Our curated list of all the best things happening across Greater Manchester this week...
This week in Manchester comprises a visit from a Hollywood icon – but not as you know him – a night of Manchester history and storytelling, a celebration of 20 years of The Warehouse Project, and an extraordinarily classy afternoon tea with the Hallé.
Here are the very best things to do in Manchester this week…
Macy Gray
Few voices in soul are as instantly recognizable as Macy Gray’s distinctive, sandpapery rasp. Since the late 90s, she has occupied her own specific lane in the industry; one that blends old-school jazz sensibilities with neo-soul and a penchant – well, more than a penchant – for the eccentric. While she is most often cited for the global dominance of tracks like I Try, her discography is deep with experimental R&B and collaborations that have kept her relevant for three decades.
German Wine Quiz Night
Wines of Germany is hosting a trade-only quiz night for sommeliers and wine pros at much-loved wine bar Salut, mixing blind tastings, quick-fire trivia and food pairing challenges with free-pour wine stations and supper. Hosted by Sommelier Wine Awards co-founder Chris Losh, it’s equal parts wine geekery and competitive chaos.
The Big Fat Quiz at Red Light
The Big Fat Quiz sees Manchester drag favourite The Fat Britney take over Red Light for a monthly night of outrageous trivia, camp team names and brilliantly chaotic games. With Happy Hour before kick-off, a £50 bar tab up for grabs and plenty of unexpected twists along the way, it’s a quiz night that leans into the party.
What We Carry From Home Fabric Workshop
Artist Vian Hussein leads this thoughtful, fabric-based workshop inspired by the exhibition WORN: the life within clothes, inviting participants to create their own textile artwork using paint, embroidery and mark-making techniques. Alongside making a personal piece to take home, you’ll also contribute to a collaborative artwork that will feature in a future exhibition, exploring themes of culture, identity, memory and belonging through creativity and shared storytelling.
Jeff Goldblum
From the screen to the stage at the Palace, yes, it’s very much that Jeff Goldblum, landing with (in all likelihood) a velvet suit* and a repertoire of luxurious jazz standards. Joined by the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, the Hollywood icon will be blending smoky jazz club energy with an anecdote or two. Expect piano-led standards, playful crowd interaction and tracks from the album Night Blooms. Less like a theatre show and more like stumbling into the world’s most glamorous late-night jam session. *Suit material may vary.
Bussdown at Eastern Bloc
The man like Strategy heads up a stacked Bussdown at Eastern Bloc with a rare hip-hop set, plus an (apparetnly) huge announcement being made in the room on the night. Dogger, Kiel and Slay FM will be moving through a two-hour 140 to 170 set for Slay FM’s birthday, while PZP, Charlieboy Manson and Foxiwithai launch their new EP live for the first time.
The House of Beautopia
The House of Beautopia brings a stacked line-up of beauty brands together for a free four-day takeover, with Sephora, Selfridges, Space NK, Rituals, Boots, John Lewis, KIKO, Lush and L’Occitane all involved. Expect live DJs, expert talks, demos, samples, prize giveaways and big pop-up moments, including Space NK’s Summer Society Hotel, Selfridges’ beauty hall and Boots’ beauty playground, before Gemma Atkinson rounds off the weekend with a live beauty, confidence and wellbeing Q&A.
MHF 2026: Histories Slam
Histories Slam brings together 14 performers from across Greater Manchester for a night of storytelling, performance and local history with a difference. Hosted by Salford-born writer, musician and comedian Tony Kinsella, the event dives into the absurd, fascinating and overlooked stories that have helped shape the city, told through a lively mix of voices and perspectives.
A Showcase of Joyous Objects and Art
Joined at the Hip is launching its first exhibition at SEESAW Space this summer, bringing together a range of Northern artists and makers for a one-night-only showcase themed around JOY. Curated by glass artist Hannah Baxendale and creative producer Jessica McPhail, the evening mixes art, community and culture with DJs, drinks and a relaxed social atmosphere designed to connect Manchester’s creative scene with emerging artists from across the North.
