Struggling to plan a fun-filled weekend in Manchester? Come rain or shine (in this city’s case mainly rain), we’ve got you covered when it comes to what’s on this weekend in Manchester. From cocktails, to brunches, markets to gigs, there’s something for everyone on our list of things to do in Manchester this weekend.
Where to eat and drink this weekend
From bottomless brunches to dining at the best restaurants in Manchester, here are the food and drink-focused events you should check out in Manchester this weekend.
1. Grab a slice of Rudy’s new winter pizza specials
Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana has revealed two new winter special pizzas available across all their pizzerias. Taking inspiration from its Italian roots, Rudy’s winter specials are paired with seasonal ingredients for the ultimate festive feels. The wintery veggie option Zucca features a pumpkin cream base, topped with fior di latte, goats’ cheese, roasted garlic chestnut mushrooms, finished with a sprinkle of toast pumpkin seeds and chilli flakes. Then there is the Guanciale & Pear – a white pizza topped with fior di latte, gorgonzola, guanciale (cured pork cheek) and fresh pears, sprinkled with toasted walnuts and fresh thyme.
2. Indulge in a festive breakfast and request your favourite tunes at Albert’s Schloss
Ist das season of celebration and festive gatherings aren’t just for the evening as the toast of Manchester this year is the Albert’s Schloss Rise + Shine Request Line. Hosted by DJ Angel Of The Morning, no breakfast is complete without music and Schloss lovers get to pick the perfect playlist for their poached eggs and pastries. For just £25 per person guests can start with a Mimosa or fresh juice on arrival, a selection of seasonal pastries baked in-haus all year round by master bakers, a choice of any breakfast dish including Kroissant Royale with Bacon, Salmon Royale, and Turkish Eggs, and unlimited tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.
3. Enjoy unlimited hot dogs and drinks inside the festive First Street Tipi
In the spirit of such gluttony Grub & Friends are getting into the festive mood with Bottomless Dogs at the First Street Tipi this Sunday (December 3). Here you can enjoy unlimited loaded hot dogs from Oscar’s Dogs (meaty, veggie and vegan available) and a drink of your choice between fizz, house beers by North Brewing Co or mimosa for 90 minutes for £25. Plus you can get cosy and festive inside the tipi with your four-legged friends, with dogs available for your pooch too. There are two sittings of Bottomless Dogs taking place – one from 12:30pm until 2pm and one from 1:30pm until 3pm.
Bars, pubs and nightlife to check out this weekend
Whether you’re looking to let loose at a day party or dance all night, here are the best drinking and party spots to try this weekend.
4. Experience the buzz of the bar at this alcohol-free pop-up at Kampus
After a hugely successful two week pop-up at Kampus to test the waters, alcohol-free pop-up bar experience Love From has agreed a three month residency, following a pop-up bar at Kampus’ new General Store. Love From is set to host a series of alcohol-free events for those who are off the booze, sober-curious or just looking for something outside of their norm to try at Kampus. The space aims to provide all the buzz of being in an amazing bar without the alcohol, hosting queer disco nights and casual alcohol-free drinking opportunities in a bar environment.
5. Sip a drink or two at the newly-reopened Northern Quarter bar Hold Fast
Following its closure back in 2019, iconic Manchester bar, Hold Fast, is set to reopen on November 29. Tucked away beneath a former bowler hat factory on Newton Street in Manchester’s vibrant and bustling Northern Quarter, Hold Fast is part of Selina Manchester. The nautical themed bar is inspired by the tales of Jules Verne and will feature a range of retro Sega games, bound to let customers relish in their childhood memories.
Top cultural attractions to visit this weekend
From exhibitions, pop-up installations, film screenings, shows and concerts, here are some of the best things to do in Manchester this weekend for a good dose of culture.
6. See the ‘Northern Lights’ and the Moon up close at this festival of light in Bolton
Headlining Bolton’s Christmas festivities this year is a mesmerising festival of light, aptly named ‘Put Big Light On’, taking place across the town centre from November 30. Bolton will be transformed for six ‘magical’ winter evenings, where visitors can experience the mysterious Northern Lights over Victoria Square, see the moon up close at Bolton Library and Museum and immerse themselves into a world of colourful and interactive artwork across other key locations. The awe-inspiring installations will be created by artists from around the world including Borealis by Dan Acher, giving us the chance to experience something close to the real Northern Lights.
7. Witness sparkling performers through the city streets as Manchester’s Christmas Parade returns
Following a fabulous festive first last year, the Christmas Parade is set to return to Manchester city centre once again this weekend. The parade is part of Manchester BID’s Festive Sundays series, which sees roaming puppets and illuminated acts take to the city’s main shopping streets, every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas. The Christmas parade will consist of a spectacular procession of Christmas-themed acts, including runaway Christmas presents, Jack Frost, Snow Queens – Santa himself, and lots more.
