As the April showers finally begin to blow over, we’re finally ready to crack out the shorts and t-shirts and run (like our lives depend on it) straight to the beer garden – or basically, any activity that doesn’t involve bundling up with a blanket in front of the telly. From fun festivals serving up tasty street food or a good dose of floral magic over the bank holiday weekend to epic parties celebrating key events this month such as Eurovision, here’s our guide to the very best things to do in Manchester this May.
1. Explore portraits of famous faces at this immersive art exhibition
The National Portrait Gallery and FRAMELESS Creative, the UK’s leading creator of immersive experiences, are bringing the first immersive art experience of a UK national collection, Stories – Brought to Life, to MediaCity in Salford. Running from May 2 until August 31, the groundbreaking new immersive, cinematic show promises to redefine the gallery experience, with an emotionally charged spectacle that pushes the boundaries of creative storytelling. Featured people include Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth II, Ncuti Gatwa, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Hodgkin, Mai, Nelson Mandela, Emmeline Pankhurst, Grayson Perry, Mary Seacole, William Shakespeare, Amy Winehouse, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Malala Yousafzai.
2. Step into the role of a juror at this live theatre courtroom
Become part of the jury, hear testimonies and cast your vote for the final verdict at The Jury Experience, a simulated trial that puts its guests in the shoes of a juror. Attendees are seated in an auditorium at Stoller Hall to hear compelling performances by professional actors, who play the roles of different court members. The event blends opening and closing statements, cross-examinations, and theatrics for a convincing trial experience. In the end, it’s up to the audience to decide the fate of the trial. It’s not an easy feat though, as there are many twists and turns to look out for.
3. Get into the Eurovision spirit at these Manchester screening parties
Like the rest of the UK, and the world really, we’re absolutely buzzing for Eurovision this year. Obviously, it’s only the lucky few that’ll get to see the campy extravaganza in the flesh, so the rest of us need somewhere to let out our Eurovision excitement, and there’s so many events going on around Manchester for that very function.
4. Watch White Chicks at an immersive eat-along screening
As one of the coldest months of the year, indoor activities are high up on the agenda. 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 White Chicks.
5. Walk through L.S. Lowry’s iconic Going to the Match at this free, immersive exhibition
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, The Lowry in Salford is launching a brand new, free, immersive experience of L.S. Lowry’s iconic work Going to the Match from May 3. Developed with world-renowned creative studio Layers of Reality, ‘LOWRY 360’ will fully surround audiences with the sights and sounds of Going to the Match, transporting them into the painting before they experience the original artwork first hand. LOWRY 360 promises to be a powerful journey into the world of football, community, and culture – themes that define both L.S. Lowry’s art and everyday life in Salford.
6. Tuck into Mexican fare at this festival dedicated to tacos
GRUB is bringing the spirit of Mexico to town with a special Taco Fest featuring some of their favourite traders who peddle the ultimate street food on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May, coinciding with Cinco de Mayo on Monday. Spend two days with GRUB for some full on Mexicana vibes, with cocktails, sides, desserts, tunes, craft beer, sodas, good times and of course tonnes of tacos! GRUB will have five of the city’s very best street food traders cooking all weekend, bringing their own take on the humble taco plus other specials.
7. Sip your way around the city on this craft beer walking tour
Calling all craft beer lovers! Prepare for things to get boozy as you hop along on this craft beer walking tour around Manchester. Sip on 10-12 beers (1/3 pints) of superb craft beer locally brewed in Manchester, with each one very unique. At each venue a brewer or a tasting expert will give the full lowdown on what makes these craft beers un-brew-lieveable. Get your steps in on this craft beer tour and be rewarded with an epic pint – what more could you want?
8. Kick off the late bank holiday weekend with street food and live music at Deansgate Mews Festival
Hosted by Manchester’s ultimate dining and leisure destination, Great Northern Warehouse, the free-to-attend Deansgate Mews street festival offers live music, family-friendly activities, independent market traders and plenty of space for al fresco dining and sunshine sippin’! Returning from May 23 to May 25, attendees can expect an outdoor pop-up stage at popular neighbourhood bar Lions Den, which will host live local acts across the three days. Plus, there will be plenty of food and drinks offers from the restaurants and bars situated on Deansgate Mews.
9. Celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a street party
Celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day are set to take place throughout Manchester this May. Alongside a range of national celebrations taking place, Mancunians are invited to organise and take part in local events to mark VE Day 80 including hosting their very own street parties. During the bank holiday on Monday 5th May, the usual £159 fee for a street closure will be waived by the local council, allowing residents to have a street party.
10. Explore the colourful floral installations across the city at the Manchester Flower Festival
The Manchester Flower Festival is coming back in full bloom this late May Bank Holiday weekend and bringing a bit of vibrancy to the city. CityCo and Manchester BID will work with their partners and networks to bring colourful flower installations, outdoor dining areas and a ‘citywide green takeover’. Spanning across the entire city between May 23 and 26, visitors will be able to experience a stunning trail of flowers and greenery around every corner – with areas such as Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street and Manchester Arndale getting in the botanical spirit.
11. Listen to live music at The Oast House with street food and summery cocktails
The Oast House has brought back their spring and summer festival, Mani-Fest, with two dates taking place this May. The free-to-attend music festival will take The Oast House’s terrace on May 3, 4 and 25, with a packed roster of musicians lined up for the occasion. Guests can enjoy genres such as rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues, as well as delicious street food and flowing drinks.
12. Cheer on runners at the Great Manchester Run
This May sees the return of the much-loved race in the city the Great Manchester Run, which will see thousands of runners take to the streets to run either a 10K, half marathon or mini marathon race. Taking place on Sunday 18th May, why not show your support from the side lines as you watch runners speed through the city?
13. Celebrate the ‘golden age of rave’ at this new Manchester music event
Manchester is, of course, known worldwide for its music heritage, from indie to acid house. Now, nostalgic music event Manchester Forever is set to bring the golden age of rave back to life at Bowlers Exhibition Centre, an iconic rave venue in itself, this May. On Saturday 3 May, spanning four arenas and a full 90s fairground experience, Manchester Forever will feature 60+ artists that shaped the 90s rave scene, across the genres of Hardcore, Old Skool, Jungle, Classic DnB, House, Acid, Gabber, and Techno. Manchester Forever is set to be huge, and will be the perfect start to the festival season here in Manchester.
14. Visit Wythenshawe Park & Gardens for a huge new food and drink festival
Manchester’s vibrant culinary scene is about to get even more exciting with the launch of the eagerly anticipated Food and Drink Festival at Wythenshawe Park & Gardens. Taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May, this event from the same organisers of Heaton Park Food and Drink Festival promises a weekend of gastronomic delights, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun. Attendees can look forward to a wide range of attractions, including live chef demos, live music, artisan markets and a Street Food Arena which will take attendees on a culinary journey. Families can enjoy free live entertainment and performing arts shows, as well as free kids’ activities, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
15. Listen to the best of Oasis at this Candlelight tribute concert
This May, you can experience the best of Oasis at this Candlelight tribute concert held in the stunning setting of a historic Manchester venue. Taking place at Hallé St Peter’s on May 15, the venue will be all aglow with a string quartet playing top tunes from Oasis including Supersonic, Don’t Look Back in Anger, She’s Electric and Champagne Supernova. Relive the Britpop era right here in Manchester but in an entirely new way, plus even better if you didn’t manage to see Oasis live in Heaton Park this summer.
16. Go for a wander as the Greater Manchester Walking Festival returns
The Greater Manchester Walking Festival is back for 2025 and it’s bigger than ever. The month-long celebration invites people across the region to experience the joy of walking and wheeling throughout May, in alignment with National Walking Month. Now a firm fixture on the region’s wellbeing calendar, the festival brings together over 400 free, organised group walks hosted by local organisations and community groups in every borough of Greater Manchester.
17. Head to Mossley for The Vale’s free, family-friendly spring festival
A free family friendly day of live music, movement, making, nature, and community, Spring Up!, is set to return to The Vale in Mossley on May 11. Visitors can enjoy the relaxing vibrations of a gong bath, get up close and personal with a puppet as tall as a giraffe and find their balance at a stilt walking workshop. There will also be a spring garden trail running 11.30am-2pm, craft stations along the way with simple take home projects including a willow bird house and a decorative wind spiral. Music wise, you can expect Brazilian and Latin tunes from the house band, The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (an ensemble of musicians with roots from across the world including refugee musicians), Mossley Ukulele Group and Purple Collective.
18. Celebrate British farming and food at Fields to Fork Festival
Fields to Fork Festival is a celebration of Britain’s countryside, its exceptional produce, and its vibrant culture, all just a stone’s throw from the city centre in Stockport. Taking place on early May bank holiday weekend, this is an event for everyone who loves great food, stunning scenery, and the charm of rural living. The festival centrepiece, the Blok Live Fire Cooking Stage, features award-winning and Michelin-starred chefs showcasing British ingredients through spectacular live demonstrations.
19. Head to a pub quiz hosted by Paddy McGuinness
Pub chain Marston’s has teamed up with Bolton’s own Paddy McGuinness on a search for the UK’s smartest pub the ‘Big Pub Quiz’, with the man himself set to present the prizes. From 1st May until 22nd May, weekly quizzes will take place with one location each week being crowned as the Smartest Pub in the UK. The brainiest pubs will win up to £1,000 from Marston’s Charitable Foundation, to donate to a local cause or project, which will be presented in person by Paddy. The top scorer from the winning pubs will also get their hands on a £50 voucher to get the drinks in.
20. Browse over 40 independent stalls at The Night Market
This May, Mancs will able to wander through a sea of independent stalls inside Fairfield Social Club as The Night Market returns to Manchester. From the hours between 6pm and 11pm on Saturday 3rd May, the organisers will create the ultimate shopping experience at this unique shopping event. Expect over 40 fantastic artists, crafters and small businesses plus street food and a live DJ spinning their magic to keep you moving and grooving.
21. Bag a free pint of Murphy’s at Manchester’s oldest Irish pub
Manchester’s oldest and most iconic Irish pub, Mulligans, has announced it will be hosting a Murphy’s giveaway for one day only. To celebrate joining Guinness as the second stout on draught at the Irish pub, Mulligans will be giving away 1,989 free pints of Murphy’s Irish Stout on Thursday 8th May, marking the year 1989, when Murphy’s was first introduced on draught in the UK.
