Plenty to get in the diary this eek, from Valentine’s plans to a visitation from a jacket potato-based viral sensation. Not to mention an OG of the rap game.
It’s also the start of the Lunar New Year celebrations, so let’s have a brilliant year of the horse.
Here’s the best things to do in Manchester this week…
The Perfect Catch at Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish is marking Valentine’s week with The Perfect Catch, a romantic concept built around chance encounters. Guests can opt for a £30 two-course set lunch with a glass of Champagne, or go all in with the £69 Perfect Catch menu, a four-wave, seven-dish omakase experience featuring salmon ceviche, sushi and sashimi to share, spicy beef tenderloin and grilled seabass. Those choosing the Perfect Catch menu can also add a bottle of Henriot Champagne for £50.
The SpudBros ‘Autotater’ drive-thru
The viral Preston duo SpudBros are teaming up with Autotrader for a one-day Autotater drive-thru serving free loaded potatoes while giving visitors an instant valuation of their car in under 10 seconds. Expect a two-item menu including their garlic chicken Curry In A Hurry, tongue-in-cheek ‘Autotater FM’ radio moments, and the kind of joyful chaos the brothers have become famous for.
Queer Contact Festival
Queer Contact returns with a 10-day festival celebrating contemporary queer creativity through theatre, cabaret, comedy, live art, film and an expanded programme of communal events. With highlights including autobiographical performance, Valentine’s cabaret, queer stand-up, an immersive dance installation and the Queer Art Market taking over the space, it’s a joyful, accessible festival built around visibility, shared experience and showing up for each other. Check it out, you will not regret it.
Lucky Chalm Comedy Night
Join compere Harry Chalmers-Morris for a night of live comedy as he’s joined by brilliant headliner: Nina Gilligan, supported by a host of emerging talent. Fresh from being crowned Comics’ Comic 2025 and sweeping both the Chortle Awards and North West Comedy Awards, Nina is in unstoppable form. With a lovable persona that disguises a razor-sharp wit, she’s been described by Rolling Stone as a ‘phenomenal performer’. See her in the intimate surrounds of Altrincham’s Batch Bottlestore while you can.
Strategy meets The D.O.C.
In the next instalment of Conduct Convention at CUPRA City Garage, hip hop legend The D.O.C. comes to Manchester for an intimate evening of conversation, music and performance, hosted by revered Manchester MC Strategy, unpacking a career that runs from solo success to shaping records for N.W.A., Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Expect a wide-ranging look at the highs, the hurdles, and the lasting influence of one of the genre’s most important behind-the-scenes creators, with time to connect with fellow creatives along the way.
Brazilian Carnival: Gustavo Andrade & The Brasukas + Zagotinho do Acordeon + Bacana
Gustavo Andrade & The Brasukas join forces with Zagotinho do Acordeon for a full-throttle Brazilian Carnival blowout, complete with samba, forró, bossa grooves and caipirinhas flowing all night. Expect colour, energy, and a room that moves as one as Rio’s warmth meets Manchester’s spirit in a celebration of rhythm, joy and proper dance-floor abandon.
Fatboy Slim: Acid Ballroom
One of the UK’s most enduring party-starters comes to Manchester as Fatboy Slim marks 40 years behind the decks with his Acid Ballroom tour. Across two nights in the cavernous Warehouse at Aviva Studios, expect wall-to-wall classics, curveballs, and the kind of joyful chaos only Fatboy Slim can deliver. The celebrations also line up with the release of his new illustrated book ‘It Ain’t Over Till the Fatboy Sings’, marking four decades in the rave business. Support comes from L.P. Rhythm B2B Locky on 13 February, with Elliot Schooling and Liam Palmer stepping in on 14 February.
Valentine’s at San Carlo
San Carlo is marking Valentine’s week with decadent desserts, elegant cocktails, exclusive champagne pairings and live music across its restaurants, including San Carlo Manchester, Fumo Manchester and Cicchetti Manchester, as well as the Selfridges spots at Exchange Square and Trafford. Expect red velvet and raspberry creations, gold dusted strawberry mousse hearts, signature Valentine’s cocktails and a soundtrack that moves from relaxed dinners into late night energy, all wrapped in classic Italian hospitality.
The Refuge’s bottomless Galentine’s night
Refuge is hosting its first ever bottomless Galentine’s night, bringing DJs, a 90-minute bottomless offering and a three-wave sharing menu together for a stylish evening built around the theme of ‘love in all its forms’. Expect flatbreads and hummus, beef cheek nuggets or Korean chicken with chips, plus a solid veggie option, all served in the ever-romantic Winter Garden setting.
Kaiser Chiefs
Indie heavyweights Kaiser Chiefs roll back into Manchester in February, bringing two decades of shout-along anthems with them. Formed in Leeds in the early 2000s, the band became one of the defining voices of post-millennial British guitar music, breaking through with ‘Employment’ and a repetoire of songs that still feel deeply connected to sweaty dancefloors and festival fields. Their Manchester date comes as part of their ongoing ‘More Employment’ tour, where they are supported by emerging Manchester indie stars Corella.
Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt returns to the UK with the 3L World Tour, arriving off the back of last year’s critically acclaimed set Live Laugh Love, his most personal and free-flowing album yet. Blending cracked soul loops, introspective writing and the off-kilter swing he’s made his signature, Earl’s set will pull from across his catalogue and offers a rare chance to see one of rap’s most singular voices up close in the glorious Albert Hall.
Manchester Lunar New Year Fair 2026
A huge Lunar New Year Fair is once again taking over the city centre with more than 120 stalls, street food, performances and family friendly activities celebrating Chinese and East Asian culture. It’s lively, welcoming and packed with things to see, taste and explore – from lion dances to homemade dumplings to traditional ceramics. You’ll be able to catch it all over town, from Market Street to Exchange Square and Catherdal Gardens.
House of Love
Habitat links up with Soho House for The House of Love, a Valentine’s special headlined by the one and only Children of Zeus alongside Tone Rarri, AK Gramm, Marcel Stevens and Faro, all set inside a playful Vegas-style wedding chapel complete with fake Elvis and free tattoos. A limited guest list is available for non-Soho House members via Habitat’s DMs. Get in there.
Valentine’s Drag Brunch with Anna Phylactic and Liquorice Black
Anna Phylactic and Liquorice Black are teaming up for a high energy Valentine’s Drag Brunch filled with live performances, cheeky bingo rounds and bottomless Lovebirds cocktails at Treehouse Hotel Manchester’s Pip restaurant. Expect big laughs, great music and a feel good atmosphere perfect for dates, Galentines or anyone who wants a more fabulous kind of February weekend.
Unserious Life Drawing
If you’ve always wanted to try life drawing, but it all seems a bit daunting, head to Hope Mill in Ancoats for a relaxed Sunday morning drawing clothed models. The perfect way to get into a new hobby, and a really nice way to spend a Sunday morning. They provide materials and snacks, so just buy a ticket and give it a go.
