Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Events in Greater Manchester

Manchester Pride celebrates modern families of all shapes and sizes. Whether LGBTQ+ families, single-parent households, same-sex parents, adoptive families, foster families, or multi-family homes, every family deserves to be seen, heard, and cherished. Delivered in partnership with Proud 2 b…

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…

• Spinningfields

Manchester's very own Paddington statue has arrived in Spinningfields as part of the Paddington Visits trail, a thrilling addition to neighbourhood and the only one in the city. Dressed in his signature blue duffle coat, red hat and complete with a marmalade sandwich in paw, this statue is one…

Music for the Senses will take over the streets with a trail of amazing artworks, murals, mosaics and installations celebrating the people, places, moments and instruments of Manchester’s music scene. At the heart of Music for the Senses is Guitar Street, an interactive installation on a…

• Piccadilly Gardens

Roll with it this summer at the MCR Live Hub – your go-to city centre hangout for all things music. Whether you're here for the epic Oasis homecoming gigs or exploring the packed calendar of live music across the city, the Hub is where the good times begin and keep on coming. The Hub is…

• Science and Industry Museum

A sense-sational exhibition! Get ready for a brand-new adventure of super-sized science and brilliant biology with Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You. Journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot and plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses. Get…

• Lowry

In the Night Garden Live is coming to Lowry in 2025! Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle's Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all!…

• Lowry

You're all invited to the CBeebies House Party LIVE! A family fun-packed stage show with sensational songs, stupendous surprises and mega moments.Join the superstars of CBeebies – Justin Fletcher, Duggee, Evie Pickerill, Rhys Stephenson and Mr Maker – as they throw an epic party just…

18+ Join Manchester's first and only dedicated and official Rum Festival, featuring a whole-host of rums from across the world, cocktails and food to enjoy and live music in one of Manchester's premier event spaces, New Century Hall! Expect a rum-fuelled cocktail bar with resident DJ…

YOUR NEW GO-TO FOR OUTDOOR SUMMER SOCIALS. A full summer of events at Courts Club with the following line up in store: - Cali-mex street food from food truck Cantina and refreshing Margs Vans - HOOPS every Saturday. Free every week from 6pm, with Live DJs playing classic hip-hop & block party…

• MediaCity

MediaCity’s popular outdoor dining concept Kargo on the Docks is set to return to the waterside this May, bringing a whole new line-up of independent street food traders to the heart of MediaCity. A collective of several re-imagined shipping containers, the foodie destination situated in…

• Heaton Park

MANCHESTER, GET READY! After a record-breaking year in 2024, Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival is back and bigger than ever! Mark your calendars for August 2nd & 3rd, 2025, as Heaton Park transforms into the ultimate foodie paradise. Picture This: You, a refreshing drink in hand…

• Platt Fields Park

A two day Thai Festival to experience the taste of Thailand this summer at Platt Fields Park is brought to you by Magic of Thailand, previously known as Manchester Thai Festival. Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture, where you…

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…

The vibrant and much-anticipated Manchester Caribbean Carnival is set to return on August 9th and 10th, from 12pm to 8pm each day. After the resounding success of last year's event, which attracted over 58,000 attendees, this year's carnival promises to be even bigger and better. The two-day…

• Canal Street

Following the creation of the Manchester Village Pride CIC, it has been confirmed that the Summer Bank Holiday Weekend celebrations will return in 2026, and wristbands are now on sale via Skiddle. Under the new direction of Manchester Village Pride CIC funds raised through the sale of…

SCENE returns to Manchester for its third year with a packed programme of films, TV screenings, documentaries, events, parties and panel discussions. Visitors can enjoy screenings across the city, from outdoor screens and traditional cinemas to pop-up venues, including New Century, HOME, Cinema…

• Depot Mayfield

SUPERMASSIVE is continuing for a few extra weeks at Depot Mayfield due to popular demand! A mind-bending mix of art, tech, and play — SUPERMASSIVE is continuing as Manchester’s most interactive experience, designed for curious humans of all ages. Don't miss your last chance to…

No Place Like Home: Manchester Village Pride Parade – Key Event Information Everything you need to know about Manchester Village Pride 2026 Parade Date & Route The iconic Manchester Village Pride Parade returns on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The parade will wind through the city, finishing…

Mardi Gras is here to serve! A brand-new addition to your Manchester Pride Bank Holiday Weekend, this high-energy, high-glam, high-queer extravaganza takes over Depot Mayfield for two days of world-class artists, DJs, drag royalty, cabaret, and more in celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. This is Pride…

• The John Rylands Research Institute and Library

Launching The John Rylands Library’s redeveloped exhibitions gallery, The Secret Public : LGBTQ Pop 1955 – 1985 examines the profound influence of LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly performers, artists and activists on mainstream pop culture. Co-curated with Professor of Popular Culture, Jon…

• The Whitworth

Marking the 250th anniversary of his birth, this exhibition will explore the work and technique of legendary British landscape artist JMW Turner. It presents a rare opportunity for audiences to see the  Liber Studiorum  in its entirety for the first time in over 100 years…

• Manchester Central

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 the Exchange Hall at Manchester Central, you will follow the Titanic’s journey from the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast…

Can't make it to Switzerland? The National Football Museumgot you covered this summer. Watch every one of the Lionesses' games, live and free in our Pitch Gallery. The museum will be showing live coverage of the Lionesses' Group D games against France, the Netherlands and Wales, as well…

• Emirates Old Trafford

This summer's blockbuster sporting and entertainment event for all the family. The Hundred is an action-packed, unmissable cricket competition that fuses world-class cricket with blockbuster entertainment. Combining a short, fast format of cricket, with each game lasting less than three hours…

Experience the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 at Salford Community Stadium Get ready for a spectacular celebration of women’s rugby as Salford Community Stadium hosts four major fixtures during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup! Unmissable Double Headers Salford is one of…

With school holidays upon us the Feel Good Family Picnic is back this summer with amazing free days out being held in Rochdale, Middleton, Littleborough and Heywood (Tuesday 29 July to Friday 1 August).   Visitors to the free family events sponsored by automotive dealer Premier Kia will be…

• Rochdale Town Hall

Looking for fun ways to keep the whole family entertained this summer? Rochdale Town Hall has you covered with a brand new programme of summer fun days. Whether you’re local or just visiting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in one of the North West’s most beautiful historic…

Get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions as Totally Stockport brings a vibrant Wild in Art trail to the heart of Stockport this summer. From 4 July to 13 September 2025, Stockport will transform into a playful outdoor gallery as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail takes over the town centre…

• Stockroom

Join Stockroom for the launch of Emotional Biodiversity, a new digital exhibition from Di Mainstone. Emotional Biodiversity is a breathtaking digital artwork by internationally renowned artist and filmmaker Di Mainstone, produced by FutureEverything as part of the Stockport Creative Campus…

• Tatton Park

Get ready for an unforgettable family adventure as Tatton Park partners with the creative minds at Wild in Art to bring the beloved children’s story We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to life in a colourful outdoor arts trail. Summer days out  Launching just in time for the summer holidays…

• Chester Zoo

Golden hour adventures start just 50 minutes from Manchester  Afterglow, proudly sponsored by Sudocrem®, returns to Chester Zoo for 15 unmissable nights of fun, flavour and summer energy this August.  That means more hours, more adventures - and one unforgettable celebration…

Stockroom is an exciting new creative and cultural centre in Stockport, designed for getting together, getting involved or just popping by for a brew. It has been developed with and for local people and the creative community to build an exceptional communal resource for entertainment and learning…

Built in 1932, the Grade II* listed Stockport Plaza is the last remaining art deco Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in the UK, still trading in its original capacity. Bought by enthusiasts in 2000, after years of campaigning to keep it from dereliction, The Plaza is a much-loved part of…

There’s lots to see, do, and try on for people of all ages at Hat Works. Explore the global connections of Stockport’s hat collection and be inspired by the array of colours, shapes, patterns and textures of the hats on display. Take a tour of the factory floor where you can learn the…

Step into History at Bramall Hall Bramall Hall is a breathtaking Tudor Manor House, with origins that stretch back to the Middle Ages. As one of England's true treasures, it holds a special place in our nation’s heritage. Discover the Hall's unique charm, from the stunning 16th-century…

Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of Britain's Home Front. Wander around the original tunnels, authentically re-equipped, which provide you with first-hand experience of daily life in 1940s wartime Britain. Enjoy the displays and the state-of-the-art audio-guide which tell…

• Lowry

Step inside LOWRY 360, a new FREE immersive gallery experience. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of LS Lowry’s iconic painting, Going to the Match, in the UK’s first FREE permanent immersive experience. Created in collaboration…

• Lowry

A major new free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s most popular writers and illustrators, Quentin Blake, is to open at Lowry, Salford on Saturday 19th July. Curated by Lowry in collaboration with the artist and his studio, Quentin Blake and Me will feature a wide…

Stories – Brought to Life, a new ground-breaking experience presented by FRAMELESS Creative, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery has announced its exciting first wave of sitters including Grayson Perry, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen…

Screen on the Docks – FREE OPEN-AIR SCREEN! Our waterside screen is back and better than ever! This summer we are showing film classics like Dirty Dancing and Forrest Gump, family favourites including Wicked and Moana 2, plus popular sports including…

