August in Greater Manchester is already looking jam-packed with exciting activities.
A new month is here, summer is in full swing, schools across the region are now out for the six-week holidays, and the events calendar is packed with plenty to be getting up to once again, so 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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The Manchester City Stadium Tour
Etihad Stadium
Monday 8 August – onwards
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The Manchester City Stadium Tour / Credit: Manchester City
Families can kick-off the summer by going behind the scenes at Manchester City’s Stadium to “experience the magic”.
Expertly-guided by City’s Tour Guides and filled with interesting stories, facts, and anecdotes from throughout the club’s history, Manchester City’s ever-popular immersive tours of the Etihad Stadium are running throughout the summer, and they have recently been rated in the top 1% of Tripadvisor experiences in 2022.
Tickets are now on sale, and will set adults back just £25 each, while it’s £15 for those under 18, and anyone under the age of five can go for free.
Manchester‘s New York-inspired ‘sky park’ at Castlefield Viaduct has finally opened to the public for the first time ever.
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After the National Trust announced its ambitious vision to create an urban green space in the heart of the city centre by tackling the challenge of “greening” the Grade II-listed Castlefield Viaduct and celebrate the history of this well-known landmark over half a year ago, visitors are now able to enjoy the park in all its glory.
Thousands of plants, shrubs, trees, and more have been planted to transform the giant 330-metre steel viaduct into an elevated park.
100 people a day are able to visit the Castlefield Viaduct, and entry onto the structure will be free, but a booking system will be in place to help manage numbers.
Remarkable Neighbourhood Cocktails & Events by Maker’s Mark
Manchester City Centre
Monday 8 August – onwards
Remarkable Neighbourhood / Credit: Supplied
A handful of Manchester’s most-popular hospitality names are joining forces to bring a series of entertainment events to neighbourhoods across the city this month.
To celebrate the launch of its ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ summer incentive, Kentucky handmade bourbon brand Maker’s Mark has rallied together some of Manchester’s best-loved bars and restaurants to head across the city and serve up their take on the brand’s signature Gold Rush Cocktail.
Cocktail masterclasses, live music nights, quiz nights, Kentucky food pairing events, and bar takeovers will also be on their way to the city’s residential hotspots over the next few weeks.
Box on the Docks has returned to the banks of Salford Quays for the summer, and there’s flowing beers, freshly-baked bagels, and boozy ice cream.
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Back for its third year in a row, MediaCity’s popular outdoor dining concept, Box on the Docks, is set for another busy summer on the waterside piazza – but for the first time, it has taken on a brand-new format, as this year’s event is in partnership with SEVEN BRO7HERS.
The Salford-based brewing company has been put in charge of operating a rotating residency of the region’s emerging and established independent food and drink pop ups.
There’s also an exciting lineup of live music and events for all ages.
The Stockport Collection / Credit: Heidi Alexander
A new photography exhibition that captures life in Stockport during the 1970s has now opened at a local museum.
After a successful run at one of the town’s most prestigious restaurants, Where The Light Gets In, back in June 2021, the exhibition – which is titled The Stockport Collection, and features the work of local photographer Heidi Alexander – has now opened to the public at Stockport Museum, and it’s free for everyone to visit.
The Stockport Collection documents the social history of a particular time, place, and way of life.
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The exhibition illustrates the human need for a sense of identity, and of belonging to a working community with a common purpose.
Looking for some new restaurants and bars to try out that have just opened in Manchester city centre this month?
As ever, there are a host of exciting new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this August.
From a brand new Withington venue from the team behind Cottonopolis and The Edinburgh Castle, to the first bricks-and-mortar site in six years for supper club favourite Stretford Canteen, we’ve got plenty of good things to shout about.
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SakkuSamba, Slice, and Yumcha | Credit: The Manc Group
Think kitchen residents, new street food stalls, and all-you-can-eat steak and sushi restaurant and loads more.
You can read our round-up to find out where to put on your list this month here.
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The Dino Adventure
East Lancashire Railway
Wednesday 10 August
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The Dino Adventure / Credit: ELR
One of the standout experiences on the 2022 East Lancashire Railway (ELR) events lineup has to be the chance to go on a “roarsome adventure” through the Greater Manchester countryside this summer holidays, where you can “get your teeth into some Jurassic Lark” and go on a prehistoric expedition on “a time-travelling steam train” to meet with a herd of adorable baby dinosaurs.
The Dino Adventure returns on Wednesday 10 August, and it means you can get up close with the cute cretaceous critters, and maybe even give the T-Rex a tickle under the chin.
Tickets are priced at £13.50 for children and £18 for adults – and you can grab yours here.
