Top 5 Unmissable Things to Do in Manchester This Summer

Manchester knows music, and this summer it's turning up the volume with a packed line up of iconic shows, outdoor gigs, and local festivals you’ll want to mark on your calendar.  

The biggest music event has to be Oasis coming back to their home turf, headlining five huge nights at Heaton Park - an unmissable homecoming for fans. If live music is your thing, Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl is a summer staple, bringing big names like Elbow, Basement Jaxx, and Rizzle Kicks to the heart of the city in a laid-back, open-air setting. For something a little different, Festwich offers full-on festival vibes and top-tier tribute acts in nearby Prestwich, rounding out a season of music that only Manchester could deliver. 

Manchester Pride takes place 22–25 August. Over the August Bank Holiday, the city lights up with parades, parties and music. This year includes the iconic Parade, the Village Party, a moving Candlelit Vigil, and a new Mardi Gras show at Depot Mayfield. 

Prior to Manchester Pride, SCENE, Manchester's LGBTQ+ Film and TV festival, returns. The week-long festival will run from 15-21 August 2025, celebrating both new and classic LGBTQ+ cinema and television.

You’ll also find Pride events happening across the summer months all over Greater Manchester in places like Salford, Stockport and Bury, as well as LGBTQ+ theatre shows, arts events and comedy nights. Check out our guide to top LGBTQ events for more details.

Manchester’s Gay Village

Centred around lively Canal Street, Manchester’s Gay Village is one of Europe’s oldest and most vibrant LGBTQ+ communities. It’s a must-visit with bars, clubs, and venues offering nightly entertainment for all. Highlights include Via, Vanilla, G-A-Y, Company Bar, MAYA, and Oscars. The area also thrives with gay-owned cafes, restaurants, and alfresco spots along the Rochdale Canal. Don’t miss the Richmond Tea Rooms for an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea, or try the Molly House for real ales and fresh tapas. 

Manchester doesn’t just come to life for Pride, the LGBT+ community is active all year round with great events. Check out the 15 year-round reasons you should visit Manchester as an LGBTQ+ tourist.  

Manchester is bursting with culture this summer. The Manchester International Festival is back from 3 – 20 July, taking over Aviva Studios with an exciting new programme featuring artists from around the world. Expect performances, outdoor art, and plenty of fresh, thought-provoking work.  

If you’re into art, the JMW Turner exhibition at the Whitworth is a must-see. Celebrating 250 years of his legacy, it showcases his Liber Studiorum prints alongside stunning watercolours from the Whitworth’s collection. This display of astonishing scenes offers a rare chance to see Turner’s mastery of light, colour, and atmosphere in a whole new way. For something immersive, Frameless Stories – Brought to Life offers a fresh look at the lives behind famous faces like Churchill, Ncuti Gatwa, Darwin, Amy Winehouse, Queen Elizabeth II and many more, in a unique experience created with the National Portrait Gallery.  

This year, Lowry celebrates their 25^th birthday with a new free experience, LOWRY360. It lets you step inside LS Lowry’s iconic Going to the Match in stunning detail, thanks to a collaboration with Barcelona’s Layers of Reality. As part of the celebrations, don’t miss the National Theatre’s smash-hit show Dear England in the Lyric Theatre and Quentin Blake and Me, a major new free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s most popular writers and illustrators - all part of a vibrant programme celebrating art, community, and creativity. 

And if you're after more family friendly entertainment, the ‘Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You’ exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum is packed with hands-on activities, laughs, and loads of cool science facts for curious young minds. 

From cricket to rugby, 2025 is Manchester’s summer of must-see sport. The Women’s Rugby World Cup comes to Salford Community Stadium on 23 and 30 August. Here, you’ll be able to see some of the biggest matches of the tournament. It’s a great chance to see world-class women’s rugby live and up close. Cricket fans are in for an exciting summer at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford, which will host some fantastic matchups. This year, the venue will feature the T20 games, with both the Women's and Men's teams competing against top-tier opposition under the lights in Manchester. Additionally, The Hundred is making its return, promising an electrifying cricket competition that blends world-class cricket with blockbuster entertainment. 

Culture and Sport Collide  

Football City, Art United. is a group exhibition at MIF25 featuring 11 new works by artist–footballer duos. Co-created by Juan Mata and curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Josh Willdigg, it explores the creative links between football and art through playful, boundary-pushing collaborations in various media, with behind-the-scenes videos from around the world.

Tour a Football Stadium 

Manchester United and Manchester City both offer brilliant behind-the-scenes stadium tours. Walk the players’ tunnel, check out the dressing rooms, and get that all-important pitch-side selfie. 

Manchester’s food scene is truly having a moment right now. From street food stalls serving up mouthwatering treats to high-end restaurants pushing the boundaries of creativity, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the city’s diverse culinary offerings.  

Food Festivals in Manchester 

Manchester has some great food festivals coming up like the Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival (2–3 August). A weekend of street food, craft beer, demos and live music, all set in one of the city’s most loved parks. It’s casual, family-friendly and very tasty. There’s also the award winning Bolton Food & Drink Festival which will return this August bank holiday.

Manchester’s Top Restaurants  

If you’re looking for unique dining experiences, there’s no shortage here in Manchester. Skof is one of the city’s most talked-about new restaurants, Skof is all about seasonal menus and relaxed fine dining. It’s run by ex-L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes and based in Ancoats. Mana Tasting menu is a real treat. Expect creativity, precision and a seriously memorable meal. New in town, Lina Stores brings classic Italian dishes and charm to the city centre, while Cut & Craft is a stylish spot for steak and cocktails in a beautiful, listed building.