The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 9 – 15 June 2025

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It’s official… summer has arrived.

June is well underway now and so is the start of meteorological summer, so as you can expect, there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to in Greater Manchester this month – we’re talking festivals, themed events, new foodie openings, and loads more on the horizon in the coming weeks.

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 too.

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Dear England

The Lowry

Monday 9 – Sunday 29 June

An award-winning play about the England men’s national football team is playing outside of London for the first time ever, and Greater Manchester has been chosen as the lucky location.

The National Theatre’s smash-hit production of writer James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play, Dear England, has started its four-week run at the legendary The Lowry in Salford, and audiences have a chance to catch it up until 29 June.

Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rupert Goold, Dear England tells the story of the England men’s football team under former manager, Gareth Southgate.

Read more and get last-minute tickets here.

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Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 9 June – onwards

You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.

Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.

Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.

Find out more here.

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Stories – Brought To Life

MediaCityUK

Monday 9 June – onwards

A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition has arrived in Salford.

The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative has opened at MediaCity, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.

Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period, and will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.

Visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I, and William Shakespeare.

Find out more here.

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NEW OPENING – Stables Tavern

St John’s

The Rover’s won’t be returning, and that’s because a new pub has opened its doors to the public on the site of the legendary Corrie boozer, and it’s a stunner.

There’s nothing we love more in Manchester than a good pub, right? Well there’s a new one riding into St John’s – meet Stables Tavern, a historic tavern reimagined for modern pint drinkers on the site of Coronation Street’s Rovers Return.

Think pints of Boddingtons, homemade pies and sausage rolls, and a sunny little outdoor terrace too (or there’s a parlour with a roaring fire for less sunny days).

Find out more about this new boozer here.

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Kargo on the Docks

MediaCityUK

Tuesday 10 June – onwards

Kargo on the Docks is back for the summer.

MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.

A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.

Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.

Find out more here.

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Did you see that Manchester Museum has been named European Museum of the Year for 2025?

Talk about a prestigious title.

Yes that’s right, congratulations are in order, because Manchester Museum – which is part of The University of Manchester (UoM) – has received one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world, the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA).

Not only that, but it’s made history in doing so too, as it’s the first university museum to ever receive the annual prize.

It beat out 41 other cultural hubs across the continent to claim the coveted prize.

Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises new or redeveloped museums that showcase the best in excellence and innovation in their field.

Read more here.

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Red Rose Diner

East Lancashire Railway

Friday 13 June – onwards

Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.

Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the year, 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.

Find out more and book here.

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Moovin Festival 2025

Stockport

Friday 13 – Sunday 15 June

Moovin Festival is back in the fields of Whitebottom Farm this weekend.

Widely-considered one of the region’s best music events, Moovin has gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’, to a staple in the calendar every year.

The boutique festival usually takes over beautiful countryside in Etherow Country Park in Stockport every August bank holiday weekend, but for 2025, we get to experience all the action earlier than normal – and we’re thrilled.

This year’s lineup features returning favourites and some hotly-tipped newcomers, with headline performances from Ezra Collective and Folamour.

Find out more about this year’s festival here.

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Parklife 2025

Heaton Park

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 June

Parklife returns for 2025 this weekend.

Having taken place at Heaton Park since 2013, when it outgrew its original home in Platt Fields Park, this year’s event will take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, and features an absolutely packed lineup of both local and global names lead by 50 Cent, Charli XCX, and Jorja Smith.

They each play alongside returning Parklife favourites like Peggy Gou, Bicep, Rudimental, and more, as well as other big names like Confidence Man and FLO.

The massive party is attended by some 80,000 people each day, and is one of the biggest events in Manchester’s cultural calendar.

Everything you need to know about Parklife 2025 is here.

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Universally Manchester

UoM

Saturday 14 June

Universally Manchester is back for 2025 this weekend, and it’s shaping up to be a proper community day for all.

Organised and hosted by University of Manchester (UoM), this free day is jam-packed with fun activities for all the family, so there’s bound to be something for everyone – with everything from creative sessions with poetry, music, and art, to tours and meets-ups with the university/s inspiring curators.

There’s even activities for your wellbeing, science experiments, and stories of local history and experiences for you to share. 

The festival aims to provide an inviting, informal space for visitors to take part in conversations that connect and inspire. 

Find out more here.

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So Retro x The Vintage Village

Stockport Market Hall

Sunday 15 June

A huge vintage fair is taking over Stockport town centre this weekend with market stalls, live music, classic cars, and more.

So Retro Events and Stockport’s beloved The Vintage Village are joining forces to bring Greater Manchester residents a vintage ‘extravaganza’, with the hall packed to the rafters with vintage stalls selling everything from clothing and homeware, to ceramics, artwork, antiques, vinyl records, and loads more.

Taking over the historic Stockport Market Hall to celebrate 15 years since The Vintage Village opened in the town, fair-goers will also have access to a free vintage styling zone where they can try on loads of outfits and accessories from different decades.

Find out more here.

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Featured Image – UoM | Parklife | Science Museum Group