The time has come, once again… we need to wave goodbye to one month, and welcome in another with open arms.
This week is bringing with it the last few days – and even an extra one, for the first time in four years – of February, all before March arrives for the weekend, and there’s absolutely no shortage of exciting events and activities in the Greater Manchester social calendar to be getting involved with.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, not to worry, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Pretty Woman – The Musical
Opera House Manchester
Monday 26 February – 17 March
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Pretty Woman The Musical / Credit: Marc Brenner
Pretty Woman The Musical is arriving in Manchester this week.
Taking over the iconic Opera House Manchester stage from Monday 26 February, on an extended run right through to 17 March, the smash-hit musical production is based on the beloved 1990 romantic comedy film of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
It’s described as being a “a sensational show guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart”, and there’s still a few tickets on sale.
This is your last week to make the most of The Black Friar’s popular ‘Pie Festival’.
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There’s nothing that sounds more inviting on a cold evening than a lovely warming pie, right? So when we heard that The Black Friar’s now-annual Pie Festival was making a 2024 comeback, we have no shame in admitting we did a little dance.
Now in its third edition, the Salford restaurant has brought back the parade of meat and gravy, sweet and savoury, and all things pie and pastry-encrusted – with something for everyone on the menu.
Best of all, not only are there some enticing flavours on offer, but they’re also only £10 each.
Did you know there’s 15,000 free cinema tickets up for grabs in February?
And, of course, there’s only a few days left to claim them.
It’s all part of Escapes – a new project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding that’s giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema”.
The thousands of tickets are now available across the UK for completely free of charge, and there’s a handful of Greater Manchester cinemas taking part.
Escapes / Credit: Unsplash | A24
So whether you’re someone who prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more, there’s a free ticket to see brand-new wrestling biopic film, The Iron Claw, with your name on it
The Six Nations is back, and in full swing across the UK.
With the international rugby tournament having now officially kicked-off, we thought it would be only right to put together a list of the very best places in Greater Manchester to head on down to and catch a game.
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After all, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the action, we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.
Read our round-up of the best places to watch the Six Nations here.
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Power UP
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 26 February – onwards
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Power UP / Credit: Science Museum Group
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Hamilton: The Story of Tonight / Credit: Danny Kaan (via Supplied)
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is celebrating Manchester hosting the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton for the very first time with a photography exhibition showcasing moments both on and off stage.
Open for free to the general public until the end of February, Hamilton: The Story of Tonight offers a glimpse into the journey of the musical that captured the imaginations of audiences in our city.
20 photographs taken by Hamilton’s production photographer, Danny Kaan, are currently on show – and this is your last week to see them.
Manchester Open Exhibition is back for the third time in our city.
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Taking place every two years down at HOME, the Open Exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, and sees HOME’s Gallery walls filled with 480 artworks created by the people of our region that have been specially-selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
Open to all, the Exhibition brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio, and so much more.
Is your birthday on 29 February? Are you one of the rare ‘Leap Day’ babies?
We can’t imagine many answered ‘yes’ to that question, given that there’s only an estimated 4.1 million people worldwide who were born on this date, but if you just so happen to be one of them AND you live in Manchester, then one popular local bar has a free pint waiting for you.
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Not only that, but one of the city’s legendary burger joints also has free burgers ready and waiting for you too, so it really is your lucky day.
All Leap Day babies can head on down to Society, and one of two Almost Famous restaurants, all in Manchester city centre this Thursday, prove its their birthday with a valid ID, and sip on a pint of house Vocation Pure Pilsner to celebrate, or tuck into one of the heartiest burgers there is.
Find out how to claim your complimentary cold one here, and your free burger here.
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Red Rose Diner
East Lancashire Railway
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Friday 1 March – onwards
Red Rose Diners / Credit: ELR
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 March right through to November this year, East Lancashire Railway’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Manchester’s massively popular East and South East Asian street food fair is returning to the city centre this weekend.
Taking over street food and social hub, GRUB, the three-day event is set to treat festivalgoers to food from five different vendors, who’ll all be serving delights directly from the East and South East of Asia.
You can get your hands on Malaysian dishes from Little Yellow Rice Co, South Korean wonders from the aptly-named Korean Grub Club, and Japanese savoury pancakes from Osaka Local, as well as deep-fried delights from All Fried Up too.
Manchester Song Festival 2024 / Credit: The Stoller Hall
Manchester Song Festival is back for another year this weekend.
Taking place down at The Stoller Hall, with an exciting weekend of live performances from some of the region’s finest musical talent, as chosen by Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth, the annual three-day Festival includes a packed programme of concerts so song lovers can come together to be inspired, learn, and take part.
The music and composers selected for this year’s Festival have drawn inspiration from ‘Sounds of Nature’ – which is The Stoller Hall’s year-long theme inspired by the natural world.
Find out more about everything happening at the 2024 Manchester Song Festival here.
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00s Brunch
Brickhouse Social
Saturday 2 March
00s Brunch / Credit: Brickhouse Social
Brickhouse Social has announced that it 00s-themed brunch is back by popular demand.
