Summer is the time for getting out and about, making memories and soaking up the sunshine. Making this summer one to remember will be easy in Greater Manchester with so much going on from family fun through to festivals and an excuse for an outdoor tipple or two. Whatever your taste, if you’re looking for some summer fun, Greater Manchester can certainly deliver.
Here is our roundup of some of the biggest and best events taking place in Greater Manchester over the summer months.
Family Fun
The Summer Beach Event 2022
Every summer requires a trip to the beach, but this year you don’t have to go any further than Oldham. The Oldham Summer Beach Event makes the perfect family day out. Alexandra Park in Oldham will be home to a decked beach sandpit, deckchair seating, beach games, inflatables, rides, picnic seating and some delicious food and drink. Plus, there’s a clown's cave and daily magic shows from Smilie the clown to keep the little ones entertained. More special guests will be announced throughout the summer. The Summer Beach Event will run from Saturday 23 July to Sunday 4 September and entry is just £1.
The Nickelodeon Experience
Nickelodeon is coming to Greater Manchester this Summer. The Nickelodeon Experience will bring your favourite shows and characters to life. There are ten different Nickelodeon Zones suitable for a range of age groups like The Thunderman’s School for Superheroes and Henry Danger’s Maze recommended for bigger kids and PAW Patrol Meet & Greet for little ones. Plus, there are zones the whole family can enjoy, hang out at SpongeBob SquarePants’ Bikini Bottom Beach or head over to the ultimate Slime Time Party! This summer, make your kids the stars of the show in this immersive experience. The Nickelodeon Experience will run from Saturday 23 July to Friday 5 August and tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £29.50 for children.
Cultural Celebrations
Góbéfest
Experience another culture this summer with Góbéfest, the UK’s only free festival celebrating the legendary region of Transylvania and the Carpathian Basin. Taking place between Friday 24 and Sunday 26 June across Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens and Exchange Square, it will shine the spotlight on the music, dance, culture and cuisine of a lesser-known region of Eastern Europe. Expect bands, choirs, dance groups and the most delicious food and drink market. Sunday will be a designated dance day, and it promises to be full of colour. No need to book, just turn up.
Magic of Thailand Festival in Manchester
This summer, Manchester will also host a two-day festival celebrating the Magic of Thailand. For two days Platt Fields Park will be home to the best Thai culture has to offer, from food and drink to delight your taste buds to world-class entertainment. There will be the chance to receive a traditional Thai massage, or if you’re feeling a bit more competitive perhaps trying your hand at Muay Thai Boxing or a special eating competition would be more up your street. Plus, you can enjoy a Thai beer garden, traditional music and fun for all the family. Tickets cost £5 for adults, and under 15s go free. The festival is running from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 June.
Manchester Indian Film Festival
Why not catch a movie this summer? But not just any film. In Greater Manchester, Home is hosting the Blue Orchid Hotels Manchester Indian Film Festival once again. With a range of UK premiers, special guest Q&As and events, get a taste of Bollywood and beyond with this celebration of Indian filmmaking. The Manchester Indian Film Festival will be presenting a cutting-edge selection of the very best new independent cinema from the Indian subcontinent including dramatic features, documentaries, short films and Screen Talks by South Asia’s greatest film-making talent. The festival will be held at Home from Friday 25 June to Sunday 3 July.
Festa Italiana Manchester
Enjoy a taste of Italy this summer with Festa Italiana Manchester, the country’s most vibrant festival of Italian food, drink and culture. This free festival is taking over Manchester city centre from Saturday 27 to Monday 29 August. Inspired by traditional Italian festivals, the Festa aims to bring the community together to socialise and enjoy beautiful food and drink as well as live music. Savour mouthwatering dishes from Manchester’s Italian favourites including Sicilian NQ, Pasta Factory, Proove and Salvi’s. There will also be a live cookery theatre hosting masterclasses, an artisan food market and kids activities throughout the weekend.