Soul Bingo
From Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan to Anita Baker and Whitney Houston, Soul Bingo takes the classic bingo night and gives it a proper feel-good soundtrack. Expect soulful singalongs, prizes, 70s and 80s anthems, and a room full of people trying very hard to stay seated when the tunes kick in.
The Warehouse Project 20 Years in Manchester screening
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, The Warehouse Project has commissioned Twenty Years In Manchester, a visually stunning new short film from director Leigh Powis that puts the city itself centre stage. Blending rare archival footage with newly shot scenes captured on Kodak Ektachrome film, the piece follows Manchester’s dancers, clubbers and dancefloors across two decades of club culture. Catch a special screening at Manchester Art Gallery and see a unique portrait of the city that helped shape one of the UK’s most influential nightlife brands.
AFROSOCIAL Sports Day
AFROSOCIAL is heading back to Wythenshawe Park and Gardens this June for another free community sports day packed with team games, fun races, mixed-ability activities and food stalls. Designed as a laid-back way for people across Manchester to connect through sport and culture, the afternoon mixes competition with social energy, all in one of the city’s biggest green spaces.
Afternoon Tea with the Hallé Orchestra
Stock Exchange Hotel is teaming up with The Hallé for a properly elegant summer afternoon tea, pairing live performances from world-renowned musicians with seasonal sandwiches, fruit and lavender and vanilla scones, handmade sweet treats, PMD teas and the hotel’s own 1906 blend. You can keep it classic, add bubbles, or go for one of the afternoon tea cocktails, including Berries ‘n’ Cream, The Beekeeper or a classic Champagne cocktail.
We Invented The Weekend Festival
More than 200 free activities are taking over Salford Quays and MediaCity as We Invented the Weekend returns for another huge celebration of leisure, creativity and community. Expect everything from live music, theatre, talks and family activities to open-water swimming, BMX sessions, yoga, football, boat trips and hands-on workshops. Highlights include Peter Hook in conversation with Mark Radcliffe, a mass performance from the English National Opera, sets from Afrodeutsche and Afriquoi, plus the debut of Club Culture, a new area dedicated to Greater Manchester’s electronic music heritage. Whether you fancy getting active, learning something new, seeing a live performance or simply spending a day exploring, there’s enough going on here to fill an entire weekend and then some.
BAFTA Games in Concert
A 20-year journey through the BAFTA Games Awards’ Music category, this landmark concert brings together the BBC Philharmonic and London Voices choir for a huge live celebration of gaming’s most memorable scores. Expect full orchestral suites from Baldur’s Gate 3, Assassin’s Creed, Journey, Cuphead, Fallout 4, Disco Elysium, Ori and the Will of the Wisps and loads more, all synced with gameplay, visuals and imagery on the big screen.
Evening4Ricky
The legendary Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton gets a full-scale Manchester send-off with a huge celebration of his life at the AO Arena. There will be 12 rounds of music, comedy, boxing royalty, tributes and proper fan chaos. Expect live performances from John Newman, Russell Watson, Rowetta, The Lottery Winners, Tinie Tempah and Bugzy Malone, plus a WBC tribute, a new poem from the brilliant Tony Walsh, Vegas stories, Paulie Malignaggi, fancy dress, pie eating, and a Manchester vs Liverpool DJ showdown led by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram to finish the night. Expect scenes.
Yoga, Gua Sha and Brunch with FORM
Ease into Sunday with a rooftop wellness session at King Street Townhouse, starting with an energising yoga flow from FORM MCR before an ESPA Spa expert leads a guided Gua Sha facial straight from the mat. You’ll learn a few simple lymphatic drainage and facial massage techniques to take home, then finish with brunch, a smoothie and a complimentary ESPA gift on the South Terrace.