Known for its rich industrial heritage and dynamic music scene, Manchester bursts into life in the summer. Whether you're looking to uncover hidden gems or explore the city's diverse attractions, Manchester offers a plethora of experiences to indulge in. From lush parks and scenic waterways to world-class festivals and family-friendly events, there's no shortage of ways to make the most of the season.

Explore the best of Greater Manchester with the Bee Network. Their weekend family tram travelcard gives you unlimited travel from 6pm on Fridays through to the last tram on Sunday across all the Metrolink zones – for only £9.50! The travel card is for one to three children (aged under 16) accompanied by one or two adults. Available to buy on the Bee Network app.

Summer Events in Manchester

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The Manchester Pride Parade is the city’s biggest parade with thousands of LGBTQ+ communities and their allies marching for equality. This dazzling spectacle attracts thousands of spectators who line the streets to cheer on and join the protest for LGBTQ+ equality. This joyous event is free to…

Manchester Arndale's Summer Scran Fest is back for 2024, bringing a whole month of tasty food and drink offers for you to enjoy throughout the summer. From Saturday 3 August until Sunday 1 September, expect discounts on over 40 of your favourite food and drink restaurants, cafes and kiosks. You…

Blossoms return to Manchester on August bank holiday weekend 2024 for the biggest headline show of their career. The all-day outdoor concert will take place at Wythenshawe Park, with support from internationally acclaimed acts Inhaler and the legendary Shed Seven. Other acts joining Blossoms at…

Festwich 2025 30 Aug 2025

After an incredible 11-year run at St Mary’s Park in Prestwich, Festwich, the UK’s Biggest Tribute Festival, is embarking on an exciting new chapter by relocating to Heaton Park. Over 30th and 31st of August, tribute experiences for the best bands and artistis in the world will make…

England Men return to Emirates Old Trafford in 2024! The iconic cricket ground plays host to Sri Lanka in an unmissable Test Match from 21-25 August, and you do not want to miss out! Jimmy Anderson will play his 188th and final Test for England against West Indies at Lords, but fans will…

Step inside a new immersive storytelling experience from award-winning art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast – a visual feast for the senses. Sweet Dreams  invites you to explore our place in the food chain – wrapping big ideas about appetite and desire in a surreal pop package…

The LTA has confirmed Manchester’s AO Arena will again host a Davis Cup Finals Group Stage later this year. The event, a key stage of the men’s ‘World Cup of Tennis’, will enable fans up and down the country to see some of the world’s best players, with Britain to…

The Book of Mormon, the hilarious West End show, is embarking on a UK tour in 2024. See tour dates for The Book of Mormon Musical and buy your tickets from the official box office. Laugh out loud funny with insanely catchy music you will be humming for months on end! Be sure to catch Book of Mormon…

Queens: The Exhibition Inspired by SIX The Musical will run in the Galleries of the Salford arts venue from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 3rd November 2024. The free exhibition – curated by The Lowry – is the first of its kind and is produced with the support of…

Explore the complexities of Northern Ireland's history at IWM North's exhibition, "Northern Ireland: Living with the Troubles," opening on March 22, 2024. Witness firsthand testimonies and objects, such as a rubber bullet, propaganda posters, and a Good Friday Agreement booklet…

Summer Attractions in Manchester

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RHS Garden Bridgewater is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and access to exclusive discounts across the city, make the most of your time in Manchester with the Visit Manchester Pass. With 1, 2 and 3 day passes, find out more and purchase your…

The National Football Museum is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and access to exclusive discounts across the city, make the most of your time in Manchester with the Visit Manchester Pass. With 1, 2 and 3 day passes, find out more and purchase…

Cockfields Farm is an amazing day out for the whole family. Spend your day feeding, handling, stroking and learning about the massive range of animals they have on the farm. Animal handling encounters usually run every 30 mins so you can get up close with bunnies, guinea pigs, lizards, snakes…

Coronation Street is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and access to exclusive discounts across the city, make the most of your time in Manchester with the Visit Manchester Pass. With 1, 2 and 3 day passes, find out more and purchase your pass…

