It’s time to wave goodbye to March, and say hello to another new month.
With Spring officially here and April arriving this week, new beginnings are all around and there’s a lot to celebrate, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best things happening and to put together another fresh edition of our ‘what’s on’ guide for the city of Manchester and beyond.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, which is great for those looking to keep things on the cheaper side, 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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The Chocolate Factory
Trafford Centre
Monday 28 March – onwards
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Credit: The Chocolate Factory
An immersive chocolate factory experience has opened at the Trafford Centre this month, and it’s ready to make all your “sweetest dreams come true”.
After enjoying success in Madrid, Barcelona, and London, The Chocolate Factory has now made its way over to us in Manchester, and it’s described as being a “theatrical candy-themed experience” where you’ll get to explore a variety of colourful rooms, take some magical selfies, and most-importantly, satisfy your sugar cravings and eat some delicious sweets.
Set on the ground floor of the iconic shopping centre, The Chocolate Factory lets you take a trip through different worlds, with every room “filled with new discoveries”.
Did you see that a massive new attraction has opened in the heart of Manchester city centre, and it’s giving visitors the chance to take on The Cube?
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Spread over two floors and spanning 4,000 sq metres, Urban Playground has taken over a row of units that once housed Arcadia shops Burton, Miss Selfridge, Evans and Dorothy Perkins, and inside, there’s a high-tech mini golf experience, and the first UK branch of burger restaurant The Butcher.
ITV’s The Cube has also been brought to life at Urban Playground, with teams of four taking on deceptively-simple tasks inside the high-pressure confines of the familiar perspex box, with games like taking on obstacles blindfolded and collecting balls in a set time window.
Tickets for ‘The Cube Live’ range from £30 to £45, and you can find out more here.
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Heaton Hall Tours
Manchester
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Monday 28 March – onwards
Credit: Heaton Hall
The latest phase of £5 million repair works to the historic Heaton Hall have now officially been completed, and tours have started back up.
Standing as one of a very few Grade I listed buildings nationally, and designed in 1772 by esteemed architect James Wyatt, Heaton Hall is undoubtedly one of the North West’s most important heritage assets, yet despite this, has remained on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ list for many years.
To help preserve the building, Heaton Hall received key funding support from Historic England and Manchester City Council to ensure the building is protected in the future and to complete essential maintenance works.
These maintenance works and ongoing repairs were started over three years ago, and have now been completed to help protect the architectural gem for future generations.
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You can find more information and book a tour of Heaton Hall here.
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Stand Up for Ukraine
Frog & Bucket Comedy Club
Tuesday 29 March
Credit: Frog & Bucket
Legendary city centre comedy club Frog & Bucket has helped launch the careers of many well-known comedians and emerging talents over the years, but now, some of the North’s biggest and best names are coming together for one-night only to raise worthy funds for those affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Stand Up for Ukraine will feature sets by Sarah Millican, Johnny Vegas, Jonathan Mayor, Daliso Chaponda, Nina Gilligan, Daisy Earl, Mick Ferry.
All funds will go to The Red Cross, and you can grab tickets here.
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Les Miserables
The Lowry Theatre
Tuesday 29 March – onwards
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Credit: The Lowry Theatre
It’s undoubtedly one of the most famous and beloved musicals of all time, and now, Cameron Mackintosh’s critically-acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Miserables is arriving at The Lowry Theatre in Salford this week.
This brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed “Les Mis for the 21st Century”.
With scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the magnificent Les Mis score includes the songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Stars, and many more.
Didsbury’s very-own cookery school Food Sorcery is hosting a Vegan Cooking Class this week, and it’s dedicated to curries.
Vegan cooking opens the door to a vast array of dishes, cooking styles, techniques, and most-importantly, fantastic flavours, but because it’s such an huge area of cookery, it can become a little daunting, which is why Food Sorcery is giving you the chance to look at three different curries from around the world during this class, Sri Lankan, Japanese, and Indian, to give you a wealth of knowledge to enjoy a delicious plant based diet.
