If the region’s events calendar wasn’t already exciting enough as it is all year round, summer and July brings with it everything from festivals, and family-friendly activities, to foodie feasts, immersive experiences, and so much more for everyone to be getting involved with.
And this week is another busy one, so once again, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s our top picks.
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Manchester International Festival 2023
Manchester City Centre
Monday 3 – Sunday 16 July
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Manchester International Festival 2023 / Credit: MIF | OMA 24
Manchester International Festival is back once again to break new creative ground and challenge perceptions.
Working with partners regionally and across the globe, MIF23’s expansive programme of original new work by artists from around the world will take place in venues and spaces throughout the city, as well as at the festival’s much-anticipated new home, the £210 million Factory International – which opens its doors for the first time in advance of its official opening in October.
Find out more about everything happening for MIF23 here.
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La Clique
Depot Mayfield
Monday 3 – Saturday 29 July
La Clique / Credit: Leslie Martin | Craig Sugden
A huge circus tent has been installed onto the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester, as the world-leading cabaret La Clique is in town.
The trailblazing show – which has had its stay in the city extended right through to 29 July – features the best circus and cabaret acts in the world.
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Presented by live entertainment company Underbelly, La Clique is wowing audiences with its genre-defining cabaret show, and for its Manchester stint, performers will include tension strap artist LJ Marles, singer Chastity Belt, aerial contortion artist Miranda Menzies, comedy and stunt performer Sam Goodburn, and more.
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2023 / Credit: GMFF
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival is back for 2023.
The annual region-wide theatre festival is all about celebrating new and emerging talent, and it’s taking over the region for the whole month of July once again this month.
First taking place back in 2012 with six different venues and a handful of shows in each, the Greater Manchester Fringe has since grown each year with more performances, more ticket sales, and more venues taking part, and many past productions have even moved onto established theatres or recognised at the Manchester Theatre Awards.
Tickets are now on sale, and some shows are even free to attend, so you can find more information and grab yours here.
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The Coronation Street Experience
ITV Studios
Monday 3 July – onwards
The Coronation Street Experience / Credit: ITV
A brand-new Coronation Street Experience has opened, and it’s giving fans access to areas they previously haven’t been able to before.
The Coronation Street Tour is known for giving people the chance to discover the hidden world that lies behind the camera at the external sets at MediaCityUK in Salford, and now, the already award-winning experience has got even better as the new exhibition extends the current 90-minute tour and makes it even more “immersive” for fans.
You’ll get the opportunity to see Dierdre’s famous glasses up close, take a seat in Roy’s Rolls, or even stand behind the bar at The Rovers.
Chester Zoo has brought its popular ‘after hours’ events back this summer.
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Giving visitors the chance to explore the UK’s biggest charity zoo “like never before”, the Into The Night series was launched to massive success in 2022, and offered unlimited access to animal habitats, indoor areas, and restaurants after hours for the first time ever.
And this summer, it’s back for animal lovers who missed out.
With tickets now on sale from as little as £10, Chester Zoo is inviting people to discover the zoo as the sun goes down with thrilling live entertainment, special guest appearances, and delicious food and drink.
Sounds of the City 2023 is well and truly underway.
After having established itself as a staple part of the Manchester music scene, with some of the most acclaimed live artists taking to the stage over the years, the festival is back and has taken over Castlefield Bowl once again for a series of headline concerts.
This week, we’ve got massive shows set to come from Sheffield Britpop band Pulp, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, Stockport indie rock band Blossoms, the iconic Hacienda Classical, much-loved pop band Bastille, and Northern Irish indie heroes Two Door Cinema Club.
Plant NOMA – Evening Gardening Club / Credit: NOMA
Plant NOMA’s ‘Evening Gardening Club’ aims to offer a comfortable, relaxed, and fun environment for people of all ages to come together on a weekly basis and engage with gardening in some way, shape or form.
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This might be poking seeds into compost, sprinkling gravel between plants, or pruning old wood from within a tree, as the range of activity in the club changes as the seasons move and the gardens evolve.
