The busyness of August, and the hustle and bustle of the bank holiday weekend has been and gone… and a new month is now here.
But while the summer may have passed us by the blink of an eye, and the kids have officially gone back to school for a new year, that doesn’t mean the fun’s stopped, as there’s still loads of events happening in Greater Manchester to get stuck right into.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to choose, 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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Operation Ouch!
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 4 September – onwards
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Operation Ouch! / Credit: Science Museum Group
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”.
In what is undeniably the stuff of dreams for cheese lovers, you can now take part in a cheese and wine crawl around Manchester city centre.
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The Manchester Cheese Crawl will take you around some of the cheesiest spots the city has to offer for two hours of non-stop cheese-related fun – including everything from blue cheese tasting, to cheese quizzes, competitions, and more.
Tickets cost just £25 each, and include cheese samples, optional bread and crackers, and some red wine to complement.
Manchester’s newest comedy festival is making a return to the city later this week, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After what was a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, Laughterama is back in Manchester for more, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre – with multi award-winning comedians Adam Buxton, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, and Alan Davies being just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
Festivalgoers are in for an “explosive series of shows” from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie / Credit: ATG Tickets
The highly-anticipated 2023 UK tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is finally arriving here Greater Manchester this week.
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, sold-out UK & Ireland Tour, and an Amazon studios award-winning film, the smash-hit and critically-acclaimed musical is finally set to return to The Lowry stage this week.
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The musical tells the story of Jamie New – a 16-year-old living on a council estate in Sheffield who doesn’t quite ‘fit in’ and is terrified about the future, but is determined to be a star.
Fancy trying something new? Time to conquer your fears? SEA LIFE Manchester’s snorkel cage experience lets people get closer than ever have before to more than 1,000 creatures of the deep at the Trafford Centre-based marine life aquarium.
Snorkel with Sharks is a one-hour surface snorkelling adventure.
Suitable for swimmers age 10+, the session includes a full briefing, introduction to the incredible creatures you can expect to see, and 20 minutes snorkelling in the purpose-built shark cage.
Didsbury’s very-own cookery school, Food Sorcery, is hosting another one of its popular cookery workshops dedicated to all things pasta this Thursday.
During this three-hour class, you can learn everything about how to make Italy’s staple food by hand, from how to mix and knead pasta dough, to various different rolling techniques, filling, and shaping, all before the chef will demonstrate some sauces to go with it.
So roll your sleeves up and get ready to mix, knead, bash, squash, and shape the dough into spaghetti, farfalle, ravioli, and so much more.
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You can find out more information, and book your place here.
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The Manc Audio – DJ Set
Night & Day Cafe
Friday 8 September
The Manc Audio – DJ Set / Credit: The Manc Group | Pixnio
Not only has it been an absolutely belting year for music and gigs in Greater Manchester already, but it’s about to get even better.
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The Manc Audio will be heading back to Night and Day Cafe for our second DJ takeover.
Following the success of our first night standing behind the decks at the legendary Night and Day, we’ve kindly been invited back to do it all over again – with Mr. Audio, DJ Dean himself, set to return to the stage for his sophomore show this Friday.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Taking place this Friday 8 September, East Lancashire Railway’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.
The Manc has teamed up with KAMPUS, and we’re bringing you a massive silent disco in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Kicking off from 3pm, with some brilliant DJs on the lineup set to be spinning the tunes and battling it out to get you on the dance floor, The Big Kampus Disco is an all-day FREE event – with non-stop bangers, the biggest silent disco the city’s ever seen, and so much more.
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Think DJ sets, amazing live music, dancers, performers, and all the glitter.
Silent Disco tickets are £5 plus a £10 refundable deposit for the hire of the headphones, but the rest of the event free, so find out more and grab tickets here.
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ShinDigger x Reform Radio – A Decade in the Game
Cheetham Hill
Saturday 9 September
ShinDigger x Reform Radio – A Decade in the Game / Credit: Supplied
ShinDigger and Reform Radio are coming together to celebrate their joint 10th birthday with “a day festival like no other” this Saturday.