Summer of Sport
UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
Manchester and Football are a match made in heaven, which is why it makes sense that Greater Manchester will host games throughout the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament this July. This summer get your football fix and watch some of the world’s best battle it out on the pitch. Old Trafford will host the opening game on Wednesday 6 July at 8 pm. Manchester City Academy Stadium and Leigh Sports Village will all host group games, and you could be there to watch from the sidelines. Tickets are priced from £5 to £50.
A Century of Cricket
It really is a summer of sport in Greater Manchester this year. As well as the Women’s Euros, cricket fans will be thrilled to learn that The Hundred is back at Emirates Old Trafford this summer and it’s bigger than ever. Get behind your local team, and watch world-class players in this thrilling format. If you’re a die-hard cricket fan or new to the sport, The Hundred will have you on the edge of your seat. You can catch the action from the best women’s and men’s teams with entertainment from BBC introducing acts on site too. Manchester Originals Men’s and Women’s teams will play at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday 5, Saturday 13, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 31 August.
But that’s not all, if traditional cricket is more your cup of tea, there are matches throughout the summer at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Catch all of the action from Lancashire Cricket this summer with some live matches that are sure to make your year.
Festivals
Manchester Festival of Nature
Celebrate Manchester’s wildlife and greener side with The Manchester Festival of Nature on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June. Organised by the Manchester Nature Consortium, this festival is a celebration of the wild plants and creatures that call our city home. Held at Heaton Park, this is not only an opportunity to get closer to nature but to learn more about the unique biodiversity in Greater Manchester and how to protect it. There’s also the chance to dress up for the Pollinator Parade, promising to be a fun and educational day for the whole family.
The Sparkle Weekend
This summer, the world’s largest celebration of gender identity returns to Greater Manchester. The Sparkle Weekend is a free to attend festival with live music, entertainment, talks and workshops. It’s a safe space to celebrate individuality and diversity. Held in Sackville Gardens in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village, the event promotes positive representation, creating a great day out with performances from trans and gender diverse artists, family-friendly activities and a focus on wellbeing and inclusivity.
Wigan International Jazz Festival
Wigan International Jazz Festival is back again for 2022. With a reputation as one of the finest jazz festivals in Europe, Wigan International Jazz festival brings together orchestras and musicians from across the world. This year from Friday 8 July to Sunday 10 July, you can join the action while listening to the sweet sounds of jazz. To view the line-up and purchase tickets to any of the festival's events, click here.
Manchester Pride Festival
It wouldn’t be summer without a pride celebration. While Pride Month is actually in June, Manchester traditionally saves their award-winning event for the August Bank Holiday weekend, and it’s definitely worth the wait. Events throughout the weekend will celebrate equality, arts and culture, community, activism, youth and family but of course, it will be a huge party and celebration of love. With the hugely popular Gay Village Party, Manchester Pride Parade, Superbia Weekend and the closing Candlelit Vigil, a gathering in Sackville Gardens to remember those lost to HIV, and those still facing LGBTQ+ persecution globally, it’s sure to be an incredible event. Manchester Pride Festival will run from Friday 26 August to Monday 29 August, day tickets cost £19 and weekend tickets are £35.
MegaCon Festival: Manchester
MegaCon Festival will make its Manchester debut this July. Backed by the founder of Comic-con, the event at Manchester Central hopes to welcome over 20,000 pop culture fans, comic book lovers, gamers and movie fans. Exhibitors at the event will include major movie companies, fashion brands, comic and pop culture retailers covering anime and manga, and big names from the world of gaming and technology. The two-day festival will see live stages, experiential stands, themed photo zones and a retail zone packed full of memorabilia. Expect big name appearances from the world of film, tv, game, anime talent & influencers, with meet & greet opportunities and signings. MegaCon Festival will be at Manchester Central on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival
Feel good this summer, Rochdale is putting on a really good time. With top-class entertainment, food and culture across the town’s venues, Rochdale Feel Good Festival promises to be a great day out for everyone, after all the clue is in the name. With names including The Fratellis, The Northern Soultrain and Britain’s Got Talent favourite Sign Along With Us on the main stage, there’s plenty to enjoy. Plus the food and drink village promises to deliver a tasty treat Rochdale’s Feel Good Festival will take place on Saturday 13 August and tickets cost £7.
