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18 Fabulously Fun-Filled Things To Do In Manchester On A Rainy Day
Make the most of Manchester even when it rains with these entertaining activities, some so good you might not even want to return to the great outdoors.
Whether a born and raised Manc or an adopted one, we know all know rain is never far away in our dear city. However, poor weather doesn’t need to dampen your spirits – or your plans. We’ve got you covered in for things to do in Manchester on a rainy day.
Who doesn’t love the cinema? The latest films, popcorn – and an ice blast, of course. It’s a perfect activity for any time of the day. So if showers scupper your plans but you’re not prepared to put them completely off why not head to the cinema? I mean, you’ll be entertained for an hour or two, giving the rain time to pass. Worst case scenario: you’ve just watched a really great film. Best case scenario: you’ve watched a really great film and it’s stopped raining. Making it even more worthwhile is the fact that we can offer you a tasty discount on both Odeon and Vue tickets. Result.
2. Visit Manchester Art Gallery
Credit: Manchester Art Gallery
Take shelter from the rainy day at Manchester Art Gallery. It is in the heart of the city and been at the heart of city life for over 200 years. It boasts an impressive public collection under its care of over 46,000 objects spanning centuries of fine art, craft and more. This has been shaped by the people, not just those in charge of the gallery but by the people of Manchester itself. Besides its impressive collection, it also has several rotating exhibitions and events throughout the year. So, with plenty to dive into, why not spend the day down at the historic space and enjoy all it has to offer? Better yet, it’s entirely free to go to the main gallery collections and exhibition spaces.
3. Add a spark to your concert experience with a Candlelight performance
Credit: Fever
Keeping with the theme of spectacles, we have Candlelight concerts. This might not be one you’ve thought of before, but trust us, it’s an experience you won’t forget. At a Candlelight concert, you will essentially be getting a tribute performance from a live musician, or musicians, based around a certain artist or theme. Manchester can boast about its huge range of candlelight’s happening this year, so whether you’re a fan of Coldplay or Aretha Franklin, or even movie soundtracks, there’s something for everyone.
Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift-4.75
·159 reviews
4. John Rylands Research Institute – just trust us, it’s not what it sounds like…
Credit: John Rylands Research Institute and Library
If you’re after free things to do in Manchester on a rainy day a visit to the John Rylands Research Institute cannot go amiss. Unless you are studying, or have pretty niche interests, John Rylands probably doesn’t initially come to mind a one of the city’s places to be. However, it should. It is free to access to the public and has so much to offer. As a research institute, it boasts an impressive library that includes some rare collections you would struggle to find anywhere else in the world. It also boasts exhibitions and events across the year for you to enjoy. This all comes housed in a Grade I listed building with exquisite architecture – which, again, you can enjoy entirely for free.
The Jury Experienceis an immersive live courtroom performance, where you get to decide on the verdict. As you watch the cases presented to you, you will have to weigh up testimonies and evidence in order to decipher fact from fiction. At the end of the show, as juror, you will have to vote what you think the verdict is — guilty or not guilty? With two cases currently on trial, there are multiple chances to test your judgement!
The Jury Experience - The 20 Million Dollar Heist-4.5
·141 reviews
6. Master the art of snow sports at the Chill Factore
Credit: Chill Factore
Love a little adrenaline? Swap the rainy weather for a day on the slopes – in Manchester!Chill Factore boasts the UK’s longest indoor ski slope and has plenty of activities on offer for those who like to live life on the wild side. Learn to ski or snowboard, or take on one of their mammoth team building activities, including climbing up to their very own summit, building sledges and more.
If you’re looking for something a little magical on a rainy day in Manchester, Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty is a great option. This reimagined version of the classic fairytale features dancers in glowing costumes that light up the stage as the story unfolds. It’s a cozy indoor plan that feels a bit special, perfect for escaping the rain while enjoying something visually different.
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show
Credit: Pexels
Manchester and the surrounding areas are brimming with roller skating spots that you can roll on over to, especially on a drizzly day. Instead of slipping and sliding on wet pavements you can get your skates on and experience the tunes, lights and atmosphere reminiscent of an 80s-style roller rink. Greater Manchester is home to one of the biggest roller rinks in Europe, plus many venues host themed roller skating events that are sure to take your mind off the weather – so grab your leg warmers, strap on your skates and go!
Credit: Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions should definitely be on the cards for a mind-bending day out in Manchester free from the rain. The 10,700 sq ft space is filled with “fascinating holograms, mind-bending illusion rooms, and astonishing exhibits intended to trick the mind and puzzle perceptions”. In addition to the museum’s signature, most popular and photo-worthy exhibits, such as the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, Vortex Tunnel, and Infinity Room, visitors can discover custom-made installations that celebrate Manchester’s unique culture and heritage.
10. Have a ping pong party at Twenty Twenty Two
Credit: Twenty Twenty Two
Twenty Twenty Two has long attracted in-the-know Mancs when the sun decides to hide away for a while; it is tucked underground, so you can truly escape the dreadful weather. Walk in and be greeted with a welcoming bar surrounded by comfy, socially-laid out Chesterfield sofas – where you can kick back and relax while chatting with friends, before heading into the next room where you can book out a ping pong table for a while and play til your heart’s content.