During the class, you’ll get to enjoy the food you create as you cook it, or take the leftovers home with you afterwards, and you’ll also get each of the recipes emailed to you too.
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You can book your place on the class for £85pp here.
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Camelot Rises
Chorley
Thursday 31 March – Sunday 3 April
28 Days Later, The Hills Have Eyes, and A Quiet Place 2 are just some of the chilling films showing at the North West’s newest immersive drive-in cinema this week.
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Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s will get the chance to revisit their youth and return to the legendary medieval-themed Camelot Theme Park in Chorley, which sadly closed for good back in 2012 and has been largely abandoned and derelict ever since.
This is an experience like no other though.
Hosted by Park N Party – the team also behind sell-out seasonal drive-in events SecretCity, ScareCity, and ChristmasCity – visitors in up to 300 cars get to park up and watch a series of horror films across 12 weeks at ‘Camelot Rises’, but only after they have survived a terrifying one-mile journey through what has been described as a “zombie-infested wasteland”.
You can find out more about Camelot Rises and grab tickets here.
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Moxy Muzik w/ Darius Syrossian
Joshua Brooks
Friday 1 April
Rossko & Manda Moor / Credit: Joshua Brooks
City centre bar, restaurant, nightlife destination, and live music venue Joshua Brooks is welcoming popular Greater Manchester-based DJ Darius Syrossian for a special three-hour set, supported by special guests Madvilla, and Jordan Masters, as well as a bar hosted by Mike Lavercombe & Friends.
You must be over 18 to attend, with ticket prices starting at £14.
Heaton Park has revealed a new trio of scenic lakeside dining domes, and it’s perfect for those looking for a unique afternoon tea experience in Manchester.
Situated in Manchester’s largest park with stunning views of the lake and gardens, not to mention the Grade-I listed Heaton Hall close at hand, the domes are private and heated to ensure maximum comfort, and they offer an extra special afternoon tea experience surrounded by nature.
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There’s a seasonal menu that features a number of different afternoon tea options, including vegan options too, all for £23.95 per person.
Manchester’s largest street food fair GRUB – which is currently based at the Red Bank Project just outside of the city centre in Cheetham Hill – is hosting an East & Southeast Asian Food Fair this weekend, and it’s set to be a popular one.
With food traders Little Yellow Rice Co, Osaka Local, Oi Dumplings, Korean Grub Club, and Amai Desserts all lined up, not only will there be a wide range of delicious street food and desserts to try out, but local Southeast Asian gin slingers Tarsier will also be there all weekend to provide perfect serves and cocktails.
The event is free to attend, and you can find more information and grab tickets here.
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Totally Roarsome
Arley Hall
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 April
Credit: Totally Roarsome
One of the North West’s most-popular outdoor events has reopened near Manchester, and it’s an ideal day out for families this month.
For the past two years, Totally Roarsome has taken the region by storm and has seen visitors flock from far and wide after it opened in untouched woodland following the initial lifting of lockdown restrictions in mid-2020, before returning after popular demand for the Easter half term in 2021.
And now, it’s found a new home for 2022’s event at Arley Hall in Cheshire.
There’ll be more than 200 individual dinosaur models making up the woodland trail this year, with tickets priced at £8.95 and already selling fast.
Coronation Street: The Tour has returned after a two-year hiatus this month to give you the chance to see the hidden world of the nation’s most-famous cobbles that lies behind the camera at the external sets at MediaCityUK in Salford.
Following in the footsteps of all your favourite characters, during each 90-minute tour, fans of the show will get to walk around all the famous sets of the Rovers Return, Roys Rolls, Underworld, and The Kabin, and so much more, and tour guides will share all the secrets of the show while they take you around locations of iconic moments from the soap.
There’ll also be plenty of chances to get that all-important Corrie selfie too.
A Harry Styles-themed running event is coming to Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
A Harry Styles-themed running event, ‘Styles-Athon,’ is coming to Manchester later this year.
