We’re into our first full week of February now, and there’s so much to getting up to across the region and beyond.
Sure, January was a bit of a slog… but now that a fresh new month has graced us with its presence, the Greater Manchester social calendar is really starting to become packed full of a wide range of events and activities you can get yourselves stuck into over the coming weeks.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, 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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Manchester Open Exhibition 2024
HOME
Monday 5 February – 28 April
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Manchester Open Exhibition 2024 / Credit: HOME
Manchester Open Exhibition is back for the third time in our city.
Taking place every two years down at HOME, the Open Exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, and sees HOME’s Gallery walls filled with 480 artworks created by the people of our region that have been specially-selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
Open to all, the Exhibition brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio, and so much more.
Hamilton: The Story of Tonight / Credit: Danny Kaan (via Supplied)
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is celebrating Manchester hosting the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton for the very first time with a photography exhibition showcasing moments both on and off stage.
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Open for free to the general public until the end of February, Hamilton: The Story of Tonight offers a glimpse into the journey of the musical that captured the imaginations of audiences in our city.
20 photographs taken by Hamilton’s production photographer, Danny Kaan, are currently on show.
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
It’s that time once again… the Six Nations is back.
With the international rugby tournament having officially kicked-off last Friday (2 February), we thought it would be only right to put together a list of the very best places in Greater Manchester to head on down to and catch a game.
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After all, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the action, we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.
Read our round-up of the best places to watch the Six Nations here.
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Did you know there’s currently 15,000 free cinema tickets up for grabs this month?
It’s all part of Escapes – a new project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding that’s giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema”.
The thousands of tickets are now available across the UK for completely free of charge, and there’s a handful of Greater Manchester cinemas taking part.
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Escapes / Credit: Unsplash | A24
So whether you’re someone who prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more, there’s a free ticket to see brand-new wrestling biopic film, The Iron Claw, with your name on it
Back by popular demand, The Black Friar’s ‘Pie Festival’ has returned for 2024.
There’s nothing that sounds more inviting on a cold January evening than a lovely warming pie, right? So when we heard that The Black Friar’s now-annual Pie Festival was making a 2024 comeback, we have no shame in admitting we did a little dance.
Now in its third edition, the Salford restaurant has brought back the parade of meat and gravy, sweet and savoury, and all things pie and pastry-encrusted – with something for everyone on the menu.
Best of all, not only are there some enticing flavours on offer, but they’re also only £10 each.
Madagascar The Musical has arrived in Manchester this week.
Based on the DreamWorks animated film of the same name, Madagascar The Musical invites audiences along on a journey with “all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends” as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to “the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar”.
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The show will be taking to the iconic Manchester Opera House stage from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 February, and there’s still a few tickets up for grabs if you fancy it.
Chinese New Year 2024 / Credit: Fabio De Paola / PA Wire (via Supplied) | CityCo & Manchester BID
The legendary Dragon Parade is set to make its way through the city centre once again this weekend, as Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2024.
Marking what will actually be the ‘Year of the Dragon’ itself, there arguably couldn’t be a better time for the city’s iconic and Dragon Parade to make a return to the streets of our city, and bring a spectacular show of colour and light along with it.
Not only that, but Chinatown will be home to a live performance stage, a fun fair, and loads of stalls serving up tasty and authentic street food across the weekend too, while Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns can also be seen adorning trees all around town.
You can find out more about everything happening for Chinese New Year this year here.
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00s Brunch
Brickhouse Social
Saturday 10 February
00s Brunch / Credit: Brickhouse Social
Brickhouse Social has announced that it 00s-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 over the nexr couple of months – with a resident DJ playing all the best tunes from the 2000’s.
Tickets will set you back £33pp, and there’s two Brunch sittings available, so you can opt for 1-3pm, or 3:30-5:30pm.
Fancy watching the Super Bowl this weekend, and want somewhere to catch all the action in Manchester?
This Sunday is officially ‘Super Bowl Sunday’ for NFL fans.
Super Bowl LVIII is officially happening this Sunday 11 February, and with the NFL scene getting bigger in the UK each year, it’s understandable that more and more Mancs are getting keen to watch the action live into the early hours of the morning.
But, first things first… you’ve got to pick where you want to be come kick-off.
Luckily, there are a whole host of sports bars in Manchester city centre that will be showing Super Bowl LVIII right through till it finishes at around 3am UK time, and we’ve picked about a dozen places you can hunker down with some good grub and plenty of pints to watch it.
Read our round-up of the best places to watch Super Bowl LVIII here.
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Featured Image – HOME | Fabio De Paola / PA Wire (via Supplied)
What's On
Manchester to host ‘landmark’ charity concert for Ukraine with star-studded lineup
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to host a ‘landmark’ international benefit concert for Ukraine with a star-studded lineup of big names.