The Manchester social hub is inviting music lovers down to enjoy 90-minutes of bottomless pizza slices, fizz, bottled beers, and select cocktails on its ooftop terrace every Saturday over the nexr couple of months – with a resident DJ playing all the best tunes from the 2000’s.
Tickets will set you back £33pp, and there’s two Brunch sittings available, so you can opt for 1-3pm, or 3:30-5:30pm.
Did you hear that six cult Manchester restaurants have recently scooped coveted Deliveroo awards?
The results of the 2024 Deliveroo Restaurant Awards are in, and six of our city’s most-popular and best-loved eateries have been announced as claiming coveted prizes, after the food delivery service’s loyal customers voted with their hearts – and stomachs – for their favourite local establishments.
Slap & Pickle, Double Zero Pizzeria, and Mughli are among the local restaurants in Manchester that fought off competitors across the North and Midlands to take a title.
Six cult Manchester restaurants have scooped prestigious Deliveroo awards / Credit: The Manc Group
Then, a further five restaurants were recognised in the region’s best cuisine awards – with winners including Burgerism for ‘Best Burger & American’, and Unagi Street Food & Sushi for ‘Best Japanese’.
A total of 60 honours were up for grabs in this year’s Awards.
So, if you’re wondering where to order a takeaway from this weekend, then find out which locals won big in the 2024 Deliveroo Restaurant Awards here.
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Rochdale Town Hall – Grand Reopening
Rochdale
Sunday 3 March
Rochdale Town Hall – Grand Reopening / Credit: The Manc Group
The grand reopening of Rochdale Town Hall is happening this Sunday.
The stunning Grade I-listed building in the Greater Manchester town recently underwent a major restoration, and it’s been a long time coming, but this weekend, residents and visitors will finally be able to see the results for themselves when the building throws open its doors to the public on Sunday.
Teams of specialists and more than 500 volunteers have spent four years transforming the space and restoring it to its former glory.
Spaces previously been hidden from view are also now accessible for the first time ever.
Find out more, and catch a glimpse of the new Town Hall here.
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Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery
Freight Island
Sunday 3 March – onwards
Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery / Credit: Freight Island
Freight Island’s most famous Sunday feast, Seconds Carvery, is back to bring the good people of Manchester some proper winter-warming comfort food.
Diners can now dive into this modern take on a classic carvery every Sunday.
Running between 12pm and 6pm, you book yourself a half-hour slot to see the carvery chef on the terrace, where you choose a main from roast topside of Highland beef, marmalade glazed gammon joint, roast turkey crown, or roast squash and wild mushroom wellington.
But the stand-out feature of Seconds has to be the bottomless trimmings – including proper Yorkshire puddings, garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, buttered mash, broccoli, glazed carrots, petit pois, and 48-hour gravy.
Featured Image – ELR | The Manc Group | Marc Brenner
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 2 – 8 February 2026
Emily Sergeant
Hello February, it’s nice to see you.
A new month is here, the days are getting lighter, and spring is on the horizon, so of course, we’re really not short of exciting activities and events to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester – with everything from 360° walk-through projection shows and pie festivals 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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The Festival of Pie 2026
The Black Friar
Monday 2 – 28 February
The Festival of Pie 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group
Did someone say £10 pie? The Festival of Pie is back at The Black Friar is Salford, and in case you didn’t know, that means delicious handmade pies are yours for a bargain price all month long.
Pick from the classic meat and potato, or opt for something a little different like garlic, chicken and leek, mushroom keema and onion bhaji, and our personal favourite, the truffle dauphinoise. Plus, you can add sides like mash and peas for just £3.
The deal is available all day Monday and Tuesday, and 12pm-6.30pm Wednesday to Friday, so don’t miss out before it’s too late.
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LUMINISCENCE
Manchester Cathedral
Monday 2 February – 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.
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.
L.S. Lowry’s iconic masterpiece ‘Going to the Match’ is being brought to life right before your eyes in this brand-new exhibition now open at The Lowry.
LOWRY 360 is an immersive experience forming part of the legendary The Lowry theatre’s 25th anniversary programme, and it means that, for the first time ever, you can see one of Manchester’s most famous paintings by, arguably, the city’s most famous artist come to life through sight and sound.
Better yet, after you’ve immersed yourself in this incredible experience, then you can then see the actual painting in the full gallery – Modern Life: The LS Lowry Exhibition.
Manchester’s swankiest postcode has a brand new resident, and just days after quietly opening its doors, it’s already looking pretty popular.
Kouba is a brand-new Lebanese spot serving everything from brunches and coffees, to Middle Eastern grills and shisha. It’s an all-day, beautiful restaurant with a menu of freshly-cooked, halal food, and it’s going to be absolutely rammed.
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.
Horrible Histories – The Concert / Credit: BBC / Supplied
For the very first time, your favourite songs and characters from the BAFTA Award-winning CBBC TV series Horrible Histories will be appearing live (and dead) on stage in our city.
