The August Bank Holiday may mark the end of summer for many of us, but it’s also a great excuse to make the most of the best that Greater Manchester has to offer.

As always, there is plenty going on across the city-region this August Bank Holiday Weekend with festivals, events, exhibitions and more to keep you entertained. From foodie feasts to family fun, we’re not exaggerating when we say Greater Manchester has something for everyone.

If you’re looking for a way to finish your summer in style, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest and best things happening across Greater Manchester this August Bank Holiday.

  1. Family-Friendly Events for Kids
  2. Live Music in Manchester
  3. Food and Drink Festivals and Experiences
  4. Must-See Exhibitions
  5. Unmissable Theatre Shows
  6. Sporting Events

Family-Friendly Events for Kids

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There's so much going on in Manchester over the August Bank Holiday weekend to keep both the kids and adults entertained. Make the most of the final weeks at SUPERMASSIVE, an immersive play area where the kids can go wild. The Summer Fair is also back at Trafford Centre, offering plenty of fun for the kids including fairground rides and an outdoor splash park. 

Make the most of Manchester's outdoor adventure trails, take the kids to RHS Garden Bridgewater for a tree-mendous jam packed programme of outdoor fun including den building and storytelling adventures and crafts. 

Somewhere in Manchester Museum, a giant cat is asleep. Can the kids find the nine-meter-long inflatable robotic creature still and dreaming?

The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit 13 Jul 2026 - 31 Aug 2026

The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit

Looking to get the children out of the house and to engage in some fun, creative play now that home schooling is out of the way? Well you’re in luck, as the Great Northern Warehouse’s iconic amphitheatre has reopened its newly redesigned playhouse and ever popular giant sandpit this week…

Big Screen Fun for less at HOME 17 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026

Big Screen Fun for less at HOME

Join us every week for Family Films at HOME! Treat yourself to a Saturday cinema trip or catch a film on select Wednesdays during school holidays with our Disney classics and latest releases. All tickets are £4.70 (inc. booking fee) and kids eat free* in our restaurant with a film ticket…

Live Music in Manchester

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Manchester Pride returns for August Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing thousands of people together to the streets of Manchester. There's a whole host of events happening to experience the ultimate celebration of queer people, culture and expression. 

Live Music at Mulligans 06 Aug 2026 - 23 Dec 2026

Live Music at Mulligans

An absolute hive of live music across three floors, every weekend at Mulligans. Featuring the best local bands and talent bringing unbeatable energy and atmosphere, it's Manchester's top spot to enjoy live music with something for everyone. Explore upcopming live music here.

Food and Drink Festivals and Experiences

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Enjoy the final weeks of the summer holidays with a family meal, make the most of incredible deals happening across Manchester including kids eating for free at The Ivy and Kargo. Check out Bolton Food and Drink Festival which returns this August Bank Holiday, and it’s set to be the most spectacular yet.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 22 Aug 2026 - 25 Aug 2026

Bolton Food and Drink Festival

Bolton Food and Drink Festival returns this August bank holiday, and it’s set to be the most spectacular yet. From Friday 22 to Monday 25 August 2025, the UK’s biggest food and drink festival will take over the town centre in a flavour-packed celebration of its 20th anniversary. In…

The Big Manchester Bake 17 Jan 2026 - 14 Jan 2028

The Big Manchester Bake

Come get your bake on! The Big Manchester Bake is opening October 2024 in New Bailey! An incredible, immersive award-winning baking experience, with the fully kitted out baking marquee, cake themed bar and cocktails, and hospitality suite. You've got 90 minutes to bake, decorate and see one…

Festa Italiana Manchester 22 Aug 2026 - 24 Aug 2026

Festa Italiana Manchester

Festa Italiana Manchester is the country’s most exciting and vibrant festival of Italian food, drink and culture. It is a free, weekend-long celebration of all things Italian taking place from 22-24 August in Manchester city centre. Inspired by Manchester’s Italian heritage, as well as…

Peaky Blinders Manchester - Bottomless Brunch 28 Feb 2026 - 28 Dec 2026

Peaky Blinders Manchester - Bottomless Brunch

'It's not drinking… It's brunch!' Enjoy 90 minutes of free flow drinks, alongside a sharing latter of tasty nibbles. (Only over 18s are permitted to book and attend.)

Must-See Exhibitions

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If culture’s more your thing, Manchester’s got you covered. Head to Lowry for their LOWRY 360 exhibition, celebrating 25 years with an amazing look at L.S. Lowry’s iconic art. Definitely worth a wander around the iconic Quentin Blake and Me exhibition too. 

For a limited time only you can explore the Titanic story as you’ve never seen before. Combining unique immersive experiences with genuine artefacts, this exhibition is not to be missed at Manchester Central.

Unmissable Theatre Shows

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Manchester’s stages are absolutely on fire this Bank Holiday Weekend. Lowry is hosting Chicago, the "sexiest musical ever" (Metro). Over at the Palace Theatre, Moulin Rouge brings the sparkle and drama. Opera House sees the return of Riverdance, a fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

Sporting Events

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Get ready for a spectacular celebration of women’s rugby as Salford Community Stadium hosts Australia vs. Samoa and Scotland vs. Wales over the Bank Holiday Weekend for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup!

To learn more about events taking place across Greater Manchester this August Bank Holiday visit our What’s On Page.

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