Events not to miss this early May Bank Holiday

• Chester Zoo

Immerse yourself in an African savannah Opening from 5th April 2025, this 22-acre habitat is the largest ever to open at the zoo, home to over 30 species including giraffes, zebras, and ostriches. Every visit supports vital conservation efforts to help Africa’s rarest species not only survive…

• RHS Garden Bridgewater

Starting on Saturday 15 February and continuing all year, explore the Guess How Much I Love You™ – A Garden Adventure trail following Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare around the garden. Bounce, hop and stretch like Little Nutbrown Hare, investigate colours, textures and shapes…

With a fantastic selection of rides, attractions and shows to see each day, Gulliver's World guarantees you one of the best family days out in the UK. There's so much to experience, from the wild rides in Western World to the thrilling rides of Smugglers Wharf. Gulliver's Resort…

Manchester welcomes World-Famous Museum of Illusions to the city! Enter the fascinating world of illusions where nothing is ever quite as it seems. This highly anticipated new attraction promises a captivating experience for visitors of all ages, immersing them in a world of optical illusions and…

• Lowry

Get ready for the excitement as Lowry celebrates a quarter-century of creativity and inspiration here in Salford. Since opening its doors in 2000, Lowry has welcomed 18.5 million visitors and now, it's pulling out all the stops with a spectacular programme of celebratory events, and exhibitions…

Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free… This is the story of a woman so unhappy, she’ll set the world on fire just to watch it burn. Ibsen’s masterpiece is re-imagined for the 21st Century in this new version by Patrick Marber (Closer, After Miss Julie)…

• People's History Museum

Join Halina Isherwood for a morning or afternoon Lino printing workshop, taking inspiration from May Day, spring and Manchester for your design. Cut your own printing block and print a card or fabric patch to take away. No previous experience or skills required, this workshop is designed to be…

• People's History Museum

Join artist and educator Helen Mather to make a May Day ribbon embellished with stitching, stamping or writing. A Family Friendly, colourful craft workshop celebrating the tradition of adorning trees and maypoles with ribbons. Suitable for 5+. All materials will be provided.

Join for the unveiling of a Stockport Music Story plaque to commemorate the life and musical contribution of Eric Haydock of The Hollies, who had over 30 singles in the UK chart and 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 making them one of the most popular and enduring bands of the 1960's. Eric was born…

Stories – Brought to Life, a new ground-breaking experience presented by FRAMELESS Creative, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery has announced its exciting first wave of sitters including Grayson Perry, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen…

To see some of the best craftsmen and women in the ceramics industry throwing, glazing and decorating, the interactive Wedgwood Factory Tour is a must. Learn about traditional and modern techniques which shape the Wedgwood brand and heritage. Visitors are invited to follow the journey of…

Merseyside hero Ian Prowse is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and frontman of Amsterdam and previously the frontman of indie cult band Pele. Raised on protest songs, influenced by the Celtic sounds that make Liverpool so unique, and inspired by the song writing craftsmanship of Paul Weller, Mike…

Based in Seoul, South Korea, 'Wave to Earth' is a three-member band consisting of singer-songwriter Daniel Kim, drummer Dong Kyu Shin, and bassist John Cha.

Born in Yorkshire, now based in London, singer-songwriter Beth McCarthy is a whirlwind of energy and emotion with songs that are written not only to be hear, but felt. McCarthy has a unique ability to captivate an audience with her cheeky charm and unapologetic openness whilst her music, vocal led…

• The Stoller Hall

Multi-award winning and UK Blues Hall of Fame Dom Martin from Belfast comes to Manchester on Saturday 3 May. Dom was voted Best Acoustic Blue Artist three years running 2020, 2021, 2022 and Blues Instrumentalist of the Year 2022 and 2023. His latest studio album “Buried in the Hail” won…

New Regency Orchestra has created a storm in the last three years with its mighty twelve-piece horn section, lock-tight five-piece rhythm section and the NRO dancers bringing new energy and arrangements to the golden age of latin jazz and salsa. Inspired by New York’s melding of Jazz and Latin…

Four of the country's greatest comedy entertainers will tour the UK in 2025 with their ownspecial take on the Rat Pack - Bradley Walsh (The Chase, Gladiators), Brian Conley (TheBrian Conley Show, EastEnders), Shane Richie (EastEnders, I'm a Celebrity…) and JoePasquale (I'm a…

Mike MassÈ is an internationally acclaimed artist, known for his whirlwind acoustic covers of rock classics. He initially became known for YouTube Channel, which now has over 400,000 subscribers and over 160 million views.

​​​​Manchester United Women play Manchester City Women in the Women’s Super League at Old Trafford on Bank Holiday Sunday 4th May with kick off at 12pm. Tickets are still available for the match, with kid’s tickets from £7.50 and adults’ tickets from £10. Marc…

• Platt Fields Park

On the first Sunday of every month, 10am – 3pm, Platt Fields Market Garden comes alive with their MUD Market. Expect a bounty of fresh produce, sourdough bread, farm-fresh eggs, fresh-pressed juices, homemade cakes, herbal teas, raw honey, cut flowers, and small-batch ferments. They've…

• Platt Fields Park

Join MUD's May Day celebrations, bringing together community, music, dance, and traditions rooted in nature and folklore. Celebrate the changing of the seasons and revel in the giddy spirit of May Day. They have a packed programme including: Jack in the Green Stage - music, dance, and a…

A Recipe for the Ultimate Weekend of Country Living, Local Produce, and Live-Fire Cooking. Fields to Fork Festival returns to Whitebottom Farm, Manchester, on 2-3 May 2026 with a weekend packed with food, music, countryside culture and plenty of stars from the culinary world. Already announced for…

This is SFTOC Created for music lovers by music lovers. Salford's much-loved festival of new music, Sounds from the Other City (SFTOC), announces its 20th anniversary lineup for Bank Holiday Sunday 4th May 2025, featuring Du Blonde, Grove, Astrid Sonne, The Orielles and over 100 more acts. For…

The Big Pants party is the ultimate ladies night out, celebrating the iconic soundtrack of a lifetime of fun, love and friendship. Join The Plaza for an evening of fabulous live music and amazing vocalists as you embark on an extraordinary celebration of sisterhood with some of the greatest…

Trafford Centre is about to be transformed into the ultimate beauty playground, with its FREE ‘Beautopia’ event taking place from Friday 2 May – Sunday 4 May. Taking place in the Orient and in beauty stores across the centre, step into a vibrant world where beauty meets play, with…

Set within a spectacular venue on Deansgate, Electric Shuffle Manchester boasts 15 shuffleboard tables, incredible cocktails to enjoy in our awe-inspiring bar, and competitive corporate events like you've never seen before. Whether you're joining us for your Christmas or Summer Team Social…

Printworks is a buzzing, entertainment and leisure complex located in the heart of Manchester City Centre’s retail district. Positioned right next door to the AO-Arena, National Football Museum and Arndale Centre on Exchange Square, Printworks is alive with activity seven days a week. Be it…