The next bank holiday is almost here, and you’d honestly think we’d been hibernating for years with how excited we are. Whether you plan to hit up the town or fancy something a little more wholesome, here’s our guide to the best things to do this May bank holiday right here in Manchester.
1. Get out and about and take part in the GM Walking Festival
The GM Walking Festival is back for 2025 and it’s bigger than ever. Coordinated by Greater Manchester Moving, 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.
Whether you’re walking with a pram, wheeling with a mobility aid, exploring with friends, or simply taking time to move mindfully, there’s something for everyone. From scenic canal strolls and city centre heritage walks, to family-friendly nature trails and dementia-friendly rambles – the festival offers an opportunity to move, connect and feel good.
Find your nearest walk to get involved in here.
2. Explore the art of nature with these installations at Dunham Massey
Two new art installations have opened at the beautiful Dunham Massey. Open during the spring season, they explore wellness, our relationship with nature and how this connects to the estate and its communities, but in very different ways. ‘ORIGIN‘ takes visitors on an immersive experience using sonic soundscapes and visual artistry and ‘A Field Hospital for Eco-Anxiety‘ offers a refuge within nature for visitors to pause and reflect. Both encourage visitors to slow down, take time out and reconnect with themselves and the natural world.
‘ORIGIN’ is located in a specially built wellness space within the house and ‘A Field Hospital for Eco-Anxiety’ takes over the Orangery in the gardens of Dunham Massey.
You can book here.
3. Embark on a guided wine tour around the city
Manchester Wine Tours offer visitors a guided tour around the city centre, where they’ll visit some of the best places to drink and buy wine in Manchester along the way. You will be guided in small groups on a leisurely three-hour jaunt where they’ll be able to sample a few glasses en route, as well top notch nibbles. This is a great opportunity to try something new, learn the characteristics of different varieties and even discover a new favourite.
4. Experience L.S. Lowry’s ‘Going to the Match‘ in a whole new way
To celebrate its 25th anniversary The Lowry has launched a brand new, free, immersive experience of L.S. Lowry’s iconic work ‘Going to the Match’. Developed with world-renowned creative studio Layers of Reality, ‘LOWRY 360‘ fully surrounds audiences with the sights and sounds of ‘Going to the Match’, transporting them into the painting before they experience the original artwork first hand.
Book your free slot here.
5. 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, Manifest, with one big bash taking place over this late May bank holiday. The free-to-attend music festival will take The Oast House’s terrace on Sunday 25 May, 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.
6. Potter around one of these lovely villages near Manchester
If you fancy a bit of a leg stretch this May bank holiday weekend, look no further than the North West itself. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy some more picturesque sights outside of the city, with a number of beautiful villages just a tram or train ride away. From canal walks in beautiful Worsley to the quiet and quaint Marple Bridge, there are plenty of pretty villages near Manchester to explore.
7. Visit the awe-inspiring Stories – Brought to Life exhibition at MediaCity
Stories – Brought to Life is the first immersive art experience of a UK national collection, running until Sunday 31 August at MediaCity in Salford ahead of a planned national tour (with dates to be announced).
This unique experience explores the fascinating lives behind some of the most iconic faces from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection who have shaped the UK’s history and culture, and visitors can step into a world where the sitters’ stories come alive. 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 and Virginia Woolf.
Book tickets here.
8. Taste your way around the city with the Manchester Cheese Crawl
Cheese fans rejoice, because there’s an entire tour dedicated to the good stuff – right here in Manchester. Mapping out the most brie-lliant cheese spots across the city, the Manchester Cheese Crawl is set to combine some of the tastiest cheeses, wines and glorious sights of Manchester – with two hours of hopping from venue to venue discovering the finest Wensleydales, Cheddars and more. We Camembert to miss out!
9. Enjoy 25% off gorgeous Japanese food at KAJI
KAJI, high-energy Japanese fusion restaurant on Bridge Street, is offering 25% off for families, and free dining for kids aged 10 and under this bank holiday. Chef-Patron Steven Smith has recently launched a new spring menu, drawing inspiration from the earth, land and sea.
Expect delights such as new signature Cheese Hotdog 2.0, Black garlic-studded chicken with grelot onions and XL Manx scallops with sticky pigs cheek, katsu curry ketchup. KAJI’s kids menu includes favourites like fish and chips, chicken goujons or cheese burgers, with Steve Smith’s signature flair of course.
