We’re leaving May behind and saying hello to June with what is a jam-packed week full of events right across our region.
Not only is summer nearly upon us, but it’s the extended bank holiday weekend for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and it’s the start of half term in Greater Manchester, so there’s plenty to be getting up to this week, and we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, 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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Amazônia
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 30 May – onwards
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Amazônia / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
A critically-acclaimed photography exhibition has officially opened in Manchester as part of its international tour.
In what is the first UK exhibition of this scale outside of London for over 20 years from the world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, the Science and Industry Museum has will welcomed Amazônia – a major photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest.
In what is the first UK exhibition of this scale outside of London for over 20 years from the world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, the Science and Industry Museum has will welcomed Amazônia – a major photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and breathtaking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest.
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Salgado worked in the Amazon for seven years with 12 different indigenous communities, and the result is an incredible collection of powerful photographs that present his vision of a forest that is approaching a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change, the Museum says.
A new national collection that’s dedicated to “the preservation and research of popular culture” has now opened in Manchester city centre.
The British Pop Archive (BPA) has been created by the University of Manchester (UoM) and has opened at the iconic John Rylands Library on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre, with the aim of celebrating British popular music and other aspects of popular culture to recognise its “pivotal influence” on the world stage.
Featuring “iconic items” relating to quintessential British bands, legendary UK television, youth culture, counter-culture, and more that have set trends around the globe, the BPA will be an important academic resource for research and teaching, UoM says.
It’ll also be public resource for exhibitions and public events that’s open to all.
It’s been 65 million years since dinosaurs last roamed the earth, but The Pavillion Garden in Buxton will see the beats roaming through its parkland once more as 2022’s “most roarsome experience” has arrived.
Running right through until 12 June, the event will feature 50+ animatronic creatures, including two life-sized T-Rex beasts, which roar and snarl at passers by, and family favourites such as a Pterosaurs that shriek from the trees and a 15m tall Brachiosaurus guarding her eggs.
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The event makes for the perfect family day out in the picturesque Peak District, and tickets are now available.
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is giving all people named Elizabeth a ride for free through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
From the 30 May – 2 June, Elizabeths can ride on all trains and services along the ELR line for free of charge, and get the chance to explore some of the hidden gems along the Irwell Valley – including pubs, restaurants, and so much more.
The heritage railway is opening its doors to Elizabeths ahead of its Jubilee bash Friday 3rd – Sunday 5 June, which will feature special performances from the era during the long weekend, with each station along the line celebrating in true 1940s / 50s fashion with food, vintage stalls, and live music from local acts.
May Half Term / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
Little Mancs will get the chance to discover how Manchester has kept the world moving through a range of transport-themed activities this half term.
With the next school holidays right around the corner, Manchester’s very-own Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre is making sure the region’s children are kept entertained, engaged, and educated as always through a number of dedicated hands-on workshops and activities.
Kids will be given the chance to design and make their own moving machines, before putting their creations to the test to see how fast and far they go.
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They’ll also be given the chance to hear some of the inspirational stories of the Museum’s historic site and the vehicles that passed through there.
Hatch is hosting its very own ‘Street Party’ over the Jubilee weekend, with a platinum line up of the best events all taking place under one roof over.
Kicking off on Wednesday 1 June and running right through to Sunday 5 June, as with any street party, the Oxford Road venue will be adorned with bunting and party decorations to get everyone in the royal mood, and partygoers can expect everything from a raft of the best DJs to live music, street food, so much more.
Street Party Bottomless Brunch / Credit: Joshua Brooks
Popular city centre venue Joshua Brooks is hosting a Queen’s Jubilee-themed Street Party Bottomless Brunch this week, and it includes the choice of one main from all-day kitchen favourites like burgers, burritos, and halloumi dippers, and combines them with 90-minutes of bottomless drinks.
Taking place on Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 June from 12pm-5pm, there’ll also be teacakes and prosecco on arrival.
Tickets will set you back £25 per person, and you can make a booking here.
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Manchester Flower Show
Manchester City Centre
Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June
Manchester Flower Show 2022 / Credit: City Co & Manchester BID
The city will bloom into life this as the Manchester Flower Show makes its return, and this year, it will have a very special Jubilee Trail as part of the celebrations.
With this year’s event landing on the same weekend as the Queen’s Jubilee, a new celebratory trail commissioned by Manchester BID, and visitors will be able to walk around 10 flower displays inspired by the Queen, marking her 70 years of service – with everything from a giant floral bee, to a classic red phone box bursting with blooms on the lineup.