Taking place every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm, for “as long as it’s light enough to do so”, it’s said to be a perfect way to unwind after work, pick up some tips, and connect with nature.
Titanic: The Musical is stopping off at The Lowry this week as part of its 10th anniversary UK tour.
Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, the award-winning production is described as being a “stunning and stirring production” focusing on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded the ship with stories and personal ambitions of their own.
All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them, the third class immigrants dream of a better life in America, the second class imagine they too can join the lifestyles of the rich and famous, whilst the millionaire Barons of the first class anticipate legacies lasting forever.
Backyard Cinema is back in Manchester for the summer, and it’s creating a Miami Beach rooftop experience that will transport people back to the 1980s.
The immersive cinema experience – which debuted in the city centre last autumn – is going to be taking over the roof of Depot Mayfield once again from this week – but this time round, the industrial space will be transformed into Miami Beach, using 30 tonnes of sand and signature palm tree cocktails to create the UK’s largest pop-up beach.
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The summer-long series will include cinematic parties and screenings of major summer blockbusters, plus sing-alongs and loads more, all with sand between your toes and ultra-comfy seats.
A gigantic new music, food, and drink venue is opening in a former Manchester factory this week.
Called Diecast, it comes from the team behind popular Swan Street venues Ramona and The Firehouse, and will officially launch behind Manchester Piccadilly train station this Thursday – kicking off with a grand opening as part of the venue’s first phase, ‘The MachineWorks’ AKA ‘Leno Ex Machina’, which has been unveiled after two years of intense anticipation.
Diecast will boast one of the biggest frozen drinks menus in the city, as well as a massive warehouse kitchen serving up pizzas, zesty Italian small plates, wood fired piadino, and Leno burgers.
Manchester Rum Festival is back and it’s set to be the “biggest and best” year yet.
Known for bringing a massive selection of rare rums from all over the world to Manchester each year, the beloved festival is back this weekend and transforming the Mercure Manchester hotel into the tropics.
Visitors will get to sample some of the best rum brands and buy bottles of their favourites to take home, as well as taste some limited-edition drink collaborations, tuck into delicious Caribbean street food from some of the region‘s best traders, and so much more
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair #2 / Credit: ALT Events Co
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair is back in Manchester again this weekend.
Hosted by ALT Events Co, The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair will see over 20 independent alternative vendors take over Platt Fields Market Garden in Fallowfield, making it the perfect place to get a feel of how you want your special day to be, all while being budget-friendly.
Taking place from 12pm – 4pm on Sunday 9 July, tickets are already on sale and will set you back £5 each – with a complementary glass of prosecco included.
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of the Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 April 2026
Emily Sergeant
Schools are still out, and we’ve got one last bank holiday to make the most of.
Now that a new month has arrived and it’s officially spring in the UK, there’s obviously loads of events and activities to be getting up to across Greater Manchester this week… as long as those classic ‘April showers’ don’t show their face too much, that is.
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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Matilda The Musical
Manchester Palace Theatre
Monday 6 – Saturday 25 April
Matilda The Musical / Credit: The Manc | Supplied
Matilda The Musical has now arrived in Manchester.
The RSC’s smash-hit musical – which is based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name – is currently on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and this includes a special four-week run at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.
Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the beloved production about a determined heroine with a vivid imagination has won hearts all over the globe.
Find out more and see if you can grab yourself some last-minute tickets here.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
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.
A new free exhibition by Pablo Picasso is currently open in Manchester, including works never-before seen on public display.
The new exhibition, titled Picasso: A Legacy, is comprised of more than 35 original works on paper and ceramics, all of which were created by the artist from the mid 1930s up until his death in 1973, and visitors will get to be guided through the last four decades of his life.
You’ll also get to encounter the artist’s lovers and muses, mythological alter egos, and playful zoomorphic ceramics, as well as feats of frantic artistic output that made up Picasso’s final decade.
