What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 3 – 9 June 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th May 2024

The bank holiday weekend is behind us, we’ve welcomed a new month with open arms, and it’s really starting to feel like summer now.

The Greater Manchester social calendar featured the likes of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more all throughout the month of May, and now that June is here, thankfully, there’s loads more where that came from.

Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.

Here’s some of our recommendations.

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Operation Ouch! Food, poo, and you

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 3 – Sunday 9 June

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Operation Ouch! Food, poo, and you / Credit: Science Museum Group

This is your FINAL WEEK to catch the world-first exhibition running down at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester that’s giving families the chance to “dive headfirst into the digestive system” and “travel like a poo”.

The new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch!, is based on and will see the award-winning CBBC children’s TV series brought to life.

Visitors can expect interactive experiences, amazing objects from the Science Museum Group’s collection, and appearances from world-renowned doctors who will be on hand to guide audiences through this “lively, interactive, and playful adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies”.

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Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Disney’s Aladdin

Palace Theatre Manchester

Monday 3 June – 7 July

Disney’s Aladdin / Credit: ATG Tickets

The magic carpet has officially landed, as Disney’s smash-hit musical Aladdin is now here in Manchester for the summer.

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Based on the beloved 1992 animated film of the same name, and following several critically-acclaimed and sold-out runs on both Broadway and in London’s West End since it first debuted back in 2011, the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated production has taken to the stage down at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.

The musical features all the timeless songs we know and love from the film, and people are already describing it as a seriously magical show.

Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.

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The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition

Manchester Central Library

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Monday 3 June – onwards

The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied

Photography students from The Manchester College are now showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall.

150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.

More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.

Find out more here.

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Manchester Green Spaces Trail

Manchester & Salford

Monday 3 June – onwards

Manchester Green Spaces Trail / Credit: Carl Sukonik | Annapurna Mellor

Workers and visitors are being invited to discover some stunning outdoor spaces across Manchester city centre and beyond this summer.

Keen to get out and about on foot? Manchester has launched Manchester Green Spaces Trail – a brand-new walking trail celebrating the best green, blue, and outdoor areas the cities of Manchester and Salford have to offer.

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Created in collaboration with Manchester tour guide, Jonathan Schofield, the walking trail is free to do and accessible via a downloadable map, and it features 16 garden and water spaces.

Find out more here.

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Did you see that Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024?

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is already familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world.

But now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

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The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Read more here.

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Universally Manchester Festival

UoM

Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 June

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Universally Manchester Festival / Credit: UoM

More than 150 immersive events will be happening this weekend to mark 200 years since Manchester’s oldest university opened.

The University of Manchester was founded at its original Oxford Road campus base all the way back in 1824, and so, in a bid to properly celebrate 200 years of educating some of the country’s brightest young talents, a brand-new festival called Universally Manchester will kick off this Thursday.

Festivalgoers will be able to curate their very-own varied programme of activities over the four-day event – with everything from behind-the-scenes tours, theatre, comedy, art, poetry, computing, and so much more on the jam-packed lineup.

Find out everything you need to know about the festival here.

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Manchester Histories Festival 2024

Manchester City Centre

Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 June

Manchester Histories Festival 2024 / Credit: Manchester Histories

The multi award-winning Manchester Histories Festival is back for its ninth edition this weekend.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the city’s rich history at this free four-day festival full of events, with a packed programme including four new music world premieres, walk-about performances, family crafts workshops, live music, comedy, and public talks.

There’ll also be more than 50 history and heritage stalls, and hundreds of local people across Greater Manchester showcasing eclectic, historic, quirky, diverse, and fun entertainment.

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Find out more here.

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Parklife 2024

Heaton Park

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June

Parklife 2024 / Credit: Parklife

Parklife returns for 2024 this weekend.

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Having taken place at Heaton Park since 2013, when it outgrew its original home in Platt Fields Park, this year’s event will take place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June, and features an absolutely packed lineup of both local and global names lead by headliners Doja Cat, Disclosure, J Hus, and Becky Hill, alongside returning Parklife favourites like Peggy Gou and Four Tet, and so many more.

The massive party is attended by some 80,000 people each day, and is one of the biggest events in Manchester’s cultural calendar.

You can find out everything you need to know about Parklife 2024 here.

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A Lovely Weekend

Fairfield Social Club

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Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June

A Lovely Weekend / Credit: Fairfield Social Club

A brand-new comedy festival is set to take over one Manchester city centre’s newest arts venues this weekend.

Renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, and hotly-tipped newcomers, for a weekend full of comedy shows down Fairfield Social Club.

You can still get your hands on tickets for the exciting three-day festival.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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The 90s Brunch

Brickhouse Social

Saturday 8 June

The 90s Brunch / Credit: Brickhouse Social

Brickhouse Social has announced that it 90s-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 throughout the summer months – with a resident DJ playing all the best tunes from the 1990s.

Tickets will set you back £35pp, and there’s two Brunch sittings available, so you can opt for 1-3pm, or 3:30-5:30pm. 

Find out more and book your table here.

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GRUB Burger Food Fair 2024

GRUB

Sunday 9 June

GRUB Burger Food Fair / Credit: GRUB

GRUB’s much-loved annual Burger Food Fair is back for 2024, and there’s a whole host of Greater Manchester’s best independent traders set to serve up a foodie feast.

The Bhaji Boss, Saffa Soul, and Wholesome Junkies are just a few of the traders that’ll be bringing a special menu inspired by their own take on the humble burger on the one-day festival this weekend, and on top of that, there’ll also be a huge selection of sides, snacks, and specials to go along with it.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Featured Image – Science Museum Group | GRUB | Parklife

What's On

The full list of Greater Manchester Olympians representing Team GB at Paris 2024

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The Paris Olympics are nearly here and this year Greater Manchester happens to have eight athletes competing at the 2024 Summer Games.

It just so happens that eight is also the exact same number of local Olympians who brought home medals from Tokyo 2020, and we’re hoping these lot will help Team GB bring back a record number, with the previous competition seeing them match their all-time record (65) set at London 2012.

Honestly, there are few times in the year that we love as much as when the summer of sport fully kicks in and with the heartbreak of the Euros finally starting to drift, we can fully throw ourselves into the Olympics and get behind our Mancs flying the flag for 0161.

But who exactly is representing Greater Manchester at Paris 2024 and what events are they competing in? Look no further.

Greater Manchester’s 2024 Team GB athletes and their sports

Without further ado, let’s meet our local Olympic heroes:

Keely Hodgkinson – Wigan – Athletics

Starting out over in the home of the Latics, pie barms and The Verve, we have Wigan‘s very own Keely Hodgkinson: a two-time European champion who also recently broke the all-time British record in the 800m at the Diamond League in London on 20 July.

Born in Atherton, the 22-year-old middle-distance runner’s career is already off to a flyer and having already picked up the silver in her event at the last Olympics at just 19, we have every faith she’ll be bringing home the gold this time.

Aimee Pratt – Stockport – Athletics

Over to Stockport (don’t start with that Cheshire nonsense today, just be proud she’s from around here) and our 3000m steeplechase specialist, who already broke the national record twice in 2022 and produced the UK’s best-ever finish (7th) in the women’s event at the World Athletics Championships.

A long-standing member of Sale Harriers running club and a University of Manchester graduate, Aimee Pratt, 26, has got so much local backing behind her and has quickly gone from rising star to very much looking like she’s going to live up to the expectations of becoming ‘world-class’ as coaches predicted.

Hannah Kelly – Bury – Athletics

The third and final Manc representing us in athletics events is Bury-born and bred Hannah Kelly, 23, who is also a member of nearby Bolton United Harriers.

She was part of the crack team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow that helped Great Britain reach a women’s 4x400m national record, picking up the bronze medal and will no doubt be looking to go on further in her Olympic debut.

Patrick Brown – Sale – Boxing

Now into the world of combat sport and the incredible story of Trafford boxer Pat Brown’s journey to Paris 2024 who beat Poland’s Mateusz Bereznicki in a qualifier back in March and now finds himself heading to his first-ever appearance at the Olympics.

Coming through the ranks at his local clubs Moss Side Fire Station and Sale West ABC, the 24-year-old has gone through his fair share of challenges of late, losing his best friend and cousin shortly after sealing his place at the Games but now has more spirit and motivation behind him than ever.

Manchester boxer Patrick Brown qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics
Read more HERE.

Charlotte Worthington – Chorlton – Freestyle BMX

Moving over to the world of cycling and there’s just one local name taking part in two-wheeled events this year: 28-year-old sensation, Charlotte Worthington, from just down the road in Chorlton.

One of the select few Team GB athletes who managed to pick up an Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the BMX star is not only ready to defend her title – becoming the first women’s champion freestyle park champion in history – but is looking to come back stronger than ever after some time out.

Insane stuff.

