What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 30 December 2024 – 5 January 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th December 2024

Can you believe it’s time to say goodbye to 2024, and welcome in 2025 this week?

The presents have been opened, the mince pies eaten, and you may have even taken down your tree too, but while all the fun of the festive season may’ve been and gone by now, this doesn’t mean there isn’t lots of things to look forward to in 2025, as Greater Manchester‘s events calendar already seems very exciting.

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 to help you out.

Here’s some of our recommendations.

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Skate Manchester 2024

Cathedral Gardens

Monday 30 December 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025

Skate Manchester 2024 / Credit: Matt Eachus (via Supplied)

Skate Manchester is festive staple, and this is your last few days to get on the ice.

This year, skaters can glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink.

Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Bar Hütte

Kampus & Great Northern

Monday 30 & Tuesday 31 December

Bar Hütte / Credit: Supplied

Bar Hütte’s legendary karaoke cabins are back in Manchester once again.

Bringing Alpine vibes, cosy furnishings, twinkling lights, live music sessions, and flowing drinks to two city centre locations from this Thursday onwards, dozens of cosy private hüttes neatly-positioned under twinkling lights are now open down at both Kampus and Great Northern Square.

There’s also a handful of other events on the lineup throughout the festive season, including live music and DJs, wreath making workshops, and movie nights.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Wicked The Musical

Palace Theatre Manchester

Monday 30 December 2024 – Sunday 12 January 2025

Wicked at the Palace Theatre, Manchester - the musical EVERYONE is talking about
Wicked The Musical / Credit: Jennifer DiNoia / Limited Engagement

Wicked The Musical has landed in Manchester and has taken over the iconic Palace Theatre stage for the festive season.

Sure, there may be a major motion picture adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande currently on in the cinema right now, but if you’re keen to see the beloved musical production on stage in the way it was originally intended, then you can head on down to the Palace Theatre to see the story of Elphaba and Galinda live.

Of course, this has been one of the hottest tickets in town for quite a while now, but there’ll still some last-minute seats left to get your hands on, so keep your eyes peeled.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Winter Holiday Programme

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 30 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Winter Holiday Programme / Credit: Science Museum Group

One of Manchester’s most popular museums has been transformed into an immersive ‘Light Lab’ for the festive season.

This is your chance to escape the cold and brighten up the winter holidays with an adventure though light and colour, as the Science and Industry Museum is currently running its full festive events programme and there’s loads to get involved with.

You can also explore a gaming extravaganza, and be engrossed by festive-themed science shows at the city centre-based museum this December.

Find out more about all the events here.

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Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Trafford Centre

Monday 30 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Jurassic World: The Exhibition / Credit: Supplied

A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world has now arrived here in Greater Manchester, and it’s recently been announced that it’ll be sticking around until the new year.

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 some tickets here.

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Wild

Manchester Museum

Monday 30 December – 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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Looking for some ways to see in the new year?

Across each of Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs, there’s plenty of ways to welcome in 2025, but we’d be here all day if we tried to list them all, so instead, we’ve decided to just share a few with you – including fireworks, countdowns, and more.

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Manchester’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks

St Peter’s Square

Tuesday 31 December

Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester
Manchester’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks / Credit: Chris Curry | designecologist (via Unsplash)

Manchester city centre is hosting one of its famous fireworks displays to “say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new” this year.

Families from all across Greater Manchester are invited to the “fun-filled event” from 10pm.

This year’s end of the year celebration marks the first time St Peter’s Square has been used for the New Year countdown event, and also the first time that New Year fireworks will be let off from the roof of Manchester Central Library.

Find out more about the FREE event here, and check out all the road closures and parking suspensions that will be in place on the night here.

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Fireworks Extravaganza

Mayfield Park & Freight Island

Tuesday 31 December

Fireworks Extravaganza / Credit: Freight Island

Freight Island is taking New Year’s Eve into its own hands and kicking 2025 off with a bang by hosting a big fireworks display to remember.

Taking place in Mayfield Park as soon as dusk hits, there’ll be lots of family-friendly festivities – including free sparklers and marshmallow roasting for the little ones to enjoy as midnight nears – all before a spectacular 12-minute firework display lights up the night sky above Manchester to welcome in the new year.

Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.

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Featured Image – Bar Hutte | Chris Curry | Skate Manchester

What's On

A huge house and disco music festival is taking place just on the border of Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones House and Vocal Disco Brunch music festival Wilmslow 2025 lineup

Not ready for Oasis fever or festival season to be over? Well, lucky for you, there’s still plenty more live music happening this summer – and if you’re into your house, electronic, disco and dance music, there’s an event happening just outside of 0161 next weekend.

Fancy a little trip out to Cheshire?

Yes, over in the lovely suburb of Wilmslow, the increasingly popular House and Vocal Disco Fest returns for 2025, promising plenty of energy, loads of local food and drink vendors, as well as non-stop tunage all day long.

