With another week of sun in the offing (seriously, this is unprecedented), there’s yet more reason to get out and about.
This week, there’s festivals galore – the flower festival in the city centre, pop-up stalls at Deansgate Mews and learn all about the science of brewing at Pint of Science festival.
There’s also Luke Una’s big pre-summer bash at Freight Island, the iconic Honey Dijon with the Halle at the Bridgewater Hall and an appearance from some Antipodean pop royalty in the diminutive form of Kylie Minogue.
It’s a big week ahead as we tear into another Bank Holiday weekend…
LOWRY 360: Going To The Match at The Lowry
LOWRY 360 is the brand-new immersive experience that lets you step into the world of LS Lowry. The Salford artist’s famous painting Going To The Match is brought to life, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the sights and sounds of his iconic work. The installation is a collaboration between the team at the Salford Quays arts venue and Barcelona’s renowned immersive studio Layers of Reality. Narrated by Bolton’s own Sophie Willan, visitors will be surrounded by a creative exploration, in super-high resolution, of a painting that celebrates the excitement, anticipation and ritual of going to a football match on a Saturday afternoon. From factory whistles to the excited chatter of an expectant crowd, the experience is a testament to LS Lowry’s exceptional skill at capturing the daily lives of working people, then and now. This ambitious and exciting new experience has been made possible thanks to incredible support from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, and is free to attend. Free tickets are currently available to book until the end of the year.
Kylie Minogue at AO Arena
Pop sirens may come and go, but some are forever. Kylie Minogue is one of those. She loves this city too. Fans may recall the time she chose Gorilla to host a tiny, intimate gig back in 2018. At AO Arena it promises to be something else entirely. As part of her Tension tour, she will land at the AO Arena on 19 May.
Pint of Science Festival
The Pint of Science festival brings thousands of scientists and their research out of the lab and into pubs, cafes and community halls across the country. This year, the three-day festival will see events in over 25 countries and hundreds of cities around the world – including Manchester. Each night will provide a unique line-up of talks, demonstrations and live experiments held in a relaxed and informal environment. Manchester researchers will be speaking at venues across the city, including Station South, BAB NQ, Withington Public Hall Institute, Cloudwater Brewery, Fell Brewery NQ, Sureshot Taproom and Retro Bar. Attendees in Manchester can enjoy a variety of exciting talks including Quantum Quirks: Understanding The Intangible, and Tiny Tenants: Life With Our Microbes.
An afternoon with Kylie Minogue Wines at Harvey Nichols
Immerse yourself in the world of Kylie before she performs in Manchester and join Harvey Nichols’ pre-show wine tasting event. Hosted by brand ambassador Madeleine St Clair, guests can discover four of the finest wines and fizz from the Kylie Minogue Wine collection. These will be perfectly paired with four small plates.
KRS-One at O2 Ritz
Boogie Down Productions legend KRS-One embarks on his Temple of Hip Hop Tour, including a date in Manchester. Famed for classics like Sound of da Police and MCs Act Like They Don’t Know, KRS-One represents the true essence of hip hop from a golden era for the genre. Catch the show live on Tuesday 20 May.
Girl Dinner at The Refuge
Fancy a girl dinner? Of course you do. The Refuge join the viral girl dinner trend, offering a traditional Caesar salad with anchovies and aged parmesan and a glass of pale rosé for £18 per person. Launching on 20 May and available every Tuesday thereafter, from 4.30-7.30pm. For those after the full experience, triple cooked chips can be added for an extra £6.
Scissor Sisters at Co-op Live
Scissor Sisters mark the 20th anniversary of their debut self-titled album with their first live shows in over 12 years. The band (Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis) will tour arenas around the UK, including a date in Manchester. The I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ hitmakers will headline Co-op Live on Wednesday 21 May 2025, with support from special guest Alison Goldfrapp.
Man United Fan Park – Europa League Final at Bowlers
Listen up United fans. If you can’t make it to Bilbao, watch the Europa League final with hundreds of other supporters right here in Manchester. Hosted by 4theFans, the team behind the UK’s biggest and best fan parks, cheer on Ruben Amorim’s reds at Bowlers, an incredible venue with a buzzing stadium-like atmosphere. The event will be hosted by a United legend (to be announced), feature special effects, DJs and music as well as food and drink available. United are just one win away from European glory and the opportunity to secure Champions League football – watch them on the biggest screen in Manchester.
