
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 brunches to gigs, there’s something for everyone, including some activities for the kids, on our list of things to do in Manchester this weekend.
1. Explore Bury Food and Drink Festival featuring a Hong Kong Market and over 70 traders

Bury Food and Drink Festival is back and it’s expected to be bigger and better for 2025, with over 70 traders taking over the town centre. Taking place from Friday 18th July to Sunday 20th July, the three-day festival will feature a huge Hong Kong Market at Kay Gardens, a brand new ‘beer and bands’ night on Bank Street and a programme of activities within some of the town’s fantastic food and drink businesses. Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of food, gifts, jewellery and craft items at the festival, alongside pasta-making classes and DJ sessions.
2. Celebrate Oasis Week with Manchester Central Library

With Oasis now into their second week of homecoming gigs in Heaton Park, Manchester’s Central Library is all set this week has put together its own masterplan of Oasis-themed programming, which is packed with live performances, film screenings, Liam’n’Noel look-a-like competitions, a Big Oasis Quiz, and much more. The week of events at the library will conclude with ‘Live Forever’ – a day of special Oasis-themed live sessions on Saturday 19 July. The day gets underway with a little Morning Glory from the Manchester String Quartet performing classical renditions of Oasis hits; followed by an afternoon of performances in the Henry Watson Music Library offering reimaginations of Oasis tracks by the Ukulele Orchestra, and sumptuous reworkings by vocal harmony group Canter Semper, before a rousing headline performance by top-tier tribute act: Noasis.
3. Discover a range of guitars across the city with the Music for the Senses art trail

Commissioned by the city council from global art producer Wild in Art in association with charity Forever Manchester, the Music for the Senses art trail will see guitar-themed artworks, exhibitions and other installations appear throughout the city’s streets and squares in July and August. The art trail will see up to 50 donated guitars that are no longer playable painted or otherwise adorned by professional artists, turning them into exquisite individual artworks for display, alongside the donated guitar from Liam and Noel Gallagher and those from other musicians. A further 100+ broken guitars will also be used for Guitar Street – an interactive installation on a soon-to-be-revealed city centre street by Manchester artist Liam Hopkins aka Lazarian, whose artwork will lovingly repurpose the donated guitars.
4. Decide the verdict in this immersive Jury Experience
You’ve probably watched more times than you can count someone shout “Objection!” during a tense courtroom scene on TV. Wielding the power of legal arguments can be pretty thrilling, to say the least. Now, it’s your chance to experience it firsthand at “The Jury Experience“. With incredible actors and an immersive set that pulls you right into the drama, you’ll step into the courtroom with a mission. Because here’s the best part: amidst a web of testimonies and heated debate, it’s up to you and the audience to deliver the final verdict.
5. Attend the official Oasis afterparty at New Century Hall

After the Oasis gig on Saturday 19 July, an official afterparty will take place at New Century Hall, allowing both those lucky enough to have been to the gigs, and the majority who missed out, to come together in celebration of the event. An iconic occasion deserves an iconic afterparty line-up, so coming to entertain the Manchester crowds at the New Century Oasis afterparties are the likes of Happy Mondays mover and shaker Bez, Inspiral Carpets’ Clint Boon, Mani from The Stone Roses, Tin Tin (New Order Tour DJ), Col White (Vinyl Revival) and Ricco (Creamfields) all DJing from 11pm – so attendees are in for an absolute Manc treat!
6. Visit the new, free exhibition celebrating the works of illustrator Quentin Blake

Families can step into the magical world of one of Britain’s most beloved illustrators and authors, as a vibrant new Quentin Blake exhibition heads to Salford this summer. Curated by The Lowry in collaboration with the artist and his studio, Quentin Blake and Me will feature over 100 of Blake’s instantly recognisable works. The Quentin Blake exhibition will be showcased at The Lowry in Salford from July 19, which will include a full-size sailing boat for children to hop-aboard inspired by Blake’s story A Sailing Boat in the Sky, the National (Monster) Portrait Gallery, alongside Russell Hoban’s storybook, Monsters, and a fiendishly difficult magnetic marble puzzle inspired by John Yeoman’s retelling of the voyages of the intrepid Sinbad.
7. Check out brand new grassroots weekender event, Stranger Ways Festival

Say hello to Manchester’s new music weekender: Stranger Ways Festival. The grassroots event at The Yard Mcr will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July, with a mission to celebrate the region’s emerging and breakthrough talent. Timed to ride the wave of Oasis-mania as the legendary band makes its homecoming at Heaton Park, Stranger Ways is the alternative celebration for fans of Manchester’s vibrant indie scene. Festival-goers can expect 10 bands per day alongside DJs, craft culture, independent food and drink, and serious community vibes, all under The Yard’s brand-new covered canopy stage.
8. Enjoy an Oasis takeover and £5 cocktails at Freight Island

Calling all Oasis fans! Whether you’ve managed to bag tickets to see the real thing or not, Oasis Island brings the next best experience right to Freight Island. Enjoy live tribute acts celebrating one of Manchester’s greatest bands on July 19 and 20. Plus, to celebrate five years, Freight Island has launched the £5 Cocktail Club, meaning throughout July, each bar will feature a secret cocktail menu where all drinks are just £5.
9. Watch Alice in Wonderland at an immersive eat-along screening

