Book a January Dining Deal
Throughout January
Kicking the new year off with a bang – many of the city’s bars and restaurants are offering up to 50% off food throughout January. Go mad, get those tables booked, enjoy your 50% off and support the city’s independents.
Roy Ayers at The Blues Kitchen
Sunday 16th January
Roy Ayers will be bringing his funk-fuelled stage show to no other than Manchester’s Blues Kitchen next year, for a show-stopping danceathon to cure those January blues. The 81-year-old jazz legend pioneered the jazz-funk period of the 70s, which saw him release outstanding, soulful tunes including timeless classic, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, and with a career spanning 6 whole decades, his music is truly loved worldwide.
Chinese New Year
Tuesday 1st February
Manchester never lets us down with its Chinese New Year celebrations and 2022 should be no different. As usual we’ll be seeing in the Year of the Tiger with live performances, street food and a funfair, plus traditional lion and dragon dances.
Queer Contact 2022
February 2022
In 2022, Queer Contact will platform a broad range of life experience, forge alternative paths for celebrating queer identities and – for the first time – will create opportunities to engage in educational activities around queer life and health. The festival was built to meet the needs of the next generation of LGBTQ+ artists and audiences. Through in-depth consultation, Contact has aimed to ensure that the festival truly speaks to a young queer audience in the city.
GZA at The Ritz
Thursday 24th February
Wu-Tang Clan legend GZA will be heading to the Ritz in February 2022 and it’s going to be a massive celebration of the crew’s impact on hip-hop culture over the last 3 decades, but also the 25th anniversary of his seminal album ‘Liquid Swords’.
Bistro Marc at Winter’s
Early 2022
The iconic Winter’s building on Stockport’s Little Underbank is in the process of being transformed into a delightful French restaurant, which will be ready in early 2022. Led by husband and wife co-owners – Chef, Marc Molé and Rachel Winter Jones, Business and PR Manager – Bistro Marc at Winter’s will be a cosy French bistro serving French favourites, with a focus on using fresh local produce from Stockport Indoor Markets and other local suppliers.
Pippy Eats’ Noodlehaus
Early 2022 TBC
Cancer research scientist, turned cook, Pippa Middlehurst aka Pippy Eats is well-known on Manchester’s food scene for hosting her hugely popular noodle and dumpling supper clubs and workshops. In 2022 she will finally be ready to launch NOODLEHAUS, her very first permanent location in New Islington Marina, set to become home to her cookery school, supper clubs, workshops and events.
Disney’s Beauty & The Beast
Thursday 31st March – Saturday 4th June
A tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme – well, it’s coming to the Palace Theatre in March and it’s an all-new production that you’ll never have seen before. Beauty & The Beast is a bona fide Disney classic and translates onto the stage spectacularly well indeed.
Pollen Bakery
Early 2022 TBC
In sourdough news, everyone’s favourite Ancoats bakery will be opening a second site at Kampus next year. The new pastry kitchen and café will be overlooking a huge green space, and the open-plan kitchen will allow guests to watch the patisserie masters at work. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available, perfect for a coffee come rain or shine! There are also plans for workshops and supper clubs at the site.
Band on the Wall Opening and Expansion
Spring 2022 TBC
Band on the Wall is gonna be bigger and even better next year, as the £3.5m expansion work will finally be complete! The venue has a rich history, hosting bands such as The Fall and Arctic Monkeys, and has been a real miss on the music scene since it announced its closure back in September 2020. This is amazing news for music fans, as the venue has already announced a few gigs taking place there in 2022, including Shygirl and Obongjayar.
George Clinton at Albert Hall
Friday 17th May
The King of Funk is returning to Manchester this May, although I’m positive I went to his last ever Manchester gig a few years back at the Academy. He’ll be hitting up Albert Hall this time, presumably with all of his Parliament lot and plenty of that legendary funkadelia.
