher brothers have already reunited for two gigs in Cardiff ahead of their Manchester shows.

Oasis will be performing in Heaton Park on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 of July, with support from long-time friends Richard Ashcroft and Cast.

With about 80,000 people expected to flock to the fields for the Oasis Live ’25 shows, there’s a lot of planning going on behind the scenes.

And the stage times for the Oasis Manchester gigs have just been confirmed by the band.

Oasis will be taking to the stage at 8.15pm, and with a 10.30pm curfew, that’s around two hours of glorious Gallagher hits.

Gates to Heaton Park open at 3pm and organisers are expecting large crowds – they’re encouraging fans to allow plenty of time for travel and arrive early.

As a reminder, there are shuttle buses running directly from Lever Street to Heaton Park from 1.30pm, but these are almost sold out.

You can also get tickets for Big Green Coach here, or use trams from Victoria Station up to the venue.

Confirmed stage times for Oasis at Heaton Park, Manchester

  • Gates – 3pm
  • Cast – 6pm
  • Richard Ashcroft – 7pm
  • Oasis – 8.15pm
  • Curfew – 10.30pm

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

What's On

The first-ever Horrible Histories live concert is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Horrible Histories live concert Manchester tickets

Any fans of childhood favourite Horrible Histories in the house? Well, you might want to pay attention because the iconic kids’ show is bringing its first-ever live concert to Manchester.

The beloved educational comedy by CBBC was, for many of us, the first time we showed a proper interest in history, and we’ll confess, we still go back and comfort-watch it from time to time.

Running from 2009 until 2014, it featured countless funny faces that went on to become stars in the UK comic scene and even spawned a smash-hit live show, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

With that in mind, to help celebrate the milestone, the team behind the cult classic are putting on a special a pretty extensive series of live shows to bring the music of Horrible Histories to domestic audiences, including two right here in Manchester.

horrible histories live show
horrible histories the concert tickets
Credit: BBC/Supplied

Teaming up with Birmingham Stage Company and Lion Television, the BBC and Horrible Histories crew will soon be playing all the hit songs from the TV programme in the flesh.

Based on the books, CBBC show and the success of the theatre show, this unique music-driven live format is written by the TV series’ writers Ben Ward and Claire Wetton.

Led on stage by the Horrible Histories song master, Richie Webb, himself – who has written all the songs from the smash-hit BBC series – you’re getting the full, authentic experience.

Featuring a live band performing the sensational TV songs, including guest appearances from Charles II, Dick Turpin and a bunch of Vikings that we couldn’t stop barging through the stage door, this is one show you don’t want to miss.

You can find all the 32 ‘Horrible Histories: Live (And Dead)! – The Concert’ UK tour dates down below:

Early 2026Spring 2026
– Fri 23 January, Darlington Hippodrome 
– Sat 24 January, Darlington Hippodrome 
– Fri 30 January, Bristol Beacon 
– Sat 31 January, Bristol Beacon 
– Sun 1 February, Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
– Fri 6 February, Manchester Opera House
– Sat 7 February, Manchester Opera House
– Fri 13 February, Liverpool Empire
– Sat 14 February, Liverpool Empire
– Tues 17 February London Royal Festival Hall
– Fri 20 February, Birmingham Alexandra
– Sat 21 February, Birmingham Alexandra
– Fri 27 February, Milton Keynes Theatre
– Sat 28 February, Milton Keynes Theatre
– Sun 1 March, Cambridge Corn Exchange
– Sun 8 March, Sheffield City Hall
– Fri 13 March, Edinburgh Festival Theatre
– Sat 14 March, Edinburgh Festival Theatre
– Sun 15 March, Edinburgh Festival Theatre
– Fri 20 March, Glasgow Theatre Royal		– Sat 21 March, Glasgow Theatre Royal
– Sun 29 March, Nottingham Concert Hall
– Thur 2 April, Southampton Mayflower
– Fri 3 April, Southampton Mayflower
– Sat 4 April, Southampton Mayflower
– Mon 6 April, York Barbican 
– Tues 7 April, York Barbican 
– Thur 9 April, Brighton Concert Hall 
– Fri 10 April, Brighton Concert Hall
– Sat 11 April, Brighton Concert Hall
– Fri 17 April, Sunderland Empire
– Sat 18 April, Sunderland Empire
manchester opera house
Credit: The Manc Group

Coming to the city centre and the storied Manchester Opera House for two evenings early next year, if you’re a fan of the series or the live theatre act, this one has to be on your list.

The whole cast for the tour is yet to be fully confirmed, but you can expect plenty of humour and talent from start to finish.

ATG+ presale has just gone live, and general admission will be available from Friday, 11 July, with prices starting from £18 and school tickets costing just £13.50

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

Read more:

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Featured Images — BBC/The Manc Group

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