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Late Night Ancoats Pop-Up Markets
KAMPUS
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Thursday 11 August
Late Night Ancoats Pop-Up Market / Credit: KAMPUS & The Manc Group
A late-night market is returning to Manchester city centre’s new waterside neighbourhood KAMPUS this week, and it’s bringing with it a host of indie street food traders.
Much-loved artisan brands will packing out the garden and Little David Street for the perfect laid-back summer evening of food, drink, and music.
Open from 6-10pm on Thursday 11 August, you can expect Portuguese custard tard purveyors Just Natas, Japanese street food traders Osaka Local, and Afro-British fusion chefs Bon St Local, and there’ll also be art on display from local print artists, and a selection of drinks from local distillery Witch Kings Rum.
City centre bar, restaurant, nightlife destination, and live music venue Joshua Brooks is welcoming acclaimed house and techno DJ waFF – who has become one of the most engaging artists on the international circuit over the last two years – for an all-night-long set this Saturday 13 August.
Tickets are now available to buy online, setting you back just £14, and you must be 18 or over to gain entry to the venue.
Afternoon Tea with Perricone MD / Credit: King Street Townhouse
Did you know this week is national Afternoon Tea week?
To properly celebrate, King Street Townhouse is inviting you to spoil yourself from the outside in with an afternoon tea event – sponsored by beauty and skincare specialists, Perricone MD – that’s served up in style among Manchester’s skyline on the luxury hotel’s rooftop South Terrace.
All for just £27.54, you’ll get to indulge in plates of sweet treats all while sipping on a cocktail inspired by one of Perricone MD’s bestselling products, and you’ll get a goody bag to take home too.
Two of the most popular foodie favourite events are back at Manchester’s largest street food fair GRUB – which is currently based at the Red Bank Project just outside of the city centre in Cheetham Hill.
The GRUB Food Fair this week will see the likes of Rack MCR, Korean Club Club, Nina’s Taco Truck, Stardust Bakery, and Pud Club serve a wide range of mouthwatering delights for you to try, while on Sunday, whether you’re plant based or just curious, there’ll be big handful of the finest vegan food traders there for Plant Powered Sundays to show you what it’s all about.
Both events are free to attend, and you can find more information here.
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Manchester Carnival 2022
Alexandra Park
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 August
Manchester Carnival 2022 / Credit: Supplied
All roads lead to Alexandra Park this weekend, as one of the biggest events in the city’s cultural calendar gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Promising a star-studded musical line-up, tasty street food vendors and a host of family-friendly activities, Manchester Carnival 2022 will return to Moss Side in full this August to celebrate 50 years of parades in the city and 60 years of Jamaican Independence.
The parade will be an array of music colour dance and heritage in tribute to the years of carnival history and all are welcome to join the procession that will begin its journey from the park.
Find out more about Manchester Carnival 2022 here.
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Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants
AJ Bell Stadium
Saturday 13 August
Salford Red Devils / Credit: Allan McKenzie / SWpix.com (via Salford Red Devils)
Salford Red Devils is gearing up to bring an end to a successful season with an unmissable ticket offer.
As one of the oldest teams in the Rugby Football League, and having been representing Greater Manchester for nearly 150 years now, the team has won several trophies and major titles over the years, including six Championships and one Challenge Cup, and has also got themselves a loyal fanbase too, who have been with them every step of the way.
Now, the team is giving locals the chance to take the kids to see one of their final home games in the 2022 rugby league Betfred Super League on Saturday 13 August at the AJ Bell Stadium for free when they grab an adult ticket for just £10 each.
Manchester Originals in The Hundred / Credit: Nathan Stirk & Ashley Allen (ECB via Getty Images)
Manchester Originals and The Hundred is back at Emirates Old Trafford this weekend.
Sports fans will get the chance to see some of the world’s best cricketers, watch a handful of the hottest music acts, and tuck into some amazing local street food, as the city’s 100-ball cricket franchise, Manchester Originals competes in another home game v Trent Rockets at Emirates Old Trafford in The Hundred tournament on Saturday.
The Hundred’s is one of the best sporting and entertainment events this summer, and it gives people the chance to watch the city’s very-own Manchester Originals live in action throughout the season.
Find out more about the return of The Hundred and Manchester Originals here.
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Featured Image – KAMPUS | The Manc Group
What's On
Smash-hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to return to Manchester on 10th anniversary tour
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved musicals of the 21st century is set to return to Manchester on its 10th anniversary tour.