The First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank
May 2022
COVID -19 set the construction of this new visitor attraction at Jodrell Bank back a bit but it’s still pencilled in to be finished around May time. The centrepiece of the project is the First Light Pavilion, a stunning new building set on the Jodrell Bank gardens and home to a new gallery, an immersive projection space, auditorium and new education hub.
Neighbourhood Weekender
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May
The two-day festival held at Victoria Park in Warrington is back, with a pretty impressive line-up announced so far, including Courteeners, DMA’s, Becky Hill, Kasabian, Blossoms, Tom Grennan and loads more. There’s still a load to be announced too, including a potential additional Friday evening to contend with. Tickets are available now.
Sounds from the Other City
Sunday 1st May 2022
Salford’s annual festival of new music and art which will be returning to Chapel Street for 2022. The line-up is yet to be revealed, so keep an eye on their socials for developments and announcements in the run up to the event.
Sexy Fish Opening
Spring 2022 TBC
London fave, Sexy Fish is set to open a restaurant in the former Giorgio Armani store in Spinningfields. The Asian influenced dishes range from Salt and Pepper Squid to bigger plates such as Tuna Belly, Udon Noodles with White Truffle and Caramelised Black Cod with Spicy Miso. The London branch is apparently frequented by a whole host of celebs, staying open until the early hours of the morning, with similar plans for its Manchester joint, too.
© Francis Augusto
PARKLIFE 2022
11th – 12th June 2022
Returning to the fields of Heaton Park in June, PARKLIFE 2022 is once again a Summer festival after the pandemic messed it all up last year. There’s no news on the line-up yet, but I’m sure it’ll be bigger and better than ever before.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Tuesday 2nd June
The Queen celebrates 70 years as ‘the queen’ this year, and although her official date of ascension is in February, she’ll be letting us all get merry and hammered over a 4-day celebration in June. Even if you hate the Monarchy you can’t really argue with 4 days off work – and you should also expect LOADS of events going on around the city.
Diana Ross at AO Arena
Tuesday 14th June
Notorious diva, leader of the Supremes and the owner of the biggest hair in showbiz, Diana Ross will be taking to the stage of the AO Arena this year and let me tell you – it’s probably going to be the last time she ever comes down our way – so don’t miss out.
Sounds of the City @ Castlefield Bowl
Tuesday 28th June – Wednesday 6th July
Taking over Castlefield Bowl once again this year, there are some performers here who have been postponed all the way from 2020, such as Lewis Capaldi who’ll finally get the chance to drink Buckfast and belt out some tunes on the outdoor stage by the canal. Also on the line-up is Foals, Crowded House, The Libertines, Pixies and Sam Fender.
Castlefield Viaduct Transformation
‘Summer’ 2022
Steeped in rich history, Castlefield Viaduct will be transformed into a ‘green oasis’ next year, with plans drawn up by Highways England and the National Trust. The design documents show an intention to split the temporary park into four areas; a welcome area, the viaduct as ‘existing’, a secret garden and an events space, all championing nature and sustainability.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
July 2022
The women’s Euro Championship will be taking place throughout England in 2022, including many matches at Old Trafford, the Manchester City Academy Stadium and oddly enough – Leigh Sports Village.
Bluedot Festival
21st – 24th July 2022
After two years of postponing, Bluedot is BACK! Well, hopefully anyway. The last couple of years’ worth of performers have pretty much all disappeared, apart from the legend that is Björk – who will be performing orchestral arrangements of her works with The Hallé orchestra, featuring visuals projected on the 250-foot Lovell Telescope.
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Thursday 28th July – Monday 8th August
As far as Summer events go, 2022 won’t be as busy as 2021, but we will have the XXII Commonwealth Games, which will actually be held in stadiums and venues throughout Birmingham. There’s 72 countries competing and it should see Australia pretty much clean up.
Manchester Pride
Monday 22nd – Monday 29th August
A week of events and celebrations will once again culminate in an incredible four-day festival, once again split over Canal Street and the main festival area – which last year was at First Street. Details of performances are yet to be released, but expect them to start coming in thick and fast over the coming months.