The Hallé Presents: Honey Dijon at The Bridgewater Hall
Musician, DJ and producer Honey Dijon comes to Manchester for a huge headline show. The Chicago-born artist, from the home of House music, has captivated dance floors across the globe fpr the past two decaes. She has inspired the fashion circuits of London, Paris, Berlin and New York, and graced the stage at Glastonbury. She brings her forward-thinking blends of style and genre to this truly unique performance with Manchester’s very own Hallé orchestra. Anticipate a night of thrilling house music, anthemic celebration and unapologetic joy on Thursday 22 May.
Perfume Making Workshop with Kushbu Perfumery
Ever wondered what it would be like to create your own signature fragrance? Kushbu Perfumery invite budding perfumers to their workshop in Ancoats for a session where art meets science and senses lead the way. Learn the basics and explore the intricate chemistry behind fragrance creation, guided by principles of the olfactory system. Lead by experts, attendees will use the Kushbu method, experimenting with raw, high quality perfumery materials to make their own bespoke fragrance.
Seven-course taster menu launch night at La Bandera
Join La Bandera for the launch of their new seven-course taster menu, with a special guest speaker. Take a journey through Spain and the Canary Islands as you dine on the delicious flavours of the new menu, all expertly curated by head chef Rubén Del Villar. This unique culinary experience highlights the best authentic tapas in Manchester, with tasty and diverse flavours in each bite. The taster experience is available at an exclusive discounted price of £29 for the event – with an optional wine flight for £20.
Reddish Ale’s Spring Celebration Banquet at Runaway Brewery
Join Reddish Ale as they celebrate the season of Spring at Runaway Brewery. In the beautiful upstairs room of the Stockport brewery, they will be moving through a menu of bar snacks, seasonal organic vegetables, handmade bread and spring lamb. The lamb will be expertly butchered by Reddish Ale’s very own Josh Jones, who learned his skills at Littlewoods Butchers and has been spending a lot of time in the Reddish Ale kitchen helping perfect their top drawer Sunday roast. Expect a four-course menu, with a beer pairing also available from the bar. All of the fruits and vegetables will be sourced via the wonderful Organic North, with a little help The Landing for some foraged bits and herbs. Grains, flour and legumes will be via Hodmedods, supporting the best of UK farming.
Olly Murs at AO Arena
The Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker brings the party to Manchester’s AO Arena Friday 23 May. He will be joined by special guests Blue.
The Goods Yard Bank Holiday Party at St John’s
St John’s, down at the foot of Quay Street, will be transformed into The Good Yard this May Bank Holiday for an all weekend, four-day party with DJs, great food and entertainment, thanks to the good folks at Caravan and Trading Route. Head down after work from Friday 23 May right through to tea time on Monday 26 May, whether you’re popping by for a coffee, dancing until sundown, or chasing some of that elusive Manchester sunshine.
Manchester Flower Festival 2025
The Manchester Flower Festival returns in May 2025 for its eighth year. Once again taking over the city centre streets with floral displays and art installations, this year’s theme celebrates Manchester and other great cities from around the world, offering gardeners the chance to get creative with their interpretations. From the buzz of New York and the romance of Paris to the vibrancy of Mumbai and the spirit of Manchester; each city will be brought to life in flowers. Organised annually by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Alongside the headline floral trail, the festival includes cocktail bars, live entertainment, floral workshops, arts and crafts markets, family fun and more. Selfridges will once again be taking over Exchange Square with food and drink offerings, live entertainment from local DJs and family activities.
100 chip cone giveaway by Trippy Chippy at YES
To herald the opening of the Trippy Chippy at YES – alleged to be the only chippy inside a bar in the world, though such claims remain unsubstantiated – the creators of the ‘chip trifle’ (effectively just well layered loaded fries) will be giving away 100 free cones from midday. When the free ones are they’re gone, they’re gone, but if you pony up some cash, you can find chips loaded with truffle mayo and parmesan, German-style curry ketchup, gravy and cheddar with rosemary salt and ‘magic shrooms’ for the veggies.
