Our top tips for making the most of the week ahead, with brilliant things to do across the whole of Greater Manchester… For even more ideas, visit our What’s On page.
 

1. Celebrate the start of summer at The Manchester Flower Festival
 

From floral installations to outdoor dining, live music and entertainment, you’re in for a bloomin’ amazing long weekend in Manchester city centre. Free and open to all, the Manchester Flower Festival welcomes you to wind your way around the city’s shopping streets to find the most beautiful gardens and flowers. There are 10 professionally designed displays to be discovered, all themed around ‘Manchester in Flowers’.
 

2. Watch a rooftop Circus and Cabaret atop a historic city centre train station
 

An award-winning, genre-defining cabaret, fresh from sell-out runs of Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Leicester Square, comes to Depot Mayfield for a six-week run from Thursday 25 May. La Clique has wowed audiences around the globe and features the very best of circus, comedy and cabaret. Tickets start from £19.50 (16+ only).
 

3. Watch two amazing innings of Cricket this week at Emirates Old Trafford
 

Twenty20 cricket returns to Emirates Old Trafford this week as Lancashire Lightning take on Leicestershire Foxes in the first of a two doubleheader. On Thursday 25 May, catch the midday game between Lancashire and Leicestershire, then in the afternoon, Thunder take on The Blaze in the headline fixture of The Charlotte Edwards Cup, a fantastic celebration of Women in Sport. Tickets start from £5.
 

4. Gather everyone together for the May Weekender at Ducie Street Warehouse
 

Ducie Street Warehouse is combining its passions for food, music, and the ultimate good time by bringing people in together for all the May Weekender. The Bank Holiday weekender kicks off with the warehouse’s famous Saturday Disco Brunch hosted by Manchester’s finest selectors. Followed by double-header feast of Ducie Street Warehouse’s award-winning Sunday Roast as named by Rate Good Roasts which will be hosted on Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, plus soundtrack from the much-celebrated Reform Radio in the lounge.

On the final Bank Holiday Saturday on 27th May, the warehouse will host an Ibiza Calling Disco Brunch party with Guy Williams and Mr Dorris with performances from Ghetto Fabulous. Followed by the return of Double Ducie Roast on Sunday 28th May and Monday 29th May. Reform Radio will be back on duty behind the decks to conclude Ducie Street Warehouse’s May Weekender.
 

5. Explore performance dance with Emergence 2023
 

The highly anticipated Emergence touring programme kicks off on Friday 26 May at the Waterside Arts in Sale. This event marks the 5th anniversary of the programme, featuring a talented new company of dancers and three mesmerizing works. Audiences can look forward to a visually stunning and physically charged performance by renowned choreographers Alice Klock and Florian Lochner (FLOCK), as well as performances produced by Anthony Missen, and classical contemporary dance company Josh Arnott Dance. Tickets start from £11. 
 

6. Immerse yourself in the aquatic world of the shark at Chester Zoo
  

From Thursday 25 May, sink your teeth into an amazing ‘out of water’ shark experience at Chester Zoo. Planet Shark: Predator or Prey, is an aquatic adventure appearing for the first time in the UK. As soon as you step into the new immersive exhibition space, you’ll be transported under the sea into the domain of one of the world’s most misunderstood predators. Tickets are free with zoo entry.
 

Focus on food: Alberts Schloss, Peter Street
 

Albert's Schloss Manchester introduces its exciting spring food and drinks menus, showcasing Alpine-inspired dishes and drinks influenced by the team's travels across Alpine Europe. The drinks menu presents seasonal cocktails, sustainable spritz, Artisan Schnapps, and Alpine wines, with standout options like Prince Albert and Queen Victoria cocktails. The food menu features new additions like Haus of Schnitzel and Haus Flammkuchen, along with classics like Fish Frites. Sharing options include Fondue and the Bavarian Feast. The Cook Haus is open daily, offering a range of performances during Seven Days of Showtime, including Kunst Kabaret and Friday Frolich.
 

Book Now: Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, Science and Industry Museum
 

The Science and Industry Museum's latest exhibition Operation Ouch! Food, Poo, and You, opens from 21 July 2023 to 2 June 2024. The exhibition brings the popular CBBC children's TV series to life, offering a fascinating exploration of the digestive system. Dr Chris, Dr Xand, and Dr Ronx invite visitors on a special mission to uncover the mysteries of our bodies' digestion process. Get ready to be immersed in interactive activities that delve into the functions of organs like the bowels and gallbladder. Learn about the breakdown of food, the battle against harmful bacteria, and even participate in moving waste through the large intestine.