Discover Manchester

Dynamic Variation:

What's On This Week

Whether you're a local looking for a new adventure or a visitor eager to explore, our carefully curated selection of events will ensure your week is filled with unforgettable moments.

Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo

The North West’s must-see festive light experience is back for 2025, with more dates than ever…

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as the West End smash-hit production of The Lion, the…

Gifts that go whoooosh at iFLY

Gifts that go whoooosh Because socks don’t make you fly. An iFLY Indoor Skydiving Manchester…

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero

Disney On Ice returns to Manchester with Find Your Hero, swooping into the AO Arena for multiple…

Santa Special 2025

You better not pout and you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town! Steam into Christmas on…

Christmas Bricktacular

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

The ultimate indoor LEGO® playground transforms into a festive wonderland this Christmas with…

09 Dec 2025 - 30 Dec 2025

Christmas Letters from Santa

Send a Personalised Christmas Letter from Santa Claus Many of us will know a little girl or boy who…

09 Dec 2025 - 20 Dec 2025

Dining With Distinction: Christmas Dinner

East Lancashire Railway

What better way to enjoy a festive dinner than being hauled by a vintage steam engine through the…

09 Dec 2025 - 23 Dec 2025

Family Escape Room - The Library of Enchantment

A family-friendly escape room. Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a…

09 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025

Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City

Step into Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City and experience the legendary Inca…

09 Dec 2025 - 28 Feb 2026

Santa Special 2025

East Lancashire Railway

You better not pout and you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town! Steam into Christmas on…

09 Dec 2025 - 24 Dec 2025

Snowy's Conservation Crew

Sea Life Manchester

Adventure to the Arctic this Christmas at SEA LIFE Manchester, where Snowy is inviting families to…

09 Dec 2025 - 04 Jan 2026

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

Palace Theatre

West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, comes to Palace Theatre…

09 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero

AO Arena

Disney On Ice returns to Manchester with Find Your Hero, swooping into the AO Arena for multiple…

10 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025

After-hours with the Mermaids

Sea Life Manchester

Come and explore the full aquarium in these limited, intimate evening sessions and you’ll also…

12 Dec 2025 - 13 Dec 2025

Meet LEGO® Santa - Additional Experience

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Journey to the LEGO® North Pole and meet Santa with a difference! Head into the grotto for a…

13 Dec 2025 - 24 Dec 2025

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)

Aviva Studios

Let David Hockney take you on a personal journey through sixty years of his art in this vibrant…

16 Dec 2025 - 11 Jan 2026

The Holiday: The Film with Live Orchestra

Bridgewater Hall

Cherished Christmas romcom The Holiday is set to be presented live in concert this festive…

16 Dec 2025 -

The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man

The Stoller Hall

You've been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for…

18 Dec 2025 - 11 Apr 2026

Candlelight: Christmas Classics

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

21 Dec 2025 -

Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings

Dearest Reader, Lady Whistledown has already given her verdict: the event of the season is here!…

03 Jan 2026 - 05 Mar 2026

Candlelight: The Best of Ennio Morricone

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

10 Jan 2026 -

Luminiscence UK

Manchester Cathedral

Luminiscence arrives in the UK for the first time, transforming Manchester Cathedral into a fully…

14 Jan 2026 - 26 Mar 2026

Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

15 Jan 2026 - 27 Mar 2026

Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to…

01 Feb 2026 -

Swan Lake

Manchester Opera House

Lose yourself in the magic of classical ballet this new year. Swan Lake is arguably the…

03 Feb 2026 -

Red Rose Diner

East Lancashire Railway

Step on board our luxury Pullman carriages and sample fine cuisine in opulent surroundings whilst…

06 Mar 2026 - 20 Nov 2026

Taste Film presents Pulp Fiction (1994) in Manchester

13 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2026

The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind: Manchester

Dive into Banksy’s mysterious and provocative universe with The Mystery of Banksy – A…

13 Mar 2026 - 28 Jun 2026

Gravity - Starring Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman & Rachel Tucker

Manchester Opera House

You’re invited to experience Gravity — a remarkable night that brings together three…

10 Apr 2026 -

Carlos Acosta's Carmen

Manchester Opera House

A flamenco-Cuban-ballet contemporary mashup bursting with energy and inventive choreography…

22 Apr 2026 - 25 Apr 2026

Blue

Manchester Opera House

Kilimanjaro Live & Triple A Entertainment present: Blue – 25th Anniversary Tour + Special…

18 May 2026 -

Sounds of the City

Castlefield Bowl

Sounds of the City is back in July 2026, taking over Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for a…

02 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026

Diesel Midweek Luncheon

East Lancashire Railway

Sit back and relax in our luxury Pullman style carriages while we serve up some traditional hearty…

29 Jul 2026 - 26 Aug 2026

André Rieu

Co-op Live

André Rieu, world-renowned Dutch violinist and conductor, will be bringing his brand new show…

11 Sep 2026 -

The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre The world-renowned shopping and leisure destination has all the must-have…

Co-op Live

As the UK’s only music-first arena, Co-op Live boasts the largest floor space of any indoor…

AO Arena

The AO Arena Manchester, managed and operated by ASM Global, is one of the busiest venues in the…

Science and Industry Museum

Explore 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the…

Electric Shuffle Manchester

Set within a spectacular venue on Deansgate, Electric Shuffle Manchester boasts 15 shuffleboard…

Rochdale Town Hall

Step Inside Rochdale Town Hall The doors are open and there’s so much to explore! The newly…

Selfridges

Selfridges Exchange Square is located in the heart of the city and offers a luxury shopping…

IWM North

Extraordinary Powerful Stories IWM North makes full use of its renowned architecture to…

Your Sleigh Awaits Transport for Wales

There’s so much to discover across our network this festive season, and our trains are ready…

Coronation Street Experience - Step Onto The Iconic Street!