Beyond the official trail, shop windows, squares and statues will also be given botanical makeovers to mark another Manchester Flower Show.
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There will also be al fresco food and drink, and plenty of activities and entertainment.
Northern kids of the 80s, 90s, and 00s can truly revisit their youth, as the abandoned Camelot Theme Park in Chorley has gone back to its days of Arthurian legend for the new Summer Knights drive-in cinema and entertainment attraction this summer.
Some of the film highlights in the genre-diverse lineup include Insidious, Superbad, The Greatest Showman, Anchorman, Dirty Dancing, Disney’s newest smash-hit, Encanto, and so much more.
There’s also be a fully-licensed bar and a number of street food vendors on site to choose from to make it a truly magical night.
Cloudwater X Levanter – The Queer Ju-Beer-lee Festival Bank Holiday
KAMPUS
Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June
Cloudwater x Levanter / Credit: KAMPUS | Cloudwater Brewery
Manchester’s neighbourhood KAMPUS will play host a solid ten weeks of back-to-back block parties from its canalside garden, with each weekend seeing guest DJs take to the decks to spin tunes from different corners of the world – and this weekend’s event is celebrating the Queer Ju-Beer-lee Festival bank holiday.
Free-flowing beer will come courtesy of Manchester brewery Cloudwater, and food will be provided by Ramsbottom favourites Levanter serving up tapas, giant paella, and charcuterie boards aplenty.
This weekend, you can expect to celebrate the best of British in honour of Queen Liz, with arty bags and a street party at the ready, pouring fresh beer from the Queer Brewing Project.
Jubilee Tea Dance Jive / Credit: The Trafford Centre
The Trafford Centre will come alive with performances to bring together all age groups, who will perform contemporary and traditional tea dances.
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style, this lively and heart-warming entertainment will be performed to iconic numbers including Elton John, Spice Girls and Queen on Thursday 2 June between 1pm-3pm by the Miss Joanne Farnell School of Dancing on the main stage located in The Orient.
It will be open to members of the public to watch and enjoy.
You can find out more here.
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Cheshire Fest
Knutsford
Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June
Cheshire Fest / Credit: Cheshire Fest
Bongo’s Bingo, a craft beer festival, and a big Jubilee-themed street party are just some of the things to expect when at Cheshire Fest.
Taking place at a brand-new Knutsford location, The Lambing Shed at Moseley Hall Farm, Cheshire Fest is returning after a two-year hiatus this Jubilee bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June, with everything from live music, a Big Top circus, a street food fair, a wide range of family-friendly entertainment, and a headline performance from Liverpool band The Zutons on the lineup.
Festival organisers say the 2022 lineup is “definitely the best we have ever had”.
Manchester’s highest restaurant and bar, 20 Stories, is inviting people to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at its British-themed garden party on the stunning 19th floor roof terrace at No.1 Spinningfields.
From 2pm – 4pm on Thursday 2 June, there will be live music from the resident DJ and a quintessentially-British afternoon tea served alongside stunning views of the city’s skyline, which includes a selection of sandwiches, signature cakes and desserts, such as a pornstar martini cheesecake, and a cherry, pistachio and tonka bean jaffa cake.
Guests can also enjoy drinks and dishes from the 20 Stories’ Terrace Menu too.
A new clubnight will see the awe-inspiring Manchester Cathedral turned into a 360-degree dance floor this Friday.
The event comes from JBM Music and Fever, who will turn the medieval cathedral into a haven for house and techno music, with a DJ booth set up in the centre of the Grade I-listed building and revellers dancing on the marble floors all sides.
John Digweed has been confirmed to play an extended three-hour set at the historic party.
Tickets are priced at £28, and you can grab yours here.
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ManiFest
The Oast House
Friday 3 June
ManiFest / Credit: The Oast House
One of the most popular city centre venues is back with another edition of its free music festival this Jubilee bank holiday.
The Oast House has launched a brand-new music festival, and it kicked-off for the first time over the extended Easter bank holiday weekend, with a full day of tunes provided by local musicians throughout the one-day event – and now, it’s back once again for the upcoming Jubilee bank holiday on Friday 3 June.
The festival, which is named ManiFest, takes over The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace area, with a dedicated stage set up, street food, and free-flowing drinks.
Jubilee Street Party / Credit: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
One of Manchester’s grandest hotels is celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a rather unique event this week.