Available to redeem on all bank holiday weekends in May. Cannot be redeemed in conjunction with any other offer.
10. Join the soft opening of Stockport’s brand new Underbank bar and venue
A brand new concept is coming to Stockport’s famous Underbank, and you’ll never guess what it’s called… Underbank! It’s dedicated to all things music, with a killer sound system, an incredible roster of DJs, and even a recording studio and music venue soon to be added. It’s not just for the music-lovers, though, because Underbank will be catering to the beer-drinkers and margarita crowd, too, with an extensive beer hall and gorgeous margarita bar – plus a glorious rooftop terrace planned for next summer – and you can bet we’ll be making the journey for that.
Join the Underbank team whilst they test the systems and train the wonderful new staff from Friday 23-Sunday 25 May. Friends, family and followers get 50% off drinks before 8pm throughout the Soft Launch Bank Holiday. Just show you follow @theunderbank on Instagram, and remember they’re training and testing things for the very first time – so come armed with patience.
11. ‘Look for a Book’ as Manchester Festival of Libraries kicks off
Manchester’s Festival of Libraries is counting down to take off and begins with Look for a Book, which takes place from Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June. A free family-friendly activity, this year’s challenge promises cosmic fun with stargazer extraordinaire Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
500 copies of Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s brilliant book Am I Made of Stardust? will be awaiting discovery in and around Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, the green spaces of Manchester’s Spinningfields, the galleries of People’s History Museum and across the Bee Network during the half term holidays (Friday 23 May to Sunday 1 June). This is a game of finders keepers, with riddles to solve and clues to follow, and for some lucky winners there will also be the chance to meet Maggie in person during the festival.
12. Explore BAB’s new underground bar and refreshed menu
BAB‘s refreshed menu shakes things up with all-new burgers, bowls, and bab toppings including the Islak Beef Burger, and salad bowls served with mujadara rice, pickled red cabbage, salad, hummus, tomatoes, and slaw. With the option to add flatbread and homemade sauce, enjoy toppings including spiced halloumi, falafel, chicken skewer, and garlic prawns, plus new kebabs including Surf & Turf, Chicken Shwarma, Nacho Chicken, Souvlaki Halloumi, Roasted Tenderstem, and Spiced Calamari.
BAB’s new, downstairs bar is serving up seriously good sips too – including the return of the Mexican Chilli Margarita, plus fresh new mixes like the Caramel Espresso Martini, Mint Choc Cooler, and the Cranberry Whiskey Sour. What’s more, join BAB for happy hour when you can get two cocktails for £15, selected bottles for £5, house spirit and mixer for £5 and a bottle of house wine for £18/Prosecco for £25 (Mon–Thurs, 4–7pm and Fridays, 4pm-close).
13. Join Courts Club for its sizzling Summer Series
With Manchester set to enjoy yet more seasonal sunshine, it’s the perfect time to get down to Courts Club for its sizzling Summer Series – the new go-to for summer outdoor socials, with Saturday Hoops, Sunday Screenings, block party sounds, and food and drink specials.
The Summer Series features a host of hot happenings throughout the week in and around ‘Manchester’s Best Beer Garden’ located in the city’s new St John’s district:
- Cantina & Margs – Enjoy mouthwatering food and drink specials every week from Wednesday to Saturday, with the pop-up killer combo of Cantina, Cali-Mex street food, and the Margs Van;
- Saturday Hoops – from 6pm every week, enjoy free hoop shots as you soak up a slice of block party culture;
- Sunday Screenings – book your free seats to enjoy the weekly outdoor cinema, including the likes of Space Jam/Bohemian Rhapsody on May 25th;
- Wednesday Courtside Quiz – pit your wits against other Manchester masterminds from 6pm for just £2 per person, for the chance to win a bar tab for your team.
14. Get your beauty items a free rhinestone makeover at Space NK Trafford Centre
At the Trafford Centre, spend £40 instore at Space NK and receive a complimentary rhinestone embellishment on a beauty item – including custom personalisation on Space NK’s bestselling travel bags (available while stocks last). Be the envy of the dressing room when you whip out your bedazzled lipstick or encrusted handheld mirror… you’ll thank yourself later.