Speaking ahead of their comeback this year, the organisers say: “Whether you’re reliving the glory days of clubland or discovering disco classics for the first time, House & Vocal Disco Fest 2025 is set to
deliver the ultimate summer soundtrack.”

Hosted at the Phoenix Sports Club (no, as funny as it would be, there’s no connection to Peter Kay or Paddy McGuinness) near Styal, only a short drive from the town centre,

Booked for this year’s festival is chart-topping headliner DJ and Kiss FM presenter, Majestic, best known for his huge remixes and viral house hits.

Speaking of which, local artist, producer and co-creator Jon Fitz, who has recently opened his own bar, Fizpatrick’s in the heart of Stockport, will also be performing 20 years on from the release of his timeless classic, ‘I Just Can’t Get Enough’.

Legendary DJ Allister Whitehead and fellow veteran, Lifford – the velvety voice behind many
soulful house music favourites – will also be alongside Fitz and co. as they turn those old market village vibes into one big dancefloor.

Like so…

Excited to get back behind the decks, Fitz told The Manc: “Now in our third year — and our biggest yet — we’re bringing something truly spectacular to Cheshire. People can expect boutique vibes, intimate energy. This isn’t just a festival, it’s an experience. House & Vocal do things differently”

Once again, festival-goers can expect a day packed with uplifting tunes, a feel-good North West crowd living it large not too far from Greater Manchester, as well as all the perks of a local boutique festival setup too.

Taking place on Saturday, 26 July at Wilmslow Phoenix Sports Club from 12 noon until late, all early bird and VIP passes have sold out, but general admission is still available for £38.75 – and that’s including your booking fees.

You can find out more on House and Vocal Disco Fest 2025, as well as grab your tickets, right HERE.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — House & Vocal Brunch (supplied)

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 21 – 27 July 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Schools are out, summer is here, and Manchester looks stunning in the sunshine.

The dust may finally be settling following Oasis’ nostalgia-filled run of gigs at Heaton Park, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun is over with across Greater Manchester, in fact, it’s just getting started and there’s plenty happening this week – from festivals, and themed events, tp new foodie openings, family fun, and loads more.

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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Music for the Senses

Manchester City Centre

Monday 21 July – onwards

Music for the Senses
Music for the Senses / Credit: David Oates Photography

An all-new multi-sensory art exhibition has taken over the streets of the city centre this summer.

The new exhibition, which is titled Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, is a collaboration between global art producer Wild in Art – the creators of the famous Bee in the City project – and Manchester City Council.

It’ll be running across the city centre until the end of August, and there’ll be more than 80 artworks, murals, mosaics, and installations to see.

Check out the full lineup here.

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MCR Live ’25

Manchester City Centre

Monday 21 July – onwards

MCR Live ’25 / Credit: MCC

A massive music-filled takeover of Manchester has now arrived ahead of 1.3 million music tourists descending on the city centre this summer.

MCR Live ’25 is celebrating what promises to be a sensational summer of sound.

There’s everything from a pop-up bar in Piccadilly Gardens with surprise live acts doing sets, and markets in St Peter’s Square selling vinyl and vintage goods, to block parties in the Northern Quarter, and the already-announced Music for the Senses art trail dotted around all the well-known city centre sights.

Find out everything happening here.

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Summer of Senses

Science and Industry Museum

Saturday 19 July – 31 August

Summer of Senses / Credit: Science Museum Group

The Science and Industry Museum has got a spectacular summer holiday programme packed with all sorts of things to be getting up to, making it one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle with your little ones in the city centre this summer.

At the heart of it all, you can explore the world of senses inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition, Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.  

With events running up until 31 August, whether it’s disco dancing around a giant brain, unveiling the science behind optical illusions, or journeying through a giant ear canal, there’s something for everyone during the museum’s ‘sense-sational’ summer.

Find out more here.

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Loads To Do

Greater Manchester

Monday 21 July – onwards

Loads To Do / Credit: Artem Kniaz | Yan Krukau (via Unsplash & Pexels)

Thousands of free activities have been planned by Manchester City Council ready for local families to take part in this summer.

A many parents, carers, and guardians will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks before the new term starts, the Council has relaunched its popular Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) to help keep little Mancs active during the summer break.

From arts and crafts, to sporting events and plenty other physical activities, there is a whole host of entertaining things for everyone to get involved with, no matter your budget, making sure no one gets bored over the holidays.

Find out everything happening here.

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Summer Fair 2025

Trafford Centre

Monday 21 August – 31 August

Summer Fair 2025 / Credit: Trafford Centre

A beach, splash park, fairground rides, and loads more family fun has returned to the Trafford Centre for the summer.

After proving to be massively-popular over the past couple of years, with thousands of families travelling from across Greater Manchester and beyond to bask in the sunshine and make the most of all the fun and games, the Trafford Centre has welcomed back its Summer Fair for 2025.

And this year, the beloved event has got itself a new family activity zone, and it sounds set to be bigger and better than ever.

