This weeks pick is a varied bunch, from Cinco de Mayo celebrations to a huge live show from an Aussie rock icons. There’s also loads of reasons to get out of the city centre, from a day celebrating all things two-wheeled in Levenshulme, to the delightful-sounding Glossop Festival Day in, well, Glossop.
Here are the best things to do in Manchester this week…
Cinco de Mayo at House of Social
House of Social’s excellent OK Taqueria is celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a lunchtime giveaway of free build-your-own tacos and frozen margaritas, between 12pm and 2pm. There are 150 tacos and margs up for grabs, handed out on a first come, first served basis, so this is very much a turn-up-early situation to avoid disappointment.He
The Read Room at Selfridges with Imani Thompson
The Read Room returns with its biggest event yet, bringing author Imani Thompson into the spotlight to discuss her debut novel Honey on its release day. Hosted by Sophia Wild and Kya Buller, the session promises a sharp, darkly comic deep dive into one of the year’s most talked-about new books, with a live audience of readers all there for the same reason, to get stuck into the story and the conversation around it.
The Utopia Strong
The Utopia Strong return with a rare Manchester show, this time in the atmospheric surroundings of Hallé St Peters, diving into improvised, psychedelic soundscapes shaped by modular and analogue synths. Fresh from releasing Doperider last year, their trippiest record yet, the trio of current Gong frontman Kavus Torabi, multi-instrumentalist Michael J. York and, yes, Steve Davis, the six-time world snooker champion and turned synth wizard, bring a truly otherworldly live experience, with Sprechen Cinema DJs setting the mood throughout the night.
Skinshape
William Dorey’s Skinshape project heads to Manchester with a five-piece live band, turning his 60s and 70s-inspired blend of funk, reggae, psychedelic rock and library music into a full-bodied, groove-heavy live show. With roots in crate-dug soul and dub, and a catalogue spanning old favourites and newer material, it is one for anyone who likes their rhythms warm, hazy and built to move to.r
Tame Impala
Tame Impala celebrate the release of their fifth full-length album Deadbeat with a huge UK tour. The Aussie psychedelic project of multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker, with hits like Let It Happen, Elephant and Lost In Yesterday, will take to the stage at Co-op Live on 8 May 2026.
Kruder & Dorfmeister
In the mid-90s, the K&D Sessions, released on the peerless Studio K7, effectively became the blueprint for electronic music that felt just as at home in a smoky living room as it did on a world-class sound system. Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister are the undisputed masters of the ‘Viennese sound’, a blend of smoked-out trip-hop, jazz-infused dub, and bossa nova that managed to define an entire era without ever feeling dated. Their rare Manchester appearances are always treated with a certain level of reverence by those who spent a significant portion of the last three decades chasing that specific brand of horizontal euphoria.
Jazz Night at Flawd
Flawd’s monthly jazz sessions lands this week, with an appearance from the Dan Whieldon duo – on keys and double bass. Great music, great wine, great beer, great food, great location on Islington Marina. A great Saturday night out.e
Derbyshire Makes Glossop Day Festival
Derbyshire Makes is bringing a free family-friendly festival to Glossop, filling the town with live performances, storytelling, hands-on workshops, makers’ markets, interactive installations and the touring Makory bus. There’s also a Dare To Dream Sewing Bee where anyone can get involved with recycled fabrics, banners and shared stories, even if they’ve never touched a sewing machine before. It’s completely free to attend, so well worth an excursion out of the city centre.
Cycle Fest
Cycle Fest returns for a full day celebrating Manchester’s cycling culture at Levenshulme’s leading bar, cafe and bike shop Station South, with 10 new led rides, live BMX displays, DJs, workshops and a large-scale collaborative artwork by Oskar with a K. With everything from pedal-powered music and pro bike fit sessions to family-friendly crafts and festival atmosphere all day long, it’s a brilliant excuse to get involved whether you ride every weekend or haven’t been on a bike in years.
Weekend Short Film Festival
Weekend Film School Manchester presents a short film festival celebrating local talent from across the city, with a selection of short screenings followed by a chance to meet and network with filmmakers, editors, directors and actors working in Manchester’s independent film scene. Xcursion, Eva and Blooms Across Borders lead the programme.
BSL Foraging Day
This hands-on foraging session dives into the short but flavour-packed season of St George’s mushrooms, alongside wild garlic, hogweed and other spring greens, guiding you through woodland identification, ecology and a more sensory approach to being outdoors. It all wraps up with a fresh fry-up of whatever’s been found, turning the walk into a communal meal. All are welcome: a BSL interpreter is provided.