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, two sold-out UK and Ireland Tours, and even an award-winning Amazon Studios film, the smash-hit musicalEverybody’s Talking About Jamie is returning for its 10th anniversary tour, and will be stopping off here in Manchester on one of our most legendary stages.
Set to open in Leeds a decade after the original opening at the Sheffield Crucible, Jamie will be ‘coming home again’ for what is said to be ‘possibly the last time’, as the show heads out to major cities across the UK.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of 16-year-old title character, Jamie, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield but doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future, even though he wants to be a sensation.
Supported by his loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight.
With an original score of catchy pop tunes by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and writer Tom MacRae, the musical is said to be one the whole family should experience.
This new 10th anniversary addition of the show coming to Manchester even features a brand-new song to the already-beloved soundtrack.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be coming to Manchester Palace Theatre on 15 March 2027, and will also be visiting other northern cities on the tour like Leeds, Chester, Sunderland, Sheffield, and Liverpool, as well as other major cities nationwide.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with presale at 10am this Thursday (5 February) for ATG+ Members and general sale at 10am on Friday 6 February.
Where to watch the 2026 Six Nations in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
It’s that time again, the Six Nations is just around the corner, and we can practically taste the Guinness already — that being said, we thought it only right to put together a list of where to watch it and enjoy those pints.
With the tournament kicking off on Thursday, 5 February, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the Six Nations in Manchester; we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.
So, without further ado, here is our list of the 16 places to watch this year’s Six Nations here in Manchester city centre.
Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.
The best places to watch this year’s Six Nations in Manchester
Speaking of Guinness, as far as Manchester Irish bars go, there’s a very strong argument to be made that there isn’t any better than Mulligans.
A go-to for sports fans and punters in general, not to mention Guinness’ second home in Manchester, this traditional Irish pub, sandwiched just across the road from Spinningfields, will be showing the games and promising live music every night. It’s always good craic in here.
You don’t book here – you just keep your fingers crossed for a table, but now with the added floor upstairs, you’ve got a better chance than ever.
Back once again following the biggest in the whole country, Freight Island are teaming up with Jubel JUBEL Beer to bring another massive fan zone to Depot Mayfield – the question is, will it be even better vibes than last time around?
They’ve done this for a few years now, and certainly it’s always got bigger, and not only more extensive packages available to book, but plenty of room for walk-ins across the multiple rooms, the big warehouse might just be the perfect spot.
Best of all, general admission is completely free, meaning no one has to miss out on the action.
3. Tib Street Tavern – Northern Quarter
No list of Manchester sports bars would be complete without Tib Street Tavern, one of the most popular in NQ or the city centre in general, for that matter.
With recently refurbished booths for you and all your mates to pile into, massive screens filling the walls and solid grub, this place is packed out noon till night, so you’d best book whilst you still can.
You can call them up on 0161 834 1600 for bookings of six or more, but you can still try for a walk-in.
One of the biggest, best and busiest sports bars on this list, BOX on Deansgate brings a real sense of the American sports bar culture with shuffleboard, giant steins of booze, banging food and TV on every wall — including a big 360-jumbotron screen so nobody misses a second.
With all that in mind, it makes for the perfect place for all fans to come along and watch the Six Nations.
Next up, another Irish bar and a chain that still somehow feels like it’s one of ours, even though we know full well that it isn’t. Nevertheless, we love a trip to O’Neills in the Printworks, especially when there’s live sports on the box.
You don’t have to be a Celtic native, ex-pat or Ireland fan to watch the game here, of course, just bring a healthy dose of positivity and a willingness to drink plenty of good Guinness.
See you at the bar, I guess, but we don’t want to hear any lazy attempts at an Irish accent like we did last year (yes, really – it was painful).
Once again, whether you bleed green and gold or not, it doesn’t matter: Kiely’s is a prime location not only to watch the Six Nations in Manchester, but for any live sport and for a solid pint of the black stuff, for that matter.
Yet another place for Guinness lovers and showing live sport all week-round before the rowdy live music kicks off in the evenings, we’ve spent many a night in here and can heartily recommend it for the rugby and good vibes in general.
We can’t think of many better places for a tipsy sing-song after the game than here; to be honest, you can’t go wrong with pretty much any Irish bar, so here:
For number seven, what better place to slot in than the seven screens over at The Seven Oaks? Tucked away on Nicholas Street just off Mosley St and round the corner from Chinatown, this place is great for watching all manner of sports, so of course they’re showing the Six Nations as well.
This place is always packed with plenty of regulars on matchdays and is even the local for the Northern Spurs fans, and even the Manchester branch of St Pauli Supporters Club from Germany. It’s also known for serving bartenders till late.