15. Get caught up at Daz Zircus Bizarre at Albert’s Schloss
DAZ ZIRCUS BIZARRE at Albert’s Schloss is set to be a wildly spektakulär weekend of circus, cabaret, and Bavarian-style indulgence, running from Friday 22nd to Monday 26th May. The weekend promises a proper Schloss-style celebration, with a twist of the bizarre and brilliant – it’s truly wunderbar.
Expect non-stop entertainment, including midnight circus shows on Friday and Saturday, plus a packed programme from Rise + Shine breakfast sessions with live DJ song requests, to Sunday’s legendary Schloss Sunday Service – complete with a roast feast and proper gravy. From breakfast beats to late-night circus spectaculars, Albert’s Schloss invites guests to embrace the Bank Holiday in true Bavarian pleasure-seeking style.
📍 Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR.
16. Catch a spot of comedy at Manchester Comedy Club
Glamorous host Charli Angel and hilarious MC Mandy McCarthy welcome an ever-changing lineup of talented comedians from across the UK and beyond. Expect everything from sharp-witted newcomers to seasoned comedy legends who know how to bring the house down – Saturday 3rd May will see Patrick Draper, Natalie Shwarz, and Mickey P Kerr take the mic, so get your tickets now!
📍 Area, 50 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3WF.
17. Explore what Quayside MediaCity has to offer
Salford’s Quayside MediaCity has plenty to offer for all the family this bank holiday weekend:
Ashtanga Yoga with The Wellness Hub
Saturday, 24th May | 9am – 11am
Kargo MKT, Quayside
Rejuvenate your body and mind with an Ashtanga Yoga session at Kargo MKT.
5th Birthday Party
Saturday, 24th May 6pm-late
Studio Dawn, Quayside
Join the Studio Dawn team to celebrate their 5th birthday with free workshops, self-care-themed cocktails and goody bags for the first 30 arrivals! Expect exclusive discounts and feel-good vibes all evening.
Snow Queen Mini Disco
Sunday, 25th May | 10am – 12pm
Kargo MKT, Quayside
The Snow Queen returns to Kargo MKT for a magical FREE Mini Disco for kids!
Lucky Bun & Dragon Boat Drumming Workshop
Sunday, 25th May | 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Kargo MKT, Quayside
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with a fun workshop featuring drumming and a Lucky Bun activity!
Build Your Own Bear Workshop
Monday, 26th May | 10am – 12pm
Kargo MKT, Quayside
Join in for a fun morning of building your own bear!
Slime Making Workshop
Monday, 26th May | 10am – 12pm
Kargo MKT, Quayside
Find out more and book your slots here.
18. Go along to the free Deansgate Mews Festival
Hosted by Manchester’s ultimate dining and leisure destination, Great Northern Warehouse, the free-to-attend Deansgate Mews Festival offers live music, family-friendly activities, independent market traders and plenty of space for al fresco dining and sunshine sippin’! Located on Deansgate Mews, Manchester’s hidden pedestrianised street nestled above Deansgate, Mews Fest is a celebration of authentic grassroots music venues housed at the iconic Great Northern Warehouse.
Taking place from 23rd – 25th May, expect a lively outdoor celebration of food and drink, entertainment, live music and a pop up market of talented local traders.
19. Enjoy gorgeous florals at Manchester Flower Festival
Returning following a successful 2024 event, the Manchester Flower Festival is set to bloom once again, brightening up the lovely streets of our city this bank holiday weekend. Now in its fifth year, Manchester’s floral takeover attracts tens of thousands of additional visitors to the city centre and launches the summer event season in the city.
Taking place across the late May Bank Holiday weekend, Manchester Flower Festival transforms the city centre with themed decorations and green installations, alongside live music, entertainment, al fresco food and drink, talks, demonstrations and workshops – this year along the theme of ‘Manchester and Other Great Cities Around the World’.
20. Fawn over adorable pooches at this Pup-Up Cafe
The most adorable hangout spot for dogs is coming to Manchester, and it’s especially for Dachshund puppies, so listen up if you’ve got one of these tiny sausage dogs yourself. Want to socialise your sausage, meet other dachshund owners and see lots of other sausages run around off the lead in a fun couple of hours? This is the event for you!
