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. 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!
2. Head to this Manchester festival dedicated to celebrating women
Over the May bank holiday weekend, WOW, the world’s biggest, most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people is coming to Manchester. The event will bring together inspiring speakers at Aviva Studios, including Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard, actors Maxine Peake and Zawe Ashton, Manchester legend DJ Paulette, author Chimene Suleyman, and activist Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to find solutions to the pressing issues of gender inequality and celebrate the achievements of women, girls and non-binary people both in the Northwest and globally.
3. Kick off the 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 24 to May 26, 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 24 and 27, 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.
6. Cheer on runners at the Great Manchester Run
This May bank holiday 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 26th May, why not show your support from the side lines as you watch runners speed through the city?
7. Sing your heart out and boogie the night away at a silent disco
Who wouldn’t want to start the long weekend with a silent disco? Join the Silent Adventures Team for a musical journey through Manchester’s streets with funky moves and pop star voices on display. Experience a flash mob, silent disco and rhythmic riot through town with hi-tech headsets filling your body with beats. Get ready to dance and sing on this walking tour! Plus, if you’re concerned about being embarrassed you needn’t worry as you’ll be part of fab group people all after a great time.
8. Step into the world of the 1940s at this vintage weekender in Ramsbottom
The East Lancashire Railway is bringing back their hugely popular 1940s celebration to Ramsbottom over the late May bank holiday weekend. From the stoicism of the families supporting troops from home to the great outpouring of celebration and hope across the country at the end of the war, the railway aims to capture the most positive aspects of this period of British history with live music and entertainment. Dressing in period costume is a big part of the weekend too and you’re welcome to join in too!
9. See the city from a different perspective on a river cruise tour
Set sail from Salford Quays for an epic 60-minute journey down Manchester’s iconic Ship Canal and River Irwell on a specially-designed Dutch sightseeing boat, starting from the heart of Manchester. Witness the industrial heartland and historic monuments, including Stephenson’s railway bridge. You can also marvel at Manchester United’s stadium of Old Trafford and Imperial War Museum North from the water.
10. 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 26, 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.
11. Travel to a whole new world with the arrival of Disney’s Aladdin
Mancs can hop on a magic carpet and discover a whole new world as the critically acclaimed Broadway and West End musical Aladdin is coming to Manchester as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour. Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales, the smash-hit musical is brought to theatrical life in a unique and dazzling way. Disney’s Aladdin will open at the Manchester Palace Theatre on Wednesday 22 May, 2024 with performances until Sunday 7 July, 2024.
12. Laugh out loud at this drag comedy cabaret with Lady Bushra
Get ready to laugh your socks off with the iconic BBC New Comedy Award shortlisted drag comedian Lady Bushra. With her viral digital content and hilarious one-liners, she brings a unique and side-splitting comedy night like no other. Experience life from a British South Asian perspective with heavy doses of humour in a cabaret-style setting.
13. Dance the night away at Pie Radio’s two-day rooftop party
Manchester’s leading youth-led radio station, Pie Radio, is celebrating the late May Bank Holiday with a two-day rooftop party hosted at the Skydome Rooftop. Located on the top of the ABC building in the heart of the city centre, the weekend will see a fusion of diverse music, a selection of South-African style BBQ dishes smoked on the outdoor grill and activities, perfect for the summer weather.
On May 25, the best of Amapiano and Afro House are set to perform with the likes of TeeDee, DJ Fistoz, Joeshamz and Amber Rose taking to the stage plus EEQUE will also be heading to the Skydome for a very special live performance. On May 26, step into the sounds of House music as the sun goes down over Manchester’s skyline with The Skydome Rooftop Rave plus there will be giant games like Snakes & Ladders, Connect 4, Giant Chess and 360-degree camera too.
14. Soak up the sun on Ducie Street Warehouse’s south-facing terrace
Ducie Street Warehouse has re-opened their beautiful south-facing terrace and the spot is also refreshing their offerings with new Ducietivo, which features refreshing aperitifs including Limoncello Spritz, Pornstar Spritz, Manzana Spritz, and Wildberry Spritz. This May bank holiday weekend will also see the return of Ducie Street Warehouse’s much-loved pinsas ranging from classic Margherita to meaty Salame, which you can enjoy with two spritz for £25. Visitors can also expect groovy beats as the warehouse hosts their regular ‘Dance to Your Own Beats’ sessions in the lounge as well as a special disco edition of the famous Ducie Brunch Party on May 25.