As one of the coldest months of the year, indoor activities are high up on the agenda. Taste Film is a great option if you’re looking for something to do with your pals or partner, with or without alcohol. Pairing brilliant food with iconic on-screen moments, Taste Film is truly a feast for all the senses. Giving a whole new meaning to ‘watch what you eat’, the immersive experience combines two of life’s greatest joys: food and film. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting to reach out and grab a bite of whatever’s on screen, then you can do exactly that, with this month’s movie being Alice in Wonderland. Savour a mysterious and magical menu featuring billowing smoke, a field of flowers and, ahem, the queen’s bloomers. The three-course menu gets curiouser and curiouser…
10. Have a laugh at Creatures Comedy Festival in the Northern Quarter

After a roaringly successful debut last year, Creatures Comedy Festival is back for its second year and it’s going to be bigger, bolder and badder than ever. Not only has the seven-night-a-week comedy club upgraded to a larger venue but this year the festival is partnering with Lost Cat to begin the ultimate comedy takeover in the Northern Quarter. From July 15-26, the festival will once again kick off the summer, showcasing over 30 shows from household names to rising stars with the hottest comedy talent from the North taking over the festival on Sunday July 20th. There’s something for everyone at this festival, from musical comedy to improv to classic laugh-out-loud stand-up – plus the event will be showcasing comedians’ preview shows before they hit Edinburgh Fringe the very next week!
11. Visit Selfridges to see grassroots and emerging artists perform on their pop-up stage

Selfridges is hosting a Summer of Sounds where a pop-up stage will appear in store where all of the talent programmed to perform are grassroots or emerging artists based in the North-West and will include DJs, soloists and small bands. This weekend, the community is invited to enjoy intimate in-store experiences with a set from Manchester-based DJ and founder of You&Me Records and Hide&Seek Festival, Josh Baker.
12. Witness the PAW Patrol Live! stage show at Manchester’s AO Arena
Ryder, Chase, Skye and the rest of the squad are scampering out the television screen and embarking on an interactive adventure with PAW Patrol Live!; a live stage show coming to Manchester’s AO Arena on July 20. All the family can sing along, clap, dance and root for the characters as exciting rescue missions are brought to life right in front of your eyes. With a combination of expertly crafted costumes, vibrant sets, captivating special effects, interactive elements and infectiously fun music, you and your child will be transported to the city of Adventure Bay at this live show.
13. Party at this daytime disco for over 30s by Vicky McClure

Day Fever, an ironic nod to the Bee Gees hit Night Fever, has become a viral hit by offering a ‘nightclub’ experience held in the daytime. The Day Fever series mean attendees can still catch an early night, with the Manchester event running between 3pm and 8pm. Day Fever keeps on coming back for more, and will be returning to New Century in Manchester on Saturday 19th July after much success in the city. Mancs can expect the perfect party music playlist, personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers and Vicky McClure of Line of Duty fame, as well as her film producer partner Jonny Owen, hosting another afternoon of no holds barred party times.
14. View the Tony Wilson Archive in person at this first ever gallery exhibition

The Tony Wilson Archive is set to host its first ever gallery exhibition in Manchester, celebrating the life of Tony Wilson AKA ‘Mr Manchester’ and his lasting legacy on music, art and the city. Having been preserved and catalogued in museum vaults for the last nearly 20 years the Wilson family, led by Tony’s son Oliver, are partnering with Smolensky Gallery to host the first public exhibition held by the Tony Wilson Archive of his works. Featuring limited edition prints, archival artefacts and collaborations with local creatives, the free exhibition will run until July 31.
15. Celebrate a bumper summer of music at this MCR Live ’25 pop-up market and NQ block parties

To help celebrate what promises to be a sensational summer of sound MCR Live ’25 will see music-themed markets, pop-up shops, a festival bar, impromptu performances and more. From vinyl to vintage, rum and so much more, discover the heart of Manchester’s creative spirit at the MCR Live ’25 Pop-up Market in St Peter’s Square from July 16-20. Running alongside Oasis’ legendary homecoming concerts, this buzzing market brings together local makers, artists and indie traders for a celebration of sound, style and city pride. Or head down to a laid-back gathering on Edge Street and Thomas Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on July 19 and 20, where it’s all about good vibes, local sounds, and a great atmosphere. Two stages will keep the energy flowing with DJs and live acts throughout the day.
16. Listen to ABBA’s greatest hits in a unique way at this Candlelight tribute concert
Think you’ve heard all the ABBA songs – but have you heard them played on strings? Candlelight is celebrating ABBA with a tribute inspired by the popular Swedish band’s greatest hits. Voulez-vous to take a seat inside the extraordinary Halle St Peter’s and be dazzled by renditions of iconic songs? From Dancing Queen to The Winner Takes it All, listen to the best of ABBA played at an intimate concert bathed in the glow of countless candles.
17. Watch films on the big screen at New Jackson

Get ready for a summer of free open-air cinema at Screen on The Square, opening this weekend at New Jackson, Deansgate Square and offering a packed programme of films, sporting and cultural events on the big screen. Screen on the Square will run until Sunday 14th September, and guests can enjoy drinks from our licensed outdoor bar and a mini menu delivered straight to their deckchair by Medlock Canteen. During the opening weekend, visitors to Screen on The Square can watch the likes of Wall-E, Back to the Future, Big Hero 6 and Tron: Legacy.
18. Explore portraits of famous faces at this immersive art exhibition

The National Portrait Gallery and FRAMELESS Creative, the UK’s leading creator of immersive experiences, are bringing the first immersive art experience of a UK national collection, Stories – Brought to Life, to MediaCity in Salford. Running until August 31, the groundbreaking new immersive, cinematic show promises to redefine the gallery experience, with an emotionally charged spectacle that pushes the boundaries of creative storytelling. 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, Virginia Woolf and Malala Yousafzai.