There’s something for all occasions at eden, the floral wonderland soon to open at The Printworks. From bottomless brunches to sharing platters, wood-fired grills and authentic pizzas.
Opening in August, it is set across three-floor with an outdoor terrace, providing a sun-kissed hideaway in the city for those al fresco occasions.
Join an access-all-areas guided tour of Chetham’s Library and the surrounding school – among the most venerable buildings in the North West.
From £20.00
Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.
Free entry
Get hands on with the decks in this funk and soul superstar DJ workshop from BBC Radio 6’s Ailsa.
Free entry
All instruments, all abilities are welcome to join a band every week at Altogether Otherwise as part of their Singing and Dancing programme.
Free entry
Marking the anniversary of the Christmas Blitz, this walking tour explores Manchester’s history of conflict, from the English Civil Wars to the World Wars and beyond.
From £20.00
Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.
Free entry
The Museum of Illusions offers a unique experience in Manchester to keep the kids entertained all May Half-Term.
From £15.00
Chain cinema showing mainstream films, located in Manchester’s Printworks complex.
Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.
A cleverly-designed bar for those in the know, disguised as a laundrette but containing some top-class beers and cocktails.
Head to this tiny Italian eatery for an authentic slice of Naples. It majors in mozzarella and the stuff here is a revelation: light, flavoursome, with oily, oozing pesto.
Second hand book shop in Manchester city centre.
The celebrity chef isn’t simply known for his appearances on TV panel shows, he’s also a stellar chef, cooking the finest Italian cuisine. This bright open space brings authentic Neapolitan pizza and the best Prosecco to Manchester.
Hotel Indigo Manchester is an elegant and welcoming hotel in the heart of this vibrant city, with the equally excellent Mamucium as the in-house restaurant.
We visit Skof, Manchester’s most raved-about new restaurants, mere hours before 2025’s Michelin Guide announcement.
Federation House in Manchester is a pop-up project space that provides opportunities for artists, artist groups and artist development agencies.
The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.
Dantzic is a great creative workspace in one of NOMA’s historic warehouse buildings.
Good for lunch, brunch and excellent coffee (plus: nice interior design).
Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss if you're not careful.
From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Books, beer and burlesque. Dive into a glorious tangle of joyful happenings.
The sun is shining in the North, so use our guide to get out there and eat, drink and be merry in it.
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