Festa Italiana
August Bank Holiday
A free, weekend-long celebration of all things Italian, Festa Italiana will be returning to the city once again in 2022, and it should be bigger and better than ever before. A vibrant festival of Italian food, drink and culture, Festa Italiana has been a massive hit over the last couple of years – and this year shouldn’t be any different.
The Manchester Caribbean Carnival
August/September 2021
2021’s Caribbean Carnival was a very subdued and more personal event than in previous years, so (hopefully) 2022’s will be back to pre-pandemic ways and be a huge, vibrant celebration of all things Caribbean in Alexandra Park. Typically taking place over a weekend on the cusp of August and September – this is usually one of the city’s very best celebrations.
Snoop Dogg at AO Arena
Thursday 1st September
Of course this is going to be amazing. If he can actually get into the country, Snoop Dog (or Lion or whatever) will be playing to a packed out crowd at the AO Arena in September. What a geezer, and what a list of bangers he will be performing.
Manchester Museum Expansion
Summer TBC
Manchester Museum’s two storey expansion will be finished next year, seeing the space complete with a new Exhibition Hall, a South Asia Gallery, a Chinese Culture Gallery and a Belonging Gallery. New spaces for learning and environmental action have also been created as well as a grand Oxford Road entrance and improved visitor facilities – such as a prayer room, changing facilities and more toilets – that focus on inclusive and accessible design.
Mrs Doubtfire at the Opera House
Friday 2nd September – Saturday 1st October
Mrs Doubtfire will make its UK premiere in no other than Manchester’s Opera House in September 2022! The stage performance follows the same story of out-of-work actor Daniel, who will do anything to be close to his kids after losing custody. That includes creating an alter ego of Scottish nanny, Euphegenia Doubtfire, and taking care of his ex-wife’s home. Written by Wayne Kirkpatrick, Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, and helmed by Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks. Mrs. Doubtfire will begin performances at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 2nd September 2022, with a strictly limited season through until Saturday 1st October.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival
September 2022 TBC
Once again the city will be awash with the very best its restaurants, bars can offer, plus an abundance of street food and retailers taking over Cathedral Gardens. Expect a whole host of foodie events and supper clubs from the city’s very best chefs, and prepare to don your stretchy pants for a whole two weeks of eating and drinking.
HOMOBLOC
Saturday 5th November 2022
HOMOBLOC 2021 was MASSIVE. One of the city’s biggest and best celebrations of the city’s LQBTQ+ community and easily one of Manchester’s best nights for a long while. Expect more of the same in 2022.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Saturday 12th November – Sunday 18th December
Strangely, the World Cup will be held in the Winter this year, because it’s going to be going on in Qatar – where temperatures can reach about 50°C in the Summer. Will football come home like it so nearly did in 2021? Probably not.
Soho House
Late 2022 TBC
Strictly celeb only members club, Soho House will be opening in the city in 2022. The luxury hotel chain will occupy the top three floors of the former Granada Studios site in Castlefield, and is expected to host club nights, music events, fitness classes, workshops and talks – all if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on that sweet, sweet membership.
Mayfield Park
Late 2022 TBC
Mayfield Park will be Manchester’s first city centre public park, with the site’s history guiding the approach to its future. The former Mayfield station, the cavernous depot and the imposing redbrick railway arches will remain centre stage, but will be used in new and imaginative ways, whilst the public park will provide a safe, green place in the heart of the city.
The Lion King
Thursday 27th October – Saturday 24th December
Another huge Disney musical production that’s coming to the city this year, The Lion King will be on for a whopping two months in winter, so you should be able to get yourself some tickets no worries. I’ve seen this 3 times and it’s still fantastic.
Christmas Markets
November & December 2022
The Christmas Markets were in full-force in 2021, dotted around the city due to Albert Square being out of action while the Town Hall gets a lick of paint. They’ll undoubtedly return once again this year and I’m sure they’ll polarise the people of Manchester just as much as they always have.
