The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 September 2025
September is nearly wrapping up and autumn has officially arrived.
The season’s have changed, the weather taken a turn, and the leaves beginning to drop and change colour – but although summer may have come to an end, there’s still plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks, as autumn in our region is always a thing of beauty.
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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Oktoberfest 2025
Albert’s Schloss
Monday 22 September – Sunday 12 October
Manchester’s ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ is back, and this year, there’s THREE whole weeks of it.
As always, Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 21-day-long event, which culminates with one final Bavarian blowout on Sunday 12 October, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see ‘eclectic’ entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
Not to mention there’s a full menu of Bavarian-inspired feasting to look forward to too, and it’s more than just pretzels.
Find out more about Oktoberfest 2025 here.
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Moulin Rouge The Musical
Palace Theatre Manchester
Monday 22 September – Saturday 4 October
If you’re wandering down Oxford Road over these next couple of weeks and take a wrong turn, then you may find yourself in early 20th century Paris.
Moulin Rouge The Musical is a sultry, sexy extravaganza of lust, sin, and debauchery that you just can’t get enough of, so it’s time to lose yourself in the magic and showmanship of the Parisian clubs of yesteryear, as whether you’re a big fan of the hit 2001 movie, or new to the world of Moulin Rouge, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you will be blown away.
This is possibly the best show I’ve ever seen on stage, and it’s at the Palace Theatre right up until early October.
Read our review of the show, and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 22 September – onwards
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Find out more here.
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Museum of Illusions – FREE Entry
Market Street
Monday 22 September – Friday 3 October
Museum of Illusions is celebrating the first birthday of its debut UK attraction in Manchester this September by giving away free tickets to anyone who shares its birthday month.
Loved by locals and tourists alike, the museum blends fun and education for visitors of all ages, and is fully-accessible too, ensuring everyone can enjoy the fun.
To mark the milestone and celebrate its first anniversary, visitors born in September can enjoy free entry to the museum from Monday 22 September through to Friday 3rd October (excluding weekends).
Find out more here.
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Looking for a bite to eat in Manchester this month? We’ve got a few suggestions to share…
Ooh we were eating good in August.
Even with the last of the warmer weather throughout August, that doesn’t mean we haven’t been having some right feasts – with plenty of cheese pulls, saucy drizzles, and for some reason, ANOTHER Labubu-themed dessert.
With the festive season soon approaching, we’re expecting the next month to get extra cosy and indulgent.
If you need some inspiration for where to eat in our region this month, we rounded up some of our best suggestions for you to pick from:
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Did you know you can rent your own private cinema in Manchester city centre?
You may be in deep (far too deep) to the latest teen drama like we were this week, biting your nails through a sporting event, or just wish you could see your favourite film on the big screen again – and that’s where King Street Townhouse comes in.
There’s a luxury cinema tucked away in this popular hotel and you can book it out for all sorts of private screenings.
There’s loads of packages too, so you can stick whatever you want on the cinema screen, relax in plush armchairs, and tuck into cocktails, popcorn, and snacks.
Find out how to book here.
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NEW OPENING – Pitch Manchester
Manchester City Centre
Golf fanatics, get a load of this new spot in the city centre.
This is Pitch Manchester, and after success in London has branched out to the North, bringing state-of-the-art golf simulators, shuffleboard, DJs, and more, making it the perfect spot for beginners and experts alike, as there re experienced golf professionals on hand to help you travel the world through their variety of courses.
There’s a fully-stocked bar serving cocktails and food, plus lounge areas, private rooms, and memberships now available too.
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Does your name happen to be ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’? Do you like katsu?
Well do we have a treat for you…
In what is a small stroke of genius, popular restaurant chain Banana Tree has decided to give out free katsu curries to people with two specific – and very clever names, we have to say – and those names are ‘Kat’ and ‘Sue’, and every delicious variation of those names in between.
Anyone named Kat, Katie, Katherine, Sue, Suzy, Susan, Suzanne, or close enough to qualify, can now head to their local Banana Tree restaurant, show proof of name, and enjoy a free katsu dish of their choice, worth up to £16.75.
The offer is running for just four days only, from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September, and you can find out how and where to claim your tasty freebie here.
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MCR Student Social 2025
Manchester Arndale
Thursday 25 September
MCR Student Social is back at Manchester Arndale this Thursday from 12pm.
It’s set to be the one-stop-shop for all students’ essential needs, whether they’re grabbing a new outfit for a night out, a scented candle for their halls, or even their weekly food shop, as there’ll be up to 50% off at over 130 shops, restaurants, and leisure venues inside the shopping centre.
If all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, there’s also set to be free food samples, loads of games, spin-to-win competitions and giveaways on the day too, as well as DJs blasting out tunes.
Everything you need to know is here.
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GRUB Closing Weekend
Red Bank
Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 September
It’s the end of an era.
After five unforgettable years at Red Bank, ahead of its exciting future move, GRUB is set to say goodbye with a three-day ‘blowout’ of food, booze, music, and memories
Taking place this Thursday 25 to Saturday 27th September, it all culminates in one massive send-off, with a Big BOGOF Blowout weekend packed with two-for-one cocktails, shooters, and tacos, a non-stop 72-hour Happy Hour, and GRUB’s resident DJs going back-to-back as partygoers drink the cellar dry.
Find out everything happening this upcoming weekend here.
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NEW OPENING – Loft Social
Stockport
Friday 26 September – onwards
Who said Stockport is sh*t? Not us.
There’s a brand-new games bar and social space opening in Stockport town centre this week and it looks class – with curling, deck shuffleboard, archery, pétanque, and so much more, turning SK1 into the place to be.
Opening up above Market Place and ran by local lads, this space that’s been empty for more than 30 years has been transformed into a beautiful bar with stunning views of the market hall.
Everything you need to know about this new opening is here.
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Featured Image – Jason Lock (via Manchester Arndale) | The Manc Group | Museum of Illusions