After starting their ventures together in the same co-working space back in 2013, the two businesses have co-produced numerous events over the years, but this weekend’s aptly-named ‘A Decade in the Game’ is by far their most ambitious collaboration at The Yard in Cheetham Hill.
You can expect plenty of live music, and exclusive back-to-back DJ sets curated especially for this event, as well as food vendors, market stalls, kids’ activities, and so much more.
Doki Doki – The Manchester Japanese Festival / Credit: Doki Doki
Doki Doki – The Manchester Japanese Festival is back once again for 2023.
Taking place from 11am onwards on Saturday 9 & Sunday 10th September at Sugden Sports Centre, Doki Doki celebrates both traditional and modern Japanese culture – with a wide range of panels, talks, demonstrations, themed events, and more taking place across the weekend, as well as plenty of food and retail traders on site too.
Tickets for the festival are available to buy at the door on the day, and you can find out more here.
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Green Island Festival
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Saturday 9 September
Green Island Festival / Credit: Green Island
This year’s third and final volume of the Green Island Festival returns this weekend.
With a lineup of underground, underrepresented, and emerging artists from all across the UK, and placing global sounds at the forefront, Green Island is a grassroots festival stripped back to its most authentic form with community at its core that’s made a name for itself thanks to “bringing an enriching music and cultural escapade for all ages”.
Taking place on Saturday 9 September from 1pm-9pm, the 500-capacity festival will once again transform Hulme Community Garden Centre’s flora paradise into an “arts mecca”.
Icelandic vodka brand Reyka will be creating the ‘Fire and Ice Oasis’ at The Oast House in Spinningfields this weekend, where you can plunge into an ice bath, sit back and relax, drink cocktails, and get a good scran in too.
Taking place from midday right through to 1am on both Saturday and Sunday, with ice baths open until roughly 7pm each day, ice dippers will be given a goodie bag and a free cocktail, and anyone brave enough to take the plunge will be in with a chance of winning a trip to Iceland itself.
In the evening, there’ll also be a fire pit to cosy round as you sip on your vodka that was made with glacier water in a distillery powered by geo-thermal energy from volcanoes.
Featured Image – Laughterama | ShinDigger x Reform Radio | Green Island
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 4 – 10 May 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s our first full week of May, and we can practically see summer on the horizon now.
With a new month getting underway, there’s obviously loads of events and activities to be getting up to across Greater Manchester this week, especially as we’re starting this week off with our first bank holiday of the month 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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Celebrate National Space Day this bank holiday
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 4 May
National Space Day 2026 / Credit: Drew Forsyth (Science Museum Group)
You can celebrate National Space Day with a bunch of free ‘out of this world’ activities this bank holiday.
Ever wondered what astronauts eat in orbit? How they use the loo in zero gravity? Or why crumbs are bad news on the International Space Station? Well, to celebrate National Space Day, you’ll now get to discover the answers to those questions and so much more down at the Science and Industry Museum this bank holiday.
The programme of free events are set to accompany the museum’s latest special exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos and will give visitors more ways to explore the ‘wonders and weirdness’ of space.
Blossom and Bloomtown 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group
The blossoms are blooming everywhere you look, and the National Trust’s popular Bloomtown programme full of trails and events is back once again so you can appreciate them in all their glory.
From ornamental magnolias in gardens to hawthorn scattered across the countryside, each spring, the most beautiful blossom covers the UK in swathes of pink and white, and you really don’t have to go far to experience the beauty of this season either, as there’s plenty of blossom to discover right on our doorstep in Greater Manchester.
Whether you’re walking through the city centre on your way to work, enjoying a spot of lunch in the park, or going on a little local adventure with your family, Bloomtown has something for everyone.
Find out more about all the events happening here.
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LUMINISCENCE
Manchester Cathedral
Monday 4 May – 5 June
Luminiscence / Credit: Supplied
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.
Trof is entering a new era… and we think it’s looking pretty special.
The Northern Quarter institution has officially reopened its doors as The Trof – a space for pints and roasts (as always), but also refined British dining.
The team behind Stow are in charge of the kitchens and the bar, so suddenly this boozy favourite has become one of town’s most exciting food destinations.
