Whether you’re a shade-seeker or the kind who likes to soak up every inch of sunlight while it’s around, you’ll want to finally break out of hibernation this July. From fun festivals to epic activities to try out with friends, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Manchester this July.
1. Take part in plenty of sporting activities to celebrate Manchester Day
Manchester Day is a celebration of the city and all things Mancunian and will be taking place on July 27. The city centre is set to be transformed into Manchester’s biggest ever playground for Manchester Day: Let the Games Begin! Inspired by an international summer of sport the city’s streets and squares will be filled with music, dancing and have-a-go activities designed to bring out the inner athlete in visitors young and old, as well as astounding acrobatics, and pop-up performances in the most unlikely of places.
2. Taste your way around this boozy festival for craft beer fans in Manchester
Taking place over two days in July (Friday 5th and Saturday 6th), Manchester Craft Beer Festival will pop up at the historic Depot Mayfield – which hosts huge events such as Warehouse Project as well as screening sports matches. And now, beer lovers will get the chance to enjoy the much-loved venue as it’s filled with over 80 world-class breweries offering a taste of their fantastic craft beers.
3. Get bowled over by Lane 7‘s brand new venue in Altrincham
A brand new independent bowling alley and entertainment venue from Lane 7 is opening this July, and will be the first operator making its home at Bruntwood and Trafford Council’s Foundation building in the Stamford Quarter, Altrincham. Lane7, the boutique bowling brand with 13 sites across the country, will be taking over the 12,640 sq ft lower ground floor of Foundation with a nine lane bowling destination. Other games and activities will also be available for guests to enjoy including pool, beer pong, shuffleboard, ping pong, darts, and karaoke.
4. Discover original props, costumes and vehicles from the Batman films at this exhibition
Take a trip to the new upcoming exhibition Batman Unmasked located inside Manchester’s Depot Mayfield from July 16, which treats fans of the iconic DC superhero to a treasure trove of original props, costumes, vehicles, weapons and much more. You’ll be able to indulge in your love of all things Batman as you journey through themed rooms, channel your inner Bruce Wayne in the gaming area and even add to your collection with exclusive merchandise.
5. Head to Aviva Studios for the brand new international film festival MUBI FEST
MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company, has announced a brand new international film festival, which will take place in Manchester this summer. Created for avid cinephiles and the culturally curious, MUBI FEST Manchester will be a celebration of every aspect of great cinema and film culture. The festival features a hand-picked selection of feature films and shorts to watch in innovative screening spaces, alongside stage talks, Q&As, workshops, installations and DJs throughout Aviva Studios.
6. Get a slice of the action as Rudy’s opens its seventh Manchester restaurant in Altrincham
Opening in the city around nine years ago, the Manchester-born pizzeria, Rudy’s, is set to secure its reign over the Greater Manchester region with another restaurant opening this month. The pizza company plan to convert Charis House on Central Way in Altrincham, which has been unused since food and drink hub One Central ended operations last year. Born out of passion for pizza, Rudy’s follows the authentic Neapolitan tradition of pizza making, serving classic recipes such as Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese – all originating from Naples, the birthplace of pizza – and now the people of Alty can get a taste of it too.
7. Listen to ABBA’s greatest hits in a unique way at this Candlelight tribute concert
Think you’ve heard all the ABBA songs – but have you heard them played on strings? Candlelight is celebrating ABBA with a tribute inspired by the popular Swedish band’s greatest hits. Voulez-vous to take a seat inside the extraordinary Halle St Peter’s and be dazzled by renditions of iconic songs? From Dancing Queen to The Winner Takes it All, listen to the best of ABBA played at an intimate concert bathed in the glow of countless candles.
8. Get thrifting at the Classic Car Boot Sale in Salford
Following major success down South with vintage enthusiasts, the Classic Car Boot Sale is making its way up North for the first time ever and it’s chosen Salford for its first foray outside of London. Not-your-average car boot sale, the Classic Car Boot Sale is a huge celebration of classic cars, bikes, vintage fashion and homeware, bringing all things retro to one space. Basically, it’s an absolute haven for thrifters, and organisers have a one-of-a-kind event planned to take place at MediaCityUK on July 20 and 21.
9. See the award-winning, hilarious new musical & JULIET
After thrilling audiences at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End from 2019 – 2023, award-winning musical & JULIET is embarking on a UK tour in 2024, debuting at the Opera House in Manchester between July 8 and 20. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time, Katy Perry’s Roar and chart toppers Since U Been Gone, It’s My Life, I Want It That Way, and Can’t Stop the Feeling! — all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter and producer behind more number one hits than any other artist this century, and his collaborators.
