Saturday 8th March marks International Women’s Day, where we celebrate all the wonderful achievements of women, whilst also examining how we can support women further and fight for true equality. Manchester is often at the forefront of social change as the UK’s ‘second city’, with a rich history of pushing boundaries and supporting those who don’t conform to societal norms, so International Women’s Day is a must for Mancs.
The city was a huge part of the suffragette movement, with Emmeline Pankhurst having called Manchester home, and still upholds those values even now with the likes of the Pankhurst Trust and the People’s History Museum – so it only seems right to celebrate International Women’s Day here in Manchester. We’ve put together a guide of what’s going on and how you can get involved on March 8, on the theme ‘Accelerate Action‘.
1. The Pankhurst Centre
Firstly, The Pankhurst Centre has a day jam-packed with inspirational women. They’ll be throwing open the doors to allow for free entry on Sunday 9th March, 11am to 4pm, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the birthplace of the suffragette movement as the world celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
At the heart of the visitor experience is the permanent exhibition, ‘At Home with the Pankhurst Family’. This gives the opportunity to get to know the people behind the iconic Pankhurst name; their lives, influences, tragedies, resourcefulness and the factors that turned them into the campaigners they became.
🎟️ Book a free slot here.
📍 The Pankhurst Centre, 60-62 Nelson St, Manchester, M13 9WP.
2. Yoga Social Club at Hallé St Peter’s
On Friday 7th March ahead of International Women’s Day, women are called upon to join together and celebrate all things female and empowerment with the Yoga Social Club. Returning after selling out last year, the live and immersive yoga event is returning to Manchester city centre. This year, the one off class combines empowerment and energy to celebrate female kind, and all with the perfect soundtrack of soothing and serene music from a live string quartet at the stunning and iconic venue of Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester’s Ancoats.
Designed to bring together trailblazers, go-getters, and visionaries, the International Women’s Day yoga event promises to be an unforgettable evening of inspiration, networking, and empowerment. Playing female only music from across the decades, the two hour session will give all who attend the chance to relax and celebrate with friends – both old and new – whilst hearing some classic hits from some of the greatest women in music including Beyoncé, Celine Dion and Roberta Flack.
Included in the two hour session is:
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One hour breath work, yoga and meditation session
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Manchester String Quartet playing music by females from across the decades
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One hour networking and wine social (alcohol free versions also available)
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The chance to connect with 120 incredible women in a relaxed, empowering space
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Goody bag featuring hand selected gifts to make the evening extra special
🎟️ Grab tickets here.
📍 Hallé St Peter’s, 40 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF.
3. HER at Manchester Central Library
A celebratory community-led programme of workshops, performances and discussions has been planned for International Women’s Day day itself at Manchester Central Library based around the acronym HER: Heal, Encourage, Revive. The events for IWD 2025 are:
Heal – Performance Space
- Flourish Together; Mindfulness Activity for relaxation and meditation, 11am-1pm
- Equal Education Chances; letter writing and positive affirmations session, 11:20am-12:15pm
Encourage – Performance Space 2 and 3
- Community Thriving Together; sharing personal stories and overcoming challenges, 11am-11:50am
- Trailblazers; Creating bookmarks and stitching
- Young Identity with Shirley May; poetry performance by Young Identity members, 11:55am-12:15pm
- Flourish Together; a 30-minute fireside chat chaired by Nickala Torkington about women changemakers, 12:20pm-12:50pm.
Revive – Performance Space 2 and 3
- Bollyfit; an exercise class inspired by multicultural dance, 1pm-1:30pm
- Councillor Ermina Bell will give a closing speech about the event, 1:35pm-1:45pm
- DJ set to inspire and uplift
Glass Room/Sensory Space
- Flourish Together; Bookable pop-up spa for treatments for 20 mins including Indian Head Massage in a clothed and seated setting, 11am-2pm
The events on the day will be accompanied by partner stalls of specialist community organisations including Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH), Manchester Rape Crisis, Fikawele African and Caribbean Mental Health, Walksafe and Ahmed Iqbal Ullah (AIU) RACE Centre who will be on hand to raise awareness and promote their services.