Food and Drink
Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival 2022: A Feast in The Park
Foodies, give your tastebuds a treat this August as a celebration of food and drink is coming to Heaton Park. Everyone loves a food festival, it’s a chance to try some new dishes, fill up on old favourites and explore flavours from around the world. Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival 2022: A Feast in The Park promises to be a delicious day out. With live chef demos, music, artisan markets, a street food arena, independent bars, performing arts, kids activities, art displays and a funfair, there really is something for everyone. Plus, it’s dog friendly. Find some food inspiration, explore new flavours and delve into a taste sensation on Saturday 20 August with tickets costing £4.95 and children going free.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Celebrity chefs and delicious dishes are taking over Bolton this summer. Now in its 17th year, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is back and better than ever. Expect to see celebrity chef James Martin, Ainsley Harriott, renowned chef Michael Caines as well as live music, entertainment and hundreds of traders. You can join in with cookery demos, sample some mouth-watering food and drink as well as shop for tasty treats. There’s children’s entertainment too, so The Bolton Food and Drink Festival makes a perfect weekend for the whole family. The Bolton Food and Drink Festival runs from Friday 26 August to Monday 29 August.
The Gincident - Gin Cruise
Gin enthusiasts, this summer, hop on board The Gincident Gin Cruise. This three-hour boat trip will take you on a journey to discover the history of gin, from the 17th Century through to today. Learn all about the impact this wonderfully British spirit has had on our daily lives and of course, sample some for yourself. Each attendee will receive seven drinks, two gin and tonics and five cocktails designed to show how versatile and varied gin can be. There will also be food so no one is drinking on an empty stomach. The cruises will set sail on varying dates and times between Friday 10 June and Saturday 27 August, check their website for more information.
Dining With Distinction: Red Rose Diner
This one is for the foodies. This summer, why not enjoy a dining experience with a difference? The East Lancashire Railway invites you to dine with distinction with their Red Rose Diners. Enjoy a four-course meal during a steam train ride through the Irwell Valley. It’s set to be a first-class dining experience (literally!) and a meal you won’t forget in a hurry. Make yourself at home in the glamorous cabin, take in the stunning surroundings and give your tastebuds a treat. The dining experience costs £64.50 per person and it will be running on various dates between Friday 27 May and Friday 29 July.
Arts and Entertainment
Greater Manchester Fringe 2022
Greater Manchester Fringe is returning this summer and is bigger than ever. The city-wide theatre festival celebrates emerging talent from our region and past productions have moved on to national tours, shows at iconic local venues and have even won awards. Spread across multiple venues across the city region, tickets are low cost and often free to encourage more people to celebrate the theatre. The 11th Greater Manchester Fringe will take place from Friday 1 July to Sunday 31 July, with a whole host of entertainment to suit all tastes. Take a look at the line-up and book tickets here.
The Comedy Store at Escape to Freight Island
From the Wednesday 1 June, The Comedy Store Manchester will be taking over Escape to Freight Island every Wednesday. With a different line-up every week including Comedy Store favourites and even a few famous faces, you can enjoy the delicious food of Escape to Freight Island’s vendors while having a laugh a minute. For some good, humoured entertainment this summer, head to Escape to Freight Island every Wednesday at 19:30, tickets cost £15.
British Art Show 9
The UK’s biggest touring exhibition of contemporary art is coming to Manchester this summer. The British Art Show is a landmark touring exhibition that celebrates recent contemporary art and tours every five years. The artists featured in British Art Show 9 look at how we live with and give a voice to difference and understand identity. This year’s show was created at a moment in Britain’s history filled with political and social concerns as well as issues of racial and environmental justice. The exhibition will take place across Manchester’s celebrated art galleries; HOME, Manchester Art Gallery, Castlefield Gallery and The Whitworth between Friday 27 May and Sunday 4 September.