10. Witness a celebration of Spanish dance and music at this flamenco show
A vibrant celebration of Spanish culture is coming this spring through dance and music thanks to the sensational “We Call It Flamenco” show in Manchester. After touring some of the world’s biggest cities, talented bailaores are set to enchant audiences at Stoller Hall with moving music and impressive footwork on a tablao filled with red roses. It’s an ode to the emotionally-charged art form that transcends language barriers.
11. Watch the world’s biggest street dance battle at Freight Island
Red Bull Dance Your Style, the biggest street dance battle event in the world, is set to host the UK Final at a new location this year. Taking place at Freight Island in Manchester, the UK winner will be revealed on July 27. The international mixed-style competition, which has been running since 2019, celebrates the variety of dance talent across the UK and a dancer’s ability to excite audiences with their interpretation of different music genres, featuring 16 rounds of freestyle dance which showcase any style from Hip Hop to House, Afro Dance, Locking, Voguing, Krumping and more.
12. See legendary pop group The Jacksons perform a huge show in Manchester
Soul pop legends famed for chart-topping hits like I Want You Back and ABC, The Jacksons, have announced that they’re heading to Manchester this summer. The Jacksons are set to grace the stage at Barton Aerodrome for an exclusive live show on July 19. Fans can look forward to hearing all their favourite classics, including Blame It On The Boogie, Can You Feel It, Shake Your Body, and many more. Prepare to dance the night away as The Jacksons perform a spectacular show, featuring a repertoire that spans decades of musical greatness.
13. Get a taste of the Med at GRUB’s Italian Food Fair
Nothing says summer dining quite like a taste of the Mediterranean so GRUB are bringing a slice of Italy to Manchester with their Italian Food Fair set to take place on July 28. Expect five of GRUB’s favourite traders serving up Italian inspired delights, as well as Malfy Gin bringing you a special Italian gin cocktails menu for you to sip in the sunshine. You’ll be able to get your hands on some of the best street food including Sicilian arancini from Bonnie & Clyde Italian Food, Italian topped burgers and chicken parmigiana loaded fries from Burger X and Fritto Misto from Noble’s Kitchen, to name a few.
14. Tuck into steak for just £14 at new steakhouse Flat Iron
One of London’s budget-friendly restaurants known for serving up steaks for just £14 each, Flat Iron, has set its sights on Manchester and is opening a spot on Deansgate this summer. Flat Iron will open their restaurant at 200-204 Deansgate on July 3, bringing their remarkable steak at an affordable price to the heart of Manchester. The clue is in the name but Flat Iron serves up succulent flat iron steak, for just £14, with sides including homemade beef dripping chips and crispy bone marrow and garlic mash.
15. Watch the first ever sporting event at Co-op Live, UFC 304
Arriving in Manchester on Saturday 27 July, UFC 304 is the first-ever sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena. The card marks the first sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arena. With state-of-the-art technology and a carefully curated unique design, the venue promises to bring fans right into the heart of the action.
16. Visit Stockport to celebrate the town’s independent food and drink scene at Stock Party
Following on from the success of popular festival Block Party in Manchester city centre, the event is heading to Stockport. Aptly named Stock Party, the free event will see a host of independent operators come together to put on a packed day of entertainment, food, drink and family activities around Stockport town centre. Organised by Where The Light Gets In, Track, Cloudwater, Robinsons Brewery, Sureshot, Balance and Runaway, the event will take place onJuly 20 and will celebrate the town’s thriving independent scene and rich brewing history.
17. Enjoy a summer of sport by watching the Olympics on the big screen
This July, the biggest sporting event on the planet returns. Over 300 Team GB athletes are embarking on their final preparations, and over half a million British fans are planning to travel to France to cheer them on in person at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but for those who can’t make it, there’ll be an official Fanzone in Manchester. Each Fanzone will open on July 26 in time for the Opening Ceremony, running until the day of the Closing Ceremony on August 11.
18. Sip your way around the city at the first Manchester Cocktail Week
19. Discover the new immersive experience that mixes gaming, illustration and cinema, Sweet Dreams
After the astonishing success of Yayoi Kusama‘s You, Me and the Balloons immersive exhibition at Factory International as part of Manchester International Festival last year, the bar has be set pretty high for any upcoming exhibitions. Now, Sweet Dreams aims to hit that bar, with a brand new immersive exhibition at Aviva Studios all about food. Factory International and award-winning art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) have set out to redefine the boundaries of storytelling and cinema in the world premiere of Sweet Dreams at Aviva Studios, a surreal, immersive journey through appetite, human desire and the evolving landscape of food.