Our top tips for making the most of half term, with brilliant things to do across the whole of Greater Manchester… For even more ideas, check out our guide to Fun Things to do in Greater Manchester this Half Term. 


1. Queen by Candlelight at Gorton Monastery 
 

Enjoy an incredible night of Queen anthems under candlelight at the Grade II listed, Gorton Monastery. Featuring a live cast of sublime West End singers accompanied by an incredible rock band, experience Queen as you have never heard them before on Saturday 16 April. The concert will feature some of the most iconic songs of all time for you to sing along to. 
 

2.  Celebrate the Easter story with classical music at Manchester Cathedral  
 

On Friday 15 April, join Manchester Baroque, in partnership with Manchester Cathedral, for a performance of one of the greatest works of all time. The older of Bach’s two surviving Passions, St John was first performed on Good Friday in 1724. Together with St Matthew, it has become the best-known musical work to depict the Easter story. Tickets start from £10, with all proceeds being donated to UK Med’s Ukraine appeal.  
 

3. Dine with distinction aboard the East Lancs Railway 
 

Food-lovers and rail enthusiasts can book to treat themselves to the ultimate foodie experience on board traditional Pullman-style carriages at Bury’s East Lancashire Railway. The experience stretches over a near three hour steam train ride through the Irwell Valley, including a four-course dinner followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates. With dates throughout the year, guests can now book via the East Lancashire Railway website.  
 

4. Learn about the importance of Chocolate during the Second World War 
 

A brand new interactive and educational live show with CBBC’s Ben Shires opens at Imperial War Museum North on 14 and 15 April. Get a taste for how important chocolate and other sweet treats were during the Second World War. A free activity for all the family, you will learn about the rationing of confectionery, how ingredients could change when in short supply and how important chocolate was to the troops both as a morale and much-needed energy booster. Visitors on the day to Chocolate and the Second World War can also meet with and learn from the IWM’s Veterans and Eyewitnesses as part of the We Were There activity. 
 

5. Things to do in Greater Manchester this Easter  
 

The Easter Bank Holiday is almost here, and it wouldn’t be surprising if you wanted to make the most of the long weekend. Luckily, as always, there is plenty going on in Greater Manchester. Whether you’re looking for some family fun or something different to try with friends this bank holiday, you’ll have plenty of choice in Greater Manchester. From shows to Easter Egg hunts, there really is something for everyone. 
 

6. Music makes time-travellers of us all 
 

Manchester Collective, debuts at the incredible Bridgewater Hall on Friday 15 April at 7.30pm. 

South African cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe is a sensation. His work has a way of cutting through what we think and tapping directly into how we feel. In this brand-new show Abel is backed by the beat of African percussion and joins Manchester Collective to present a musical journey that spans continents and generations, past and future. You can watch the trailer here


New opening of the week: Escape to Freight Island new food traders 
 

This spring, Escape To Freight Island will welcome several new food choices, including Lucky Foot, a deep-fried and charcoal-grilled chicken option. Think buckets of orange wine and modern cooking using the best chicken made from scratch in Manchester. Also moving in this month will be bakeries Batard and Gooey, as well as new concept Carnival from Hawksmoor co-founder Richard Turner. 
 

Book Now: Amazonia at Science and Industry Museum 
 

Sebastião Salgado, winner of the 2021 Praemium Imperiale award for painting, presents Amazônia at the Science and Industry Museum. Amazonia opens on 13 May and is a breath-taking photography exhibition that celebrates the Brazilian rainforest's indigenous peoples and varied landscapes. Salgado worked with twelve different indigenous communities for seven years to create this magnificent photography exhibition.