A whole host of Manchester’s best DJs and bands will descend onto The Refuge’s terrace on Friday 3 June to celebrate in royal style. Curated by The Refuge team, the Jubilee Street Party will showcase a diverse range of up-and-coming talent, alongside established names from around the city and beyond playing music with a tongue-in-cheek nod to the royal family from 1-10pm.
It’s not all about the live entertainment though, as partygoers can also expect to tuck into an array of different street party nibbles and a themed cocktail menu fit for a queen.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 27 October – 2 November 2025
Emily Sergeant
We’ve made it – it’s spooky season’s spookiest week of them all.
Can you believe we’re leaving October behind this week? It may be the holiday of the dead, but Greater Manchester really comes alive around Halloween, and 2025 is absolutely no different as there’s loads to do this week – especially as schools across the region are now broken up for October half term too.
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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MCR Monsters 2025
Manchester City Centre
Monday 27 – Friday 31 October
MCR Monsters / Credit: CityCo & Manchester BID
The MCR Monsters are back once again, and you’ve got the rest of this week to get yourselves out there to find them all.
Part of the annual wider ‘Halloween in the City’ events lineup, just as they have been doing for the past few years now, giant inflatable monsters will be looming and creeping over buildings across the city centre this week to transform some of our most well-known landmarks with tentacles and googly eyes and pointy teeth for a free trail.
There’s dozens of monsters to spot around town this year, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you.
Find out where all the monsters will be this year here.
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Pumpkin Lanterns
Manchester City Centre
Monday 27 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID
Have you noticed that Manchester’s adorable little pumpkin lanterns have already started popping up around the city?
If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween, but want to keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again.
Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan, and great for pictures – and it’s free too.
Halloween Ghost Trains / Credit: East Lancashire Railway
East Lancashire Railway’s popular Halloween Ghost Trains are back this week.
Always proving to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for ‘loads of spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around, those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
You’ll get to meet lots of ‘oddballs and curios’ along the way, including Count Brian the vampire, Veronica the witch, Zombie Bob, and the mad Dr Frankenburger as you board the rain ride of a lifetime.
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the October sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival has officially kicked off and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
Feeling brave? Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience in the lead up to Halloween.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
Dare you enter the haunted Big Top? Gandeys Circus is back at the Trafford Centre, and is bringing along with it a brand-new spine-chilling and action-packed Halloween Spooktacular.
This legendary show will be filled with frights, delights, and dazzling sights for the whole family.
Prepare for jaw-dropping thrill acts that will leave you gasping, grand production numbers bursting with eerie enchantment, and of course, plenty of laughter and screams along the way, as this is Halloween entertainment like you’ve never seen before.
Want to know what other Halloween-themed events are happening at the Trafford Centre throughout this spooky season?
Spooky season is here, and the Trafford Centre announced its lineup of Halloween activities to get stuck into, and from creepy crafts, to hair-raising rides and eerie evening entertainment, there’s something for every brave soul.
A Halloween trail has returned Quarry Bank Mill for one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful seasonal events.
Returning for a second year, after proving to be an unforgettable experience for all ages in 2024, this year’s Halloween at Quarry Bank again features spooky light installations, a mesmerising laser garden, and a thrilling fire show, as well as live performances, and seasonal food and drink.
Fog will swirl through the paths around the grounds, as glowing demon eyes watch over passers-by and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees, and if you’re brave enough, the trail then heads inside the mill itself.
The Night Market UK 2025 / Credit: @kt_perspecitve
The Night Market UK is making its grand return to Manchester this Friday.
Taking over the beautiful Grade II-listed Victoria Baths this Halloween, there’ll be everything from vintage sellers and independent makers, to cocktails, beers, and street food – plus live DJs, art installations and performances.
The former swimming pool, sports hall, and surrounding balconies will be taken over by more than 100 traders for the very-special event.
This Halloween weekend, Salón Madre over at KAMPUS is swapping out spooky for soulful as it celebrates the true spirit of Día de los Muertos – a vibrant tribute to life, laughter, and the legends we’ve loved and lost.
Highlights include free pool, £9 cocktails, DJs, and free tarot readings, all set against the colourful backdrop of Madre’s signature mischief. And for those who love a good costume, the best dressed guest will win an entire year of free tacos (T&Cs apply).
So, whether you’re in it for the spirits or the spiritual, Salón Madre’s Día de los Muertos celebration promises to be a weekend to remember.
