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. 

Bury landscape

1. Banish the January Blues with a classic theatre show 

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show returns as part of a sell-out worldwide tour. Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as Brad and directed by Christopher Luscombe, the Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the show-stopping Time Warp. The show is running at the Palace Theatre from Monday 17 to Saturday 22 January with tickets starting at £13.  

2. Scale new heights and learn a new skill in Oldham 

With January typically being the month where we try new things and start new hobbies, now is the perfect time to discover Summit Up, a purpose-built climbing centre that offers something for all abilities and the whole family. Summit Up features the north of England’s highest and largest Clip ’n Climb with 35 exciting challenges including fan favourite the adrenaline jumping Leap of Faith, the signature Stairway to Heaven and a thrilling 10m vertical drop slide. 

3. Support local brewers at Manchester’s ‘Winter Beer Festival’ 

Manchester’s biggest and friendliest street food venue GRUB welcomes back its annual local and independent Winter Beer Festival from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 January. Based in Manchester’s Green Quarter, GRUB has over 20 taps and a constant rotation of new beers from local and independent breweries, including its neighbours The Runaway Brewery, Blackjack Brewing Co, Beatnikz Republic and more. Expect all these breweries as well as plenty of guest beers, top secret tastings and food pairings across the weekend. Sessions are running Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 12pm-5pm and 6pm-11pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm. 

4. Celebrate the music of a British icon at The Met 

For some, January is time to reflect on the life and work of David Bowie following his death in January 2016 – and for the fact his also falls on 8 January. This week – on Saturday 22 January – The Met in Bury hosts Jean Genie, a celebration of the best of Bowie’s work, performed by John Mainwaring, who is one of only a few tribute artists to have been asked to perform with an artist’s original band when he played with The Spiders from Mars in the 1990s. Expect a fantastic performance that perfectly captures the singing voice, mannerisms and overall style of the legendary David Bowie. 

5. Detox at a city centre spa hotel 

Nestled underneath the iconic colonnade of The Edwardian Manchester, is a state-of-the-art wellness retreat in the heart of the city. Natural, tactile oak walls and a menu of mind resetting ESPA treatments instil pure calm, alongside an expansive aquamarine pool with cabanas, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.  

You can also melt away those packed schedules as you step into the award-winning Rena Spa at The Midland Hotel. From sleep chambers to a heated relaxation pool and steam rooms to massages, this city centre sanctuary is every bit as indulgent as you might imagine. Whether you have a few stolen hours or a whole weekend to unwind in the city centre, a trip to Rena Spa at The Midland is always time well spent. 

Book now – Band on the Wall 

Following the completion of the £3.5 million expansion project, Band on the Wall has announced that it will reopen its doors in March. The venue, with its 200-year history has been transformed with the main room capacity extended to 500 and a new bar space serving hot and cold food and also hosting a new stage for small capacity performances up to 80 people. Tickets are now on sale for the reopening season which features shows by Binker & Moses, Ibibio Sound Machine, Balimaya Project, Emma Jean Thackray, Jazzanova, Bill Laurance, Asian Dub Foundation and much more. 

Opening of the week: Lily’s Deli Ancoats 

The new Ancoats branch of the word-of-mouth hit Lily's Deli – a spin-off of the much-celebrated vegetarian Indian restaurant founded in Ashton – could not be better situated, tucked just off Blossom Street in Ancoats. Ready to serve chaats, bhel puris, and curries, as well as some of the stickiest sweets this side of the subcontinent, it’s due to open on Tuesday 18 January.