The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 31 July – 6 August
How are we all liking summer so far then?
It may have been a bit of a soggy start to the school holidays, but the sun has finally been showing its face a little more this past week, and Greater Manchester‘s events calendar is jam-packed with events for everyone to be getting involved with.
Think festivals, family-friendly activities, foodie feasts, immersive experiences, and so much more.
If you’re stuck for choice, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s our top picks.
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Dinosaurs in the Park
Heaton Park
Monday 31 July – onwards
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have taken over the grounds of Heaton Park for the summer.
Manchester has become “a palaeontologist’s playground” as around 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs have descended on the popular park to give dino fans of all ages the chance to get up close and personal with well-known favourites such as the Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Velociraptor, as well as the lesser-known Dilophosaurus, Kentrosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus.
Visitors can expect dinosaurs around every corner, and “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family“.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Summer Daze
Trafford Centre
Monday 31 July – onwards
Summer Daze is back and better than ever at the Trafford Centre this summer.
Running all summer long right the way through until early September, Summer Daze is home to a massive 600sqm beach for sunbathing and sancastles, and not one but two “thrilling splash parks” with loads of water jets outside the shopping centre.
Not only that, but there’s also a retro funfair with over 20 fairground rides, and you can also take part in crafting workshops and face painting, and catch costume characters, live music, and entertainment.
Find out more here.
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Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 31 July – onwards
A brand-new exhibition is currently having its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and it’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”.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Great Frogtastic Invention Trail
Stockport
Monday 31 July – onwards
Stockport’s beloved giant colourful frog sculptures have returned.
Following the undeniable success of previous art trails in both 2019 and 2021, the Stockport Frogs are back for a brand-new adventure this summer, with 19 multi-coloured amphibians having hopped onto podiums across the town centre.
This year’s trail is themed all around ‘Frogtastic Inventions’, and will see frog-spotters of all ages get to make their way around the town centre on what’s set to be an “educational, engaging and vibrant” outdoor adventure.
Find out more here.
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Backyard Cinema: Miami Beach
Depot Mayfield
Monday 31 July – onwards
Backyard Cinema is back in Manchester for the summer, and has created a Miami Beach rooftop experience that’s transporting people back to the 1980s.
The immersive cinema experience – which debuted in the city centre last autumn – has taken over the roof of Depot Mayfield once again – but this time round, the industrial space has been transformed into Miami Beach, using 30 tonnes of sand and signature palm tree cocktails to create the UK’s largest pop-up beach.
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.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Julia and Axel – 30 Years of Favourite Stories
The Lowry
Monday 31 July – onwards
The incredible work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is being celebrated in a new exhibition at The Lowry this summer.
The free family-friendly exhibition features several of Julia Donaldson’s personal writing notebooks that contain her first ideas and creative thinking behind her picture book stories, and these are shown alongside Axel Scheffler’s artwork to show the process of his illustrations.
Little Mancs can be creative themselves at the exhibition, as they are guided to write their own stories, draw pictures, dress up, and play fun games inspired by the books.
Find out more here.
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StarWash Roller Disco
Trafford Centre
Monday 31 July – onwards
Trafford Centre’s new disco-themed roller rink has officially opened for the summer.
Having popped-up in The Orient food court in front of the Main Stage area, the shopping centre’s new StarWash Roller Disco is described as being a “dazzling disco-themed roller rink” that’s an immersive experience where skaters can “get down both on and off the rink”.
Skaters are “transported” to a world of “vibrant lights, pulsating beats, and a kaleidoscope of colours”, all while a DJ blasts out a soundtrack of feel-good tunes and disco classics.
Find out more here.
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Pirate Treasure Hunt
SEA LIFE Manchester
Monday 31 July – onwards
SEA LIFE Manchester is inviting families on a swashbuckling adventure while schools are out this summer, and is encouraging everyone to “don your sea legs and navigate the high seas” with treasure hunt through the aquarium.
You’ll be tasked with helping the captain find all the lost booty hidden around the aquarium and filling in the pirate map as you go, all while learning about our the treasures of the ocean.
Running right through to 10 September, with tickets now available and starting from £18.50 per person, it of course wouldn’t be a trip to the SEA LIFE Manchester without getting up close and personal to the sharks, turtles, Japanese spider crabs, rays, and clownfish too.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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The Capri Beach Club
Exchange Square
Monday 31 July – onwards
A pop-up beach club has appeared right in the heart of Manchester city centre, and it’ll transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
The Capri Beach Club – which has appeared at Exchange Square outside Selfridges – has been kitted out with cabanas, boardwalks, swing chairs, and even real sand, and it promises to recreate the ambience of a real Capri beach club.
There’s a DJ playing chilled-out beats from the 80s up to the latest chart-toppers, plus resident saxophonist Elliot Slater, who has graced the stages at some of the biggest clubs in Ibiza.
As you lounge back on luxury seating, you can work your way through the summer cocktail list that includes Aperol spritzes, margaritas, bellinis, and espresso martinis, and then grab a bite to eat from the range of street food vendors.
Find out more here.
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Encanto in Concert
The Bridgewater Hall
Tuesday 1 August
The beloved Oscar-winning Disney animated favourite, Encanto, is set to “come to life” at The Bridgewater Hall this week.
You can watch the entire feature-length film with a full orchestra performing the score.
Featuring a much-loved soundtrack of songs, Encanto tells the tale of the Madrigals – an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the mountains of Colombia. But when Mirabel, who is the only ordinary Madrigal, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope.
Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.
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Shrek The Musical
Opera House Manchester
Tuesday 1 – Saturday 12 August
Shrek The Musical is arriving in Manchester this week.
After taking Broadway and the West End by storm, the smash-hit production – which is based on the beloved Oscar-winning film of the same name about a cynical yet kind-hearted ogre – is currently touring the UK, and is all set to take to the stage and entertain the masses at Manchester Opera House.
Shrek the Musical is described as being a “fun-filled and hilarious musical comedy” with a cast of vibrant characters and a ‘shrektacular’ score.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Red Rose Diners
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 August
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
Running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday right through the summer until September, ELR’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Find out more and book here.
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Day Out with Thomas
East Lancashire Railway
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 August
East Lancashire Railway’s much-loved Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand this weekend.
The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be “a train ride like no other”.
Taking families on an immersive trip through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside, the journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, get to meet Sir Topham Hatt, and say hello to Thomas on the platform, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
You can find out more, and book tickets here.
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Featured Image – Trafford Centre | The Manc Group | ELR