8. Explore this illuminating and magical Christmas light trail at Heaton Park
The same brains behind the Dunham Massey trail, and the spectacular Kew in London, have branched out further north, bringing a Christmas music and light trail to Heaton Park. Christmas at Heaton Park will provide another festive highlight for Manchester between December 1 – 31, with everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family. There will be breath-taking seasonal lights as never seen before, including colour-changing orbs of light stretching out into the distance, larger-than-life flowers and neon strings that reach high into the sky.
9. View In Transit’s first exhibition in Manchester that showcases the work of women artists
In Transit presents Cura (meaning ‘to care’ or ‘to help’ in Latin) at Smolensky Gallery, ABC Buildings, showcasing the work of women artists Arabel Lebrusan, Charlie Fitz, Latifah A. Stranack, Mira Hirtz and Naomi Harwin. Cura explores the transformative power of art in improving access and fostering care by bringing together paintings, prints, sculptures and installations that unpack matters of care from the personal to the collective. The artists have produced the works with creatively integrated audio descriptions and used multisensory approaches – this means beyond seeing, you can listen, touch and be a part of some of the works.
10. Shop Christmas trees, gifts and homewares at Fairfield Social Club’s winter market
Fairfield Social Club is set to make a sensational return to the Manchester scene this weekend with a winter market pop-up before launching fully in the Spring of 2024. Located under the iconic arches of Manchester’s emerging Red Bank area, Fairfield Social Club will be a multi-purpose site that includes two bars, a huge 250 seater event space and a secret garden with in-situ street food trader and, for this winter pop-up, a Christmas tree shop. Kicking off on Friday (December 1), there will be plenty of food and drink as well as a comeback from local brand Oklahoma.
The hottest new openings in Manchester
Manchester is constantly full of newness, whether it be the latest bar and restaurant openings to brand new shops and pop-ups for you to browse, so we’ve rounded up what’s new to check out.
11. Visit the new Greek-Mediterranean spot from the team behind Tattu
FENIX is the hotly anticipated addition to the burgeoning Manchester dining scene, bringing high-end contemporary Greek-Mediterranean food and culture from Mykonos to Spinningfields. The stylish and opulent new venture, from the same team behind dining destination, Tattu, will open on November 30. The new opening is led by two celebrated chefs recruited from Greece bringing modern techniques together with traditional ingredients and flavours.
12. Tuck into an affordable tasting menu at Six by Nico’s second Manchester restaurant
Making a name for itself in Manchester since its debut at Spring Gardens in 2019, Six by Nico will be opening a second location in the city this week on John Dalton Street. The restaurant known for its themed tasting menus which change every six weeks has revealed the first menu as “Cooking Tokyo” which will feature from November 30. Curated by chef Nico Simeone, following a research trip to Tokyo earlier this year. the menu takes inspiration from street-food favourites and Japanese classics curated and adapted to celebrate Japanese food and the very best ingredients.
13. Treat yourself at the ultimate nail care destination loved by Margot Robbie and Drake
Townhouse, the ultimate destination for luxurious nail care, is opening in Manchester on November 29. Nestled in the heart of Manchester, just a stone’s throw away from GAIL’s bakery and opposite The White Company, the new Townhouse Manchester is located in the centre of the vibrant King Street. Townhouse is set to bring the brand’s industry-leading technology, chic interiors, and impeccable manicures and pedicures to the North West.
Secret Manchester Picks
The Secret Manchester team’s top picks for more fun things you can do in Manchester this weekend.
14. Discover the most brie-lliant fromage on this cheese crawl
Nothing says the festive season quite like cheese – we Camembert a Christmas without it! Why not munch on moreish cheese whilst exploring the city on this Manchester cheese crawl. On what might be the gratest crawl in Manchester, you will be able to discover the finest and most brie-lliant cheeses, with very mature fun facts along the way. There’s no feta way to get in the festive mood than the Manchester Cheese Crawl – plus this experience can be a great gift for friends or family members.
15. Enjoy a spot of vintage shopping and free waffles at New Century
New Century is kicking off its yuletide celebrations with the New Century Christmas Warmer, a day of festive fun fit for all the family on December 3, including a vintage clothing pop-up from Glass Onion Vintage. New Century’s Boyson’s bar will be transformed into a cosy Christmas hideaway to officially launch the festive season and there’ll be festive sweet treats from Belgian Waffle specialists Bel Gem, as well as hot chocolates. What’s more the first 100 guests in the queue for their waffle fix will get one for completely FREE. Bel Gem will be on site between 1pm and 5pm, so those wanting a free waffle should act fast, as when they’re gone… they’re gone!
Also published on Medium.