Coronation Street is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and…

Manchester City Football Club Stadium and Club Tour

Manchester City Stadium Tour is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

Old Trafford Tour & Museum

Old Trafford Tour & Museum offers a behind the scenes look at the world’s most iconic…

RHS Garden Bridgewater

RHS Garden Bridgewater is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions…

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

********* LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is the ultimate indoor LEGO Playground and offers an…

Sea Life Manchester

********* Come face-to-fin with thousands of creatures at SEA LIFE Manchester, including majestic…

Scranchester Food Tours

A truly immersive food tour of Manchester. Your local guide will take you on a multi-stop tour…

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The funniest pub tours in the country, absurd yet factual roller-coasters staggering across three…

Sightseeing Manchester - Open-Top Bus Tour

Sightseeing Manchester is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…

Eryri (Snowdonia), North Wales & Chester Tour from Manchester

King Edward built a castle in Conwy, King Arthur slayed a giant in Eryri (Snowdonia), and the Romans…

Windermere & the Lake District - Day Tour from Manchester

The Lake District is where people go to rejuvenate their senses. The soaring mountains refresh…

The Edwardian Manchester

A 5-star luxury hotel with spa in Manchester’s city centre The Edwardian Manchester offers its…

The Midland Hotel

Set in the heart of Manchester, this Grade II listed building exudes elegance and history. Following…

Hotel Gotham Manchester

Boutique 5* hotel, Rooftop Private Members Bar, GILT Club & 2AA Rosette Honey Restaurant. Hotel…

Stockport

Situated just 10-minutes south of Manchester city centre by train, Stockport is well worth a visit…

Rochdale

Rochdale is a borough in the north of Greater Manchester, comprising of Heywood, Middleton, Milnrow…

Bolton

Bolton is friendly town full of character in Greater Manchester, Ideally located close to the…

Bury

Just north of Manchester, the borough of Bury is a great combination of award winning attractions…

Search for something...

Continue your Manchester story by exploring further.

8 minute read

Celebrating Manchester’s Music Scene During the BRITs and MOBOs — Ticket or No Ticket

Manchester’s about to take centre stage. With the BRIT Awards and the MOBOs both heading north, the city is gearing up for a year that will shine a fresh spotlight on its musical identity. The BRITs will break tradition by leaving London for the first time, taking over Co-op Live, and a few weeks…

Guide
9 minute read

The Best Midweek Deals to Take Advantage of in Manchester

Who says dining out has to wait for the weekend? In Manchester, some of the best food deals pop up midweek - perfect for those spontaneous dinners, low-key date nights, or budget-friendly catch-ups with friends. From 50% off ramen and sushi to 3 tapas dishes for £20, the city is full of tasty offers…

3 minute read

Festive Football Magic: Your Ultimate Guide to Manchester City This December

The festive season is in full swing at the Etihad Stadium. December is bursting with opportunities for football enthusiasts and families to dive headfirst into the exciting culture of Manchester City Football Club. Manchester City Football Club, based in the heart of Manchester, stands tall among…

2 minute read

Experience a Magical Christmas at Spinningfields

This Christmas, elevate your festive celebrations at Spinningfields, Manchester’s most sophisticated urban quarter, renowned for its luxury dining, designer shopping and vibrant entertainment scene. From boutique experiences to show stopping festive light displays, here’s a line up of what’s on to…

6 minute read

Guide to Christmas Events at MediaCity & The Quays: Lightwaves, feasting and family shows

Looking for a Christmas celebration that sparkles with excitement and creativity? Discover why MediaCity and The Quays are must-visit destinations this festive season. From delicious street food brought to you by GRUB on the Docks to unmissable theatre shows and family-friendly activities at Lowry…

Information
3 minute read

Sustainability at the newly open Power Hall at the Science and Industry Museum

Header Image Credit: Credit Dave Bewick / Science and Industry Museum Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery at the Science and Industry Museum has reopened, and it is now telling a new story. This building once played a major role in the Industrial Revolution, when coal-powered engines helped change…

Information
2 minute read

Back with a bang! Manchester's fireworks displays set to return from 2026

Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been revealed. The popular events have not been held since 2019 when they could not take place because of the Covid pandemic. Following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Council…

Seasonal guide
5 minute read

Plan your New Year's Eve Celebrations in Greater Manchester

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, Manchester and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester are the best places to celebrate. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with your partner, gather the family for a memorable night, catch up with friends, or even enjoy a solo adventure, there’s…

4 minute read

What's on at the Theatres this Christmas

This festive season, Manchester transforms into a dazzling hub for Christmas theatre shows, welcoming families and theatregoers. From enchanting family favourites to spectacular musicals and pantomimes, Manchester theatre Christmas 2025 promises unforgettable nights out and magical festive memories.

Share and follow Visit Manchester on Instagram

Follow us everywhere