11. Taste some of the best street food in Manchester at one of the city’s many food halls
Credit: Mackie Mayor
Not only does Manchester offer some of the best activities come rain or shine, it also has quite the assortment of street food. Take cover and cosy up in one of Manchester’s food halls with a bite to eat whilst you hope the showers come to an end and discover what this city’s food scene is all about. Whether it’s tacos from Eat Picos in Mackie Mayor, burgers from Slap and Pickles in Society or phenomenal focaccia sandwiches from Ad Maiora at Kargo, you won’t go hungry that’s for sure.
12. Polish up your darts skills at Flight Club
Photo: Flight Club
Cocktails, pizza and interactive darts: Flight Club in Manchester has a whole lot of fun in store for your next rainy day visit. From ‘Push for Drinks’ buttons at the tables, to a whole host of competitive games to challenge your mates to (as well as various photo-ops!), you’re sure to be in for a good night.
Credit: Inflata Nation
Gone are the days when inflatables were only something to make an appearance in a back garden or at a country fair, this is the next generation in days out and leisure activities. Picture the scene: all your favourite fun-filled inflatable activities joined together as one huge indoor arena, leaving you free to bounce between them all, in all weathers. Inflata Nation features an epic double tipping slide, a breathtaking Ballcano and Blue Lagoon ball pit and more for unrivalled bouncing fun for kids and adults alike.
14. Sip and laugh your way through this comedy forward wine tasting
This laugh-out-loud stand-up show pairs comedy with a guided tasting of six wines from around the world, making it as entertaining as it is educational. An Idiot’s Guide to Wine was created by comedian and wine expert Merrick Watts as a perfect plan for all, whether you know your tannins from your terroir or just enjoy a good glass. Held at New Century, it’s an ideal way to stay warm, dry, and thoroughly amused while the Manchester rain does its thing outside.
Credit: SEA LIFE Blackpool
Since the seaside is not an option on a rainy day and Manchester isn’t that close to the sea, why not admire a selection of underwater creatures instead? There are a range of aquariums to visit in and around Greater Manchester, with some boasting a host of aquatic animals from sharks to sea horses, jellyfish to rays, clownfish to turtles. With SEA LIFE Manchester and Bolton Aquarium not to far from Manchester city centre, plus more just a short drive away, there are a range of aquariums near Manchester where you can marvel at and get up close to sea creatures.
Credit: Secret Manchester
Boasting the largest collection of video arcade games in Europe, Arcade Club in Bury is the ultimate destination for gamers of all ages. Situated in a refurbished old mill just 30 minutes away from Manchester city centre, Arcade Club is the perfect spot to spend the day revisiting the classics and discovering new games – especially on a rainy day. Spread across four floors of the industrial mill, you’ll find more than 400 games, from the long-lost classics, dance floors, rhythm games, bizarre rarities, amusements you never knew existed, and brand new imports you won’t find anywhere else.
What is more soul warming than the beautiful notes of jazz? The Jazz Room is a live show that brings a cozy, speakeasy-style jazz club atmosphere with low lighting, cocktails, and soulful music that fills the iconic Band on the Wall. It’s the kind of plan where you can settle in, forget the weather outside, and just let the music take over.
The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans-4.63
·245 reviews
Credit: Urban Playground
With themes of dinosaurs and ancient worlds, to circuses, fairgrounds and all things strange, there are plenty of places in and around Manchester to play crazy golf, keeping you entertained for hours on end − and thrashing even your closest friends and family in a bit of healthy competition. The majority of crazy golf venues are inside, making it the ideal place to take cover yet still have fun on a rainy day in Manchester and you can putt away your worries about the weather.
Manchester’s streets famously doubled as Peaky Blinders’ 1920s Birmingham; now the show’s gritty soundtrack is taking over Hallé St Peter’s for an exclusive 60-minute concert
The Jury Experience is an immersive live courtroom performance, where you get to decide on the verdict. As you watch the cases presented to you, you will have to weigh up testimonies and evidence in order to decipher fact from fiction. At the end of the show, as juror, you will have to vote what you think the verdict is — guilty or not guilty? With two cases currently on trial, there are multiple chances to test your judgement!
If you’re looking for something a little magical on a rainy day in Manchester, Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty is a great option. This reimagined version of the classic fairytale features dancers in glowing costumes that light up the stage as the story unfolds. It’s a cozy indoor plan that feels a bit special, perfect for escaping the rain while enjoying something visually different.
This laugh-out-loud stand-up show pairs comedy with a guided tasting of six wines from around the world, making it as entertaining as it is educational. An Idiot’s Guide to Wine was created by comedian and wine expert Merrick Watts as a perfect plan for all, whether you know your tannins from your terroir or just enjoy a good glass. Held at New Century, it’s an ideal way to stay warm, dry, and thoroughly amused while the Manchester rain does its thing outside.
What is more soul warming than the beautiful notes of jazz? The Jazz Room is a live show that brings a cozy, speakeasy-style jazz club atmosphere with low lighting, cocktails, and soulful music that fills the iconic Band on the Wall. It’s the kind of plan where you can settle in, forget the weather outside, and just let the music take over.