On Monday 26th May, expect to mingle with up to 50 dachshunds, loads of photo ops and props, best dressed sausage prizes, unlimited puppuccinos and treats, a safe, secure and staffed space for ‘off lead time’, and so much more. What’s more, there’s a later event for all friendly dogs, so you can get involved whatever the breed of your furry friend! Find out more and get tickets here.
21. Grab more than just a kebab from BAB’s refreshed menu and hidden bar
BAB has recently launched a refreshed menu, new Happy Hour offering, and a cool underground bar. BAB’s refreshed menu shakes things up with all-new burgers, bowls, and bab toppings, plus the new, downstairs bar is serving up seriously good sips – including the return of the Mexican Chilli Margarita, plus fresh new mixes including theCaramel Espresso Martini, Mint Choc Cooler and Cranberry Whiskey Sour – yum.
22. Explore a new neighbourhood at the Goods Yard Party
Manchester’s best new outdoor spot lights up all weekend long as your new favourite corner of the city transforms into The Good Yard this May Bank Holiday. St John’s will host an all weekend event with DJs and entertainment right through the weekend, showing off the best terraces in town.
Caravan and Trading Route are throwing a four-day Yard party in the heart of Manchester’s reimagined creative quarter – and you’re invited. A stone’s throw from the shiny new Stables Tavern and Project Halcyon’s brand new outdoor terrace, you can expect beats, bevs and big energy as DJs take over the square, the sun makes a cameo, and the drinks keep flowing.
The Goods Yard Party will consist of:
• Friday 23rd May: 3pm – 8pm (a post-work warm-up)
• Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 9pm (all-day session)
• Monday 26th: 12pm – 6pm (bank holiday wind-down)
23. Grab a free chip cone at the launch of Trippy Chippy at YES
Trippy Chippy is coming to Manchester with a brand new concept at YES, Manchester’s legendary, independent live music venue. Trippy Chippy will open the UK’s first ever chip shop in a bar on Friday 23rd May and to celebrate the brand new concept coming to Manchester, Trippy Chippy and YES are giving away FREE chip cones on the day from 5pm to the first 100 people in attendance. Be quick – once they’re gone, they’re gone.
24. Try for a full house at Bongo’s Bingo
The team at Bongo’s Bingo are hyped for the Bank Holiday weekend in Manchester at the Albert Hall. Since its humble origins in Liverpool back in spring 2015, Bongo’s Bingo has expanded across the UK selling over five million tickets, taking place in over 40 UK locations to far-flung fun and frolics in Ibiza, New York, Dubai and Australia.
During this time Bongo’s Bingo has proudly and lovingly reinvented the quaint pastime for a new generation. It unites people from all walks of life in a wild social extravaganza. There’s truly nowhere else like Bongo’s Bingo to be immersed in hours of pure escapism, hedonism and a gigantic dollop of nostalgia – and let’s not forget about the weird and wonderful prizes! Book here.
25. Grab a free Manchester Gin & Tonic summer serve at The Spirit of Manchester Airstream
This summer, The Spirit of Manchester Distillery is bringing the buzz to First Street with their custom-built Airstream trailer serving up frozen cocktails, G&Ts, and handcrafted spirits – all in celebration of summer at First Street 2025. Kicking off on 23rd May for the Bank Holiday weekend, the Airstream will become a key fixture throughout the summer, offering an evolving line-up of seasonal serves and exclusive offers.
To celebrate the launch weekend and residency, on Friday 23rd May the first 100 people to visit will receive a FREE Manchester Gin & Tonic summer serve – a colourful welcome to the season and a reason to start your summer early!
On the menu:
- Mango No.5 – (basically a boozy Solero!) a tropical mango slush made with One- Eyed Rebel Passionfruit & Coconut Spiced Rum
- Berry Breeze – a refreshing watermelon & strawberry slush featuring Raspberry Infused Manchester Gin
- Their classic spirit and mixers, plus a rotating line-up of frozen favourites and summer specials!
26. Feel the summer vibes at New Century
As always, New Century has lots going on over this bank holiday weekend. The line-up is as follows:
Friday 23rd:
DJ Laura Jackson takes over ’til late
Saturday 24th:
Go Bottomless 11am-4pm from £30pp
The Untold Orchestra live from 6pm
Sunday 25th:
Go Bottomless 11am-4pm from £30pp
All day Happy Hour!
frEakout Collective day party
Days Like This X Fear of Missing Out get you moving in the Hall – tickets here