A brand-new festival for beer and cider aficionados arrives at Depot Mayfield this Friday, 22 March. Set over two days, the International Brewing and Cider Festival gives the public a chance to taste over 1,000 worldwide brands, including local and national breweries in the Bar Zone. Alongside the large collection of beers and ciders, the festival will have local food vendors in the outdoor courtyard - including Honey Buns MCR and The Smoking Coal – and a line-up of up-and-coming artists. Tickets for the festival start from £20.00 and include your own festival glass. 

Between 23 March and 14 April, head to Chester Zoo and complete their egg hunting challenge to win a sweet prize! Included with zoo admission, this Really Wild Easter Trail is hiding giant animal eggs before leading you to the new snow leopard arrivals. While you’re there, explore the zoo with one of their unique experiences which give you exclusive access to areas not usually open to the public. Standard admission starts from £28.63. 

The Women’s Super League takes over Etihad Stadium this Saturday, 23 March, welcoming to the pitch the Manchester City and Manchester United Women’s teams. The Manchester Derby is City’s return to the iconic stadium after the same fixture saw over 40,000 fans at the match in the 22/23 season. Tickets for the clash start at £10. 

The Science and Industry Museum is opening its doors from 6.30PM this Thursday, 21 March, for a special fashion event. A look through the history of the industry, After Hours: Foward-Thinking Fashion will give you access to their Revolution Manchester gallery through the evening, learn about the objects in the Textile Gallery and watch historic machinery demos. There will be a pop-up vintage market by Affleck’s own Beg Steal & Borrow to browse, and sustainable fashion show The Fabric of Us will close the evening. Tickets for the event start from £10. 

Watch world renowned actor Ian McKellen as Sir John Falstaff in a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s historic plays Henry IV parts 1 and 2. With Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso) as Hal and Richard Coyle (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) as King Henry IV, Player Kings explores an England divided. The play is at Manchester Opera House until Saturday, 23 March, with tickets from £50. 

New opening: Black Cat Club

An exciting new bar has opened in Brown Street that will let you and your friends show off your competitive side. Black Cat Club comes from the team behind El Gato Negro and Canto, and features 6 darts game modes and the first interactive shuffleboards in the city. Designed so you can play and eat at the same time, the menu includes pizza, burgers, small and sharing plates and their extensive drinks menu offers exciting signature cocktails like Cool for Cats and Welcome to the Jungle. 

Emirates Old Trafford is setting up for a Summer packed with exciting cricket fixtures. On 30 May the 2024 Vitality Blast kicks off with Lancashire Lightning facing Durham Cricket before the thrilling Roses T20 match on 12 July. During the matches, Emirates Old Trafford will see the return of their fan village with live entertainment and activities for the whole family. Tickets for the matches are available to book now