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Did you know there’s an adorable open farm in Bolton where you can meet and hold baby bunnies, lambs, chicks, AND more?
This is Smithills Open Farm, and it’s one of the most wholesome family days out you’ll find this spring.
Here on this picturesque family-run farm nestled within 70-acres of countryside, you can feed the sheep and llamas, ride a tractor to visit the donkeys, or even head into the barn to see the cows, horses, and piglets.
Plus, they host ‘Pets Corner’ sessions throughout the day too, where you can meet and hold many different baby animals (including the softest little goats and chicks we ever did see.)
They even have a farm shop and ice creamery where you can buy local honey and other goods to take home with you.
Find out more about the farm and plan your trip here.
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Or what about that Chester Zoo has been named the UK’s best zoo for the third year in a row?
Chester Zoo has been named the UK’s best zoo for 2026 / Credit: Chester Zoo
That’s right – the UK’s biggest charity zoo has officially been named the best zoo in the country by TripAdvisor reviews, with the zoo having claimed a record 11,666 ‘excellent’ ratings for the first time too, making it even more of a cause for celebration.
Not only has the zoo’s strong focus on conservation and unforgettable visitor experiences made it the best in our country, but this has also earned it a place among Europe’s elite.
Chester Zoo’s CEO, Jamie Christon, says he is ‘over the moon’ with the zoo’s new title.
Sure, we know this isn’t exactly the type of ‘event’ we usually include in these round-up articles, but how could we not draw attention to the fact that, after eight long years, Albert Square has finally reopened to the public?
This means that you can now walk – heck, even run, skip, and jump if you’d like – your way through the big, clean open space outside the Town Hall.
Of course, we just had to go and check it out for ourselves👇
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in April, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in May, 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.
Featured Image – The Manc Group | Drew Forsyth(Science Museum Group)
What's On
Latest wave of ‘Evening 4’ Ricky Hatton lineup in memory of the legendary Manc boxer announced
Danny Jones
Manchester is set to host a night of remembrance and celebration in honour of the late, great, local boxer, Ricky Hatton, and now a superb second wave of names has been added to AO Arena’s lineup.
Coming this summer, the legendary Manchester arena – where Hatton enjoyed so many of his iconic moments – will be holding the first-ever ‘Evening4Ricky’ later this year.
Held at the legendary sports and live entertainment venue just in time for summer, we still only know bits and pieces about what’s in store, but a whole host of familiar Manc faces, famous British names, and figures from the world of sport have now been announced.
Sharing the news on social media, AO Arena said: “Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as Manchester comes together for Evening4Ricky.
“This will be a spectacular, unique celebration of the life, spirit and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved icons – Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton.”
With seats priced at £25, fans are being encouraged to join the early bird sign-up to secure access to discounted tickets.
As you can see, now confirmed for the evening are the likes of Man United legend, Paul Scholes, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as fellow former boxers like Frank Bruno, Tony Bellew and more.
Local band, The K’s, were already confirmed as part of the in-person performances, but now the likes of Manc grime artists Bugzy Malone, fellow UK rapper Tinie Tempah, and The Lottery Winners are joining in, too, alongside loads more live music and entertainment set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
They go on to add: “Hosted at the legendary AO Arena, home to so many of Ricky’s big fights, featuring a superstar cast of legends from the worlds of boxing, music, comedy and entertainment.”
So, we do at least know there’ll be some famous faces coming along to help make it a memorable Manc moment, just a few months on from the city and beyond uniting for his public funeral procession.
Ricky was beloved not only by the Greater Manchester community but was a popular figure and friend to many in the sporting and showbiz industries.
The homegrown ‘Pride of Hyde‘ tragically left us on 14 September 2025 at the age of just 46, but his passing has once again helped reassert the importance of having more conversations around wellbeing, suicide prevention, and most specifically, men’s mental health.
You can find more information and see how to grab tickets right HERE.
This isn’t the only charitable in memoriam event happening across the region in the coming weeks, either, as Mancs will be gathering to pay tribute to another fellow inspiring sportsman.
Emily Sergeant -
1st September 2023 
