The bank holiday weekend has almost arrived, and you’d honestly think we’d been hibernating for years with how excited we are. Whether you plan to head into the city for some entertainment or fancy doing something a little more wholesome, here’s our guide to the best things to do this early May bank holiday right here in Manchester.
‘The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ at Depot Mayfield in Manchester showcases around 200 recreated works from the elusive street artist. The UK debut show is dedicated to exploring the complete catalogue of the anonymous street art superstar, this exhibition is a must-visit for any art enthusiast. From massive graffiti works to sculptures and video installations, or prints and canvases, you’ll find it all.
The Blues Kitchen Manchester is celebrating five years of late nights, live music and Southern-inspired hospitality with a Bank Holiday weekend takeover on Sunday 3rd May. Since 2021, The Blues Kitchen Manchester has built a reputation as one of the city’s go-to spots where dinner turns into a dancefloor. Headlined by DJ, broadcaster and label owner Gilles Peterson, you can expect genre-spanning sounds across jazz, funk, soul and more, setting the tone for an unmissable night.
Outwards is set to transform five Ardwick outdoor spaces into a 5,000-capacity day-into-night cultural festival celebrating electronic music’s past, present and future. The new city-centre, open-air festival in Manchester, is taking place on Saturday 2nd May. The event brings together pioneering live acts and DJs — including Orbital, Octave One, The Orb, Black Grape, Moodymann & Carl Craig — alongside talks, exhibitions, record fairs and afterparties.
Soak up the sun with a spritz and panino on Federico’s terrace
Wine bar, Federico, is enjoying its first summer in Manchester with a newly-opened outdoor terrace and panino & spritz offer – perfect to enjoy over the bank holiday weekend. Located at Pall Mall (just off King Street), Federico’s new summer lunch offer is priced at £30, where guests can enjoy a carafe of house wine or spritz, plus two panino (open Italian sandwiches served on Half Dozen Other focaccia). Panino are served everyday 12pm-3pm, available in four variations with the likes of Iberico cured ham, burrata, agave and rocket or Prosciutto Crudo, Gorgonzola Dolce, cherry tomato and rocket.
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.
Thomas the Tank Engine is set to make a welcome return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR), with the much-loved Day Out With Thomas. Hop on board a train ride with Thomas – a real steam engine – and enjoy a whole day of excitement and education on the ELR. You’ll meet Sir Topham Hatt at the Station, say hello to Thomas on the platform and then climb aboard a carriage. Thomas will pull your train through the amazing countryside on a fun-filled journey to Ramsbottom Station.
Celebrate 1 year of Lina Stores Manchester with 1,000 prizes to be won
Italian restaurant and delicatessen, Lina Stores, which opened on Quay Street in May 2025, is celebrating one year in Manchester with a huge prize giveaway. First birthday scratch cards will be handed out with any food or drink purchase at Lina Stores across the bank holiday weekend from Friday 1st – Monday 4th May – and there will be 1,000 prizes for guests to win. There are two large travel prizes up for grabs – you could win a weekend in Italy for 2 people, including return flights from Manchester and 2 nights in a hotel, or win a weekend in London for 2 people with food & drinks included. Additional prizes include: win a meal & drinks for 4 guests, free tiramisu for one year, free pasta for one year, luxurious gift hampers from the deli, and win a bar tab for 10 guests at Bar Lina.
Taste Film is a great option if you’re looking for something to do with your pals or partner, with or without alcohol. Pairing brilliant food with iconic on-screen moments, Taste Film is truly a feast for all the senses. Giving a whole new meaning to ‘watch what you eat’, the immersive experience combines two of life’s greatest joys: food and film. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting to reach out and grab a bite of whatever’s on screen, then you can do exactly that, with this month’s movie being Bridesmaids.
Enjoy music, pizza and more as Green Island Festival takes over Manchester’s Edge Street
This early May bank holiday weekend will see Green Island Festival link up with Manchester’s favourite NY pizza merchants, Nell’s, for a special street party takeover in the centre of the Northern Quarter. For the day, Edge Street will be locked off for the festival fiesta to take over. The party starts at 12pm, welcoming families to join in on the bank holiday fun. All day long, Nell’s famous NYC Pizza – full-sized pies and slices as big as your head – will be available to feast on as fuel for dancing. Plus, Yard & Coop’s legendary buttermilk fried chicken, burgers, and wings will also be available to order.
Families looking for a way to keep the kids entertained this bank holiday are in for a treat, as a stellar celebration is landing at the Science and Industry Museum just in time for National Space Day. This free event is bringing a programme of space-themed fun, with a mix of hands-on activities, live shows and family-friendly experiences inspired by the new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition.
Over the weekend, visitors can get involved in a range of drop-in activities designed for younger space fans. An interactive obstacle course will challenge kids to test their astronaut skills, while creative workshops will give them the chance to build their own constellations or design a mission patch worthy of a trip into orbit.