This summer holidays Oxygen at MediaCity is launching the £35 Passport To Play. Oxygen’s Passport To Play gives unlimited access to over 270 sessions during the summer, making each visit cost just over 13p. Oxygen at MediaCity has launched the Passport to Play, giving families the chance…

DIVORCED ★ BEHEADED ★ LIVE! The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Salford following its previous sold out run! Winner of over 35 international awards including the Tony Award for ‘Best Original…

• Lowry

MAKE THIS SUMMER AN ABSOLUTE SCREAM! Following two hugely successful UK tours, and sold-out concerts at The London Palladium last year, everyone’s favourite kooky family are back on stage this summer in The Addams Family , the spectacular musical comedy from Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice…

CHICAGO, the "sexiest musical ever" (Metro) is back in Salford in 2025. “Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts”.  So begins the international multi-award-winning…

• RHS Garden Bridgewater

Get ready for a tree-mendous summer holiday at RHS Garden Bridgewater, where families can dive into The Great Woodland Adventure—a jam-packed programme of outdoor fun running from 23 July to 31 August. From den building and tree climbing to storytelling adventures and woodland crafts…

• RHS Garden Bridgewater

Starting on Saturday 15 February and continuing all year, explore the Guess How Much I Love You™ – A Garden Adventure trail following Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare around the garden. Bounce, hop and stretch like Little Nutbrown Hare, investigate colours, textures and shapes…

• RHS Garden Bridgewater

This year's Summer Solstice will be celebrated at RHS Garden Bridgewater with a special midsummer evening event on on Friday 20 June and Friday 18 July. Visitors are invited to mark the longest day of the year by getting close to nature as they explore the beautiful floral displays and extensive…

Nestled deep in the heart of the Irwell Valley, the East Lancashire Railway spans 12 miles of beautiful Lancastrian scenery and over a century of rich history.  The railway can trace its storied origins back to the heady days of the Industrial Revolution when it was part of a network ferrying…

The Met is a stunning, award winning live music venue noted nationally for its specialist folk music programme, and also presents a range of music, theatre, comedy and festivals alongside specialist and general workshops for the whole community. Having undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment…

The Fusilier Museum is home to the collections of the XX Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.  This exciting museum has permanent interactive galleries displaying its excellent regimental collections acquired over nearly 350 years, including material linked with General…

The Rock is home to over 50 stores, a 10 screen Vue cinema, 24 lane AMF bowling alley as well as cafés and restaurants. With flagship stores The Range and M&S flanked by high street retailers such as Primark, H&M, Lush, River Island and Pandora there really is something for…

• East Lancashire Railway

You're late, you're late, for a very important date! It's time to take a tumble down the Rabbit Hole for a curious adventure through Wonderland with Alice and her friends. Your adventure includes a steam train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, a roughly two-hour Wonderland…

After the record-breaking success of Prestwich Pride 2024, the organisers are thrilled to announce that Prestwich Pride 2025 will take place from Friday 8th – Sunday 10th August. Building on its biggest and most vibrant event to date, this year’s Pride promises to be an unforgettable…

This year marks the 11th year!  Hundreds of visitors see the huge display of assembled jigsaw puzzles each year. All puzzles are available to buy and have been broken up to take away to make for yourself. As each one is sold, another takes its place, making for a constantly changing…

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…

Bolton’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme returns this summer, offering thousands of school age children free fun activities and nutritious food, spanning 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 4 weeks over the school holidays. Funded by the Department of Education, the HAF programme…

Take your seat at the heart of live entertainment in Bolton. With comedy, music, drama, dance and pantomime performances we have something for all tastes and ages. It's time to make memories in the historic Albert Halls Theatre.

Bolton’s recently redeveloped main market is located on Ashburner Street, right in the heart of the town centre. The brand new lifestyle hall is now open and is home some fantastic new traders including a coffee specialist, a real ale bar, a tropical florist, fashions, a patisserie and some…

In the heart of Bolton town centre, we make and share bold, adventurous and popular theatre experiences. Whether you are attending a show, joining in with our drama groups or popping in for a brew - come on in for a warm welcome!

