The biggest bank holiday of the year is upon us – and there’s so much to do. From plenty of outdoorsy fun to an absolute array of festivals, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Manchester this August Bank Holiday weekend. Read on for a bit of inspiration…
1. Head to The Oast House’s outdoor terrace for this free music festival
Following its success over the past bank holidays, Spinningfields bar The Oast House is bringing its free music festival Manifest back to Manchester this August bank holiday weekend for its final summer instalment with a jam-packed line-up. Taking place on the large outdoor terrace at The Oast House on August 25, complete with a dedicated stage, Manifest will run from 1pm in the afternoon until late, with a packed roster of musicians lined up including bands, solo artists and duos taking to the stage throughout the day with interludes from resident DJs. Attendees can expect a party atmosphere all night and sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues.
2. Celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community at Manchester Pride
The key event in Manchester over the August Bank Holiday, Manchester Pride is back with a bang for 2024. Mancs can expect huge parties and shows over the long weekend, including hilarious drag shows, bustling dancefloors, and of course, the big Gay Village Party itself.
3. Enjoy cocktails behind bars at Alcotraz
Alcotraz is as unique as they come, with guests escorted to their very own prison cell in an orange jumpsuit during the experience. Drink cocktails made with ‘smuggled-in contraband’, hide from the cellblock’s parading warden, and enjoy the theatrics before checking out the prison-themed canteen.
4. Stuff yourself silly with Italian grub at Festa Italiana
Manchester’s favourite Italian food festival is back for another year, taking over Cathedral Gardens with an impressive array of local traders. Free to attend, guests can enjoy authentic Italian food from The Pasta Factory, Cafe Cannoli, I Knead Pizza, Proove Pizza, Purezza, Salvi’s, T’arricrii, Prendi Il Biscotto, Grandpa Greene’s and many more, with beers from Poretti, ticketed banquets led by talented chefs, an Aperol Spritz bar and more in store.
5. Catch all the original props, costumes and vehicles from the Batman films before they leave the city
August bank holiday weekend is the last time you can take a trip to the Batman Unmasked exhibition in Manchester, located inside Depot Mayfield, which treats fans of the iconic DC superhero to a treasure trove of original props, costumes, vehicles, weapons and much more. You’ll be able to indulge in your love of all things Batman as you journey through themed rooms, channel your inner Bruce Wayne in the gaming area and even add to your collection with exclusive merchandise.
6. Be beside the seaside at the Trafford Centre’s giant beach
The Trafford Centre has brought back its giant beach and splash park this summer along with its popular fairground – plus, it won’t break the bank. Following the success of last year’s Summer Daze event, the fun is making a comeback for the school holidays under the new name Bright Lights, Big Fun and promises “even more excitement”. Open until September 1, Bright Lights, Big Fun will boast a fantastic, family-friendly 600 square metre beach outside The Great Hall and more than 20 thrilling rides.
7. Try out tasty cheese at The Manchester Cheese Crawl
Hosting two sessions on August 24, The Manchester Cheese Crawl will be touring around the city to show off the best cheeses Manchester has on offer – with plenty of cheese to sample along the way. Exploring the city for around two hours, guests will be able to enjoy an array of cheeses and wines while learning all about it, making for the perfect way to brush up on your knowledge to impress your mates with.
8. Go for cocktails at one of these gorgeous bars
Whether you have a date night in-store or a night out with the squad, Manchester is packed full of incredible cocktail bars offering a vibe for every occasion. Whether it’s pretty-in-pink décor and Instagrammable cocktails you’re after, or laid-back opulence, there are plenty of spots in town for cocktails over the bank holiday weekend. Cheers to the long weekend!
9. Head to this eco-friendly farm in Stockport for an epic weekend of live music
Moovin is one of the most sustainable music festivals in Manchester, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality. They say: “For the last few years, zero waste from the festival has gone to landfill, it goes to the tip, gets sorted into recycling as much as possible by a machine, and then the rest gets taken to a place where it is incinerated to produce energy and electricity.” Of course, it’s first and foremost a music festival, and the growing list of local and acclaimed artists is pretty impressive for the little farm.
10. Chow down on tasty grub at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival
The Bolton Food & Drink Festival will take place over the entire bank holiday weekend, starting on August 23 and ending on the following Monday. Visitors can expect a weekend packed full of food, drink, entertainment and more, with tons of local food traders on the roster, a fantastic market and a live music stage. Plus, a Fawlty Towers dining experience where you can be served by Basil, Sybil, and Manuel will also take place over the festival weekend.
11. Make a splash by giving paddleboarding a try
Before the weather takes a turn for the worst (not that we’ve had the driest of summers), why not get yourself on the water and give paddleboarding a go? See the city of Manchester and the beautiful landscapes nearby in a whole new way by drifting along the water with a spot of paddleboarding. Greater Manchester has plenty of tranquil spots for stand-up paddleboarding, so go on, grab your wetsuit, make a splash and challenge yourself in a fun, new way.
