Springtime is finally upon us, and you know what that means? It’s finally time to ditch the thermals and get back out into the world. Need some inspo to kickstart the month? Here’s our guide to the very best things to do in Manchester this March.
1. Discover all of the cheesiest spots in Manchester on this tasty tour
Sure, there are plenty of walking tours that you could go on that would take you around all of the historic parts of the city; showing you all the best tourist spots, most haunted spots or prime street art spots. But there’s only one way to truly get to know Manchester: by touring all of the cheesiest spots, of course. On this tempting trip around town you’ll not only get to fill your stomach with dairy delights, but there’ll be a cheese whizz quiz and an unmissable insight into the cheese-making process.
2. Enjoy a staycation at the brand new Treehouse Hotel Manchester
Treehouse Hotel Manchester is set to open on the corner of Blackfriars Street and Deansgate from March 19. The hotel will boast 224 guest rooms, including nine suites and three accessible rooms, multiple event spaces, an expansive screening room and a gymnasium. Alongside its cosy accommodations, Treehouse Hotel Manchester will offer three unique destination dining and drinking options, with the first restaurant to arrive being Pip, situated on the ground floor.
3. Celebrate Black literature and culture as the Black British Book Festival heads to Manchester
The Black British Book Festival (BBBF), Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature and culture, is returning to Manchester Central Library on March 29. The festival will feature renowned authors such as Kehinde Andrews, Joseph Coelho, Kit de Waal, Jeffrey Boakye, and DJ Paulette, promising to highlight diverse voices and empower audiences. Attendees can expect inspiring panels on cultural and literary themes, live readings by acclaimed authors, creative workshops to inspire storytelling, a Black Book Marketplace showcasing books by emerging and established Black authors and a dedicated Children’s Zone with interactive activities for young readers.
4. Listen to a Candlelight concert playing Oasis’ best hits
Zip up your green parka and slip on your shades. All the roads that you have to walk to see this Candlelight tribute to Oasis may be winding, and all the lights that lead you there could be a little blinding, but it’ll be worth the trip. There are many things that we would like to say about this captivating concert, and, luckily in this case, we do know how. If you didn’t manage to bag tickets to see the band back together at Heaton Park then don’t look back in anger as this is sure to be supersonic.
5. Experience a seven-course meal on board the Northern Belle
Previously part of the Orient Express group, the Northern Belle train, once favourite of the Queen Mother, will make its first stop of the year in Bolton this March on a journey along the Settle to Carlisle line – its only visit to Bolton this year. The 1930s pullman-style locomotive provides a nostalgia trip for train enthusiasts and foodies alike, with absolutely everything perfected to a tee. As the glorious countryside passes by, indulge in a seven-course lunch and a glass of fizz on board.
6. Explore this East and South East Asian street food fair
Bringing a range of East and South East Asian flavours all to one place in Manchester so we can sample a wide selection is GRUB with its very own food fair dedicated to street food from these regions. GRUB’s annual celebration of East & South East Asian street food, desserts and drinks will be returning for 2025 at their Green Quarter venue this March. With five of the city’s very best East Asian street food traders cooking for you all weekend long, it’s guaranteed to be a culinary treat.
7. See Sabrina Carpenter perform live at Manchester’s Co-op Live
A Sabrina Carpenter gig in Manchester is on the horizon this month. The singer who rose to fame starring in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World and is best known for her recent songs Espresso and Please, Please, Please will be heading to Manchester in March. The Short n’ Sweet tour kicked off in September 2024, with its 33 North American arena dates selling out immediately, and then the singer will head to Europe to perform in cities such as Dublin, London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam, to name a few. Sabrina Carpenter will play at the newest arena in Manchester, Co-op Live, on March 13.
8. Rock on as Bat Out of Hell takes to the Manchester stage
Following a successful UK, Ireland and International tour from 2021−2023 the award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf‘s greatest hits, will return to the Manchester Palace Theatre as part of a UK wide tour. Inspired by the spectacular arena tour of Australia and New Zealand, this reimagined show promises to be a thrilling experience, featuring a dynamic eight-piece rock band on stage and sprawling multi-level platforms that will transport you through the diverse worlds of Bat Out of Hell, from Raven’s bedroom to the depths of the Lost’s underground domains.
9. Watch The Hunger Games at this immersive eat-along screening
If there’s ever a time to volunteer as tribute then this immersive eat-along experience by Taste Film is it. There’ll be no battles to the death at this screening; you’ll be able to enjoy your meal as a spectator instead. The first of the trilogy, The Hunger Games (2012) will introduce you to the dystopian, post-apocalyptic nation, where you’ll follow the District 12 lead character (though you’ll be dining like those in one of the richer districts).
10. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day at Crazy Pedro’s with a Guinness bottomless brunch
Guinness, is set to be at the centre of Crazy Pedro’s upcoming Paddy’s Day celebration and better still, it’s bottomless. Guests at Crazy Pedro’s on Bridge Street will be able to get well and truly into the spirit, with bottomless Guinness flowing freely all. day. long. Serving up as much of the black stuff as you can manage for 90 whole minutes, the quintessentially Irish beverage will be gracing their bottomless brunch menu, alongside bottomless pizza slice as well as drinks like the like Hooch, frozen margs, prosecco, Pedro’s Pilsner and Jameson and Ginger.