🎟️ Book activities for free here.
📍 Manchester Central Library, St. Peter’s Square Manchester M2 5PD.
4. Huge digital art installation and Makers Market at the Printworks
On Saturday 8th March, Manchester’s Printworks will mark International Women’s Day with a UK-first event: a 1,000m² digital art installation spanning 115 metres, honouring women of Manchester. The awe-inspiring digital art showcase will illuminate the stories of local women on Europe’s largest digital ceiling, creating a mesmerising visual celebration of identity, empowerment and representation.
The digital art installation is created by renowned Manchester-based artist Laura Frances Heitzman. Known for her bold, bright and empowering creations, Heitzman will bring to life the portraits of inspiring women aged 14-70 years old, set against the backdrop of iconic Manchester locations like Castlefield, Stockport Underbanks, Ancoats Marina and more.
In addition to the groundbreaking art display, Printworks will host a special one-day Makers Market, running from 12pm–4pm. This market will spotlight Manchester’s incredible female-led businesses such as Stardust Bakery, Koala Nala, Sealed Links, Root 2 Ginger, and Oak Apple Plants. To complete the atmosphere, DJ Sez Benny and tarot card reader Solar Sister will add their own flair to the event.
🎟️ No tickets needed.
📍 Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS.
5. Sexy Fish International Women’s Day networking lunch
Sexy Fish Manchester has announced its annual networking lunch in honour of International Women’s Day in association with luxury fine jewellery brand, Boodles. Set to take over the restaurant on 5th March from 12:30pm, guests will be treated to an informal networking lunch and Champagne reception alongside an insightful panel event led by journalist, Rebecca Cope (Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Telegraph).
Featuring four inspirational leaders and founders across media, wellness and fashion industries:
- Honour Wainwright, Marketing Director at Boodles
- Katherine Barlow, Founder of clothing brand Ru & Rocka
- Venetia Archer, Founder of Ruuby
- Sheena Bhattessa, Founder of Citizen Femme
The open conversation with panellists will focus on their journey of entrepreneurship, lessons in leadership, as well as marketing in the digital age. There will be opportunity to meet the founders, and network with like-minded entrepreneurs over an informal lunch following the panel.
🎟️ Book your spot here.
📍 Sexy Fish, 1 The Avenue, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AP.
6. GRUB Sip & Paint and Disco Bingo
Manchester’s beloved GRUB is once again set to host plenty of International Women’s Day events, so there’s enough to choose from. Join GRUB’s Sip & Paint with Music evening on Friday 7th March – a sip and paint like no other where you can learn all about synesthesia and paint along to your favourite tunes in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment. This session is suitable for beginners and more experienced artists alike, so no experience is needed.
On the day itself, GRUB will also be hosting a Disco Bingo, combining all your favourite bangers with lyric challenges, karaoke, guess the intro, bottomless brunch and classic bingo hall vibes. Expect to bop along to all your favourite Girl Power bangers, with a bottomless option if you fancy making a day of it for the girls… how fun!
🎟️ Book tickets for Sip & Paint with Music here, and Disco Bingo here.
📍 GRUB, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF.
7. EMPOWER: Women Changing Music at The International Anthony Burgess Foundation
In an evening of powerful performances and thought-provoking conversation on Saturday 8th March, EMPOWER: Women Changing Music celebrate and showcase the breadth and diversity of female music, accompanied by dynamic discussion with female leaders from across the music industry.
Hosts: Sinéad Walsh, Hannah Seymour
Panelists: Rachael Williams – Chief Executive of Streetwise Opera, Florence Anna Maunders – Composer, Emily Davis – Violinist, Leader of the Hallé Orchestra, Peggy Nolan – Cellist in the Irish Chamber Orchestra and Eblana String Trio.
🎟️ Get tickets here.
📍 International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge St, Manchester, M1 5BY.