12. Watch Blossoms and New Order perform at Wythenshawe Park
Blossoms is returning to the city with a huge gig this August, which will be the biggest headline show of their career. Taking place at an all-day outdoor concert just outside Manchester city centre at Wythenshawe Park on August bank holiday weekend, the performance by Blossoms follows the successful debut event headlined by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, held at the park last year. Other acts joining Blossoms at Wythenshawe Park on August 25 include The K’s, Seb Lowe and recent ‘To Do List (After The Breakup) collaborator, Findlay, who will kick things off at Wythenshawe Park with her band TTRRUUCES.
Plus, New Order will also be performing a special homecoming show at the Manchester park on August 24. It will mark New Order’s first full headline performance in the city since 2021 and the band will be joined by a huge supporting bill including Manchester’s very own Johnny Marr and adopted Manc Róisin Murphy.
13. Embark on a guided wine tour around the city
Manchester Wine Tours offer visitors a guided tour around the city centre, where they’ll visit some of the best places to drink and buy wine in Manchester along the way. You will be guided in small groups on a leisurely three-hour jaunt where they’ll be able to sample a few glasses en route, as well top notch nibbles. This is a great opportunity to try something new, learn the characteristics of different varieties and even discover a new favourite.
14. Enjoy a mooch around the Makers Market at MediaCity
We’re all pretty familiar with the Makers Market, but this August bank holiday you’ll find it located on the plaza outside Quayside, MediaCity for three days in a row. The Makers Market brings together independent artisans, makers and businesses to create brilliant, local community monthly markets – where you’ll find a selection of the finest local makers, bakers, crafters and so much more. Taking place on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August, you’re bound to find what you’re after across the three days.
15. Head to waterside cocktail bar Finders Keepers for a Spanish takeover
Waterside cocktail bar, Finders Keepers is celebrating its first birthday in style by bringing an authentic taste of Madrid to New Islington Marina through a fiesta of takeovers from two of Madrid’s most famous drink brands and venues. From August 21-24, the bar will first become a haven for the most popular beer in Spain, Mahou. The bar interiors will also be changed to bring a Spanish feel with vintage artwork and visitors can enjoy schooners of Mahou for just £4.50 (or £4.00 during its Hours of Happiness*). That’s not all! On Sunday 25th August, the second takeover will spring into action as Finders Keepers will be home to the world-class mixologists from Salmon Guru Madrid for one day only. For those that aren’t in the know, this is a big deal and a Manchester-first collaboration, giving guests the opportunity to try drinks, mixes, and creations from bartenders who are officially at the top of their game.
16. Sip your way around the city on this craft beer walking tour
Calling all craft beer lovers! Prepare for things to get boozy as you hop along on this craft beer walking tour around Manchester. Sip on 10-12 beers (1/3 pints) of superb craft beer locally brewed in Manchester, with each one very unique. At each venue a brewer or a tasting expert will give the full lowdown on what makes these craft beers un-brew-lieveable. Get your steps in on this craft beer tour and be rewarded with an epic pint– what more could you want?
17. Visit FENIX for music, flowing drinks and Mediterranean flavours
This August bank holiday, FENIX is inviting guests to enjoy a full day and night of festivities in Manchester. From 12-5pm on Saturday 24th August, FENIX will be hosting their monthly ‘Rise’ event, bringing immersive sounds courtesy of DJ Alex Twin, flowing drinks and Mediterranean flavours. A curated three course set menu, available for £65 per person, will spotlight much-loved favourites including Prawn Saganaki, Halloumi Cheese Tempura to start, followed by the Seabass with Grilled chard, aubergine puree, smoked pepper cream & piccata or a Glazed Half Chicken for main. This is paired with three EPC Champagne cocktails to create an epic all-day experience to celebrate the bank holiday.
For those looking to celebrate later into the night, FENIX Moonlight Parties will take place on the 23rd, 24th and 25th August in the spacious Nest Bar. Inspired by the world famous nightlife of Mykonos, live DJs including Cristian & HBEAT and Yigit will bring hedonistic energy fuelled sets to Manchester across the weekend.
18. Listen to local and upcoming musical talent at Den Fest
Adding to the August bank holiday events in Manchester is Den Fest, a free, three-day music festival, returning to Lions Den at Great Northern Warehouse for another year. Festival-goers can expect live music performances from a stellar line-up of Manchester’s grassroots rising talent, whilst soaking up the sun on Manchester’s bustling ‘hidden street’ filled with independent bars, eateries and shops – Deansgate Mews. The outdoor festival (with open-air stage) will showcase different bands and artists across the bank holiday weekend, with exclusive headline performances from By Wednesday, raucous Scottish four-piece Ecko, and Madame Claude, with their unique groove-infused reggae. Once the main stage draws to a close, the party will keep going with Lion’s Den also hosting official afterparties each day.
19. Get your game on at Cultplex’s gaming competition
Cultplex’s Manchester Amateur Gaming League (MAGL) is having a special outing this Bank Holiday Sunday as they take over the cinema at GRUB for a full day of video games on the big screen. They’ll be inviting teams to compete in an all-dayer tournament of gaming wits, to see who is the greatest amateur gaming team in the land. There will be MAGL classics alongside new indie/AAA/plain weird games from all over the world. They’ve also brought the prizes up to Olympic level for this special event, with the winning team able to walk away with a £100 bar tab, a gaming party in the cinema for your team and a CPX merch package. So if you like your video games, head on down to Cultplex quick as space is limited and competition is fierce.