The end of summer is nigh, and we’re so ready to make the most of it before it disappears for another year. From fun events to brand new experiences, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do in Manchester this September. Without further ado…
1. Enjoy a unique culinary experience with Dining in the Dark
Dining in the Dark is asking foodies to throw a standard dinner out the window for an evening, and to experience something eye-opening (of course, not in any literal sense of the word…). Blindfolded and unable to rely on your eyes, you’ll be forced to appreciate every tang, sweet, bitter, and savoury taste that touches your taste buds. Are you enough of a gourmand to distinguish between textures and flavours? You can put your other senses to the test at this unique immersive experience taking place on September 27.
2. Get into the Mexican spirit at the UK’s biggest taco and tequila festival
For the first time ever, the UK’s biggest taco and tequila festival, Taco Town is coming to Manchester. Think tequila, tacos, chilli, wrestling, mariachi music… what a combination! On September 23, Taco Town will take over Love Factory, with everything you need to indulge in the best tacos and tequila from around the world. Over four spectacular arenas 5000 guests will be able to try over 30 types of mouth-watering street tacos, and wash them down with a choice of a whopping 50 types of tequila.
3. Visit the adrenaline-fueled NERF Action Xperience
The new NERF Action Xperience is coming toManchester’s Trafford Palazzo this September, with thematic battlegrounds, training activities and a variety of sports games to burn off some of that competitive energy. The giant indoor arena promises an exhilarating experience with endless adventures and challenges to get stuck into. So go on, grab a NERF blaster and round up the team, your mission awaits.
4. Watch the sensational rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar
When we think of the Jesus Christ Superstar musical, the main song immediately comes to mind taking over the majority of the brain. Well, Manchester will soon be able to sing it out loud as the Jesus Christ Superstar production sets off on a UK tour kicking off in the city this September. The Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated musical Jesus Christ Superstar is gracing Manchester between September 11 and 23 playing at the Palace Theatre.
5. Watch Salford Red Devils and raise money to tackle homelessness
Super League rugby team Salford Red Devils have joined forces with Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for the launch of a brand new campaign, known as ‘Circle Home’, to tackle homelessness in the region. Circle Home will be Greater Manchester’s biggest ever sponsored walk, with every mile covered raising pounds towards changing people’s lives. On September 8, one of the many walks over the Circle Home weekender will end at AJ Bell Stadium, with the opportunity to watch the Salford Red Devils game versus Warrington Wolves and be part of a united effort to tackle homelessness.
6. Listen to the top hits from Taylor Swift at this candlelight concert
With her melodic love songs and semi-biographical lyrics, Taylor Swift’s tunes have inspired fans for around 16 years. From pop to country, you may think you’ve heard all of Swift’s music styles, until now… On September 15, Taylor Swift’s biggest hits will be getting the classical treatment at a Taylor Swift candlelight concert, performed right here in Manchester. So if you didn’t manage to nab Eras tour tickets, you can listen to the best songs from the singer with the beautiful glow of flickering candlelight.
7. Cruise around the UK’s first live action go-karting video game experience
Offering a new way to hit the pedal to the metal is Chaos Karts, an all new attraction which combines real-life racing with augmented reality, and it’s coming to Manchester at the end of August. The UK’s first live action video game experience throws players into a virtual world, living inside a real-life video game to race-battle their friends, family and rivals. With no physical obstacles on the track and anti-collision technology, helmets and driving suits are not required to create a fun-fuelled experience for all to enjoy.
8. Get a boost of positivity with the return of Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival
Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival is set to return to Cheshire’s Tatton Park this September, bringing with it bundles of positivity and activities for guests to enjoy. Taking place across the first weekend of September, both on the 2nd and 3rd, the festival that promotes self-love and happiness is set to boast an incredibly positive line-up, with the likes of Nick Grimshaw, Vicky Pattison, Denise Van Outen, Adele Roberts and, of course, Fearne herself in attendance this year.
9. Let your hair down at the Buff Bingo bottomless brunch
Buff Bingo is back in town, with plenty of fun antics in store this September. Bringing four whole hours of live entertainment, guests can expect 1.5 hours of bottomless bubbles, tasty brunch dishes, hilarious drag performances, live DJs and, of course, butlers in the buff. It’s the perfect way to get together with friends, and naturally, tickets are selling pretty quick.
10. Roll on the floor laughing at this hilarious comedy festival at Castlefield Bowl
Comedy fans rejoice, because a new festival taking place in Manchester has been announced – and the line-up is absolutely stellar. A welcome addition to the Manchester festival scene (which is currently dominated by food and music), Laughterama is set to bring some of the UK’s top talent to one place – many of which you’ll likely recognise from Netflix comedy specials and hit shows such as Taskmaster.
11. Sip on a wide selection of gin and rum at this drinks festival
Whether you’re thirsty for knowledge or you just want to party the night away, this gin and rum festival in Manchester on September 8 and 9 is for you. Treat yourself and let your hair down with your friends at the themed bars with tasty street food and a buzzing party atmosphere. There will be talks, master classes, free samples, great live entertainment and an award-winning resident DJ that will keep you entertained with music from all genres, so get ready for a Rumbelievable festival! Plus you can take home a complimentary Gin & Rum Festival Copa glass.
