FIVE Things you can do in Greater Manchester this week (17 – 23 June)

The longest day of the year is taking place this week, on Friday 21 June, and RHS Garden Bridgewater is marking the special occasion with a special midsummer evening event. Bridgewater Lates – Summer Solstice is an opportunity for visitors to get close to nature and explore the stunning gardens between 6pm and 9pm, while enjoying live music or a traditional Chinese healing session. Standard garden admission starts from £15.85 for adults.

Savour an especially curated afternoon tea at King Street Townhouse. Recently launched, Early Summer Afternoon Tea presents you with a delicious offer of savoury sandwiches, decadent pastries and the classic scones. Level up to their ‘High Tea’ and enjoy mini cheeseburgers, lamb and mint sausage rolls and a collection of cheeses and chutneys alongside an extensive tea collection. The menu is available 7 days a week, between 12pm and 6pm, with the Traditional menu starting from £32.50 per person.

The Portico Library is opening a new exhibition that will appeal to fans of the mythical world. Between 12 and 29 June, check out the Weird as Folk: Tall Tales from the Northwest teaser display and test your knowledge of folklore legends as you discover how this book genre is catalogued. The display is free to visit during the library’s opening hours.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is hosting a new art exhibition that highlights the power and beauty of queer art to celebrate Pride Month. The art collection features work from 16 artists of the Friends of Dorothy project, which works to amplify the voices of queer artists. The exhibition is free to attend and is on until 1 September 2024.

The Royal Exchange Theatre has created a new programme dedicated to inspiring older people to be creative and connect with the artistic community. Elders is a project bringing the community together for regular activities on the first and third Monday of the month, with free drop-in sessions available. Discover more about the Elders Company and their programme of events and projects here.

Located in the heart of town, Bolton Market is a staple of the community, and has recently been redeveloped to welcome a brand new food hall. Featuring cuisines from around the world, including Japanese, Caribbean, Indian and Italian, you can try anything from gourmet burgers to kebabs, sweet treats and drinks. If you fancy watching the Euros surrounded by fellow fans, head over to the venue which will be showing a variety of sports events. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays to Sundays, it’s the perfect place for an after-work drink or a lunch out with the family. 

This summer, HOME welcomes to the stage the autobiographical production from British writer and musical theatre sensation Rob Madge. Recreating a Disney parade that 12-year-old Rob put together for his grandma with the help of his parents, My Son’s a Queer (But what can you do?) brings you laughter and love as the city gets ready for the Manchester Pride parade. On between 19 and 25 August, tickets start from £25 and are available to book now.