Explore the new galleries including Bolton's Egypt which draws on the town's longstanding association with Egyptology.   Bolton's Egypt features a walk-through replica of the tomb of the ancient pharaoh Thutmose III. The exhibition features over 2,000 artefacts from…

Ready for an adventure? Explore 12 special locations around Oldham town centre, each with its own unique story and interactive fun. Families can step back in time and discover Oldham’s history by taking selfies with characters, reading stories, and solving mini puzzles.  Along the way…

"What does it mean to return to the place you wanted to leave behind?" This exhibition presents the outcome of Scott Brown's fourteen-day residency in 1853 Studios Mill 2 Gallery. Brown, a recent Slade School graduate, grew up in Oldham in very close proximity to Osborne Mill—the…

Calling all little adventurers and their cuddly companions! Join Cockfields Farm for a magical Teddy Bears' Picnic designed especially for toddlers and preschool kids. It's the perfect day out for your little ones and their favorite teddy bears! Bring your beloved Teddy and get ready for a…

Stalybridge Street Fest invites visitors to experience an evening filled with vibrant energy, global cuisine, and family-friendly entertainment. Held on the second Friday of the month, the event transforms Armentieres Square into a lively hub of activity, with live music and something for…

Comedy royalty is coming to town! Join Tameside for a side-splitting weekend of top-tier entertainment as the newly refurbished Stalybridge Civic Hall hosts its first-ever Comedy Weekender - a two-day celebration of laughter, fun, and unforgettable performances. Saturday 19 July Guffaw! - Daytime…

Ashton Cricket Field is welcoming back one of the UK’s best loved tribute festivals. Over 5th and 6th September, tribute experiences for huge artists. With plenty of food stalls, bars and traders joining in too.

NightGarden is an immersive celebration of audiovisual delights, taking place on Sat 2 August 2025. Set in the industrial hinterlands of Greater Manchester on an ex-garden centre, this 'more-than-a-festival' event presents a programme of eclectic sonic and visual artists exploring themes of…

Comic Con Manchester is one of the UK’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting over ten thousand fans annually to our home venue, Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester. The main attraction every year is of course the star guests, and we always endeavour to bring you a variety of…

Step into Chila Kumari Singh Burman’s imagination at  Chila Welcomes You , a major new art commission for IWM North.  The exhibition is a personal perspective on the heritage of conflict and stories of Indian migration to Britain after the Second World War.  In an immersive and…

Open Daily 18 JULY – 30 AUGUST | 12pm – 8pm | OUTSIDE THE GREAT HALL The Summer Fair returns this July with its ever popular beach and splash pool, bringing together thrilling fairground rides, family attractions and classic summer treats, making it the perfect day…

Get ready for an outdoor cultural extravaganza at the Halal Food Festival, where the culinary delights are just the beginning of the excitement! Returning to Manchester for its third year, this eagerlyanticipated event is spreading its wings across three days of pure indulgence, happening over the…

Grab your FREE wristband from Trafford Centre's Guest Services on Lower Peel Avenue (next to M&S) to unlock exclusive offers and freebies, making every visit feel like an all-inclusive escape this summer. John Lewis - free coffee when you buy any cake. 30% off at Coast to Coast. Spend…

The family fun doesn’t stop this summer. Emergency Services Day is back for another year! This FREE family event celebrates our fantastic emergency services, with vehicle displays, demonstrations, character appearances and more.

Wednesday Addams, known for her love of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet man from a seemingly respectable and ordinary family. Everything changes when the Addams host a dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his ‘normal’ family. What could go wrong? They’re creepy and…

Pride in Leigh is back again on Saturday, July 26th at Pennington Hall Park! Join for a fabulous day filled with artisan stalls, bouncin' mad castles, live music, a bar, and delicious food. You're welcome to bring your own gazebo if you'd like, but everything else you need will be there…

Dress yourself in rainbows, find your flags, and get ready to celebrate a fabulous, feel-good, summer party in style: Wigan Pride is back for 2025 and it's the 10th anniversary! Wigan Pride will return to Wigan town centre on Saturday August 16th 2025. This year there'll be an opening…

• Gulliver's World Resort

Celebrate another magical summer season at Gulliver's World Warrington with our Summer Sparks Spectacular! Enjoy extra ride time with our extended opening hours (10:30am - 8:30pm) ahead of a fantastic fireworks display starting at approximately 8:45pm! Selected rides and attractions will remain…

You're never too old, so they say, so when three cleaners of a certain age group, facing redundancy, get involved with a wrong number on a phone in the office where they are working things get very, very interesting as the 'girls' start up a phone 'advice' line service...with a…

A WLT Youth Theatre Production Alice plunges down the rabbit hole and becomes involved in a madcap and delicious series of adventures immortalised by Lewis Carroll. Our young cast will delight with their interpretations of the many and varied characters in this ever popular story. A play that gets…

This lyrical and poignant play is set in Accrington during 1914-16. The "Pals" are the men from the local volunteer battalion who march high-spiritedly off to the Great War. Their experiences in the trenches contrast starkly to the women they left behind. A heart wrenching story of courage…