Anthony Harding – Ashton-under-Lyne – Diving

On to those wading through Paris waters in the name of Manchester, the first of two aquatic athletes competing at this year’s tournament is Antony Harding from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside.

Joining forces will Britain’s first-ever Olympic diving champion, Jack Laugher (who won the gold at Rio 2016), the duo have already brought home Commonwealth and European gold in the 3m synchro, as well as a pair of World Championship silver medals in the last two years. Is 2024 set for more gold?

James Guy – Bury – Swimming

And completing the water-bound Team GB athletes hailing from 0161 is multiple-gold medal-winner James Guy who, to use a phrase the kids are using, really is ‘that guy‘.

Another Bury native, the 27-year-old swimmer already has a big collection of gold medals in both the 200m and 4x200m freestyle at the Worlds, as well as silvers across multiple events over the past few years. With five Olympic medals in total to date, we’re desperate for him to add a gold to that list.

Georgia Taylor-Brown – Droyslden – Triathlon

Last but certainly not least is Droyslden’s Georgia Taylor-Brown, who was born to be an Olympian after her mum and Dad swam and ran, respectively, but continues to chase her own story of greatness, having picked up silver on her Olympics debut at Tokyo 2020 – even whilst nursing an injury.

With two golds at the 2019 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series and AJ Bell World Triathlon in Leeds as well, we already know the colour looks good on her. You can listen to her full interview about going for gold yet again on BBC Sounds HERE but, for now, we’ll admit that her talking about coping with missing her dog come race time has made us love her even more:

Read more:

Fingers crossed out Greater Manchester Olympians will absolutely smash it at Paris 2024 and regardless of how many medals they come home with, we already know they’ll give it their all.

No matter what, they’ll be welcomed back with a lovely homecoming party over at the AO Arena and we already have a great place to watch the events too.

Best of luck to our Mancs and all of Team GB – now go and do us proud!

Manchester to host FREE official Olympics fanzone with big screen this summer

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Erik van Leeuwen/Team GB/Pat Brown (via IG)/YouTube (via screenshot)

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 July – 4 August 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It feels like we’ve been saying this for weeks on end… but summer might actually be here now.

Although the weather’s been quite hit or miss as of late, now that little Mancs across our region have broken up for the school holidays, and August is arriving this week too, it’s hard to deny that the sunshine season is here.

Greater Manchester‘s social calendar is packed full of festivals, cultural celebrations, and wholesome family-friendly events especially for the summer too, but if you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, don’t worry, as 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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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 29 July – onwards

Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group

More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.

The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.

The best bit? It’s absolutely FREE to attend, and advanced tickets are available to book on the Museum’s website now.

Find out more and book tickets here.

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Dinosaurs in the Park

Heaton Park

Monday 29 July – Sunday 4 August

Dinosaurs in the Park
Dinosaurs in the Park
Dinosaurs in the Park / Credit: Supplied

Manchester has been transformed into “a palaeontologist’s playground”.

Back by popular demand, dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have descended on the grounds of Heaton Park for the summer, and this means our region has become the closest thing to Jurassic Park in real life.

Dino fans of all ages have the chance to get up close and personal with around 40 of the big beasts over the next couple of weeks.

Find out more and get yourself some tickets here.

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Batman Unmasked

Depot Mayfield

Monday 29 July – 26 August

Batman’s Tumbler Batmobile, made famous by The Dark Knight, arrives in Trafalgar Square ahead of Batman Day and launch of Batman Unmasked, an immersive pop-up opening tomorrow for three days
Batman Unmasked / Credit: DC (via Supplied)

Did you see that a huge Batman experience has now swooped into Manchester?

Having taken over Depot Mayfield in the city centre, and offering fans a chance to see real jaw-dropping props and costumes from the actual Warner Bros. archives, this exclusive event brings the cinematic world of Batman to life.

Through a series of themed rooms, exhibitions, and a comic book and gaming area, Batman Unmasked is packed full of items from this iconic character’s film history.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Bright Lights, Big Fun!

Trafford Centre

Monday 29 July – 1 September

Bright Lights, Big Fun! / Credit: Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre’s massively-popular summer celebration is back, and tickets are only £2.50 each.

Back by popular demand for plenty of family fun, only this time with a new name, Bright Lights, Big Fun has seen a retro fairground and a massive 600sqm beach perfect for sunbathing and sandcastles pop up outside the Greater Manchester shopping centre, alongside a splash park with loads of water jets, and so much more.

There’s also a yummy selection of food and drink traders on site to take your pick from if you’re feeling peckish after getting stuck into some fun and games.

