We’ve made it through the longest month which means it’s all uphill from here!
From club nights to art exhibitions, here’s the best of what to do in Manchester this month.
1. Treat Your Valentine To A Cruise On The Love Boat (Feb 15 and 16)
No that’s not a euphemism. Manchester River Cruises is inviting lovers, friends and everyone in between aboard the Love Boat for a romantic cruise along Manchester’s waterways this Valentine’s weekend.
The three-hour evening cruise will set sail from Salford Quays on February 15 and 16 and travel along the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal. Passengers will be able to cosy up with a cocktail while the city glides past as their backdrop. Click here for more information.
2. See The X-Rated Adult’s Only Circus (Feb 23)
A new over 18’s circus show will celebrate our love for all things outrageous in Wythenshawe Park on February 23. Cirque du Vulgar, the adults-only circus, will feature a fire-breathing pyromaniac, alluring hula hoopers, sexy strong men, nail-biting acrobats and a fearsome Dominatrix flying high in the Big Top.
Nudity and naughtiness will be the order of the day at Cirque du Vulgar, beginning with the three gorgeous ‘Vulgarettes’ who will perform a topless feather dance. And it won’t just be the women, male cast members will also bare all in the name of risqué live entertainment. Click here to book your tickets.
3. Celebrate All Things Noughties (Feb 8)
Regina George was wrong, fetch is happening. So Fetch, a club night dedicated to the glorious music of the noughties is coming to Manchester’s Deaf Institute this month. It’s been nearly 20 years since the turn of the millennium, which marked the beginning of an era of phenomenal music and films. It’s a scary thought, but rather than wallow in miserable nostalgia, why not relive the magic with a club night dedicated to the music of the noughties. Click here for more information.
4. See The Family-Friendly Circus (Feb 15-24)
Circus Funtasia will return to Wythenshawe Park from February 15–24 and organisers are promising a heart-stopping show set to an amazing soundtrack. With high-flying acrobats, flame-throwing fire eaters, and 360-degree motorcycle stunts, this ninety-minute show certainly packs a punch – and proves that the circus isn’t just for kids! Click here to book your tickets.
5. Watch The Super Bowl With A Super-Sized Feast (Feb 3)
Dive NQ is a veteran of the Super Bowl screening industry and on February 3 the Northern Quarter-based bar will be transformed into a football haven, where they’ll be serving American style potions of tasty food and outrageous amounts of beer to wash it all down.
And this year they’ve gone all out with a magnificent Super Bowl platter which includes mini hotdogs, beef sliders and a mountain of either cheesy nachos or filthy fries. The bar will be running its famous Happy Hour between 5pm – 10pm when all drinks, including pints, wine, prosecco, single spirit and mixers, select bottles of beers and cocktails, will be £3.50. It will also be serving pitchers of Coors (buy four and get your fifth free).
6. Challenge Your Mates To A Game Of Real-Life Mario Kart (Feb 2)
As racing experiences go, this one’s a Peach. On February 2, a real-life version of Mario Kart will be speeding to Manchester, aiming to bring you all the thrills and spills of the video game – though thankfully without the sheer, nightmarish terror of tackling Rainbow Road.
The Mushroom Rally will get you dressed up as your favourite Mario characters, before letting you loose on a custom-built go-kart track where you’ll duel your friends for the title of best Italian plumber-turned race car driver. Click here for more information.
7. Relive Your Youth At The Little Mermaid-Themed Club Night (Feb 22)
On February 22, Deaf Institute is hosting a party that’s guaranteed to end in happily ever after, even if it’s just for one night. The club is promising to take revellers under the sea where they will be able to dress up as their favourite Little Mermaid (or any other Disney) character and sing along to one of the soundtracks that shaped their youth.
DJ’s will also be playing 80s and 90s power ballads alongside all of our favourite Disney songs, to ensure we’ll all be feeling the love by the end of the night. For more information click here.
