Can you believe we’re almost at the end of another month and it’ll soon be time to wave goodbye to May?
June may be right around the corner, but not only is there a whole host of exciting activities lined up in the events calendar for the rest of this month, there’s plenty to be getting up to across the region this week, and 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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British Pop Archive
John Rylands Library
Monday 23 May – onwards
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A new national collection that’s dedicated to “the preservation and research of popular culture” has now opened in Manchester city centre.
The British Pop Archive (BPA) has been created by the University of Manchester (UoM) and has opened at the iconic John Rylands Library on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre, with the aim of celebrating British popular music and other aspects of popular culture to recognise its “pivotal influence” on the world stage.
Featuring “iconic items” relating to quintessential British bands, legendary UK television, youth culture, counter-culture, and more that have set trends around the globe, the BPA will be an important academic resource for research and teaching, UoM says.
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It’ll also be public resource for exhibitions and public events that’s open to all.
13 street pianos have been dotted around popular Manchester locations, and they’re free for the public to play all month.
The annual Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) arrived in our city last Friday, and to properly celebrate the 2022 edition in style, festival organisers have teamed up with the beloved Forsyth Music Shop to place over a dozen pianos at well-known sites in the hunt for Manchester’s most entertaining street pianist.
You don’t even need any technical talent or formal training either, as the competition is open to everyone, and there’s some brilliant prizes to be won.
A critically-acclaimed photography exhibition has officially opened in Manchester as part of its international tour.
In what is the first UK exhibition of this scale outside of London for over 20 years from the world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, the Science and Industry Museum has will welcomed Amazônia – a major photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest.
Salgado worked in the Amazon for seven years with 12 different indigenous communities, and the result is an incredible collection of powerful photographs that present his vision of a forest that is approaching a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change, the Museum says.
Looking for some new restaurants and bars to try out that have just opened in Manchester city centre this month?
Before May is over and done with, there’s still a whole host of new restaurants and bars to visit in Manchester city centre and beyond.
Lazy Tony’s and Burgerism / Credit: The Manc Group
Think Italian subs, the return of sit-down Lazy Tony’s lasagne, a new Spring Gardens cocktail bar from Gordon Ramsay’s former bars boss, sushi, sashimi and (maybe) even a new dumpling place.
You can read our round-up to find out where to put on your list this month here.
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Summer Knights
Camelot Theme Park
Thursday 26 May – onwards
Summer Knights / Credit: Park N Party
Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s can truly revisit their youth, as the abandoned Camelot Theme Park in Chorley has gone back to its days of Arthurian legend for the new Summer Knights drive-in cinema and entertainment attraction this summer.
Some of the film highlights in the genre-diverse lineup include Insidious, Superbad, The Greatest Showman, Anchorman, Dirty Dancing, Disney’s newest smash-hit, Encanto, and so much more.
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There’s also be a fully-licensed bar and a number of street food vendors on site to choose from to make it a truly magical night.
Cloudwater x Levanter / 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 Canada and its much-loved culture.
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 fresh beers from Toronto’s finest – including Bellwoods, Sonnen Hill, and Goodspeed breweries.
It’s been 65 million years since dinosaurs last roamed the earth, but The Pavillion Garden in Buxton will see the beats roaming through its parkland once more as 2022’s “most roarsome experience” arrives this week.
Roaring into The Pavillion Garden on 28 May – 12 June, the event will feature 50+ animatronic creatures, including two life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers by, and family favourites such as a Pterosaurs that shriek from the trees and a 15m tall Brachiosaurus guarding her eggs.
The event makes for the perfect family day out in the picturesque Peak District, and tickets are now available.
The Lowry Wine Dinner Series / Credit: The Lowry Hotel
One of Greater Manchester’s most prestigious hotels is hosting a series of “intimate” wine dinners throughout 2022, and it kicks off this week.
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The Lowry Hotel’sWine Dinner Series is set to give guests the chance to dine within the five-star surroundings of the hotel’s award-winning River Restaurant’s private dining room and enjoy some canapés and a five-course meal that has been expertly-prepared and paired with a range of world-class wines and champagnes.
