1. Get on down at Manchester Jazz Festival  
 

Manchester Jazz Festival is taking over Escape to Freight Island until 13 June for a weekend of contemporary jazz across three stages. The last remaining tables for the festival are available online, with acts lined up including Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Untold Orchestra, and other solo and quintet performances. 
 

2. Immerse yourself in outdoor theatre at Homeground 
 

The new outdoor performance space and food terrace opened by the team at HOME, this week sees Homeground present a reimagined performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream; puppetry, illuminations and music in a collaboration with Z-Arts at Hare and The Moon; live comedy acts on Sunday; and Journeys Festival International takeover on 13 June; plus a line-up of DJs performing every night of the week. 
 

3. Enjoy a delightful performance of Wallace and Gromit in concert  
 

The loveable animated duo makes an appearance in this cracking live orchestral show at The Lowry, with a special screening of The Wrong Trousers on 13 June. Wallace and Gromit are also joined by other special guests with clips from Shaun the Sheep, accompanied by classical and popular music, with a special performance of Wallace’s musical marvel, My Concerto in Ee Lad.  
 

4. Travel back in time at the Museum of Transport 
 

The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, has now reopened its doors, open every weekend with a fascinating display of buses, coaches, trams and historic transport objects all housed inside a 1930s former bus depot. The museum’s Period Tea Rooms and shop will also be open, and visitors can travel in style with a free heritage bus travelling regularly from the city centre to the museum. 
 

5. Escape to Freight Island for food, drink and party vibes 
 

Bookings are now open to secure the best seats for the summer at Escape to Freight Island, one of Manchester’s newest and most popular party venues. Taking up space at the former railway station Mayfield, Escape to Freight Island offers 17 different food and drinks vendors, and a range of free and ticketed entertainment including; DJ sets, live musicians, and performances. This week’s listings include The Untold Orchestra Presents: The Beatles, an 80s DJ show from DJ Yoda, and Easternbloc DJ’s. 
 

6 . Shop vegan and ethical at historic Victoria Baths 
 

Manchester’s splendid Victoria Baths is open this weekend (12-13 June) with a fantastic selection of stalls selling vegan food and drink, sustainable household products, recycle jewellery and lots of other ethical goodies. An alfresco food court and bar with covered seating will be open, alongside the Victoria Baths Gift Stall and an exhibition on the ‘People’s Water Palace’. Timed entry tickets are required, book online.  
 

7. Try out the food at new First Street Bar & Kitchen 
 

A brand-new bistro has opened at the INNSIDE hotel bringing internationally inspired cocktails and dishes. First Street Bar and Kitchen features a large open plan restaurant with a resident DJ, a circular Spritz Bar and a sun-kissed outdoor terrace with games area, adding to the already vibrant neighbourhood of First Street.   
 

8. Perfect your cookery skills with a masterclass 
 

The cooking wizards over at Food Sorcery in Didsbury are hosting a range of cookery masterclasses throughout the week, including three classes on 12 June with Macaron making, a patisserie class, and wine and cheese tasting. Plus, sessions throughout the week such as the couples Thai cooking class, with canapes and arrival drink; or eat as you cook takeaway Vietnamese; and a class in Mexican street food. 
 

9. Watch live drama from Hope Mill Theatre 
 

The much-loved Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats is now streaming live from its theatre for performances of Hushabye Mountain until 20 June. The play, written by acclaimed writer Jonathan Harvey, and a starring cast including Matt Henry, Jodie Prenger and Layton Williams, the play reveals a world that has learned to live with AIDS, adding love, laughter and an ‘appearance’ from Judy Garland…  
 

10. Book now – new exhibition celebrating Factory Records opens next week 
 

Manchester’s iconic record label Factory Records is celebrated in a new exhibition opening on 19 June. Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum will display 50 artefacts from the official Factory catalogue including items from Joy Division, New Order and The Durutti Column. The culturally iconic record label had a huge influence on the city in its early years from 1978 to 1982, and this exhibition is sure to be a sell-out. Get your tickets booked in early!