15. Head to Bury Market for a Hong Kong food festival
So Hong Kong Festival returns this May bank holiday weekend under the first Bury Food and Drink Festival. In the So Hong Kong Area, there will be over 50 stalls of hot food, pre-packed food and handicraft, a game stall at Kay Garden, and a pop-up bar located at Princess Block Bury Market. Plus, there will be even more stalls around Sir Robert Peel statue, Haymarket and The Rock Shopping Centre. You definitely won’t be leaving the event hungry, that’s for sure!
16. Sip on daiquiris at Manchester’s biggest beer garden
Diecast is set to launch its huge outdoor beer garden, Summer Town, for the summer months and it will be Manchester’s biggest summer garden party space. Diecast’s famous daiquiris dominate at Leno Ex Machina’s central bar, with up to 49 flavour combinations pouring from their gigantic Bacardi frozen daiquiri machines. From May 23, the frozen daiquiri service will flow into Summer Town, with a new garden bar serving up this season’s sunshine flavours. At the centre of the garden will be the Barbecue Kitchen serving up burgers, chargrilled hanger steaks, hot dogs, kebabs and chef’s specials.
17. Take on an hefty eating challenge at Roby 1844
To mark National Burger Day on May 27, Roby 1844 will be hosting an exciting eating challenge this May bank holiday where foodies can indulge in Big Birds Big Sister; an exclusive edition of Roby’s signature dish, The Big Bird. Featuring two coated chicken breasts, two waffles with maple syrup and one beef patty with cheese on a brioche bun with salad and bacon, accompanied by three onion rings and two portions of Roby rub fries, participants will be challenged to eat everything on the plate. Plus, you’ll need to finish a pint of Coke or lemonade in 20 minutes to receive the whole dish for free and a winning t-shirt. Those who don’t manage to beat Big Birds Big Sister can enjoy the challenge for £30.
18. Create your own floral bouquet at a flower workshop at The Refuge
This year’s Manchester Flower Festival theme is ‘Icons’ and what’s more iconic than Clocktower Florist, situated in the Grade-II listed home of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel? The clocktower adorned with the Manchester bee on the clockface, a building rich with history which has become an icon it its own right. Head to the Post Room for a very special flower workshop and be guided step-by-step through creating your own floral bouquet. Enjoy a sharing buffet and limited-edition Flower Festival cocktail whilst the DJ spins the perfect soundtrack.
19. 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 the pretty villages near Manchester to explore.
20. See United and City go head to head in the FA Cup final
For the second time in a row, a Manchester Derby will take place for this year’s FA Cup final and it’s going to be massive. For Manchester City, the FA Cup will be their chance to secure the league and cup double, after retaining their Premier League crown. As for Manchester United, who finished in eighth place in the league, the FA Cup is all to play for. There will be plenty of spots in the city screening the game if you’re unable to get hold of tickets or head down to Wembley.
21. Enjoy a taste of summer with Canto’s Tapas on the Terrace
Ancoats restaurant Canto is hosting ‘Tapas on the Terrace’, running from 12pm – 5pm on May 26. Whether you bask in the sun on the outdoor terrace, or seek shelter indoors in the cosy restaurant, you can tuck into three tapas dishes and unlimited mix-and-match drinks for 90-minutes at £40 per person. Choose from the likes of spicy chorizo with roasted new potatoes, sweet and spicy chicken wings, patatas bravas with spiced tomato sauce, crispy fried baby squid and more.
22. Take a wander around the first Manchester Made Market at Deansgate Square
Get ready for a weekend like no other as Manchester Made Market is hitting Deansgate Square this bank holiday weekend. On May 25 and 26, the market will be showcasing talented local traders alongside delicious food and live music. With 30 talented traders offering high-quality artisan goods, you’ll find everything from hand-poured candles and bespoke jewellery to small-batch skincare and pottery.