1. View 40 Greater Manchester artists on display at Waterside Arts 

An exciting exhibition showcasing the work of Greater Manchester artists is now on at Waterside Arts until Saturday 9 September. Artists, designers and makers have their works on display at Manchester Made, including ceramic, glass, print and sculptures, available to view and purchase. Alongside this event, Manchester-based artist Sam Owen Hull is exhibiting Li/Lu, a work exploring the artist’s world view and the polarisation of society. Admission to the exhibitions is free. 

2. Celebrate the start of The Tour of Britain 

For the first time since 2019, The Tour of Britain will return to Greater Manchester when the city hosts the Grand Départ on Sunday 3 September. The UK’s biggest professional cycling race will set off from Market Street in Altrincham and make its way through all ten Greater Manchester boroughs on a 163.6km route, with a finish line at Deansgate in the City Centre. Head along to support some of the UK’s best athletes and see the dramatic start or finish of the Tour of Britain.  

3. See Shakespeare and Austen performed in the park  

From 31 August to 2 September, Fog Lane Park in Didsbury will become the center stage for two moving productions. Based on an original play by Michael Davies, MacHamLear is a hilarious mash-up of three great tragedies by Shakespeare, where the audience is asked to vote for their favourite in game show “Will of the People”. For a more romantic show, the audience can step into the world of Jane Austen with a showing of literary classic Sense and Sensibility. Tickets start at £11.50. 

4. Burrs Country Park turns into a 5-day celebration 

The big outdoor summer festival, Burrs Live returns for another year at Burrs Country Park. The festival, run by The Met Bury is on from 30 August to 3 September, with five days of live music, food and drink and family-friendly entertainment. Say one last hurray to summer before school starts with performances by the Bootleg Beatles, The Untold Orchestra and a Proms in the Park event. Tickets start from £11. 

5. Discover a future Manchester through AI  

Until 3 September, Manchester based theatre company leo&hyde are hosting a series of walking tours powered by AI. The Ruins of Earth tour will be led by X2-729 who will be expertly disguised as a human being and will lead the brave group of explorers through a future version of Manchester where abandoned skyscrapers will clue you in to how exactly civilisation was destroyed. Beginning outside Aviva Studios, home to Factory International, tickets for the tour start at £8.83. 

Book Now: NERF Action Experience 

A new immersive, indoor arena for NERF enthusiasts opens this September inside Trafford Palazzo. NERF Action Experience will have five exciting zones, including a training ground to practice in, a competitive sports arena and three different thematic rooms, and is an experience for all ages. It will also be home to the UK’s first NERF dedicated store. For a boost of energy, there will be a new Archie’s ready to serve its delicious milkshakes and burgers.  

New Opening: Waku Waku 

First opened on the 15 August, this new Japanese restaurant is the first of its kind in Manchester. Inspired by the popular 2D cafes in South Korea, Waku Waku is a monochrome optical illusion that transports you to a cartoon world. The food, however, is very real and it brings a delicious splash of colour to the space. Pop down to Portland Street and try their adorable egg waffles or even a cup of Mount Fuji. 

Instagram: @wakuwaku_uk