What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 23 – 29 January 2023

Emily Sergeant - 20th January 2023

Can you believe January is already drawing to a close?

While the first few weeks of the year can often seem a little on the quiet side, the events calendar across Greater Manchester is really starting to fill up now with all sorts of different activities to be getting up to this week, so once again, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.

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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Chinese New Year 2023

Manchester City Centre

Monday 23 – Sunday 29 January

It’s Chinese New Year 2023, and as always, Manchester has a whole week of celebrations lined up to mark the occasion.

After the city’s annual celebrations for Chinese New Year – also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival – have been on a slightly smaller scale over the past couple of years due to COVID restrictions, the festival is back in full swing in 2023.

Thousands of red lanterns are already adorning the city’s streets, and visitors can also expect the chance to take in some spectacular live performances, feast on authentic street food, and a make the most of a funfair.

Find out about the celebrations lined up for Chinese New Year 2023 in Manchester here.

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PUSH Festival 2023

HOME MCR

Monday 23 January – Saturday 18 February

PUSH Festival has returned for HOME MCR’s annual celebration of North West creative talent.

Over four weeks, HOME’s stages, screens, and spaces are being dedicated to showcasing fantastic works from around the region, as well as offering opportunities for creatives to meet industry professionals, share ideas and inspiration, and develop their skills.

This year’s festival is showcasing newly-commissioned works across a range of art forms, including theatre, digital work, visual arts, and cinema.

The festival also includes a series of workshops and other artist development opportunities.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Manchester Cheese Crawl 2023

Manchester City Centre

Monday 23 January – onwards

In what is undeniably the stuff of dreams for cheese lovers, you can now take part in a cheese and wine crawl around Manchester city centre.

Manchester is city that’s packed with culture.

But if you don’t fancy seeing the sights through one of the more typical tours, The Manchester Cheese Crawl will take you around some of the cheesiest spots the city has to offer for two hours of non-stop cheese-related fun – including everything from blue cheese tasting, to cheese quizzes, competitions, and more.

Tickets cost just £25 each, and include cheese samples, optional bread and crackers, and some red wine to complement.

You can find out more and grab tickets here.

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Fancy making the most of all the January deals, discounts, and offers in Manchester’s cafes, bars, and restaurants?

January is typically a time when many vow to change their eating habits, but even the most committed dieter should be tempted by these Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers.

Whether you are starting a new diet, ditching alcohol, or trying out Veganuary, that’s no reason to stay at home.

Not when you’ve got January dining (and drinking) offers floating around like this.

From half-price burgers to burritos, small plates, Sunday roasts, and more, we’ve rounded up some of the best Manchester January restaurant deals to take advantage of in 2023.

You can read our list here.

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Backyard Cinema

Depot Mayfield

Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 January

This is your last chance to head on down to Backyard Cinema.

The huge immersive cinema event first opened in October and was only meant to stay in town for 10 weeks, but has added screenings all the way through to this Wednesday 25 January.

Its January dates will come with a January deal price tag too – screenings on Wednesday and Thursday will be half price, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday screenings will be charged at the current off-peak price.

Film fans will be able to see new blockbusters like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Matilda the Musical on the big screen, all while they watch from custom-made beanbag chairs.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Winter at the Science and Industry Museum

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 23 January – onwards

Exhibitions that explore the power of music, and give you the chance to try out an interactive “hands on” gaming experience are just some of the activities on offer at the Science and Industry Museum this winter.

The award-winning museum is invites people to discover 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world. Standout exhibition, Turn It Up: The power of music, is a world-first event giving those curious the chance to explore the science of music’s mysterious hold over us through a series of “immersive musical experiences and interactive activities” at a specially-commissioned ‘musical playground’.

There’s also still time to head on down and check out the stand-out interactive gaming experience, Power UP, and so much more.

Find out more about what’s on at the Science and Industry Museum here.

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Is a trip to the theatre on the cards this year?

Greater Manchester has firmly earned itself a spot as a place for world-renowned touring theatre productions to make a stop off at.

