It’s official. We made it through a pretty grey and gloomy spring to the official start of summer: June, sweet June. With the promise of warmer weather comes an array of fun events and activities – including sports screenings, fun-filled festivals and so much more. Without further ado, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Manchester this June.
1. Head to a vibrant hot air balloon and music festival
Balloons & Beats Festival is coming to Manchester this June, bringing beautiful hot air balloons and amazing musical performances to Platt Fields Park – plus, kids under three go free! Taking place on June 27 and 28, Balloons & Beats Festival is a one-of-a-kind festival that’s perfect for families, friends and music lovers. Balloons & Beats Festival of course includes hot air balloon displays and evening glows, live music performances, family entertainment, kids characters and craft stalls, fairground rides, BMX and FMX stunt shows, plus delicious food vendors and fully stocked bars and classic Punch & Judy shows.
2. Watch Brazilian music duo Anavitória perform by candlelight for one night only
Anavitória, an award-winning pop-folk duo that have taken the world by storm, will be taking to the stage inside Manchester Cathedral on 21 June as part of the Candlelight Original Sessions series. Under the warm glow of thousands of candles, Anavitória’s soothing harmonies will shine as they swoon with hits like “Trevo (Tu)”, “Fica” and many more. Take your seat inside the 13th-century Manchester Cathedral and soak in the atmosphere of this unforgettable Anavitória concert illuminated by the enchanting flicker of candlelight.
3. Dance the day and night away as Parklife returns to Heaton Park
Parklife really needs no introduction, and the pop, house and dance festival is now synonymous with Manchester. This year will see the likes of 50 Cent, Charli XCX, Jorja Smith, Confidence Man, Chris Stussy, RUDIM3NTAL, Girls Don’t Sync, salute, Marc Rebillet and Interplanetary Criminal. One to put in the global festival calendar, Parklife returns to Heaton Park in Manchester on June 14 and 15 to raise the game once again.
4. Discover Manchester’s literary heritage at this year’s Festival of Libraries
Celebrating Manchester’s literary scene, the Festival of Libraries returns taking over a number of libraries across will take place all over Greater Manchester. Running from June 4 to 8 all over the region, the festival will be full of exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops and art installations that all reflect Greater Manchester’s huge pride in its libraries and their value to their communities. Plus, all of the events are free to attend.
5. Enjoy pad-solutely delicious Thai street food as Zaap Thai opens in Manchester
A new Thai spot with iconic tuk tuk seating, Zaap Thai, is opening in Manchester this June. Think incredible Pad Thai, green and red curries, and Suki Hang (stir fried glass noodles with vegetables and egg, served with Suki dipping sauce). Zaap Thai prides itself on bringing the authentic feel and taste of Bangkok to the region and you can even try parts of Thai cuisine you might never have done before. Sample with the likes of Hoy Tod, a crispy pan fried mussel pancake, and Tom ZAAP Gra Dook Moo, Isaan style hot and spicy soup with spare ribs, on the menu.
6. Enjoy music, art and food at this festival held in a Manchester garden centre
Celebrating all thing music and arts, Green Island Festival is small but mighty, presenting a three-part series of day festivals and afterparties in Manchester, with line-ups that place underground, underrepresented, emerging artists from across the UK and global sounds at the forefront. The 1,500-capacity festival will see Hulme Community Garden Centre’s flora paradise transformed into an arts mecca, housing several stages. The other stages span across cultural institution NIAMOS and Warwick St, which will host a block party. The festival will take place over the summer and early autumn, with the first chapter kicking off on June 7.
7. Pull a card and discover what the future holds at The Tarot Lounge
The Tarot Lounge, a tarot cocktail experience that invites you to the world of clairvoyance, is heading to Manchester this June. Gain a deeper understanding of your life circumstances, whether it’s to figure out relationship dynamics, you need guidance to achieve your life goals or to find inner peace. The Tarot Lounge will take place at underground cocktail bar Ego Death, where three tarot readers will give you all the insights you seek, as you sip on colourful cocktails inspired by the arcanas.
8. Celebrate the city’s history at Manchester Histories Festival
The multi award-winning Manchester Histories Festival is returning this June for its tenth edition. The free four-day festival, taking place between June 6 and 9, will be celebrating the city’s histories and will be full of events for everyone. The packed programme includes four new music World Premieres, walk-about performances, family crafts workshops, live music, comedy, and public talks. Over 50 history and heritage stalls will be at the event showcasing eclectic, historic, quirky, diverse, and fun entertainment.
9. Tuck into indulgent pasta dishes in an elegant setting as Circolo Populare comes to Manchester
Famed for their viral restaurants, aesthetic interior design and Italian dishes, Big Mamma Group has now set it sights on Manchester to open its first restaurant in the North, Circolo Populare, on June 6. Boasting five incredibly popular restaurants in London, their unbelievable interiors, some spanning multiple floors, and with quirky features like 20,000 bottles of booze on the walls and unreal Italian cuisine (think pasta cooked in a huge cheese wheel and humongous slices of lemon meringue pie) transport you to the trattorias of Italy without having to hop on a plane.
10. Escape to Neverland with a luminous dance show
Fly to the second star to the right and straight to The Royal College of Northern Music to see Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook, and more beloved characters from the classic tale at Ballet of Lights, a two-hour Peter Pan ballet adaptation. Featuring a group of ballet dancers in glow-in-the-dark costumes in the roles of the much-loved protagonists of the story, let the lights and impressive choreography transport you to Neverland. And for one evening and one enchanted evening only, never grow up.
11. Have a laugh at comedy festival A Lovely Weekend
A Lovely Weekend, returns to Manchester this June with a line-up of work-in-progress shows from TV faces, viral sensations, and critically acclaimed stand-ups. Spread over three days from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June, the festival is bringing 19 new shows to Manchester’s Fairfield Social Club. Returning for its second year, 2025’s line-up includes Edinburgh Comedy Award winners including John Kearns and Jordan Brookes. Local talent done good Rachel Fairburn and Josh Jones. Then there’s hotly tipped newcomers including Sharon Wanjohi, Ayoade Bamgboye and Molly McGuinness. Plus, cult sensations like Mark Silcox and Frankie Monroe, making for a truly unmissable weekend of comedy.