Find out more and get yourself some £2.50 tickets here.

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Wild

Manchester Museum

Monday 29 July – onwards

Wild / Credit: Manchester Museum

A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.

‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.

The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.

Find out more and grab your FREE tickets here.

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Did you see that John Rylands Library has been named one of the best free UK attractions families should visit this summer?

The historic Grade-I listed building on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre has claimed a coveted fourth spot on a new top 10 list, according to a new analysis of TripAdvisor ratings of free UK attractions.

With the summer break right around the corner now, plenty of parents, carers, and guardians across Greater Manchester will likely be looking for a ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while schools are out for six full weeks – especially ways that are Manchester weather-proof and don’t break the bank too much too.

In fact, internet searches for ‘free tourist attractions near me’ are said to have risen by +5000% over the past 30 days.

John Rylands houses one of the UK’s most unique collections of books and manuscripts, and was found to have an average five-star TripAdvisor rating of 75.2%, according to the study – with visitors describing it as “definitely worth the visit”.

Find out why it’s featured in the top 10 here.

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Olympics 2024 – Official Team GB Fanzone

Spinningfields

Monday 29 July – Sunday 11 August

Olympics 2024 – Official Team GB Fanzone / Credit: Team GB

Manchester is one of a handful on UK cities chosen by Team GB itself to host an official Olympics fanzone with a big screen this summer, and the best part of it all is, it’s absolutely free for everyone to enter and make the most of.

A big screen playing all the major sporting action and coverage highlights has been set up at The Lawn Club in Spinningfields.

This means that, for the next couple of weeks, sports lovers in the city centre are able to tuck into an all-day food and drinks lineup, all while they watch the Games surrounded by other equally-enthusiastic fans.

Find out more here.

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The Great Summer Social

Cheshire Oaks

Monday 29 July – onwards

The Great Summer Social / Credit: Cheshire Oaks

Cheshire Oaks has brought its popular The Great Summer Social event back for another year, and there’s currently loads to get involved with while schools are out.

Not only is there a bunch of retail offers and promotions to make the most of, as well as free family-friendly interactive activities to get involved with too, but there’s also a big wheel, a mini golf course, a big screen showing sporting events, DJs blasting out tunes, and a wide variety of street food and drink vendors across the Designer Outlet.

Find out more here.

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Kargo on the Docks

MediaCity

Tuesday 30 July – onwards

Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied

One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.

‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.

Find out more and see who’s pitched up here.

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NEW OPENING – Rudy’s Altrincham

Did you see that legendary pizzeria Rudy’s has opened its seventh Greater Manchester site over in Altrincham this past week?

Rudy's in Altrincham is serving up classic Neapolitan pizzas. Credit: The Manc Group
Antipasti platters at the new Rudy's Altrincham. Credit: The Manc Group
NEW OPENING – Rudy’s Altrincham / Credit: The Manc Group

The wildly popular Manchester-born brand has taken over the former OneCentral food court in the heart of the town, and the new site’s been kitted out in classic Rudy’s style, filled with hanging plants, exposed brick, chalkboard menus, and colourful wooden tables.

And of course, the menu shows off classic Neapolitan pizzas.

Favourites include classics like Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese, plus more modern combos like triple pepperoni with burrata and hot honey, as well as rotating specials.

Find out more here.

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Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Trafford Centre

Friday 2 August – onwards

Jurassic World: The Exhibition / Credit: Supplied

Greater Manchester just can’t get enough of dinosaurs, apparently, as A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world is arriving here in Manchester for the summer from this Friday.

Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.

Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Find out more and grab ticket here.

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Little HOME Festival

HOME

Friday 2 – Sunday 4 August

Little HOME Festival / Credit: HOME MCR

A free festival with a lineup packed full of activities, workshops, live music, and more is coming to HOME this weekend.

The independent arts venue in the heart of Manchester city centre is inviting familie to the first of its two weekend-long festivals this Saturday and Sunday to get stuck into everything from interactive theatre and circus skills workshops, to dance, hands-on crafts, and so much more.

Find out more here.

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Day Out With Thomas

East Lancashire Railway

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 August

Day Out With Thomas / Credit: ELR

Everyone’s favourite little blue engine has once again made a long-awaited return to Greater Manchester for the summer.

The beloved Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.

Families will have the chance to hop onboard the East Lancashire Railway’s replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns this weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.

Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.

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Featured Image – Jurassic World: The Experience | The Manc Group | HOME MCR

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