While the past couple of years amid and post-pandemic may have hit the theatre pretty hard, it’s a beloved industry that has now well and truly bounced-back – with the region’s three main theatres, Palace Theatre Manchester, Opera House Manchester, and The Lowry, all having welcomed some absolute show-stopping productions last year.

And 2023 is set to be absolutely no different – with award-winning musicals, family-friendly plays, inventive dance productions, and more on the agenda.

You can read our round-up of the best productions in 2023 here.

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Pasta Making Cookery Class

Food Sorcery

Tuesday 24 January

Didsbury’s very-own cookery school, Food Sorcery, is hosting a cookery workshop that’s dedicated to all things pasta this Wednesday.

During this three-hour class, you can learn everything about how to make Italy’s staple food by hand, from how to mix and knead pasta dough – both beetroot-infused and standard egg pasta – to various different rolling techniques, filling, and shaping, all before the chef will demonstrate some sauces to go with it.

So roll your sleeves up and get ready to mix, knead, bash, squash, and shape the dough into spaghetti, farfalle, ravioli, and so much more.

You can find out more information, and book your place here.

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The Classic Rock Show 2023

The Lowry

Wednesday 25 January

The Classic Rock Show is back for one night only at The Lowry this Wednesday

Celebrating the very best of classic rock, the show will be aying tribute to its favourite rock heroes CRS thunders through legendary performances from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Who, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Queen, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and many more.

Performed with note-for-note precision, bringing the original iconic and era defining recordings back to life on stage, with an amazing sound and light show to match.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Keen to challenge yourself in 2023?

A lot of us will already have our New Year’s resolutions picked out and lined up.

But if you’re really up for a test this year, then how do you fancy taking a freezing cold dip all in the name of raising funds for a worthy cause next month?

One of Manchester‘s most iconic and longest-standing charities, We Love MCR Charity, is hoping to get hearts racing with an exhilarating cold water immersion dip in Sale Water Park near Valentine’s Day this year, and you can now stick your name down to take part.

Daredevil Mancs taking part will be raising funds for the 25-year-old charity’s work supporting ambitious communities and young people across our region.

You can find out more here.

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We’re Electric – Celebrating the best of Manchester

Manchester City Centre

Thursday 26 January

Flexible workspace operator, Clockwise, is hosting its ‘We’re Electric’ this week – a day of free
workshops and events to shine light on some of the small independent businesses that call Manchester home, while also celebrating the launch of Clockwise Manchester, just off Portland Street, in the heart of the city centre.

Running from 1pm-6pm this Thursday, Northern Flower will be hosting a terrarium workshop, renowned Manchester brewers, Track Brewery, will be hosting its ever-popular beer tasting event, and expert fitness instructor, Barry’s, will be there to get hearts pounding with a free fitness class.

Whether you’re after a day celebrating Manchester’s best businesses, or are looking to grow your own, there is something for all to enjoy.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Morning Yoga Flow

Manchester Art Gallery

Thursday 26 January

Fancy getting exclusive access to Manchester Art Gallery before it opens to the public with this hour-long morning yoga session?

With all levels welcome, and eco-friendly mats provided, this Morning Yoga Flow class is delivered by Kamila – who focuses on a modern approach to teaching and is passionate about creating a safe and welcoming space for her students.

Following the session, breakfast will be served in the Gallery Café and features a range of healthy dishes prepared by our chefs, including vegan and gluten-free options.

Tickets are £25 each, and you can find out more and book your place here.

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Greater Manchester’s gigs and festival scene is absolutely thriving in 2023, want to get in on the action?

There’s absolutely no stopping the music industry in 2023, with some of the world’s biggest names playing some of the world’s bigger gigs right here in Greater Manchester.

Venues from the AO Arena to Heaton Park to the Etihad Stadium are filling up with amazing live shows in the coming 12 months, and just looking at how busy June will be (again) is enough to make your head spin.

For a lot of the bands heading out on tour this year, it’s their first big run of live dates since pre-COVID, and if those ticket sales have been anything to go by, audiences are absolutely desperate to get back to live music.

You can read our round-up list of the biggest gigs in 2023 here.

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Featured Image – Chinese New Year | The Lowry | The Manc Group