Whether you’re looking to kick off this year’s first bank holiday with a high-energy celebration or a relaxed family gathering, there are plenty of things to do in and around Manchester this long Easter weekend. From seasonal culinary delights to scenic outdoor adventures, we’ve rounded up the ultimate guide to making the most of your Easter bank holiday weekend in Manchester.
If you fancy a free day out just beyond Manchester this Easter bank holiday weekend, the Shaun the Sheep ‘Find the Flock’ sculpture art trail is in Bury town centre from until April 30. The trail features 12 uniquely designed Shaun sculptures by Wild in Art and Aardman at locations including The Fusilier Museum, East Lancashire Railway and The Rock.
Dive into the mysterious and provocative universe of Banksy as ‘The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ makes its highly anticipated UK debut in Manchester. This acclaimed exhibition features around 200 recreated works, from bold graffiti to striking sculptures, offering a rare look into the creativity of the world’s most enigmatic street artist. With over 3.5 million global visitors, this must-see journey into contemporary art also includes exclusive discounts at nearby hotels and restaurants for ticket holders.
Kickstart the Easter bank holiday with a free party at Amber’s
Manchester nightclub and music venue, Amber’s, is teaming up with TICO Tequila for a high-energy Easter bank holiday celebration, bringing a free entry party designed for the dancefloor. Taking place on Friday 3rd April from 10pm to 4am, the event promises a genre-spanning soundtrack of house, tech house, breaks and amapiano, powered by Amber’s resident DJs and special guests. Guests can secure free entry before 11pm, with every ticket including a complimentary drink.
Spot animals with Printworks Manchester’s interactive egg trail
From April 1, Printworks Manchester will be displaying an interactive Easter egg trail to follow along Europe’s largest digital ceiling, along with an Easter quiz to hop into on their interactive gaming screen! Visitors are challenged with following the trail and spotting which animals are hopping along the screen. Keeping their eyes peeled, families can then test their knowledge with exciting Easter quiz.
Launching on April 2 at Transmission House, Horizon of Khufu: Journey to Ancient Egypt offers a unique way to spend time over the Easter holidays. This cutting-edge VR experience transports visitors 4,500 years back in time to explore the Giza Plateau, step inside the Great Pyramid and witness ancient rituals, all guided by a virtual Egyptologist. Blending history, storytelling and technology, it is an engaging and educational day out, perfect for families aged 10 and over, groups of friends or anyone looking for something different over the long weekend.
Take part in a grown-up Easter Egg Hunt with prizes hidden in pints at Society
This Easter bank holiday weekend, you can take part in a grown-up Easter egg hunt to find special Society Easter Egg stickers hidden at random beneath hundreds of beer glasses. Brightly coloured eggs are waiting to be discovered at Society, so supping everything from craft IPA to pints of chocolatey stout will turn every round into a potential win. Each egg will unlock a different reward, from instant wins to bigger prizes. Guests could uncover free sides, dishes or pints, alongside bar discounts and extra perks – with the ultimate prize up for grabs: a £100 Society tab, an Easter gift for the person who finds the one golden egg.
Watch eerie and mystical films at Cultplex’s CURSE Folklore Film Festival
A new film festival promises to bring together the eerie, the mystical and the macabre at Manchester’s Cultplex cinema. CURSE Folklore Film Festival gathers together films that explore local legends, superstition and mythical creatures from across the globe, over the weekend of Friday 3 April – Sunday 5 April. Highlights of the CURSE weekender include a special opening night presentation of Häxan, accompanied by a live score from Nick Carlisle (April 3).
This Easter bank holiday weekend, unleash your inner child at Bubble Planet – an immersive experience transforming Depot Mayfield in Manchester. Bubble Planet plunges you into a magical world of bubbles, pushing the limits of imagination with virtual reality, ten uniquely themed rooms, and breathtaking sensory landscapes. Travel through fascinating spaces, interact with all kinds of bubbles, and engage all your senses in this spherical universe, promising fun for everyone. Plus, this Easter weekend, Bubble Planet will be hiding some eggs throughout the venue, and if you find one, you’ll win a chocolate egg.