Jodrell Bank is an amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring place. A world-leading deep-space radio observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an award-winning national visitor attraction. Uncover the inspirational heritage of Jodrell Bank in the new First Light Pavilion. Inside this architecturally…

Explore 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world on a visit to the Science and Industry Museum. Journey through Manchester’s rich legacy of ideas and discoveries in the Revolution Manchester Gallery, from the ancestor of modern…

Nestled deep in the heart of the Irwell Valley, the East Lancashire Railway spans 12 miles of beautiful Lancastrian scenery and over a century of rich history.  The railway can trace its storied origins back to the heady days of the Industrial Revolution when it was part of a network ferrying…

Chester Zoo is home to over 27,000 endangered and unusual animals based in beautiful, award-winning zoological gardens. With over 500 different animal species in our 128 acres of award-winning gardens, you’re sure to have a great day out full of adventure where you’ll feel empowered and…

********* LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is the ultimate indoor LEGO Playground and offers an inspirational and unique day out for all the family! LEGOLAND Discovery Centres are designed specifically for children aged 3-10 years to enjoy – everything is child sized! As soon as you step…

Manchester City Stadium Tour is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic attractions and access to exclusive discounts across the city, make the most of your time in Manchester with the Visit Manchester Pass. With 1, 2 and 3 day passes, find out more and purchase…

Summer Food and Drink in Manchester

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Festa Italiana Manchester 23 Aug 2025

Festa Italiana Manchester is the country’s most exciting and vibrant festival of Italian food, drink and culture. It is a free, weekend-long celebration of all things Italian taking place from 23-25 August in Manchester city centre. Inspired by Manchester’s Italian heritage, as well…

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 23 Aug 2025

Bolton Food Festival is back again for 2024! After over half a million people came to see them last year, they're going bigger and better than ever before, with plenty of fun for the whole family across this year’s August bank holiday weekend! Expect to see Sheer Luck Holmes…

Zouk's popular Bottomless Brunch returns with a selection of new dishes and fabulous sharing platters. Available from 11:00 to 4:30pm every Saturday with the last sitting starting at 3:00pm. The brunch offers diners the chance to enjoy any main course and unlimited drinks from the bottomless…

MediaCity's favourite outdoor dining and events scene is back! MediaCity has relaunched its popular outdoor dining concept with Kargo on the Docks, bringing in a fresh wave of local food traders while giving visitors a chance to enjoy a range of new artwork by Salford-based creatives. Brand…

Every Thursday and Friday from 4pm till 7pm, Mount Street Dining Room and Bar is offering discount on premium alcoholic drinks. Walk in between these hours and choose from the following deals: 2 bespoke, premium cocktails for £18 5 bottles of beer for £20 30% off bottles of Whispering…

The King Street Wine Mile has arrived in Manchester! Bringing together some of the finest wining and dining establishments together for the most fun you'll have this side of the Loire Valley, they're popping their corks for a summer of fun right here on King Street. From Wednesday 17th…

A guided tour and tasting to give you an insight into Manchester Gin's distillery life. With a G&T in hand, Manchester Gin take you on a tour of the distillery to give you an insight into what they’re so passionate about. With every part of the production done in-house…

Join Manchester Gin for a fully immersive distillery tour and gin-making experience. With a gin and tonic in hand, they’ll give you an insight into how Manchester Gin started, take you on a tour of the distillery and explain the production process to really give you a feel for distillery…

The funniest pub tours in the country, absurd yet factual roller-coasters staggering across three hundred years of Manchester's drinking history. At the conclusion there’s a daft, very short, pub quiz based on the guide’s commentary with ‘great’ prizes. This is a…

Award-Winning Food Sorcery Cook School and Event Space Located in the heart of Manchester city centre, Food Sorcery invites you to embark on a culinary adventure, to learn new skills or get the team together for some foodie fun. Join Us for a Unique Culinary Experience Cookery and Baking Classes…