The best bit? Tickets will only set you back just £3 each.

Find out more here.

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UEFA Women’s Euro 2025

National Football Museum

Monday 21 July – onwards

England women's football
National Football Museum
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 / Credit: Molly Darlington / The FA (via England on Facebook) | Wikimedia Commons

England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches are being shown on big screens for free in Manchester this summer.

As England women’s national football team look to retain their title and continue to build on their ever-growing success as one of the best national football teams in the world, Manchester’s National Football Museum is hosting a series of family-friendly watch parties after hours for the UEFA Women’s Euros this summer.

Not only are matches being shown in all their glory for free on a big screen, but there’s also an on-site bar, and even the option to pre-order pizza ahead of time to feast on while you’re watching the action.

Find out more about the viewing parties at the National Football Museum here.

Keen to catch the football somewhere else instead?

Manchester is a city synonymous with sport, and football is arguably what we’re best at, so of course there’s plenty of other places screening the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 this summer.

Check out our round-up here.

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SmileyWorld® Art Trail

Stockport

Monday 21 July – onwards

SmileyWorld® Art Trail
SmileyWorld® Art Trail
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography

Stockport has transformed into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail has taken over the town.

Visitors should get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail is making its North West debut and taking over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.

The trail is created by trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld.

Everything you need to know is here.

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Oasis Fans – 1994-1997

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Monday 21 July – onwards

Oasis Fans exhibition
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 / Credit: Jon Shard (via Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & British Culture Archive)

A new free photography exhibition showing never-before-seen pictures of Oasis fans from the 90s is still open in Manchester.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s new free exhibition takes music fans on a trip down memory lane.

Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 showcases a series of exclusive photographs by renowned photographer, Jon Shard, to the public for the first time ever, opening the door to a world before online sales, dynamic ticket pricing, and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town. 

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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Screen on the Square

New Jackson

Monday 21 July – onwards

Screen on the Square will take place on The Square at the base of Deansgate Square towers
Screen on the Square / Credit: Renaker

A free open-air cinema has arrived Manchester city centre for the summer.

With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline, Screen on The Square the go-to hangout for Mancs this summer, as audiences can recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views, and watch everything from classic and family films, to music, sporting events, and so much more.

It’s launched down at New Jackson – Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.

Find out what’s being screened this week here.

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NEW OPENING – Arc’teryx

New Cathedral Street

NEW OPENING / Arc’teryx

Adventure awaits, as premium outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx has now opened its first UK store outside of London right here in Manchester city centre, and it’s set up shop on the swanky New Cathedral Street.

Inside the brand new two-storey retail space, shoppers will find everything they need for their outdoor adventures – whether it’s hiking, climbing, or snow sports. 

The new store is packed with technical, high-performance outerwear and equipment, from footwear, packs and accessories to Arc’teryx harnesses you can try out in-store. 

Find out more here.

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NEW OPENING – Three Rooms by Platzki

Didsbury

NEW OPENING – Three Rooms by Platzki / Credit: The Manc Group

Three is definitely the magic number.

Platzki is already known and loved here in Manchester city centre, serving up some of the most authentic Polish cuisine from their little restaurant on Deansgate – but over Didsbury is their newest addition to the dining scene.

Three Rooms by Platzki is a real treat, bringing a modern twist on traditional Polish dishes to the suburbs, all with a splash of global flavour.

From their signature Platzki pancakes with whipped feta, to pulled duck pampushky buns, and punchy cocktails to match, this cosy three-floor spot is made for lingering.

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NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester

Market Street

NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester

adidas has made its big return to Manchester, and it’s back on Market Street where it belongs.

Spanning two floors, the new space delivers the best of both worlds, as downstairs is a full-on Oasis takeover with memorabilia, rare archive pieces, and custom shirt printing, but if you head upstairs, and it’s all about  adidas Originals – terrace culture, football heritage, and iconic streetwear. 

To mark the launch of their new flagship store, adidas has actually teamed up with Oasis for a one-off collab celebrating 30 years of iconic style, music, and legacy. 

The limited-edition 26-piece drop brings together classic 90s silhouettes with a fresh twist including bucket hats, Firebird tracksuits, jerseys and more.

Find out more here.

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Stories – Brought To Life

MediaCityUK

Monday 21 July – 31 August

Stories – Brought To Life / Credit: The Manc Group

A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition has arrived in Salford.

The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative has opened at MediaCity, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.

Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period, and will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.

Visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I, and William Shakespeare.

Find out more here.

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Kargo on the Docks

MediaCityUK

Tuesday 22 July – onwards

Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh

Kargo on the Docks is back for the summer.

MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again 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.

A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.

Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.

Find out more here.

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Manchester Day 2025

Manchester City Centre

Saturday 26 July

Manchester Day 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council

Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this weekend, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.

Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.

Aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’ Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.

From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.

Find out everything happening this Saturday here.

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Featured Image – Manchester City Council | The Manc Group | Renaker

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