8. Get Your Tickets For Brick Bar
The people at The Brick Bar have picked up on the adult world’s Lego longing and created a pop-up playground where Lego lovers can booze while they build. And they’re bringing it to Manchester!
The bar will be made from one million blocks and will feature sculptures, including a ping pong table, which will be made completely from Lego. And there’ll be an abundance of blocks for people to shape into their own creations, with prizes on offer for the best builders.
Local DJ’s will be spinning tunes all day and there’ll be an Instagram-friendly menu on offer, including the famous Brick Burger as well as cocktails served in giant Lego bricks. Get your tickets here.
9. Celebrate Valentine’s Day At A Gin Festival (Feb 14)
Valentine’s day is approaching. But whether you’re doing Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Palentine’s or Singletine’s there’s one event in the city that’s guaranteed to suit every pallet; The Gin Society gin festival!
And this Valentine’s Day the Gin Society is bringing its unforgettable tasting experience to Manchester Cathedral, where festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample more than 120 different gins. The festival will include three exclusive gin bars where attendees will be able to sample world, British and fruit gins. Click here to get your tickets.
10. Watch A Romantic Film In A Railway Depot (From Feb 13)
A former railway depot will be converted into a cosy pop-up cinema where film fans will be treated to a programme featuring some of the best love stories, portrayed on the silver screen. Taking place in Mayfield Railway Depot Station, The Valentine’s Movie Experience will feature a selection of classics, which will be screened over five days.
Films will include Titanic, Pretty Woman, Beauty and the Beast and Notting Hill. And fans of Dirty Dancing will be in for a special treat as live dancers will perform during each screening, bringing those incredible dance moves to life. Book your tickets here.
11. Learn To Paint While You Drink (Feb 14)
Since 2013, the mission of PopUp Painting has been to bring art out of the classroom and gallery and into the places people meet on a day-to-day basis. PopUp Painting is inviting budding artists to unleash their creativity – drink in one hand, paintbrush in the other!
No experience is needed. Attendees will be guided step by step by a practising artist, while they sip, paint and create their way to becoming an artist for the night! To book your place click here.
12. See The Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition At Manchester Art Gallery (From Feb 1)
Manchester Art Gallery will take part in Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing, a nationwide exhibition to commemorate Da Vinci’s death. From February 1 – May 6 Manchester Art Gallery will exhibit 12 drawings from The Royal Collection, alongside 11 other exhibitions running simultaneously across the UK.
The selection of works, which can only be displayed for a limited time as the paper is easily damaged by light, will focus on the body and will clearly demonstrate Da Vinci’s use of drawing to gain an unrivalled understanding of human anatomy. Click here for more information.
13. Listen To Chopin And Sip Champagne By Candlelight (Feb 23)
Treat your Valentine to a performance of Chopin, complete with complimentary interval Champagne! The evening’s talented concert pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith, recently became the first British pianist to perform the complete works of Chopin from memory in one series of concerts. His talent is limitless, but tickets aren’t! Click here to book.
14. Enjoy Valentine’s Day Treats At Dive NQ (Feb 14)
We know what you’re thinking, another day, another expense. But Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be pricey! Head to Dive NQ between 5pm – Midnight and bag yourself a table for two and a bottle of prosecco for £20.
Choose from the tasty of BBQ pulled pork sliders, deep fried prawns, beef chilli tacos, chicken or waffle lollipops. And if you fancy something sweet after, there’s a choice of mini magnums, prosecco and red fruit jelly pots, petit fours, candy floss and macaroons. Can’t decide which to pick? Let your date decide! Click here to book a table.
15. Get Your Parklife Ticket (from Feb 1)
Parklife organisers have revealed the line up for 2019 festival, with Cardi B, The Streets and George Ezra among the acts confirmed to play. The festival will return to Heaton Park on June 8 and 9 for its 10th-anniversary edition, bringing with it some of the biggest names in music. Tickets are on sale from TODAY (February 1) and are priced at £125 for a weekend pass or £69.50 per day. To see the full lineup click here.