One of Manchester longest standing free-house sports bars, having first opened its doors all the way back in 1824, it’s known for having some of the friendliest pub staff you’ll find anywhere in town, as well as now hosting regular live stand-up, music and even the odd theatre production these days. Give it a go.
8. The Waldorf – Piccadilly
Now, if you’re looking for something right next to the station so you don’t have to walk far for your first pint or, equally, can make a quick exit if the result doesn’t go your way, The Waldorf is the one for you.
Spanning across two floors, with the upstairs not just home to MCFC’s supporters ‘The Cityzen Arms’ but also regularly dedicated to big rugby fan bookings, you’ll catch many a face watching the sport here most weekends.
Again, it fills up quickly, so bag yourself a table while you can HERE.
Located just off Oxford Road Corridor, Brickhouse Social continues to cater to sports fans in the city centre, and its fan zones come tournament time just keep getting bigger and better.
With three floors, including a rooftop terrace, solid slices of pizza up for grabs and plenty of pool tables to keep you busy in between the ruck, this place has everything you need.
Boasting a total of 12 screens and a state-of-the-art sound system for live entertainment and the club nights downstairs in Kable, this might be one of the best places for atmosphere in Manchester when it comes to summer sports. Book your table at [email protected] or on 0161 236 4899.
Another all-time classic Manchester sports bar, The Directors’ Box, just off St Peter’s Square in the city centre, has plenty of pints and an absolutely mint menu full of sharing platters perfect for watching the game with your mates.
We’ll be straight with you, it isn’t the biggest place for the amount of people that try and get in — it’s a local favourite for a reason — so we’d advise you book your Six Nations table now if you can.
No one likes being the one who suggested a place only to not get in. Trust us, we’ve been that person far too many times – the worst.
We’ve already had a couple of Irish bars on the list, what harm could another do? Third time’s the charm, as they say.
Mulligans, Kiely’s and O’Sheas: the holy trinity of Manc Irish pubs and just like the other two, this boozer on the corner of Princess Street has a brilliant atmosphere, especially when the rugby’s on.
With great Guinness, classic Irish snacks like Taytos, a solid food menu and live music most nights, what more could you ask for? To be honest, at this point, we might as well just give all the places decked out in green – you won’t go far wrong with any the many mint Irish bars in Manchester.
Not a bad place to go Walkabout… See what we did there?
In all seriousness, the massive pub, club and local nightlife institution has plenty of food, pints and screens to cater to the hordes of punters, and it’s one of the last proper holdouts of Printworks classic lineup following the unfortunate closure of Bierkeller and Shooters (RIP).
Better still, with its Australian roots, there’s a real love for rugby in here, whether you’re a Wallabies, England fan or otherwise. Book your place HERE.
Credit: The Manc Group
13. The Grosvenor – Oxford Road Corridor (formerly The Footage)
Another student favourite and budget-friendly venue, we spent many a uni day watching live sport in The Footage, and we have to say, no matter how many years and tournaments have gone by, there’s nothing quite like a fever-pitch rugby crowd in this place.
It might have changed name after a short hiatus from the busy student strip, but the prices in here are still great, and it’s looking bigger and better than ever. Big tellies, pool tables, beer pong – they’ve got you sorted from noon until night.
You can, of cours,e book a table if you want to secure the perfect spot, but this place always has plenty of rooms to try your luck with a walk-in.
The penultimate round on this fixture list, not only is this one of the cheapest places for a night in town, possibly the country, but it’s yet another prime location to watch the sport.
It might be very student-heavy most nights of the week, but with a large interior, huge outdoor area with coverage, as well as plenty of value for money grub and bevs up for grabs, you can’t go wrong with the old stomping grounds.
You are never—we repeat, never too old for Courtyar,d and it NEVER disappoints when the game is on.
‘The Brotherhood of Pastimes and Pursuits’ is another tried and tested favourite come any matchday, and the team over there does a great job of building a proper atmosphere across their two floors. You can tell how much they love sports from the original posters they create for each tournament alone.
It’s a great post-work spot any day of the week, let alone when there are big events on like this. Food, pints, pool, table tennis and more. 10/10, no notes from us.
Not a bad place to love you and leave you to enjoy the Six Nations this year. Walk-ins are welcome, but you’re best reserving your table HERE.
So, if you’re still wondering where to watch the 2026 Six Nations in Manchester, that should be plenty of options for now. It’s one of the biggest competitions on the sporting calendar, and we don’t plan on missing a single second.
It may still be a bit nippy this time of year, but we’ve never been ones to let the weather put us off going out and having a good time.
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2022 