Celebrate Easter at Sexy Fish with a feast
Guests are invited to kick off the long weekend with Sexy Fish Manchester’s Limitless Lunch, available on Good Friday and Saturday 4th April from 12pm-4pm, where can enjoy three signature dishes, paired with a flowing selection of beer, wines, and cocktails for just £48 per person. On Easter Sunday, guests can sample the signature ‘Sunday Brunch’ for £48, featuring unlimited starters, one main dish per person, and finishes with sharing desserts. Limitless cocktails and bubbles can also be added for £35 per person. And that’s not all, as there’s also a £28 Sexy Set Menu available weekdays from 12-4pm from 30th March-3rd April and 6th-10th April, where guests dining from this menu can get a complimentary doughnut dessert and a Mini Egg Martini. Plus, a special Easter Egg Dessert will be available on Saturday evening, Sunday evening, and Monday, delivering a show-stopping finale to the Easter feast.
Head to Manchester’s historic Victoria Baths to experience artist Luke Jerram’s Helios — a 7-metre glowing Sun using high-resolution NASA imagery and an immersive soundscape. The installation runs until Monday of the Easter bank holiday weekend (April 6) with general entry tickets priced at £3 – so be quick as it might be the only sun you see!
Taste Film believes films should be more than just watched—they should be lived, shared, and tasted. Get ready to embark on a journey where fine food and iconic film moments collide, transforming your night out into an unforgettable adventure. This time, Taste Film is going back in time to the 90s as they dish out the menu for the film Matilda. Expect a three-course meal inspired by the 1996 film, so you can dine in sync with iconic on-screen moments with each course timed to perfection.
Dance the night away at Lost Cat’s free Easter parties
Lost Cat is turning five, and to celebrate, it’s throwing four free Easter parties, featuring cutting-edge electronic acts, underground DJs, and intimate live performances from Transmission Towers, Gina Breeze, DayDay, and El Diablos Social Club. The Northern Quarter hotspot has undergone a major revamp, unveiling FOUND, a 120-capacity upstairs club and live music room with a new 5am licence. With a central DJ booth, upgraded sound, immersive lighting, and a reimagined layout, dancers are closer to the action than ever before. From booming basslines to cosmic disco, FOUND promises to inject new energy into Manchester’s nightlife and cement Lost Cat’s reputation as a destination for music lovers.
Tuck into breakfast with The Ivy Bunny
Designed to delight little ones and grown-ups alike, Breakfast With The Ivy Bunny returns to The Ivy Spinningfields in Manchester, featuring a breakfast menu with Easter surprises throughout the morning. Young guests will receive themed treats including a bunny headband, colouring sheets and pencils, plus a soft bunny toy to take home – ensuring the magic continues long after breakfast. Families will also be able to capture a special photo with The Ivy Bunny during the event.
Guests can also enjoy a delectably adorable dessert – The Peter Rabbit’s Secret Garden Carrot Cake, featuring a delicately spongy carrot cake served with vanilla ice cream on a bed of chocolate soil, topped with pistachio crumb, candy floss, and mint. Little guests are also offered a special Bunny Chocolate Milk as an optional extra treat.
Opening just a few years ago in Worsley, the RHS Garden Bridgewater gates lead to a beautiful, nature wonderland – and it’s the perfect place to catch a literal breath of fresh air. Featuring multiple areas throughout to explore, including the ‘crown jewel’ of the site – the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – visitors won’t be at a loss for beautiful sights, with tons of greenery, blooms, a peaceful lake and a number of lovely little ponds to potter around, as well as seasonal flowers and plants that transform throughout the year. Escape the city and witness nature doing its thing at this scenic garden – plus spring has to be the perfect time for a visit!
The Northern Vegan Festival is back, and will feature an array of fantastic stalls, global vegan cuisine from talented chefs, free samples to discover new favourites, expert talks from vegan advocates and specialists. Stalls at the festival will include cooked and raw foods, pies, cakes, and chocolates, sandwiches and salads, beauty and skincare products, candles and preserves, vegan cheeses, jewellery and crafts, healthy and sweet treats, clothing and accessories, drinks, juices, and smoothies, charity merchandise, and so much more. Plus, each visitor to the festival will receive a free 200g pack of Clearspring organic silken tofu on the door.