The first event in the The Lowry Hotel Wine Dinner Series on Saturday 28 May will start at 7pm in the hotel’s library for arrival drinks and canapés, followed by dinner at 8pm in the River Restaurant’s private dining room.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow / Credit: UEFA / Manchester City Council
A festival of football is arriving in Manchester city centre this weekend to celebrate the countdown to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Ahead of the start of the long-awaited tournament, the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Roadshow will be travelling more than 800 miles across the country to 10 host cities over the course of 43 days, and will be setting up in Cathedral Gardens in the heart of Manchester city centre for one-day only on Saturday 28 May.
It’s set to be a special festival of football, fitness, and music that gives families the opportunity to get involved in what will be one of the most exciting sporting events of the summer.
You can find out more about this free festival here.
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Revolution Oxford Road Reopening Party
Oxford Road
Saturday 28 May
Revolution Oxford Road Reopening Party / Credit: Supplied
Revolution Oxford Road has been transformed.
Having shut its doors for a few days on the 22 May to undergo a six-figure makeover, the popular vodka bar is set to reopen this Saturday 28 May, with the full relaunch events kicking off on the Jubilee weekend of 3 & 4 June and a weekend of themed parties to celebrate the revamp with a throwback to the era in which it was born.
From the new makeover, guests can expect two floors of exceptional music – with the loft dropping disco and indie classics and the main bar celebrating the sounds of the mid-90s up to the early 2000s – and there will also be dancers, a mirror man sax player and food and drink samples.
The parties will take place on both Friday and Saturday night.
A vegan pizza festival – which is always one of the most popular events in the city’s plant based food calendar – is set to return to the city’s largest street food fair this Sunday.
Taking place a GRUB – which is based at the Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill – from 12pm onwards, there’ll be some of the very best vegan pizza and Italian street food traders traders in the UK, alongside a 100% vegan bar offering wine, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, & beer from the best local vegan friendly breweries.
You can also expect live music, and both indoor and outdoor seating, which means it’ll be a great day whatever the weather.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 19 – 25 January 2026
Emily Sergeant
Another winter week full of things to do is upon us.
Now that January is in full swing, we’re really not short of exciting activities and events to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester – with everything from smash-hit musicals to 360° walk-through projection shows 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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LUMINISCENCE
Manchester Cathedral
Monday 19 January – 26 March
LUMINISCENCE / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Cathedral has been lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors are now invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE pays tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
The award-winning smash-hit musical The Bodyguard is back.
Taking over the iconic Palace Theatre stage in Manchester this week, leading lady Sidonie Smith stars as Rachel Marron, Olivier Award nominee Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer, Sasha Monique as Nicki Marron, and Coronation Street and Hollyoaks stars as Matt Milburn as Sy Spector.
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge, but what they don’t expect is to fall in love.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this winter? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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.
A huge gaming event is happening in Manchester at the moment.
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP at the Science and Industry takes ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming, with everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more.
Power UP is taking place each weekend only throughout this month, with each ticket including unlimited play all day.
Did you know what Manchester Airport is currently hosting a HUGE January sale with up to 40% off travel essentials?
January is often considered one of the least-favourite months of the year, with many people dreaming of their next holiday, which is why Manchester Airport has decided to launch a big January sale – with up to 40% off everything from fast-track security to parking.
While you won’t be able to bag a couple of quid off flights unfortunately, tourists will be able to save on a range of other services instead.
That’s not all either, as Manchester Airport has also announced that it’s launching seven exciting new routes to destinations right across the world, and you can find out what they are and get booking your next holiday here👇
Fancy making the most of all the January dining deals on offer over these next couple of weeks?
The time has come again for Manchester’s restaurants and bars to slash their prices in a bid to entice customers to keep eating and drinking out all throughout January, and that means hundreds of places are offering up half-price scran, added freebies, or two-for-one offers this month.
There’s loads of offers beyond Manchester city centre too, as suburban gems are getting in on the action in 2026.
So whether you’re looking for a date night for less, an affordable family dinner, or a cheap eat after work with your mates, we’ve got you covered.
Read our massive round-up of January dining deals here.
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NEW OPENING – The Matcha Kyoto
Lincoln Square
The Matcha Kyoto has found a permanent city centre home.
There’s no denying that this viral matcha spot has gone crazy in Manchester, with pop-ups all over our city, but now, after huge fan demand, they’ve finally opened the doors to their very-own home, and are bringing a little slice of Japan to Lincoln Square.
Step inside their new cafe and you’ll find with traditional Kyoto details, as well as their famous matcha drinks topped with satisfying cream swirls and banana pudding.
