1. View the oldest known L.S. Lowry painting at The Lowry 
 

Salford Quays’ The Lowry has reopened its doors to welcome visitors back to its art galleries, and celebrates its reopening with one of the earliest known L.S. Lowry sports paintings being placed on display for the first time since 1966! Going to the Match will be available to view for just two days (5-6 June), whilst a new exhibition Days Like These opens with artwork from Salford residents on their experiences of 2020, alongside the permanent collection of L.S. Lowry works on display.  
 

2. Enjoy music at Rochdale Folk Festival 
 

Rochdale Folk Festival brings a range of free live music across the town at pubs and outdoor venues from 4-6 June. Musicians will be playing popular spots including The Medicine Tap, The Flying Horse, Touchstones Rochdale, and Riverside. Advanced booking is advised to secure a seat, and the full line-up can be found here.  
 

3. Attend over 80 free events at the Festival of Libraries 
 

The Festival of Libraries will take place on 9-13 June, with events happening in every one of Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs. The vibrant programme includes talks, artists residencies, photo trails, writing workshops, and family-friendly events. Highlights include; Guy Garvey at Chetham’s Library, a rare books talk at Bolton Library, Hawk Dance theatre in Stockport, and ‘The Koala who Could’ storywalk. For more details and booking see online here. 
 

4. Learn something new at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre  
 

Currently on display at Bury Art Museum & Sculpture Centre you’ll find an exhibition on food, a documentary exploring the world of drag and gender performance and, the popular annual Bury Photographic Society exhibition, alongside a permanent collection of Victorian art, artefacts relating to Bury-born Prime Minister Robert Peel, and the sculptures as part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail.  
 

5. Experience a live classical orchestra in a magnificent Monastery 
 

Manchester Camerata marks the orchestra’s long-awaited return to public live performances with an exciting concert staged in its new home at The Monastery in Gorton. Resonance on 10 June brings an ethereal night of classical music perfectly tuned to the epic natural acoustics of the impressive Monastery building. Performances will be socially distanced, with tickets pre-booked online. 
 

6. Turn your world upside down at the Upside Down House 
 

For a fun family trip out, try a quirky walk around the Upside Down House at the Trafford Centre, where you can walk on the ceiling and handstand on the toilet whilst taking some crazy-looking pictures. The attraction is now back open again, with tickets available online.  
 

7. Eat up live jazz and hip-hop with a lunchtime performance at The Stoller Hall 
 

The Stoller Hall has reopened its doors for live performances, and this week you can catch a lunchtime performance from Saxophonist, composer, poet and MC, Soweto Kinch bringing jazz and hip-hop to the venue on 7 June. Tickets are also available for an evening performance being held at The Yard, a unique performance space opposite the Green Quarter. 
 

8. Explore the region’s industrial heritage at Portland basin museum 
 

Housed with the restored nineteenth century Ashton Canal Warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne, you’ll find something for all the family at the Portland Basin Museum. Visitors can explore the area’s industrial heritage and what life was like down the mines, or step back in time on the 1920s street, recreated to bring the sights and sounds of Tameside back to life. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, with free pre-booking required online. 
 

9. Go behind the scoreline with a football stadium tour 
 

No matter if you’re a Blue or a Red, tours of the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, and Old Trafford, Manchester United’s pitch, are now open for a behind scenes look at the two world-famous stadiums. Man City and Man United fans can be treated to a peak at the players’ locker rooms and training areas, get up close to the pitch, and have an immersive experience in the two clubs’ museums.  
 

10. Book ahead – get ready for this summer’s Manchester International Festival 
 

Manchester International Festival is set to return for MIF21 on 1-18 July, with a range of in-person and virtual arts events, alongside the popular Festival Square taking place for the first time in Cathedral Gardens. The festival is expected to be popular, so we recommend checking out the full line-up that has now been revealed, and secure your free and paid tickets online now.