8. Stray IWD Martini
To mark International Women’s Day, Stray will be hosting an evening that brings together some of the leading figures in the Manchester hospitality industry. Featured on the menu, and showcased in the female founded venue, on Tuesday 4 March will be women from Hawksmoor, SCHOFIELD’S, Erst, Red Light, Ego Death, Blinker, 10 Tib Lane and Osma.
A curated martini menu created by female bartenders from across the city will be served up by the Stray team. In addition, Chef Patron of Osma, Danielle Heron will be on the bar serving up a delicious menu of snacks to accompany the martini list. Spinning the perfect soundtrack for the night will be renowned Manchester DJ Mix-Stress, so get ready for a night of female excellence, kicking off at 5pm on Tuesday 4 March.
📍 Stray, Mackie Mayor, Eagle St, Manchester M4 5BU.
9. Refuge all-day party
On Saturday 8 March, dining destination and party hotspot Refuge is hosting an all-day celebration honouring the incredible women powering Manchester. From midday to midnight, a lively women-led DJ lineup featuring Laura Weaver, Nicola Bear, Una Lee and SEZBENNY will bring the beats and good vibes. Between 12pm and 5pm, Refuge’s indoor street area will transform into a Makers Market, showcasing local women-owned brands including the gender-neutral fashion label FKA Clothing, luxury accessories brand Beaches & Cream and premium bamboo pyjama makers PLUSH. No tickets are needed, so just turn up and enjoy!
📍 Refuge, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA.
10. Side Street X Third Space IWD Panel
A collaboration between Manchester bar Side Street and women’s community group Third Place aims to bring together inspirational Manchester women who have turned their dreams into reality. The panel discussion will feature accomplished female entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, insights, and advice on building confidence, overcoming challenges, and achieving success.
Attendees will enjoy a welcome Aperol Spritz or Hug-no Spritz, a panel talk, a Q&A session, networking opportunities, sweet treats from Coy Biscuit, and a goody bag to take home. You can book tickets here.
📍 Side Street, ABC Buildings Corner of Quay Street and, Lower Byrom St, Manchester M3 4AE.
11. Charity cocktails a Victors
Asian-inspired restaurant and bar Victors has announced a very special initiative for International Women’s Day, donating £1 from every pink or red cocktail purchased to Women’s Aid, a charity dedicated to ensuring women’s safety from domestic violence. As part of Victors commitment to supporting women, £1 will be donated from every Raspberry Beret, Watermelon Caipiroska, Social Butterfly, or I Carried a Watermelon throughout the day on Saturday 8 March – what better way to support women?
📍 Victors, 169 Ashley Rd, Hale, Altrincham WA15 9SD.
12. Hard Rock Cafe
In celebration of Hard Rock International’s annual International Women’s Month in March and International Women’s Day, Hard Rock and global superstar, Shakira, have announced a year-long partnership that aims to empower women around the world to tell their stories, be their authentic selves and unite through the power of music.
Hard Rock Cafe Manchester will host a number of performances in the restaurant in March including Idyllic (7th), Lisa T (12th), and Outfoxed (28th), and aims to raise funds through its charitable arm, Hard Rock Heals Foundation. The restaurant will also have a selection of the International Women‘s Month merchandise available to purchase at the on-site Rock Shop and online.
📍 Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks, Manchester M4 2BS.
13. Bad Gal Film Festival at Ducie Street Warehouse’s Mini Cini
This International Women’s Day, Ducie Street Warehouse are expanding its partnership with Bad Gal Film Club to present the Bad Gal Film Festival—a month-long celebration of women in film at the Mini Cini. Taking place every Sunday in March, the festival will showcase a carefully curated lineup of films, from indie gems to iconic classics, alongside interactive workshops, discussions, and special guest appearances.
A key highlight of the festival includes an exclusive In Conversation session with film critic and broadcaster Ellen E. Jones, exploring the role of women in cinema. There will also be a collage workshop and social—a creative space inspired by female storytelling in film.
The festival programme features acclaimed films such as Shiva Baby (2020), Matilda (1996), T
📍 Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP.