WWE is in town this week, and fans can celebrate after the event by partying with a wrestling legend in the Northern Quarter. Not something you can say every day. Or month, or year to be fair.
Elsewhere, toddlers and kids can party at Freight Island with Raver Tots and feel-good festival Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place is landing with some generally upbeat vibes at Tatton Park.
These are the best things to do in Manchester this week…
Raver Tots
Raver Tots comes to Manchester for the ultimate family-friendly dance party. Taking to the stage at Freight Island, expect the very best in house, garage, drum and bass, as well as old school club classics. With special guests Heartless Crew performing live, there will also be entertainment, food and drinks available all day at the venue’s many vendors.
WWE Road To Clash In Paris Tour
The WWE Road to Clash in Paris tour stops in Manchester as part of its epic UK and Ireland tour. Returning to Manchester for the first and only time this year, fans can see their favourite WWE superstars in action, including Undisputed WWE Champion ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Sami Zayn, and many more.
ENHYPEN
K-Pop powerhouse ENHYPEN return with their third world tour, which includes a date in Manchester. Fans can hear the South Korean group’s hits including Bite Me, Fatal Trouble and XO live at the AO Arena on 25 August.
Matt Berninger
Matt Berninger is the vocalist and lyricist for Grammy Award-winning band The National. His songwriting has long garnered a devoted following for its raw emotion and wit, though he’s recently risen to a new level of prominence after collaborating with Taylor Swift. Berninger will play songs from across his back catalogue including second solo effort, Get Sunk, which was released in May 2025. This will be a really special evening of music from an understatedly powerful star.
Sweet Chin Disco ft Mark Henry
Europe’s original and biggest wrestling-themed club night Sweet Chin Disco ft. DJ (and WWE legend) Mark Henry comes to Manchester for a huge WWE Live Afterparty on Tuesday 26 August. Taking place at Band On The Wall, the World’s Strongest DJ – or so it is claimed, we’re not arguing though – will be making his Manchester debut on stage in the Northern Quarter. Sweet Chin Disco is a glorious fusion of wrestling fan culture and rave, run by fans, for fans, to come together and worship at the altar of wrestling theme music through the ages. Expect non-stop entrance theme bangers, from Attitude Era anthems to current fan favourites, deep cuts (across promotions) and all the hits. Plus mass singalongs, a cosplay competition (judged by Mark) and live visuals.
Addison Rae
Following the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, pop superstar Addison Rae brings The Addison Tour to Manchester. Addison is already responsible for hit Diet Pepsi and a mega collaboration with Charli xcx. Her debut global headline tour will take to the stage at Manchester Academy on 28 August.
Voices For Gaza
Voices For Gaza brings together a line-up including Ríoghnach Connolly and Palestinian oud player Reem Anbar. Gazelleband, Indian Pale Male and Ramsey Janini also join the bill, with all funds raised going directly to families in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Supa D
Pioneer of UK funky and soulful house DJ Supa D lands at Band On The Wall. Head down to the NQ venue for a very special, one-off filmed set, in collaboration with Sauce.ents. Party goers can expect great energy and deep grooves from one of the UK’s most respected selectors. The first 200 people through the door get a complimentary cocktail.
Cherry Oil Café Takeover
TikTok haircare favourites Hair Syrup celebrate the return of their limited edition Cherry Oil by popping up in the Northern Quarter. Head down to Buzzy Bee Bakery for the takeover, where there will be free cherry matchas, cherry-themed treats (bakes, doughnuts and ice cream) and a chance to win great prizes including discounts, minis and accessories. Fans can also meet the hair brand’s founders, as well as they bring the cult favourite hair oil to life.
Mind Enterprises
Having absolutely blown up on social media in recent months, Mind Enterprises is the project of Turin-born Andrea Tirone, who with moustachioed collaborator Roberto Conigliaro has been drinking Campari, wearing old school leisure gear and playing Italo disco with vintage synths to universal approval. They’ll be playing the recently-minted APT Disco, and bringing with them an absolute riot. Amaros at the ready.
Manchester Psych Fest
The annual city centre-wide takeover returns for a day of, well, really loud noise. Catch acts like Goat, Nadine Shah, Warmduscher and W. H. Lung at venues as varied as the O2 Ritz and Projekts Skate Park. There’ll also be loads of arty workshops, film screenings, activities like yoga and plenty of street food offerings too, all centred around Circle Square off Oxford Road. Grab your tie-dye t-shirt, or don’t – it’s a festival for psych purists and non-purists alike.
Misfits Boxing: Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold
Misfits Boxing presents Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold at AO Arena. Also live on Dazn, the clash sees danger man Till go up against ex-UFC champion Rockhold. In the co-main event, fans can see UFC icon Tony Ferguson take on Salt Papi too. This mega double-header promises to be an epic night of Misfits Boxing action. Rockhold, the former UFC Middleweight champ, has accepted the toughest assignment in crossover boxing, by taking on the in-form and fearless Till. Liverpool’s Till has made a flawless transition from the UFC octagon to the Misfits ring with two statement victories this year and plans on adding Rockhold to his hit-list.
KOMPND Carnival
KOMPND host a full-spectrum carnival celebration of sound system culture, movement, and energy in Salford. A multi-genre experience rooted in the essence of community, the very first KOMPND Carnival will take place on Saturday 30 August. Attendees can expect a full sound system, immersive stages, a heavyweight DJ line-up playing Afro, Dancehall, R&B and more, with mega street food offerings to keep you partying all night.
Rainy Heart x Elody block party
Details are remaining purposely scarce for this meeting of minds, with the Rainy Heart crew working up a block party soundclash with hifi heads Elody in Rainy Heart’s spiritual home of Stretford, following its summer residency in and underneath the bungalow at Kampus. Expect Rainy Heart and Elody DJs – though the line-up and location won’t be revealed until the day – as well as food and great drinks. There’s a secret after-party too, so keep your ear to the ground for that.
A Lovely Time Gaza Fundraiser
Amy Gledhill hosts some of the UK’s most beloved comedians for a one-off night of comedy to raise money for families in Gaza. Taking place at Fairfield Social Club, the evening of stand-up will see comedians including Lucy Beaumont, Phil Ellis, Sunil Patel and Chris Cantrill taking to the stage. organised by Manchester-based production company A Lovely Time, all profits will be donated to the charity All Our Relations, set up to support families who have been displaced with financial, emotional and practical aid. As organiser John Stansfield said: “We’re overwhelmed for the support this night has already received and can’t wait to bring this sensational line-up to Manchester for a great cause!”
Manchester Brick Festival 2025
Manchester Brick Festival returns with brand new LEGO displays, new LEGO activities, and much more – all perfect for LEGO fans. Promising a great day for families, collectors, adult builders and every other kind of LEGO fan, there will be lots to see and do including speed building competitions, large scale displays, traders selling loose bricks, new LEGO sets, retired LEGO sets, min-figures and a dedicated building area.
Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival 2025
The ever-popular Happy Place festival returns to Tatton Park on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August. Once again taking over the stunning Cheshire park, the weekend-long event is hosted by Happy Place brand founder and award-winning podcaster Fearne Cotton. This year, Fearne will be joined across the weekend by guests including Paddy McGuinness, Gemma Atkinson, Scott Thomas, Donna Ashworth and Jordan Stephens.
The Weekender
The newly revived Campfield Market Hall host the third edition of The Weekender – a one-of-a-kind artisanal festival by Grub. Taking place on Saturday 30 August, the event will host a curated makers market, live music, creative workshops, kids activities, top street food and loads more. Expect the best local food traders, craft drinks, and a makers market packed with art, homewares, prints and more – plus chances to get stuck in with life drawing sessions and creative workshops throughout the day.
Bark & Brunch
Treehouse Hotel Manchester is celebrating International Dog Day in collaboration with sustainable pet brand Beco. The hotel’s lobby shop will be transformed into a canine corner, while Beco’s Pup-Up will be designed especially for four-legged visitors. On 30 August, Treehouse and Beco will host a Bark & Brunch, inviting hotel guests and local residents to join the fun. Beginning at Treehouse Hotel Manchester for a guided community dog walk with Beco and takeaway coffees from Pip, guests will then finish their journey with a rosé brunch at Pip, the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, for a well-earned treat.
Late Summer Fête: 10 years of Sadler’s Yard
Head down to Sadler’s Yard for a good ol’fashioned late summer fête. Taking place on Sunday 31 August, think bunting, baking, folk music and your favourite childhood traditions – all blended together in this city centre spot. They’re celebrating a whole decade of Sadler’s Yard at the heart of the NOMA neighbourhood. As of 2015, the yard was the city’s first public square built in 100 years, named by public vote after James Sadler – balloonist, chemist, pastry chef, and first man (with a cat) to launch into the skies from this very neighbourhood. Guests can expect live folk music, plant sales, a vegetable competition, cookery demos, cat portraiture and the first official public gathering of people named James – bring your James to claim a commemorative badge.
Boot Sale at The Brewery
Rummage in the Range host a very special market at Track Brewery’s taproom. Head down to browse stalls selling second-hand treasures, including vintage, retro, furniture, records, bric-a-brac and loads more. There will of course be a full stocked bar, as well as food and treats. Dogs are welcome too.