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NEW OPENING – Horse & Jockey
Chorlton Green
When we heard that the centuries-old Horse & Jockey pub was going to be given a new lease of life by the team behind The Black Friar in Salford, we breathed a sigh of relief, as we’re in a world where pubs are closing daily and keeping these community cornerstones afloat is increasingly challenging
But this beauty on Chorlton Green is safe for now.
The team have kept all the amazing bones of the building and added even more charm, as well as a bring-you-to-tears menu of pub grub.
NEW OPENING – Power Hall / Credit: Science Museum Group
It’s been a long time coming, but the Science and Industry Museum has started welcoming visitors back inside one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage buildings – the Power Hall.
Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery is a free working gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
Officially having reopened a couple of weeks back, it’s the latest building to open as part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project currently taking place.
Did you see that Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter?
After millions of local residents have visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme once again this year.
All 22 of Manchester’s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Have you noticed any ‘street nipples’ popping up around Manchester in recent weeks?
Yes that’s right, we did say ‘street nipples’, you heard us correctly.
In case you weren’t aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely crucial event, pavement studs across major UK cities like Manchester have been transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, just like the early signs of breast cancer – but this clever new campaign is already stopping people in their tracks.
Need a spot for breakfast? Manchester’s newest food hall has got you covered.
House of Social now does breakfast – and my lord, are you lot in for a treat with this one.
From Ok Taqueria, there’s breakfast burritos packed with jalapeño sausage patties and all manner of other breakfast items, there’s a taste of New York from Dough Religion in the form of pancake stacks and in-house bagels.
And last but not least, Burger and Beyond has the hangover cure sent from the heavens, with breakfast buns and the most PERFECT hash browns on the side.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone… you can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely.
Check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
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Does your sweet tooth needing satisfying instead? Look at these spooky bakes.
Manchester’s most creative bakery has delivered the goods again this autumn, with a whole menu of seasonal treats and spooky pastries.
Half Dozen Other’s Halloween-inspired specials include a pistachio choux bun with a wobbly brain inside, an adorable pumpkin and pecan danish, and cherry cookie pie complete with witchy marzipan finger on top.
And beyond that, this month’s menu features a pistachio twist on their sell-out honey toast twice-baked croissant, a blood orange pain au chocolat, and a vegan charcoal cookies and cream croissant.
Or how about crumble and custard doughnuts instead?
Now we’ve got your attention.
Of course we’re talking about Baby Mayhem – the tiny hatch in Ancoats that’s become famous locally for its ice cream doughnuts, but now they’ve gone all autumnal with a batch of new specials.
Treat yourself to a warm doughnut, filled with spiced apple and topped with crunchy crumble and custard, or grab a sharer full of dinky doughnuts with ice cream and your choice of sauce, served on top of either a Biscoff or Kinder milkshake.
Fans of their weird and wonderful spaghetti ice cream needn’t worry either, because that’s still on tap, along with different fruity flavours like cherry.
A first look into the highly-anticipated TV soap crossover ‘Corriedale’ has just dropped
Thomas Melia
The wait is nearly over for TV soap fans, as producers behind the highly-anticipated ‘Corriedale’ crossover have just dropped an exclusive first look.
Whether you’re team Coronation Streetor team Emmerdale, this show has all areas covered as it merges both the iconic TV soaps into an hour-long special.
Now, it feels like Christmas has come early as pictures of two very distinctive cast members smiling next to each other while filming the crossover episode have been released.
In the newly-released images we can see Vicky Myers, known for playing the assertive and dedicated DS Lisa Swain, representing the Manchester-based production Coronation Street.
Vicky Myers (DS Lisa Swain) and Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) pictured together ahead of upcoming TV soap crossover Corriedale / Credit: ITV Press Centre (Supplied)
Stood by her side is Danny Miller known for his role as the complex and vulnerable Aaron Dingle in Leeds-based hit soap Emmerdale.
Both can be seen on-set and are pictured in front of a white trailer filming for the upcoming Corriedale special.
Although the shows are set just a one hour’s drive away from each other, separated by The Pennines, this soap special marks the first time that characters from each drama will have ever crossed paths.
Most details for this soap crossover are being kept very tight-lipped although filming kicked off in September with this latest update marking the first-ever major cast announcement for Corriedale.
ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain Macleod said: “It’s beyond exciting that filming is under way on Corriedale.
“There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular. And that’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows!
“As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year. It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”
Corriedale is coming to our TV screens in early 2026 and heralds the start of a new soap power hour with 30 minute episodes of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale to air every weekday.
Emily Sergeant -
27th May 2022 