Styles-Athon is set to be an action packed event, centring around all things Harry Styles – there’ll even be a live tribute performance and DJs blasting some of our favourite songs.
This event is brought to us by Run Fanatics, a group that focuses on creating memorable, themed running events, maintaining that ‘it’s not about how far or fast you run, it’s about how much fun you have.’
Styles-Athon is open to all abilities, with Run Fanatics priding themselves on inclusivity and their welcoming sense of community, offering both 5k and 10k routes to either walk, dance or run around. No matter what the running ability, this is a great day out for all Harry lovers.
Having successfully hosted other music-led events such as a Swift-Athon and an ABBA themed run in Manchester, we’re excited to have them back and keep the energy in Heaton Park ‘Watermelon Sugar’ high.
Why not try something new and contribute to a good cause while you’re at it – runners are welcome to run in support of a charity of their choosing.
Finally, some real motivation – run like you’re chasing Harry Styles.
What you can expect from Styles-Athon:
Live Harry Styles tribute performance and warm-up
DJ and professional sound team
Music guides running the course to keep the energy high
Exclusively Harry Styles music throughout the event
5K and 10K routes
Free professional event photos
Chip-timed race with official results
Exclusive Harry Styles finisher’s medal
Timings:
9am – 10am – Harry Styles tribute performance in the event village as runners arrive
10am – 10.10am – Harry Styles tribute to lead the warm-up hosted at the start area
10.15am – 10.25am – Getting race ready and walk to the start line
10.30am – 12pm – Race begins, with most runners finished by midday
Styles-Athon will be set up for around 1,000 attendees and is taking place in Heaton Park, on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Sign up HERE for either 5k and 10k options, tickets available from £29.99.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 July 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s official – July is here, and that means we’re over half way through the year.
Summer has arrived, and that means there are, of course, loads of things happening across Greater Manchester this week. 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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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 6 July – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group (Drew Forsyth)
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
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.
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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Looking for somewhere to watch the World Cup in Greater Manchester?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently well underway, and England is still in it to win it.
But if you didn’t grab tickets to catch a game in person over in North America or Mexico, and you don’t fancy sitting at home watching on your own, then thankfully, our region is filled with places where you can catch all the action surrounded by hundreds of other football fans.
FIFA World Cup 2026 / Credit: Road to Victory
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice this year, as there’s plenty of places in Manchester city centre and beyond screening all the games.
Will England bring football home though? Only time will tell.
Check out our round-up list of all the best places to watch the World Cup in Greater Manchester here👇
World Cup Playground / Credit: Sophia J Carey (Supplied)
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has now opened in Greater Manchester.
MediaCity has announced its biggest programme of events to date to celebrate, from a baller league-style football pitch, to big name creator takeovers, and much more – but at the heart of all the action is the new World Cup ‘playground’, where football fans will be able to play five-a-side on a bespoke pitch, while watching matches on giant screens.
As the home of the BBC’s World Cup coverage, MediaCity says it’s ‘going big’ this summer, and that includes bringing some of the UK’s biggest Gen Z creators down for full takeovers and tournaments, and even getting the BBC pundits involved in the action too.
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.
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 6 July – onwards
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails / Credit: James Dobson | Annapurna Mellor
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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GRUB On The Docks
MediaCity
Tuesday 7 July – onwards
GRUB On The Docks / Credit: Supplied
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 later this week.
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.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the 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.
Charity Super.Mkt is heading to the Arndale for its very first Manchester city centre pop-up.
The UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store will be strutting its stuff in central Manchester when it opens in Manchester Arndale for three days this weekend.
Shoppers can expect a vibrant, carefully curated edit of pre-loved clothing sourced from both national and local charities. From standout vintage pieces and coveted band tees to forgotten football tops, desirable denim, and everything in between.
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.
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.
You can visit Chester Zoo for just £10 this summer / Credit: Chester Zoo
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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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.
Emily Sergeant -
25th March 2022 