They’ve even got a full food menu now, too. Think a range of sandwiches, including egg mayo, teriyaki chicken and black truffle mushroom, and delicious baked treats.
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Winter Beer Fest 2026
Fairfield Social Club
Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 January
Winter Beer Fest 2026 / Credit: Fairfield Social Club
Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back this weekend and tickets are only £5.
Running from Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 January at Fairfield Social Club, you can expect there to be plenty of local brews to taste test over the course of the four-day festival – with loads of pop-up brewery bars and more than 30 guest taps too.
Abyss, Brew York, GlassHouse, Pastore, and Vault City are just some of the breweries you can sample tipples from.
Could a trip to the theatre could be 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.
This beloved industry has now well and truly bounced-back post pandemic – with the region’s three main theatres, Palace Theatre Manchester, Opera House Manchester, and The Lowry, all having welcomed some absolute show-stopping productions in 2025.
Our region’s theatre events calendar is already jam-packed with award-winning musicals, family-friendly plays, inventive dance productions, and so much more in 2026, so we’ve rounded up some of the best shows to see and grab tickets for this year.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known for across the world, it’s music.
Our region is not only a historic musical hub in and of itself, having been the birthplace of so many legendary famous names, but it’s also a major UK stopping point on many global artists’ tour schedules too, thanks to the city’s various sizes of stage and venues.
This means there’s a jam-packed schedule of gigs happening all throughout 2026 – with something for everyone, no matter your taste in music.
Read our picks for 10 of the best gigs happening in Manchester this year here.
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What else is there to look forward to in Greater Manchester in 2026?
Oh, so much. So so much.
The next 12 months are shaping up to be another monumental year for Manchester, with absolutely loads of huge developments, events, and reopenings on the horizon. Expect major global events like the BRITs and The MOBO Awards, huge openings like The Medlock Hotel at the expanded Etihad Stadium, and the relaunch of venues like Manchester’s popular Cat Cafe, and The Spinners Rest (formerly known as The Shamrock).
We’ve rounded up some of the best things to look forward to throughout the year here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group | The Manc Group | Luminiscence
What's On
Live comedy nights are returning to a beloved bar in Chorlton
Danny Jones
We’re all in need of a good chuckle, especially in these dark and colder months, which is why we’re buzzing to hear the local venue, The Garden Bar in Chorlton, is bringing back comedy nights after a sold-out debut this year.
Sod your January blues, let’s have a laugh.
That’s right, the bar and restaurant – formerly well-known under the legendary Font brand – is set to supply the giggles once again after the place was packed out for its first show of 2026.
Promising a top-tier line-up of comedians to the heart of the suburbs for an evening of “sharp wit, big laughs and brilliant live entertainment”, we can’t think of a better way to start the working week.
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
With doors opening at 7pm and the show proper starting around an hour later, The Garden‘s fantastic food menu will be available as usual on the night.
Whether you want to share a pizza, smash some burgers or have a simple sarnie, guests aren’t just being welcomed to arrive early for a cheeky pre-show meal.
And it goes without saying that having an evening of stand-up comedy in a popular neighbourhood bar makes for the perfect place to take a night off from ‘Dry Jan’ if you fancy it, but of course, there will be plenty of zero-alcohol options, as well as soft and hot drinks if not.
To be fair, it’s been fun weeknights like this that have made it easier for us this year.
Now, as for the latest roster of roasters, comics and comperes, you’re in for a treat this coming Monday, 19 January.
The night will be hosted by veteran Tony Vino, a charismatic and quick-witted compere known for his warm crowd work and infectious energy. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Co-headlining the show is local lad, Stephen Bailey; the Tameside comedian, presenter, writer and television personality’s popularity only seems to keep growing of late.
Outside the live circuit itself, the Denton stand-up and jack of all trades has appeared on everything from the Takeshi’s Castle reboot and Celebrity Mastermind, to The Stand Up Sketch Show and Richard Osman’s House of Games, as well as being a regular comedian on Big Brother‘s ‘Bit on the Side’.
Joining him is seasoned comic, writer and actor and self-confessed former football hooligan, Eddy Brimson. Known for his no-nonsense style and unapologetic humour, he’s no stranger to touring up and down the UK, bringing stories drawn from his real life with warmth and plenty of bite.
Emily Sergeant -
20th May 2022 