Taking to the Manchester Opera House stage, 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.
A brand-new dessert spot has opened its doors (or should that be windows) in Ancoats this week, and there’s just one thing on the menu… tiramisu. Layr is a hole-in-the-wall for dessert, with three different tiramisu flavours on offer – pistachio, matcha, and classic.
These perfectly-portioned puds are all freshly-made, alcohol-free, and halal.
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Bubble Planet Experience
Depot Mayfield
Saturday 7 February – onwards
Manchester will welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant colourful bubbles this week when Bubble Planet Experience arrives.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, but now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield, and visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Tim Burgess – Live and In Conversation / Credit: Supplied
Tim Burgess returns to AO Arena by popular demand, once again, for Q&A-Sides with Chris Hawkins.
Fans of the iconic musician are in for a treat, as you’ll be treated to an intimate evening of acoustic music and conversation.
This setting offers a unique opportunity for fans to connect with The Charlatans frontman, as he reflects on his storied career, musical inspirations, and personal anecdotes, so expect candid stories, unforgettable music, and more.
Read our full interview with Tim and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Featured Image – Supplied | The Manc Group
What's On
Manchester Pride WILL return for 2026, including the parade and party
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride will be returning to the city this summer, complete with the legendary parade, a party in the Gay Village, and the annual candlelit vigil.
The LGBTQ+ celebration’s future had been thrown into doubt following the collapse of the Manchester Pride Events Ltd company last year.
But now it’s been announced that the beloved event will return, delivered by a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company with a board of unpaid directors. t
Every pound of profit will go to supporting LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations and community services.
Manchester Village Pride will have the backing of key partners including Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, Cityco and Equity, alongside LGBTQ+ organisations, charities and community stakeholders.
Plans are now in place for Pride to return over August Bank Holiday weekend again, between Friday 28 and Monday 31 August.
Over four days, Mancs will be able to gather together for the parade, the Village party, and the vigil, plus a vibrant Pride Fringe of arts, culture and nightlife events.
Manchester Village Party has received £120,000 from village venues, reflecting the determination of local LGBTQ+ businesses to safeguard Pride and ensure it remains rooted in the community which created it.
Carl Austin-Behan, one of the founding board members and spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride CIC, said: “Manchester Village Pride is built around a simple belief. Pride has a home – and that home is the Village – but Pride belongs to everyone.
“This is a really exciting time for our community. We have a chance to start again. 2026 is a year of rebuilding, reestablishing trust, reconnecting with Pride’s origins and reinforcing the role of the Village as the heart of the celebration.
“From 2027 onwards MVP plans to develop a wider programme of citywide activity around Pride.
“Bringing Pride home to the Village is about more than location. It is a commitment to responsibility: paying artists properly, funding community groups, supporting charities, protecting LGBTQ+ heritage – and building a sustainable future for Pride in Manchester.”
Deputy Council Leader Cllr Garry Bridges said: “Pride is vital for Manchester, as a symbol of our welcoming and inclusive city, a chance to celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities and to highlight injustices which still exist.
“The Council have always been clear that Pride must happen this year. Manchester Village Pride came to us with a strong and credible plan which we are happy to support. Who better to organise our city’s Pride than the people who work with our LGBTQ+ communities all year round?”
Rachel Bottomley, Managing Director of the LGBT Foundation, said: “We’re proud to stand alongside Manchester Village Pride as it rebuilds a celebration shaped by and for the community. This renewed focus on community and transparency is an opportunity to ensure LGBTQ+ people across Greater Manchester feel supported, represented, and empowered. We look forward to playing our part in continuing to spread hope and joy, with our Village Angels helping keep people safe over the Manchester Village Pride weekend.”
Darren Knight, Chief Executive of George House Trust, said: “George House Trust’s history is built on the passion and determination of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community. For the last 40 years, the August Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester has been about inclusion, voice and making life better for people! Everyone at George House Trust is proud to stand in solidarity to ensure that for 2026 and beyond, there’s no change in that.Pride has always been, and will always be, for everyone.
“It’s great to see this community response and we hope we see you at the vigil.”
Karen Lockney, Equity’s North West Official said: “Equity is delighted that Manchester Village Pride will be signing an Equity agreement – the first ever UK union agreement for a Pride event. Not only will this guarantee fair pay and professional industry standards for all performers, but it also provides the workers of a Manchester Village Pride with a meaningful dialogue and a say over the terms of their work.
“Pride events fight for the rights of the LGBT+ community and that must include workers’ rights. We hope other Pride organisations will follow Manchester Village Pride’s fantastic example. This is testament to the work of members of Equity’s Drag Network, staff, and Equity members in the Village and our Greater Manchester branch.
“We have consistently called for unionised terms and conditions for Pride, and this positive development will restore the trust of our members in the event. They can be confident they will be paid and treated fairly in future. These are exciting developments, part of giving Manchester the Pride it deserves. An Equity Pride agreement is something for which the city should be truly proud.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2024 
