Things to Do in Manchester

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 12 March 2021

Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it has reinvented its industrial past into a new, trendsetting present – and an ambitious future. There’s plenty of things to do in Manchester too, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to an exciting food and drink offer and thriving literature and music scenes.

Discover our top picks

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Music Until 30 April 2021,

Band on the Wall: Live-ish from fivefourstudios

This April, Band on the Wall are broadcasting full sets by emerging artists from Manchester, recorded at fivefourstudios, Salford.

Theatre 18 May–12 August 2021,

Open Air Theatre in Manchester and the North

Open air theatre shows are happening across the north over the next few months – we’ve collated our top picks into a neat guide for you.

Exhibitions 19 May–31 August 2021, FREE

Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

TOP SECRET: the Science and Industry Museum digs into the history of British national security over the last 100 years.

Festivals 17 May–30 June 2021, from £5.50

HOME Reopening Programme May 2021

The big screen is back, and Manchester’s HOME have sorted a blistering reopening programme that combines new releases with rare films from cinema’s past.

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Festivals 29 April–1 May 2021,

Queer Contact Festival 2021

Bringing an online celebration of art and creativity in the LGBTQ+ community, we’re thrilled that Queer Contact Festival will return for 2021.

Theatre 30 April 2021 7:30 pm, from £5.00

Queer Contact 2021: Russell T Davies in conversation with Nathaniel Hall

In this first event for Queer Contact 2021, screenwriting legend Russell T Davies will join award-winning theatre-maker Nathaniel Hall to discuss depictions of HIV and AIDS on stage and screen.

Families 13 June 2021 1:30 pm, from £11

Mr Stink

Spend an afternoon in Sale’s ‘secret’ Walkden Gardens with your little ones and enjoy Heartbreak Productions adaptation of the heart-warming storybook Mr Stink.

Theatre 20 June 2021 6:00 pm, from £13

The Great Gatsby at Walkden Gardens

Open-air theatre aficionados Heartbreak Productions bring a live performance of The Great Gatsby to Walkden Gardens in Sale this summer.

Families 2–4 July 2021, from £16

Zog

Enjoy Zog live at The Lowry in an incredible new adaptation which is packed with lively songs from Joe Stilgie and lots of fire-breathing fun.

Food and Drink 28–31 May 2021, from £35

Kantina Weekender

Kantina Weekender runs on May Bank Holiday, from 28 May to 31 May. Celebrating the joy of food and drink, the in-house vendors at Escape to Freight Island will be paired with some of the UK’s most prestigious chefs, cocktail makers, brewers and local restaurant heroes.