The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 27 July – 2 August 2026
It’s time to make the most of the last of July, as August will be here before we know it.
The school summer holidays are well underway and a new month will be soon, so that means there’s loads of things happening across Greater Manchester these next few weeks. If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, no worries, as 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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Summer in Space
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 27 July – onwards
Get ready to spend the summer in space, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced its summer events programme and it’s full of free interactive events and activities to get involved with these next six weeks.
From live space shows and giant rockets, to tinkering activities Martian discovery trails, and the chance to visit the blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos if you haven’t already, budding astronauts are in for a summer to remember.
By far one of the stand-out free events this summer is the arrival of 30-foot-tall rocket ship, Skybolt 2 – hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company, Starchaser.
Find out more and book tickets for your visit here.
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Parktastic 2026
Manchester
Monday 27 July – onwards
Manchester is bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer.
Thanks to additional Council funding that was allocated earlier this year, Manchester’s biggest-ever Parktastic programme has now launched – expanding from the summer holidays alone to include after-school sessions before schools break up, activities throughout the holidays, and even sessions continuing into September.
Back by popular demand and aimed at children ages six-12, Parktastic offers sports, games, arts and crafts, dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling and messy play.
Sessions are free, no booking is required, healthy snacks are provided, and children can simply turn up and join in.
Find everything happening this summer here.
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On a budget and need somewhere to take the kids to eat for £1 or even FREE over the summer holidays?
In case the ongoing heatwave didn’t remind you, summer is in full swing and so are the school summer holidays.
If you’re after ways to enjoy some quality family time without having to break the bank, we’ve found lots of places where kids can eat for £1 or free – 15 of them, to be exact.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty Italian, a bit of brekkie, or even a big Greek feast, just because you’re on a budget shouldn’t mean you have to limit your and your family’s taste buds.
Check out our round-up here.
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Did you see that Forbici has been named one of the best pizzas in the world?
That’s right – a pizzeria with restaurants in Manchester and Sheffield has been named not just the best in the city, but in the top 100 globally. Forbici won big at the The Best Pizza Awards last month, so we popped in to hang out with master baker Davide Argentino and learn all his secrets.
It’s all about slow-fermented Biga pizza dough, proper Italian ingredients, and cutting that puffed-up crust with scissors.
Take a look👇
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National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 27 July – onwards
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout summer at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
Find out where to get involved and book tickets here.
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Forest Tubing
Zip World Manchester
Monday 27 July – onwards
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you – as Zip World Manchester has launched its new Forest Tubing experience, and it’s bringing the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide is coming to Heaton Park.
The new family‑friendly outdoor adventure gives visitors the chance to soar along two slides, winding through woodland at one of the largest parks in the North West.
Suitable for children aged four and above, visitors can book an hour-long session – with unlimited rides during that time slot – and either ride solo, or share the experience with fellow adventurers.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
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Manchester Open 2026
HOME MCR
Monday 27 July – onwards
Manchester’s biggest exhibition of local artists is back again for the summer.
Taking place every two years, Manchester Open is a celebration of local talent, showcasing the work of 420 artists inside the gallery space over at HOME. The exhibition includes work from artists in all media formats who have been selected from each of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, ranging in age from four to 80 years old.
Oh, and the whole thing is completely free to visit. Find out more about the return of this incredible exhibition here.
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NEW OPENING – Blossom Bistro
Sale
Sale has a new bistro and it’s already making moves on the foodie scene in this suburb.
Blossom Bistro covers everything from colourful brunch plates like their steak and eggs or hot honey halloumi, to tapas style sharers, fully-loaded gyros bowls, and even a whole patisserie fridge filled to the brim with some insane sweet treats.
With an impressive drinks menu to match too, and live music on every Friday and Saturday, it’s a proper vibe.
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NEW OPENING – Gardens
Manchester City Centre
This newcomer hit the headlines because it had a live parrot in the restaurant… but now that Rio’s been rehomed, it seems only right to show off Gardens properly.
It’s a beautiful new restaurant and lounge, perched right on the banks of the River Irwell, serving a huge menu of Mediterranean brunches, grills, mocktails, and more.
If you like your brunches hearty and spicy, and your dinners very meaty, you’re going to love this spot.
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NEW OPENING – Milo Bagels
Tangerine
We have been screaming out for more bagel spots in the city, and finally, someone has heard us.
This is Milo Bagels – serving up stacked bagel butties, open ‘tartine’ sandwiches, and the most incredible French crullers (kind of like a doughnut), that hit that sweet and salty spot just right.
Ran by partners Lewis and Frank, with vast experience in the Manchester hospitality sector already, we just knew this was going to be a smash – and it absolutely is.
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GRUB On The Docks
MediaCity
Tuesday 28 July – onwards
GRUB On The Docks has returned for the summer.
MediaCity’s waterfront site has been transformed into a vibrant open-air destination built for warm weather and big moments across the season, as GRUB On The Docks returns.
Running across the summer months, you can expect some of Greater Manchester’s best street food traders to be serving up global flavours and summer-ready drinks, alongside live music, DJs, and just an all round laid-back atmosphere turning daytime hangouts into evening sessions.
Find out more here.
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Ramp on the Roof
Depot Mayfield
Thursday 30 July – Sunday 2 August
One of the UK’s biggest events in skating is hitting the city this week.
Ramp on the Roof is taking over the rooftop at Depot Mayfield later this week, bringing with it four days of world-class competition, live music, workshops, skate demonstrations, banging food, and so much more.
You can catch Ramp on the Roof from 30 July to 2 August across their four-day skate event.
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Fancy a wholesome summer activity?
It’s strawberry season, and Kenyon Hall Farm has officially opened up its strawberry fields (plus plenty of other pick-your-own produce) for the season for you to frolic amongst, with loads of summer treats in its cafe and award-winning farm shop too.
Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and it’s proven as popular ever since.
Find out more and book your spot here.
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Did you know you can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer?
For the past three years running now, Chester Zoo has officially been named the UK’s best zoo thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews, and now this summer, you’ll get to see exactly what makes it such a special place worth visiting for a cut price, as £10 tickets are now available to book for a limited time only.
With the offer only applicable to afternoons this summer, Afternoon Tickets allow entry to Chester Zoo from 2pm onwards – with the last entry being one-hour before it closes.
Without this offer, standard admission tickets to Chester Zoo usually cost up to £38 for adults, £37 for students, and £28 for children, all including a 10% donation to the zoo’s conservation efforts, so it really is worth making the most of these limited-time £10 tickets while you can.
Find out more and book your tickets in advance here.
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Or did you know that seven Manchester green spaces have been named some of the best in the UK?
Once again, seven of our city’s green spaces – including parks and cemeteries – have been named some of the best the UK has to offer.
That’s because leading environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, has handed out its coveted Green Flag Awards, which recognise accessible green spaces that set ‘an international benchmark for management’.
The awards shed light on the groups, volunteers, and staff who devote themselves year-round to the maintenance and upkeep of these areas.
Read more about this incredible honour and find out which green spaces have been chosen here.
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Stuck for somewhere to have a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in June, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new in July, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have a bunch of new openings too.
Take your pick here👇
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Featured Image – Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash) | The Manc Group