FIVE Things you can do in Greater Manchester this week (08 - 14 April)

Discover incredible talent from Spanish-speaking cinema with a fantastic line-up of stories at HOME. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of ¡Viva! Festival, from 5 to 25 April, HOME will be presenting exciting UK premieres along with archives from acclaimed directors and writers. Tickets can be purchased per film or book a selection of showings to enjoy discounts from 10% with no booking fee. 

Enjoy the last week of the Easter half term with a trip to one of Manchester’s most inspiring museums. Until 14 April, take part in the Spring Holidays at the Science and Industry Museum where children can play with gravity on a giant marble run, build their own fun in the Mega Makers indoor playground or dive into new worlds in the Reading Corner. Admission to the museum is free. 

This Wednesday, 10 April, head to Central Library in St Peter’s Square to hear from the author of Erasure, the novel that inspired 2023 film American Fiction. The Manchester Literature Festival brings Percival Everett in Conversation to discuss James, his new re-telling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, where Jim tells his story for the first time. Standard tickets are now available from £10. 

Embark on a mystical ride along the Irwell Valley with the East Lancashire Railway. On Thursday, 11 April, bring the family and Travel to Wonderland in a genuine steam powered train, as Alice and her friends join you for the fantastical journey, with plenty of activities and photo opportunities along the way. After your train ride, step inside the Bury Transport Museum or grab a bite to eat from the café at Bury Bolton Street Station. Tickets for the magical adventure start from £17.50. 

As Spring comes around, enjoy the weather with a stroll through a cinematic park on the edge of the Peak District. Having featured in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Lyme Park is known for its ancient woodland and colourful gardens and the historical house of the Leigh family. Standard tickets to the House, Park & Gardens start from £15 (please note these do not include Mr Darcy emerging from the lake). 

Canal Street has just welcomed a new luxury restaurant, set to be one of Manchester’s most exciting openings of 2024. Located in 20th century warehouse building, three-storey MAYA is a new all-day dining venue presenting a modern-European style menu in its ground-floor brasserie, while the basement level main dining room features a regularly changing seasonal menu. Reservations are now open. 

Be one of the first people to attend a gig at the UK’s biggest new music arena and experience the scale of the venue. On Saturday, 27 April, American rock duo The Black Keys become the first music act to perform at the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live, after the release of their twelfth studio album Ohio Players. Known for hits Tighten Up and Lonely Boy, the duo will be supported by British indie band Circa Waves. Tickets start from £42.50 and are available to book now.