11. Treat your mum to a memorable experience this Mother’s Day
Feel like spoiling mum, or the legendary matriarchs and women in our lives, this Mother’s Day? We’re sure they deserve it. The day dedicated to mums is fast approaching (March 30) and it can be quite hard to treat someone who is practically super-human. Whether it’s an afternoon tea at a swanky hotel, fun family day out or glowing Candlelight concert paying tribute to their favourite artists like ABBA to film scores, there are plenty of ways to treat them this Mother’s Day in Manchester.
12. Take part in the ‘best St Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Ireland’ at Manchester Irish Festival
Manchester Irish Festival is back and bigger than ever, with ten whole days of Irish merriment and impish shenanigans. Between March 8-17, the celebration of the vibrant Irish community in Manchester will be flooding the city with live music and dancing, including the ‘best St Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Ireland’. As Europe’s biggest Irish festival, Manchester Irish Festival will host 200 events across the city including a lively pop-up festival village, a legendary parade with more than 30 colourful and impressive floats featuring dancers and bands, through to a 12-hour St Patrick’s Day party.
13. Have a truly scrumptious time at the theatre as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies into Manchester
A brand new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is heading to the Manchester Palace Theatre on March 11 where it will play until March 16 as part of a UK tour. Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features the unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
14. Watch the UK premiere of Steve Coogan’s latest film at Manchester Film Festival
It’s that time again – the Manchester Film Festival has announced the programme for the 2025 edition, taking place from 14 – 23 March at venues across the city centre. For the first time ever, the film festival will host screenings at HOME in addition to the Odeon Great Northern. The festival will open on March 14 with a special presentation of the highly anticipated The Penguin Lessons, directed by British filmmaker Peter Cattaneo and starring one of Manchester’s favourite sons, Steve Coogan – it’ll be the first public screening of the film in the UK.
15. Take a wonderful spring wander around RHS Garden Bridgewater
Opening just a few years ago in Worsley, the RHS Garden Bridgewater gates lead to a beautiful, nature wonderland – and it’s the perfect place to catch a literal breath of fresh air. Featuring multiple areas throughout to explore, including the ‘crown jewel’ of the site – the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – visitors won’t be at a loss for beautiful sights, with tons of greenery, blooms, a peaceful lake and a number of lovely little ponds to potter around, as well as seasonal flowers and plants that transform throughout the year. Escape the city and witness nature doing its thing at this scenic garden – plus Spring has to be the perfect time for a visit!
16. Listen to new music debuts and live shows as BBC Radio 6 Music Festival returns
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is set to take place again in Greater Manchester between March 26 to 29. The station’s flagship event – which will see global premieres of brand new live shows, new music debuts, unique collaborations and surprise guests – returns to the region for the third consecutive year. This year’s festival features headline performances at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester from: Ezra Collective, with a special bespoke performance that celebrates the importance of youth clubs across the country; Mogwai, featuring a unique collaboration with KNDS Fairey Acid Brass; and Kae Tempest, with the global premiere of new material. Also taking to the stage are Fat Dog, English Teacher and Perfume Genius, with 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova, Tom Ravenscroft and SHERELLE all DJing at the venue.
17. Discover Altrincham’s dining scene with the town’s food and drink festival
A Taste of Altrincham, a celebration of food and drink organised by Altrincham BID, is set to kick off from February 28 running until March 9th. The festival consists of 10 days of food and drink showcasing everything that Altrincham’s vibrant dining scene has to offer. With downloadable offers such as vouchers ranging from £5 to £50 on meals and drinks plus engaging activities, A Taste of Altrincham allows visitors to explore new venues and cuisines.
18. Watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars set to battle it out on the netball court
Instead of battling it out for air time on our televisions, stars from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be taking things to the court with a netball match. Manchester’s AO Arena will host an evening of drama on March 16 as netball stars and soap stars prepare for a showdown that is guaranteed to be one of the biggest events of the netballing year. The evening will see three big games take place at the arena including the four-times Netball Super League (NSL) champions Manchester Thunder opening their 2025 season against reigning champions Loughborough Lightning at 6.30pm.
19. Enjoy a Suhoor or Iftar feast in Manchester as Ramadan begins
The Islamic month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community starts from February 28 and numerous places across Manchester are offering a wonderful dining experience for the family meal before the fast starts, Suhoor. Plus, many of these dining spots in Manchester will be providing a special (and tasty) service for the evening meal at sundown during Ramadan, Iftar. One place that will be hosting every day during Ramadan is Zouk, where diners can enjoy a brilliant buffet complete with curries, roast lamb raan, fruit, dates, water and more whilst breaking the fast.
20. Try a schiacciata sandwich from Ad Maiora’s new shop in the Northern Quarter
From kitchens in food hall Kargo MKT in Salford Quays and on Radium Street in Ancoats, Ad Maoira has now opened its very own, brick and mortar sandwich shop in Manchester for the first time. Dedicated to homemade schiacciata sandwiches filled with premium, Italian ingredients, Ad Maiora has now returned to the Northern Quarter, back where it all started. Ad Maiora has become a go-to lunch spot for many including Manchester City football team, with striker Erling Haaland even having a sandwich named after him.