There’s nowhere better to spend a bank holiday than in Greater Manchester. This August, get ready to end the summer in style as the August Bank Holiday will be here sooner than you think. Across all ten of our boroughs, there are exciting events and activities to ensure you make the most of an extra day off and we’ve rounded up the best of them from family-friendly events to foodie heaven and everything in between. 

Take a read of our top picks and consider your bank holiday plans are sorted: 


Bolton Food and Drink Festival 
 

Over the August bank holiday, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is back for its 17th year. Taking place from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August the Bolton Food and Drink Festival will bring together celebrity chefs including James Martin and Ainsley Harriott, hundreds of food traders, live music and entertainment. This August Bank Holiday, make sure you head to Victoria Square for cookery demos, the best food and drink on offer and family-friendly fun. 
 

Festa Italiana Manchester 
 

Enjoy a taste of Italy this August Bank Holiday as Festa Italiana Manchester, the country’s most vibrant festival of Italian food, returns. This free, weekend-long celebration will take place in Manchester City Centre from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August. Inspired by Manchester’s Italian heritage and festivals all over Italy, the Festa brings communities together to enjoy beautiful food, delicious drinks and incredible live music. Expect to see some of your favourite Manchester Italian eateries there, including Destination Doughnut, Lucky Mama's, Proove, Cafe Cannoli, T'arricrii, Pasta Factory, I Knead Pizza and Cafe Azul.

Foodie Friday in Stockport 
 

Want to kick off the bank holiday weekend in a truly delicious fashion? Then head down to everyone’s favourite Foodie Friday in Stockport. On the last Friday of every month, Stockport Market Place is taken over by street food vendors, specialist drink stalls and live entertainment from local talent. Between 6 pm and 9 pm on Friday 26 August, you can sample the best that Stockport has to offer from craft beers to halloumi fries and everything in between. 
 

Luna Outdoor Drive-in Cinema Tatton Park 
 

Whether you’re a movie buff or are simply looking for a unique way to spend your August Bank Holiday, Open Air Cinema is coming back to Tatton Park this summer. The Luna Cinema presents three nights of classic cinema under the stars. The listings include West Side Story on Friday 26 August, Grease on Saturday 27 and Moulin Rouge! on Sunday 28, so get your vocal cords warmed up and be ready to sing a long. What could be better? 
 

Summer Country Fayre at the Farm (Tatton Park) 
 

Celebrate the countryside in style this August Bank Holiday, as The Farm at Tatton Park is putting on a traditional English fayre over the weekend. With traditional games like tug-of-war and egg and spoon race, Morris dancers, drumming bands and circus performers there’s loads going on. Try your hand at archery or join in with some country crafts as well as all the fun of the farm. The Summer Country Fayre is fun for the whole family and the perfect way to spend a bank holiday weekend. 
 

Moovin Festival Stockport 
 

Stockport’s favourite Moovin Festival is back and bigger than ever this August Bank Holiday weekend. White bottom Farm in Etherow Country Park just 30 minutes outside of Greater Manchester will host some world-renowned acts and DJs to get the party started including Louie Vega and Shy FX. You’ll find a mix of genres as well as circus performers, festival fun and even holistic treatments for a truly magical weekend. Camp out under the stars for the full festival experience just outside of Stockport. 
 

Doki Doki Manchester Japanese Festival 
                 

From Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 August, you can celebrate the best of traditional and modern Japanese culture right here in Manchester. Doki Doki – The Manchester Japanese Festival is taking over Sugden Sports Centre near Manchester Metropolitan University. The festival will include talks, demonstrations, parades and activities showcasing Japanese culture, language and arts from the country's past and present. Enjoy great food, buy from Japanese artists and even attend film screenings as you immerse yourself in the best Japan has to offer. 
 

Manchester Pride Festival 
 

In Manchester, the August Bank Holiday means one thing for many people and that’s Manchester Pride. The Manchester Pride Festival will take place from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August including the infamous Manchester Pride Parade, The Gay Village Party and a candlelit vigil. There will be an arts and culture programme run by the team at Superbia, a Youth Pride event and Family Pride events to ensure there’s something for everyone across the weekend. The Manchester Pride Festival is a party as a protest, it celebrates equality and solidarity against hate. It’s a chance to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, raising awareness for the issues they face and also celebrating love and uniqueness. 
 

Worsley Live 2022 
 

The Greatest Family Show is coming to Roe Green Cricket Club on Sunday 28 August for Worsley Live 2022. See all of your favourite characters take to the main stage with songs from Aladdin, Frozen, Moana, The Greatest Showman and more. The event will be hosted by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan and promises a star-studded lineup with tribute bands including The Kopycat Killers, a tribute to The Killers and Princesses of Pop Little Mix Magic and Ariana Grande. For 90s kids, there will even be a DJ set from N-Trance. 
 

South Manchester Dog Show 
 

Prep those paws and brush that fur, the South Manchester Dog Show is back! Formerly known as the Cheshire Dog Show and in aid of Dogs4Rescue, The South Manchester Dog Show will take over Wythenshawe Cricket and Sports Club on Monday 29 August. Categories include; best fancy dress, best scruffy, best smile, best rescue and of course, the waggiest tail. All entrants will receive a rosette and all 1st place winners will be entered into the best in show category for the chance to be crowned the ultimate winner. There will be a wide variety of stalls at the show too along with rides, activities and a bar, making it a woofing great day out for all the family. 
 

There really is something for everyone across Greater Manchester this August Bank Holiday, so whatever your tastes we’re sure you won’t be bored. 

To find out about more events taking place in the city-region visit our What’s On Page. 

For more inspiration about things to do in Greater Manchester, view our blog.