Things To Do
Things to do in Manchester
Looking for things to do in Manchester this week? We've got you covered
While it may not be the capital, Manchester is one of the most exciting cities in the UK. It’s also one of the most historic – having birthed everything from the Industrial Revolution to the Haçienda music scene – and it boasts world-class restaurants, bars, coffee shops and music venues. If you need help finding things to do in Manchester — with mates, with a date, with kids or going solo — this handy, regularly updated guide will come in handy, serving you the best gigs, exhibitions, club nights, food spots and hidden gems across Greater Manchester, for every kind of day or night out you could hope for.
Hop into the week with Beach Bunny
Where? Albert Hall, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
When: Monday 20 October
Want to start your week off with a shot of energy? Indie rockers Beach Bunny hail from Chicago, and their bubbly, catchy pop-rock tunes are hard not to fall in love with. They’ve been getting bigger and better with each of their three albums — most recently this year’s ‘Tunnel Vision’ — and they’ll be proving it with a headlining show at one of Manchester’s most special venues, the former church Albert Hall, on Monday.
Get tickets to Beach Bunny at Albert Hall
Spend a night with Irish folk legends Dervish
Where? Band On The Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JZ
When: Monday 20 October
Dervish are one of the biggest names in Irish folk music. Since forming in County Sligo in 1989, they’ve gone on to represent Ireland at Eurovision and earn a lifetime achievement award from the BBC. They’ve even performed on the Great Wall of China in their role as Cultural Ambassadors for Ireland. They’re renowned for their incredible musical skill and transcendent live performances — which you can experience for yourself at Band On The Wall on Monday.
Get tickets to Dervish at Band On The Wall
Fill up on £5 cocktails at Freight Island
Where?: Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
When: Thursdays 4pm-10pm
Every Thursday is Cocktail Club at Freight Island, where you can get £5 cocktails all evening! Each of Freight Island’s bars will have its own secret menu, with all sorts of sumptuous mixes for you to try. You can also make group bookings, making Freight Island a perfect destination for hen/stag dos and work parties.
Check out Freight Island’s menu
Get to know Glasgow jazz sensation corto.alto
Where? The Blues Kitchen, 13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
When: Tuesday 21 October
Glaswegian multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall is the leader of the genre-bending jazz ensemble corto.alto, and they’ve made a massive splash in recent years, winning in several categories at the Scottish Jazz Awards and being shortlisted for a Mercury Prize in 2024. They’ve appeared at Glastonbury, The Great Escape, and SXSW in the US; now, they’ll be making a stop at the Blues Kitchen on Tuesday as part of their latest UK tour. For those in search of the hottest new thing in music, this is not one to miss.
Get tickets to corto.alto at The Blues Kitchen
Experience Dan Whitlam’s soulful spoken word
Where? New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH
When: Wednesday 22 October
Dan Whitlam has been making a name for himself with his heartfelt tracks that sit somewhere between spoken word poetry and alternative hip-hop, garnering millions of TikTok views and being described as “Gen Z’s poet laureate” by The Times. With his debut album entitled ‘Strangers (Again)’ set to be released on 13 February, he’ll be headlining New Century Hall this Wednesday.
Get tickets to Dan Whitlam at New Century Hall
Enjoy a weekend of spooky fun at Halloween in the City
Where?: Across Manchester city centre
When: Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October
Manchester’s about to get spooky! MCR Monsters will be taking over the entire city centre, with 16 inflatable ghoulies popping up on rooftops and streets around the city this week. There’ll also be a parade, performances, DJs and all sorts of other free and fun-filled family activities around the city centre streets this weekend. Get your best costumes on and get involved — if you dare.
Get directions to Manchester City Centre
Headbang with Welsh hard rockers Those Damn Crows
Where? Albert Hall, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
When: Wednesday 22 October
Those Damn Crows, from Bridgend, Wales, represent the current generation of UK hard rock. With their newest album, ‘God Shaped Hole’, they beat the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Sam Fender to the UK number one album spot, which goes to show that rock is by no means dead. They’ll also be proving that when they take the stage to rock the Albert Hall on Wednesday.