NEW OPENING – Sticks n Sushi / Credit: The Manc Group
Welcome to Manchester, Sticks n Sushi.
It’s not every day we get a new restaurant that’ll stop you in your tracks, but this is one of them. Feast your eyes on Sticks n Sushi – the stunning new opening in the heart of Spinningfields, transforming the old Iberica site into a two-storey, Scandi-style spectacle.
The Really Wild Egg Trail is back at Chester Zoo for 2026.
Spring has arrived at Chester Zoo and there’s more than animals to discover this time, as visitors will need to keep their eyes peeled for giant hidden eggs as they make their way around the zoo as part of this fun seasonal trail.
Each giant egg has been beautifully decorated to resemble some of the incredible animals at the zoo.
From feathery friends to creatures big and small, you’ll discover interesting facts about these species along the way, and you might even spot the real animals nearby and learn more about how we’re helping wildlife survive and thrive.
Did you see that the spectacular 360° immersive experience that’s currently lighting up Manchester Cathedral has extended its run in our city?
That’s right – due to ‘overwhelming demand’ and following a roster of impressive reviews since making its UK debut earlier this year, LUMINISCENCE has now extended its run at Manchester Cathedral until the early summer.
LUMINISCENCE combines 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 invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling. Find out more and get tickets here.
The sun has arrived in Manchester… and we’re not just referring to that one that’s popped up in the sky at long last.
We’re taking about Helios, the amazing installation that’s now shining bright inside Victoria Baths.
Created by renowned artist, Luke Jerram, the beautiful art piece measures a whopping seven-metres in diameter and has been created using images captured by NASA, all now dangling above the former swimming baths.
Helios will be lighting up this corner of Manchester until 6 April, so this is your last day to see it.
Works from legendary Japanese artists Hokusai and Hiroshige have now arrived in the city.
Opening the Whitworth’s first exhibition of Japanese print in more than a century, ‘Beneath the Great Wave’, features colourful woodblock ukiyo-e prints from Edo-period Japan, dating as far back as 1700s – including the iconic ‘Under the Wave off Kanagawa’.
It’s an easy shout if you fancy something different this week, oh and even better, it’s completely FREE to enter and look around.
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The Wizarding Adventure
East Lancashire Railway
Thursday 9 April
The Wizarding Adventure / Credit: ELR
The hugely popular wizard-themed steam train will be back travelling through Greater Manchester once again this week.
This is your chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’, where little Mancs can come together for a magical day of sharing spells and getting stuck into lots of magic-themed fun. Aspiring witches and wizards of all ages are invited to enrol in the spellbinding school of sorcery, as they take a ‘wacky and wonderful’ whistle stop tour through the ‘Irwell Valley of wonders’.
You’ll get to learn powerful incantations and perfect their wand-waving skills, all while using their imagination and learning how to soar through the skies on a broomstick.
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in March, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in April, 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. From mini tiramisu drawers, to Magnum-stuffed croissants, egg custard tarts, and more, we’ve been scoffing the lot.
Do you know about the ‘secret’ Italian produce cash-and-carry in Manchester city centre?
You’ve probably seen the grey trucks belonging to Amato Products all over Manchester, usually parked outside your favourite restaurants delivering premium ingredients to them, but this wholesaler has another trick up its sleeve… a miniature supermarket where you can pick up quality Italian produce for way less than your local Tesco.
Whether it’s guanciale, San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, burrata, unusual pasta shapes, pizza dough, pre-filled pasta, or even octopus you’re after, you’ll find it here.
Ever seen a full menu of Scotch eggs? We’re gonna guess not.
But that’s exactly what you’ll find over at The Davenport Arms.
There’s no greater duo than a pint and a Scotch egg, and now you can find the perfect pairing at a pub in Stockport. Known locally as The Thief’s Neck, The Davenport Arms has launched a whole menu of different homemade Scotch eggs, each served with its own matched condiments.
Not only is there a wide selection of savoury options, just as you’d expect, but did we mention there’s a dessert one too.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2023 