Taking place at Co-op Live early next February, Songs of Freedom will aim to unite iconic global musicians, artists, and cultural leaders in solidarity with the women, children, and vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Bob Geldof, Madness, Chrissie Hynde, and Midge Ure are just some of the more than a dozen famous names announced to be taking part in the show, alongside the Songs for Ukraine Choir, Royal Opera Chorus, and London Metropolitan Orchestra.
And as the concert will be here in Manchester, several local names are also due to appear too, including Peter Hook & The Light, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums, Lottery Winners, and more.
Additional artists from around the world will perform via live video link into the broadcast – with mega stars Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, and Sean Penn all lined up to contribute.
Even more names will be announced in due course, so stay tuned.
The event is aiming to raise ‘vital’ funds and global awareness, while celebrating Ukrainian resilience, identity, and spirit.
All the money raised will go to UNITED24, Voices of Children, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation (People of the Future), and Masha Foundation – each of which directly support urgent humanitarian relief.
Manchester is set to host a ‘landmark’ charity concert for Ukraine next year with a star-studded lineup / Credit: Supplied
Backed by key industry figures, Songs of Freedom will be bringing together a lineup of international legends and Ukrainian talent.
Ahead of the concert next year, Harvey Goldsmith CBE said: “I am really pleased to have the opportunity to play my part in helping the Children and Communities in Ukraine.
“This war has gone on far too long and more and more children are suffering as a result. The concert at Coop in Manchester will highlight their plight. We must stand together and play a role in pressuring the need to stop this war.”
Songs For Freedom will take to the Co-op Live stage on Wednesday 3 February 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Monday (16 November) – with venue pre-sales beginning this Thursday (12 November).
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale HERE.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Two nights of Noah Kahan at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, and more for 2026 tour
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Noah Kahan isn’t just gracing Mancunians with his presence once this autumn, we’re lucky enough to host him for two nights of his world tour.
The two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter is heading back to the UK for his biggest tour to date, two years after his last appearance in our city when he played to a packed-out Co-op Live.
Noah Kahan has taken the world by storm in recent years following the release of his acclaimed third album in 2022, Stick Season, which sat in the UK album chart for three years. He has almost 15 billion global streams, sold nearly 12 million albums, and earned 22 Platinum and Gold certifications to date – he’s not doing half bad, is he?
This tour is in support of his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, which is said to build on Kahan’s signature storytelling, encapsulating his thoughts on grappling with success, identity, family, distance, and unspoken truths.
Not only does Kahan provide us with the best music to cry it all out to, he also founded a mental health non-profit, The Busyhead Project, which has raised over $13 million in support of its mission to increase awareness around the importance of mental health.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know.
Noah Kahan will be playing at AO Arena next week / Credit: Publicity Picture
Noah Kahan at AO Arena, Manchester
Noah Kahan – The Great Divide UK & Ireland Tour Dates
Thursday 5 Nov – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Friday 6 Nov – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Monday 9 Nov – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Tuesday 10 Nov – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Friday 13 Nov – London, UK – The O2 Arena
Saturday 14 Nov – London, UK – The O2 Arena
Thursday 19 Nov – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Saturday 21 Nov – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Sunday 22 Nov – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Are there any tickets left?
Sadly, both Manchester dates are now fully sold out, but keep your eyes peeled on any resale sites, as you could still be in with a chance to secure some last-minute tickets.
Click HERE to access these tickets via the Ticketmaster general sale or verified resale.
What are the stage times for Noah Kahan in Manchester?
Doors are set to open at 6pm. However timings for both support act Bella Kay and then Noah Kahan are yet to be announced, though Kahan should be on stage around 8-9:15pm, judging from previous gigs.
Be sure to keep your eyes on their Instagram accounts, as well as the AO Arena website, for further information, as stage times are typically announced on the day of the show.
One thing we know for certain is that the show will finish before 11pm, due to AO Arena‘s curfew.
Who is supporting Noah Kahan at the AO Arena?
For both Manchester dates, Noah Kahan will be supported by Bella Kay.
Bella Kay is a 20 year-old Texas-born singer-songwriter. These dates will be some of the largest performances of her career to date, following the release of her debut album, My Reckless Abandon, back in July.
Similarly to Kahan, her album is an exceptionally honest account of her journey through self-acceptance.
Noah Kahan on stage / Credit: Raph PH (via Flickr)
Expected setlist for The Great Divide Tour 2026
As always, we cannot confirm the exact setlist as everything can depend on the city or differing tracks for multi-night venue runs, but this is an expected The Great Divide Tour setlist:
American Cars
Doors
All My Love
Deny Deny Deny
Staying Still
Haircut
Downfall
She Calls Me Back
Dashboard
Dial Drunk
Willing and Able
Porch Light
Orbiter (Extended)
Pain Is Cold Water
Maine
Paid Time Off
The View Between Villages (Extended)
Northern Attitude
The Great Divide
Orange Juice
New Perspective
End of August
Homesick
Stick Season
Getting to AO Arena
Tram
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2024 
