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.
Living Room Dance Club is bringing the second edition of the Very Good Plus record fair to New Century. The indoor and outdoor spaces at Sadlers Yard will be filled with old school vinyl traders, independent record labels, and a dedicated merchandise market for music fans to dig through rare finds and new additions. The event features all-day DJ takeovers, interactive workshops, a giant drum machine, and a big screen.
Stockport’s Moovin Festival returns to the wooded valley of Whitebottom Farm, channeling authentic 90s free party energy across its boutique site. Set amongst lakes, waterfalls, and a gorge, the festival relies on its intimate vibe and unpretentious layout, anchored by the main “rave den” – a converted cow barn armed with a powerful sound system. Headliners Groove Armada and 2manydjs take over the Barn Stage alongside acts like Nightmares On Wax, Gilles Peterson, and Haçienda legend Graeme Park.
Manchester is hosting a one-hour virtual reality expedition, which Harvard University Egyptologists helped design to ensure historical accuracy. Guests slip on VR headsets to traverse the Giza Necropolis, climb the largest Egyptian pyramid, and sail along the Nile to observe the funeral of King Khufu. Inside the free-roam space, participants will be led by a virtual guide named Mona, who shares the exact history and mythology of the era, whilst a mysterious feline companion follows along the route.
With the group stage kicking off on June 11, taking the all-encompassing tournament through to the July 19 final, the world is set to be swept up for over a month with all the action beamed over from the US, Canada, and Mexico. And there are plenty of places in Manchester to watch this year’s World Cup, win or lose.
Circolo Popolare’s first birthday
Circolo Popolare marks its first year in Manchester with heavily discounted drinks and a local bakery collaboration. The Italian dining spot will be pouring £1 spritzes every afternoon between 12pm and 5pm to celebrate its anniversary. The restaurant has partnered with Ancoats staple Flat Baker to drop a limited-edition Lemon Meringue Pie croissant. The pastry takes direct inspiration from the restaurant’s signature oversized dessert, with £1 from every sale supporting local food charity Eat Well. Diners can grab the pastry at both the restaurant and Flat Baker’s bakery.
National Trust Puffin Cam Pop-Up
The National Trust will broadcast live footage of breeding puffins directly from the Farne Islands to a screen on First Street. This streaming event will bring real-time seabird activity from the Northumberland coast straight into the city centre, giving people a close-up view of the birds during their peak breeding season. Attendees will watch the live feed and participate in on-screen “puffin bingo” hosted by characters from the children’s show Puffin Rock. National Trust teams will also attend the installation to distribute pin badges, test visitors’ wildlife knowledge, and discuss their ongoing conservation work to protect these vulnerable seabirds.
Festival of Libraries
Celebrating Manchester’s literary scene, the Festival of Libraries returns taking over several libraries across will take place all over Greater Manchester. Running from June 10 to 14 all over the region, the festival will be full of exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops and art installations that all reflect Greater Manchester’s huge pride in its libraries and their value to their communities. Plus, all of the events are free to attend.
Depot Mayfield is hosting an extensive exhibition dedicated to the anonymous street artist Banksy, showcasing over 200 reproductions of his famous pieces. The collection will span multiple media, bringing massive graffiti works, sculptures, and video installations directly to the historic former railway station. Visitors can explore the expansive catalogue of the Bristol-born artist, including familiar creations like Girl with Balloon and distinct pieces from the Walled Off Hotel project. The extensive display will provide an in-depth look at the provocative imagery and irony that define his career.
Old Trafford Cricket Ground will host five group-stage matches for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Seven international teams will travel to Manchester for the competition, including previous champions Australia. The Manchester leg begins with a double-header as Scotland plays Ireland, followed by a match between Australia and South Africa. Lancashire batter Gaby Lewis will captain the Ireland squad, competing directly on her home club’s ground.
Salford Lads Club will commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Smiths’ album The Queen Is Dead with a dedicated series of events this weekend and next week. Poet Tony Walsh will debut an original commissioned piece on the building’s front steps, honouring the album sleeve photograph and the venue’s long-standing youth work. The venue will host a variety of activities across the anniversary dates, including the launch of the book It’s Time The Tale Were Told, lino-print workshops by Jantze Holmes, and live performances from Smiths on Strings. MishMash Records will run two music sessions, while Manchester Music Tours will conclude their guided city walks directly at the club. Visitors will explore the dedicated Smiths Room and the Wall of Names throughout the open days. The on-site café will serve refreshments, and the shop will release new gladioli-inspired merchandise created specifically for the anniversary.
Zip World Manchester has launched Forest Tubing at Heaton Park, featuring two outdoor tubing slides of 252 ft and 262 ft. With hour-long sessions and unlimited rides, it’s the perfect half term and weekend activity for children aged four and above, and the adjacent high ropes course keeps the adventure going all day long.
Manchester’s street food collective, GRUB, is taking over the MediaCity waterfront for a massive summer residency. The open-air hub will feature a rotating lineup of independent food vendors alongside craft beers, cocktails, and a premium sake bar. Scheduled food operations include Sizzling Seoul, Umami Cartel, and Dukes Po Boys, alongside Caff, GRUB’s in-house nostalgic sandwich shop serving breakfast and lunch. The seasonal events calendar brings live big-screen sports broadcasts for the World Cup alongside open-air movie screenings from Cultplex. GRUB on the Docks runs throughout the summer, open Tuesday to Sunday weekly, 12pm-10pm.
Campfield Market, a weekly artisan market in Manchester city centre, has expanded into St John’s, creating the biggest weekly artisan market in the UK. ‘Campfield Market at St John’s’ extends beyond the iconic Campfield building and out onto Grape Street, transforming the area into a one-kilometre loop of market stalls, street food and independent retail. Each week, visitors can expect over 100 independent traders spanning street food, local produce, artisan goods and makers, alongside an expanded food and drink line-up.