Summer Family-Friendly Events in Manchester

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From the moment you walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates you’ll be taken on an awe-inspiring journey, encountering life-sized dinosaurs, such as the towering Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, including fan-favourite Blue, and the most fearsome of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex! Guests…

Celebrate Batman’s 85th Anniversary at the Batman Unmasked exhibition in Manchester. This unique experience invites fans of all ages to delve into the legendary history of the Dark Knight, showcasing original props, vehicles, and costumes from Warner Bros. Pictures films. The Experience Batman…

Brand new for 2024, Chester Zoo presents AFTERGLOW the ultimate summer evening experience! Afterglow gives you 5 whole hours of zoo time filled with spectacular entertainment, exciting activities, and delicious food & drink. With puppets, acrobats, performers, and plenty of surprises along the…

Join an eclectic expedition of explorers on an adventure of Jurassic proportions and get up close and personal with a happy herd of baby dinosaurs. You will get to learn all about these adorable dinosaurs from our expert handlers in this fully interactive experience that is both educational and…

Sign up for the spellbinding school of sorcery and take a wacky whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy as you learn to become a master of magic. This interactive experience will see you take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your potions, receive instruction in incantation and learn to…

This summer, embark on a series of family adventures with exciting events featuring dinosaurs, dragons, and more! Each week offers something new, making it the ultimate family day out with activities for everyone. Event Highlights: The Gruffalo Sunday 21st July   Meet the beloved mythical…

The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit 13 Jul 2025

Looking to get the children out of the house and to engage in some fun, creative play now that home schooling is out of the way? Well you’re in luck, as the Great Northern Warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre has reopened its newly redesigned playhouse and ever popular giant sandpit this week…

Looking for action-packed things to do this Summer? Whether you are a thrill seeker looking for some fun or simply after some quality time with friends and family, we have adventure covered. Join us at Go Ape Rivington, near Chorley, for a day out in the trees tops and take on our Treetop Challenge…

Summer Walks, Parks and Gardens in Manchester

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The GM Ringway is Greater Manchester’s walking trail. Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the GM Ringway will connect visitors and residents with the cityregion's rich natural and cultural heritage. Green in every way, all 20 stages of the…

Turn today into an adventure with Treasure Hunt Manchester. Discover the city together by solving clues, scouring the city and following treasure maps. Uncover the flamboyant Canal Street, the majestic Central Library and Town Hall, Castlefield's peaceful canals and the shiny modern…

Rochdale Town Centre - Blue Plaque Trail takes you to the location of 20 blue plaques erected up to the end of summer 2013, coupled with information on listed and historic buildings of great interest.  We hope you enjoy your walk into Rochdale’s past and discover fantastic local stories.

About Rabbie's small-group tours of the UK, Ireland & Europe are driven by curiosity and guided by storytellers. If you crave stories that go deeper, that will act as souvenirs to take home with you, Rabbie's are the adventurers for you. From the guides to the guided, everyone's…

Where rhino stomp and lions roar, the safari by the city, and so much more. Experience Manchester's wildest day out with a trip to family favourite, Knowsley Safari. Start your adventure by exploring our impressive 5-mile safari drive which is currently home to over 750 fascinating animals, from…

Daisy Nook is a country park with woodland, canals, river, picnic sites, bird watching, orienteering and fishing.  Families can have a fun-packed day in the countryside with a fantastic play area set amongst 40 hectares of woodlands, meadows, waterways and a lake. The adventure playscape…

Situated on the edge of Oldham and the Peak District National Park, Dove Stone Reservoir is a spectacular area popular with visitors and for family days out. A picturesque spot, the main reservoir has its own sailing club, a permanent orienteering course, an extensive network of footpaths and good…

 Alexandra Park is a 60-acre  park designed by Alexander Hennell, and opened in 1868. Its initial purpose was to "deter the working men of Manchester from the alehouses during their day off".  The lodge and gateways are the work of Alfred Darbyshire…

Manchester's first designated local nature reserve is one of the most popular spots in the Mersey Valley. Set around a central lake with meandering paths leading into woodlands and wildflower meadows, the 170-acre site boasts common spotted and northern marsh orchid in summer.  Nearby…