12. Eat your way around one of the biggest food halls in the North West
Part of the new £3.5m Central Bay development at Salford Quays, new food hall KARGO comes from the operator behind the Cutlery Works in Sheffield and The GPO in Liverpool. The Greater Manchester development at Quayside will house four new independent restaurants, 13 kitchens, pop-up events, indie markets, live music performances and recreation space for children. Food traders announced so far include Ad Maiora, Tang’s Hot Pot, Rio Mex, Baity, Nori, What’s Your Beef, Leopard Pie, Vnam, Boba Cha, Bab K and Nila’s Burmese Kitchen- you won’t go hungry here!
13. See over 100 of the world’s top riders at the Tour of Britain Grand Départ
This year’s Tour of Britain will begin in the market town of Altrincham as the borough of Trafford hosts the start of the Greater Manchester stage this September. The city is hosting the race’s Grand Départ, for the first time since 2004, with Altrincham set to host the start of the prestigious opening stage that will see over 100 of the world’s top riders setting off on the 19th edition of the modern Tour of Britain. Taking place on Sunday 3 September, this year’s Tour of Britain will mark the second time that Altrincham has hosted the cycling event, having hosted a stage start in the 2019 race.
14. See a colourful display of lanterns at the Manchester Moon Festival
Chinese Global Network (CGN) presents the Manchester Moon Festival 2022, an autumnal event being held during September in Manchester’s Chinatown. Located at Chinatown Car Park on Faulkner Street, the event will bring together the cultural and atmosphere of the Moon Festival which is a national celebration in China. During the three-day celebration, participants will be able to immerse themselves in the colourful displays of lanterns and a variety of foods related to this event.
15. Blow off some steam by hurling black puddings at Yorkshire puds
Forget wellie-wangling, it’s all about black pudding-lobbing. Taking place in Ramsbottom on September 10, the annual competition that is the ancient grudge between Yorkshire and Lancashire will play out. Hurling black puddings at a pile of Yorkshire puddings on a 20-foot high plinth, competitors have three turns in an attempt to knock down as many Yorkshire Puddings as possible (they are arranged in a pile of a dozen) and must throw underarm from a purpose built stand called the oche located on Bridge Street. Expect a lively, fun atmosphere and hundreds of puddings!
16. Get into formation at the Queen B bottomless brunch
All the single ladies (and not so single ladies!), it’s time to get into formation. Celebrating all things Beyoncé this month, Cara Melle and a collective of London and Manchester’s best drag artists will be taking over On Bar, in Manchester’s Gay Village, with tons of performances and Beyoncé hits to enjoy. Expect four hours of fun, alongside free-flowing booze, tasty brunch dishes and tons of opportunities to dance the day (or night) away.
17. Celebrate Oktoberfest at this beer-fuelled festival at Freight Island
Celebrating Bavarian beer in a big way, Freight Island will be hosting an Oktoberfest Festival from September 28 to October 1; featuring classic entertainment including a live Oompah band, a line-up of traditional Bavarian beers, plus special Bratwurst menu. The inside of Freight Island will be transformed in to an all singing, all dancing Bavarian beer hall complete with long wooden tables and traditional bunting. The traditional Bavarian beers will be available from September 16 and include the likes of Paulaner, Paulaner Weissbier, Lowenbrau, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest, Flotzinger Wies’n, Marzen, Spaten Oktoberfest, Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Braybrooke Harvest Festbier, Cloudwater Oktoberfest, Newbarns Festbier and Donzoko Festbier.
18. Tuck into bottomless Szechuan chicken wings at this soulful Manchester music venue
Combining our love for bottomless brunch and chicken wings, one of Manchester’s popular live music venues and restaurants with a menu filled with soul food is providing us with exactly that. Between the hours of 12pm and 6pm, guests at The Blues Kitchen can feast on the bottomless Korean chicken wings slathered in hot and spicy Szechuan sauce, peppered to perfection and packed with flavour, served alongside a tasty blue cheese dip and celery, for only £12 per person.
19. Enjoy unbelievably brewed coffee at Allpress‘ first Northern hub
Allpress has had a strong presence in the Manchester coffee scene for some time, stocking their beans in Ancoats staples Trove, Campanio, and Erst; as well as popular retail stores Carhartt and Patagonia. This September, Allpress is opening its first Northern hub at NOMA in Manchester and will be their first bricks and mortar coffee hub outside of their two London Allpress cafes. The Northern HQ will house a café and a barista training hub and coffee machinery workshop in the Redfern building – right around the corner from live music and event space New Century.
20. Watch every serve, rally and volley at the Davis Cup live in Manchester
The Davis Cup, widely regarded as the men’s ‘World Cup of Tennis’, allows fans to see some of the world’s best players, with Britain to take on three other nations from September 12-17. Taking place at AO Arena in Manchester it’s the first time the city will host the competition since July 1994 and it means Mancs can have the chance to watch all the action live. Each nation will play three times over the six-day competition. The top two nations from each of the four groups will advance to a quarterfinal ‘Final 8’ knock-out competition held in Malaga between November 21-26.
21. Enjoy the last of the Manchester summer
Most importantly, if there’s one thing we should all do this month – its make the most of any sunshine we’re blessed with before it’s gone for another year!
Also published on Medium.