Get tickets to Those Damn Crows at Albert Hall
Delve into The History of UKG with a live orchestra
Where? The Blues Kitchen, 13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
When: Thursday 23 October
This will be a special night for any UK garage heads; at the Blues Kitchen on Thursday, a live orchestra will be re-imagining the best of UKG through the years — promising versions of tracks by the likes of MJ Cole, Sunship, Artful Dodger, Sweet Female Attitude and more. It’s not often you’ll get the chance to hear so many great tracks with this unique spin, and you can grab a drink and a bite to eat from the Blues Kitchen’s great restaurant too. What’s not to love?
Get tickets to The History of UKG at The Blues Kitchen
Catch Jason Manford on home turf
Where? Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DL
When: Friday 24 October
Though he was born in Salford, comedian Jason Manford was raised in Whalley Range, which we think makes it fair to say he’s a true Mancunian. With a career spanning over 20 years, he’s been a captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, won numerous awards, and has several acclaimed stand-up tours under his belt. His latest tour, ‘A Manford All Seasons’, will stop at the massive Co-Op Live on Friday — a great start to the weekend for any comedy lovers.
Get tickets to Jason Manford at Co-Op Live
Catch a boogie and an early night at Day Fever
Where? New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH
When: Saturday 25 October
Founded by actress Vicky McClure, actor and filmmaker Jonny Owen and Sheffield indie legends Reverend and the Makers, Day Fever is a club night with a twist — it’s not actually at night. Running from 3pm to 8pm and playing nostalgic tunes from across multiple genres, it’s the perfect way to come out of clubbing retirement for those who are ready for bed by 10.
Get tickets to Day Fever at New Century Hall
Celebrate 25 years of an iconic album with Erykah Badu
Where? O2 Apollo, Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP
When: Sunday 26 October
Neo-soul icon Erykah Badu released her critically acclaimed second album ‘Mama’s Gun’ in November 2000, meaning it’s soon to be marking its 25th birthday. It was nominated for two Grammys at the time, and has gone on to be named one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone. Badu is celebrating the occasion with a tour in which she’ll be performing the album in full across the US, Europe and the UK. Her performance in Manchester at the O2 Apollo in Ardwick will be her only UK performance of the tour outside London. Don’t miss your chance to see a music legend in the flesh, celebrating and performing some of her best work.
Get tickets to Erykah Badu at O2 Apollo
Let Benson Boone backflip his way into your heart
Where? Co-op Live, Etihad Campus, 1 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DL
When: Sunday 26 October
You may know the moustachioed heartthrob Benson Boone from his smash-hit single ‘Beautiful Things’ or from the numerous videos of him backflipping his way across every stage he can get his hands on. He made a massive appearance at this year’s Coachella at which he performed ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ with Brian May himself, as well as receiving Grammy and Brit nominations and touring around the world. He’ll be embarking on his latest UK tour in support of his recent album, ‘American Heart’, which will be stopping at the Co-Op Live in what should be one of the hottest pop concerts in Manchester.
Get tickets to Benson Boone at Co-Op Live
Explore free exhibitions and clubs at Central Library
Where: St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD
When: Opening hours here
Central Library, located in St. Peter’s Square, is one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings. But have you ever explored what’s going on in there? Apart from being a gorgeous space to sit and do some work, it’s also host to the Library Live cultural programme, which hosts all kinds of free things to do. That includes the exhibitions ACTING UP: 40 Years of HIV Activism and Punk: The Art of Rebellion, as well as all sorts of free clubs and events for all ages, such as LEGO Club, Crochet and Chat Club, and Teen Book Club.
Find out what’s on at Manchester Central Library
Take the family for a morning movie at Screen on the Docks
Where?: Waterside Steps, MediaCity, M50 2EQ
When: Saturdays at 11am
You can never get enough free open-air entertainment — especially in the summer holidays. Every Saturday in August, the Screen on the Docks at Salford’s MediaCity will be showing a family film. On Saturday 2 August you can catch Coco, while on the 9th it’ll be The Lego Movie.
See the full Screen On The Docks schedule here
Explore the wonders of Manchester Museum
Where?: Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL
When: View opening times here
Manchester Museum was recently named the European museum of the year, and with free entry it’s perfect for those looking for things to do with the family during the summer holidays. You can get acquainted with dinosaur fossils (including Stan the T-Rex!), explore Egyptian or South Asian history, and even get up close and personal with some live amphibians and reptiles in the vivarium. While usually closing at 5pm, on Wednesdays the doors are open until 9pm if you fancy an evening stroll around the exhibits.
