
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. Make a splash at this neon painting workshop
Neon Brush is a one-of-a-kind sip and paint event which invites you to tap into your creative side with the help of brilliant and luminous glow-in-the-dark paint. Explore vivid colours and paint whimsical waves or whatever your inner artist tells you while sipping a drink. Whilst it might be a bit bleak outside, letting your artistic flair shine with a spot of neon painting is sure to brighten your day and mood. Plus, little ones can also get involved with their very own family-friendly Neon Brush experience.
2. Tuck into a pie for a tenner as The Black Friar’s pie festival returns
The Black Friar in Salford has brought back its popular festival dedicated to the magnificent pie for two months (and the coldest ones of the year too) so soothing and tasty that it might just convince you to put your shoes on, grab your coat and head out for some proper pub grub. The Salford pub and restaurant claims to have the best pies in the city, all of which will be showcased on their specially-curated pie menu. Plus if this isn’t enough to get you out the door and battling the elements, all of the pies at the festival are just a tenner, meaning you can enjoy that hearty pastry-covered goodness on a budget.
3. Enjoy cocktails and live music at Exhibition’s new immersive entertainment event
Exhibition, the home of three Manchester independent kitchens, has announced the launch of EXHBTN 360 LIVE, a brand-new immersive live entertainment experience. EXHBTN 360 LIVE is set to elevate Peter Street’s nightlife scene with a carefully curated and high-energy blend of live music, interactive performances, and premium cocktails. Exclusively for over 21s and running every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm until 1am with free entry, the 350-capacity venue will come alive with thrilling live vocal and instrumental performances integrated throughout the space, ensuring every guest is not just a spectator, but fully immersed in the entertainment. To celebrate its arrival, Exhibition will offer its Exhibit Eight signature cocktail range for just £8 each (usually £12) at the sessions up until the end of March.
4. Take a winter wander around RHS Garden Bridgewater
Opening just a few years ago in Worsley, the RHS Garden Bridgewater gates lead to a beautiful, nature wonderland – and it’s the perfect place to catch a literal breath of fresh air. Featuring multiple areas throughout to explore, including the ‘crown jewel’ of the site – the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden – visitors won’t be at a loss for beautiful sights, with tons of greenery, blooms, a peaceful lake and a number of lovely little ponds to potter around, as well as seasonal flowers and plants that transform throughout the year. Escape the city and witness nature doing its thing at this scenic garden.
5. Head to the Super Duper Family Festival with six play zones across the city
This February half term, Manchester has just the thing as the city is set to launch The Super Duper Family Festival – a brand-new four-day celebration filled with imagination, creation and free family-friendly activities that will transform the city into a giant, interactive playground. Taking place from Saturday 15th February to Tuesday 18th February, families can explore unique play zones scattered across Manchester’s most iconic spaces, each bursting with everything from giant mazes and steam-powered carousels to retro video games and family raves.
6. Dine at Manchester’s highest restaurant in complete darkness illuminated by candles
20 Stories, Manchester’s highest restaurant, is set to host a unique Valentine’s Day Blackout Dinner on Sunday 16th February, inviting couples to an extraordinary dining experience 19 floors above the city. Executive Head Chef Daniel Scott has curated an immersive four-course menu priced at £80 per person (or £100 for VIP window tables), where guests will be seated in complete darkness illuminated only by thousands of candles and the shimmering city landscape.
7. 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.
8. Visit cult British jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu‘s first Manchester boutique
Cult jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu is set to launch its first standalone store in the Royal Exchange in Manchester after significant customer demand, and we couldn’t be more excited. With stores across UK cities, Europe and one in New York, the British brand has already made its presence known in Manchester, with a concession in Selfridges Trafford Centre, but this will be the first standalone Astrid & Miyu boutique in the city – and it’s set to be gorgeous. The store will house all of Astrid & Miyu’s coveted jewellery ranges, as well as two studios for their hugely popular jewellery services, including piercing, welding and tattoos. Astrid & Miyu will also be launching exclusive new tattoos and welding charms, inspired by the city of Manchester.
9. Tuck into an indulgent steak or smash a burger at the brand new Meatworks
New modern steakhouse and eatery, Meatworks, has opened its first restaurant at Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group’s Circle Square. Serving steak house classics, bold small plates and iconic burgers, Meatworks comes from the team behind the national smash burger Boo and Midlands-based butchery Halal Editions. Showstopping dishes include their Korean BBQ beef short rib, sizzling bone marrow, signature cheeseburger dumplings and slow-cooked short rib pancakes.
10. Check out new exhibition ‘View Through a Hole’ at hidden NQ gallery The Modernist
Recently unveiled by the Modernist Society at their Northern Quarter base, the new exhibition, ‘View Through a Hole‘, is a collaboration with artist Alison Waters, celebrating a famous Stockport car park – but the question is why? The local landmark of Stockport’s Merseyway centre plays host to a body of work by one of the North’s most famous modernist architects and sculptors, Alan Boyson. Today it marks Waters’ inspiration for ‘View Through a Hole’ – half love letter to her hometown of Stockport and half celebration of the works of Boyson.
11. Spot some beautiful winter snowdrops at Quarry Bank Mill
Sprouting up generally in January, and sticking around until March time, snowdrops are the most gorgeous, delicate plants that seem to withstand all the odds – and if you think about it, that’s just like us over winter. One place you may be surprised and delighted to find snowdrops is Quarry Bank Mill, just outside of Greater Manchester over the Cheshire border, where there are gardens, a canal and woodland to explore. Wander through the stunning picturesque gardens that rise up the banks of the river valley, offering stunning views and spectacular changes through the seasons, namely the blanket of snowdrops that appear in winter.
12. Indulge in ‘The Perfect Catch’ menu at Sexy Fish Manchester
The arrival of Valentine’s sees a week-long celebration of activities at Sexy Fish in Manchester, kicking off with ‘The Perfect Catch’ menu: a seven-course omakase menu priced at £69, available at lunch and dinner, with both wine and non-alcoholic pairings to accompany. The Valentine’s group dining menu boasts the likes of salmon & passionfruit ceviche, oysters, a sharing platter of sushi and sashimi, and spicy ginger beef tenderloin or salt-crust seabass and the return of a Sexy Fish favourite, The Sweet Temptation dessert, to finish.
On Thursday 13, Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February, Sexy Fish will host three of its iconic Dinner Parties from 9pm until late, with live music from DJs. The nights will be brought to life with Valentine’s themed lighting, disco and dancing each evening. What’s more, groups of four or more guests dining on The Perfect Catch menu will receive a complimentary bottle of bubbles for the table.