Deansgate Mews Festival 2025
Great Northern Warehouse kickstarts the summer season with the return of the free, annual Deansgate Mews Festival. Taking place just above Deansgate, the festival welcomes all the family for an outdoor celebration of food and drink, entertainment and a pop-up market from local artisan traders. Sponsored by Manchester’s AO Arena, live music is central to the festival, which will welcome more than 40 talented artists across four stages, including bands Strawberry Lemonade and Delights, plus many more. The AO Arena’s funding ensures all acts are paid to play over the weekend and artists performing will also be offered opportunities to sell their merchandise over the weekend. Along Deansgate Mews, local restaurants and bars will have outdoor seating for visitors to enjoy al fresco drinking and dining all weekend. During the festival, Great Northern Warehouse will be collecting donations for Forever Manchester, the only charity that supports community groups and activity across Greater Manchester.
Pixies at O2 Apollo
Legendary band – and we use that term without apology – Pixies bring their huge European tour to Manchester, in celebration of latest long-player The Night The Zombies Came, their tenth studio album. Black Francis and co will take to the stage at O2 Apollo on Saturday 24 May 2025.
Gia Fu & Me Gusta DJs at Band On The Wall
Hong Kong-based Gia Fu is a DJ, selector and music producer who produces Afro-Latin music – particularly salsa and associated rhythms. Beyond her experience touring as an international DJ and music producer, her research work explores how cultures (including her own Chinese heritage and Latin American influences) enrich one another. You can catch her live at Band On The Wall on Saturday 24 May.
Habitat presents LEN at YES
Habitat present the first in their new Len – Live! series at YES on 24 May. Expect the full Habitat club sound with a soundtrack of trap, dancehall, funky, ampiano and afrobeat, with support from Sham Steele, Tone Rarri, Tooj and CVP.
Echoes of Africa at Aviva Studios
Aviva Studios marks Africa Day with live music, workshops, talks and more, all curated by Pie Radio. Taking place on 24 May, the festivities celebrate Africa’s global influence, with a jam-packed day of fashion, art and culture, perfect for the whole family. Echoes of Africa is a feast for the senses with delicious cuisine, striking visual installations and a vibrant soundtrack of African music from Afrobeats to Amapiano. Plus, guests can join artists and cultural leaders for a panel discussion on the impact of African music, fashion and business on the global stage. Hosted by Adesope, the panel features Daniel Gbemiro Owolabi (Nigerian music executive) and Miz Mtetwa (Head of Markets, Sofar Sounds) among others.
Come As You Wear at The Refuge
Join The Refuge for a fun family event, where you can ‘Come As You Wear’. Browse stalls of vintage clothing, boutique brands, skincare, jewellery artwork and more, all to find the perfect pieces for the summer season. Whether you’re into fashion, vintage looks, or casual attire, or you just want to come down for a dance, this event is the perfect opportunity to showcase your personal style.
Spring Summer Series: É Soul Cultura at Freight Island
Freight Island’s Spring Summer Series continues with the return of the magnificent É Soul Cultura. Last year’s free rave was one for the scrapbook, with a devastating headline set from Optimo (Espacio). This year’s bash features the superb Dan Shake, Erol Alkan, Marcia Carr, 808 State’s Graham Massey, Joey T, Laura Jackson, Abigail Ward and, obviously, É Soul boss man Luke Una himself, with a secret after-party going on when the outdoor do winds up.
Make A Move, Single Run Social
Get off those dating apps and grab your running shoes for a social 5km run with other singles in Manchester. Not just about dating, the events are perfect for finding your own community and spending time doing the things you love. The run is at a gentle pace and nobody is left behind – its more about the connections than the PB. Join the gang for coffee and pastries afterwards, where two local single hosts will help you mingle.
A-Kin Supper Club at The New Cross
A-Kin Supper Club returns late May Bank Holiday Sunday for the next instalment in the series, kicking off summer in the best way. They’ll be taking over The New Cross in Ancoats for an evening of elevated sharing plates, great music, and even better company. Expect a summer-inspired menu designed for connection, conversation, and plenty of ‘you have to try this’ moments. Soundtracking the night, Conor and The Greenskeepers will be performing live, with Mikey Don on the decks curating the soundtrack from dinner through to late-night drinks.
Queer Art Market at Queer Lit
Join Queer Art Market as they pop-up at Queer Lit this Bank Holiday Sunday. With over twenty stalls to browse, there’s loads of homemade products to look through from different artists.
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