What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
What's on in Manchester and surrounding area
Saturday 8 August 2026
Peter Kay
Peter Kay
AO Arena, Manchester
One of Britain's best loved comedians, Peter Kay is finally returning to stand-up comedy with his first live tour in twelve years - a tour which still officially ranks in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour...In The Night Garden Live
In The Night Garden Live
Lowry, Salford
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle's Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all! You'll...Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon
Palace Theatre, Manchester
The soaring musical score features the hits songs; The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World and The American Dream. Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to present a new touring...SIX
SIX
Lowry, Salford
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return following its previous sold out success!Winner of over 35 international awards including the Tony Award for 'Best Or...Firevolt Rock Festival
Firevolt Rock Festival
Whitebottom Farm, Stockport
Formally FIRESTORM Festival, Manchester's Best Camping Rock Fest, bringing you the best rock bands on 2 stages over 3 days on a picturesque farm through Etherow Country Park. ...Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Band On The Wall, Manchester
For sixty years Ladysmith Black Mambazo have sung powerful, uplifting songs that emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. Nelson Mandela called Ladysmith "South Africa's cultural ambassadors" and they are best known worldwide a...Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Transmission House, Manchester
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure that doesn't just show you the universe - it places you inside it. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, th...Erika Jayne
Erika Jayne
New Century, Manchester
Atlanta pop singer, Broadway actress and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi coms to Europe. ...Jimi Goodwin (Doves) with Guy Garvey (Elbow)
Jimi Goodwin (Doves) with Guy Garvey (Elbow)
Northenden Players Theatre, Manchester
An evening with Doves star Jimi Goodwin with special guest host Elbow's Guy Garvey and interactive DJ Agent J. Rising to prominence in the 1990s with the dance Music Group, Sub Sub, Jimi and his Bandmates, brothers Andy and Jez Williams ach...Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Transmission House, Manchester
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City transports you back 450 years ago to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality. You'll climb the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, wander through the Temple of the Sun, walk the f...The 30+ Club
The 30+ Club
Manchester Academy, Manchester
Love to dance but can't hack late nights? The 30+ Club reclaim the dancefloor for the over 30s, with the pop music, the atmosphere and bedtime to suit those who've 'still got it'. ...Much Ado About Nothing (by Shake-Scene Shakespeare)
Much Ado About Nothing (by Shake-Scene Shakespeare)
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Shake-Scene Shakespeare are bringing their distinctive cue-based performance back to Shakespeare North - let the love & chaos commence! Warring lovers, lovers at war, revenge and reconciliation - Much Ado brings a war of words (& a happy en...R&B Lovers Outdoor Festival
R&B Lovers Outdoor Festival
Freight Island, Manchester
Get ready for a massive Summer Outdoor 90s & 00s R&B Festival with DJs spinning 8 hours of Old School 90s & 00's RnB Anthems, alongside live performers and hosts. Expect to hear music from: DESTINY'S CHILD / ASHANTI / JA RULE / USHER / LUD...Grindr The Opera!
Grindr The Opera!
53two, Manchester
Grindr The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, Grindr: The Opera! is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay rela...Buff Bingo Drag Brunch
Buff Bingo Drag Brunch
On Bar, Manchester
If your idea of brunch involves dancing on your chair, shouting at bingo cards, and being served by buff butlers, you're in the right place. Buff Bingo Drag Brunch is pure, unfiltered fun-a daytime party that doesn't hold back. Go big with ...Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Depot Mayfield, Manchester
Welcome to Bubble Planet, where bubbles are bigger and more magical than ever. Let your inner child run free and follow your imagination in this spherical universe full of soap bubbles, air bubbles, and even virtual reality. Explore every ...Love's Labour's Lost (by Shake-Scene Shakespeare)
Love's Labour's Lost (by Shake-Scene Shakespeare)
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Shake-Scene Shakespeare are bringing their distinctive cue-based performance back to Shakespeare North - let the love & chaos commence! When a king meets a princess, keeps his kingdom but loses his heart - but he, and his friends are all co...Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order) - DJ set
Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order) - DJ set
Bask, Stockport
The legendary former Joy Division and New Order bassist hits the decks for a monster of a night. ...Summer Sing with Hope Mill Community Choir
Summer Sing with Hope Mill Community Choir
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Come on down for a taster session at Hope Mill Community Choir. No experience needed - just come and have fun! ...The Library of Enchantment
The Library of Enchantment
Z-arts, Manchester
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who's always up to meddlesome mischief! Can ...Sunday 9 August 2026
In The Night Garden Live
In The Night Garden Live
Lowry, Salford
Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle's Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all! You'll...SIX
SIX
Lowry, Salford
The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return following its previous sold out success!Winner of over 35 international awards including the Tony Award for 'Best Or...Firevolt Rock Festival
Firevolt Rock Festival
Whitebottom Farm, Stockport
Formally FIRESTORM Festival, Manchester's Best Camping Rock Fest, bringing you the best rock bands on 2 stages over 3 days on a picturesque farm through Etherow Country Park. ...Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Smithsonian Starstruck - An Immersive Experience
Transmission House, Manchester
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure that doesn't just show you the universe - it places you inside it. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, th...Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City
Transmission House, Manchester
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City transports you back 450 years ago to the heart of the ancient Inca Empire in stunning virtual reality. You'll climb the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, wander through the Temple of the Sun, walk the f...R&B Lovers Outdoor Festival
R&B Lovers Outdoor Festival
Freight Island, Manchester
Get ready for a massive Summer Outdoor 90s & 00s R&B Festival with DJs spinning 8 hours of Old School 90s & 00's RnB Anthems, alongside live performers and hosts. Expect to hear music from: DESTINY'S CHILD / ASHANTI / JA RULE / USHER / LUD...Grindr The Opera!
Grindr The Opera!
53two, Manchester
Grindr The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, Grindr: The Opera! is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay rela...Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Bubble Planet - An Immersive Experience
Depot Mayfield, Manchester
Welcome to Bubble Planet, where bubbles are bigger and more magical than ever. Let your inner child run free and follow your imagination in this spherical universe full of soap bubbles, air bubbles, and even virtual reality. Explore every ...Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos
Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
An out-of-this-world premiere exhibition, now open at the Science and Industry Museum. Blast off into the solar system and embark on a cosmic adventure guided by familiar characters from the brand-new BBC Horrible Science TV series. Walk in...Ai Weiwei - Button Up!
Ai Weiwei - Button Up!
Aviva Studios, Manchester
History, power and empire collide in Button Up! - a major new exhibition from the world-leading artist and activist Ai Weiwei Internationally renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei turns his critical gaze to the last 200 years of global h...The Gee Cross Summer Festival
The Gee Cross Summer Festival
Sam Redfern Green, Stockport
This summer, Gee Cross community partnership is proud to bring local residents something special. This is about community, this is about fun, this is about something for us! Saturday has lots of live music from local talent and Sunday is fi...Lowry 360
Lowry 360
Lowry, Salford
A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of LS Lowry's iconic work, Going to the Match, in the UK's first free permanent immersive experience. Created in collaboration with Barcelona's renowned Immersive studi...Summer Fair
Summer Fair
Trafford Centre, Manchester
The Summer Fair returns to The Trafford Centre this July with its ever popular beach and splash pool, bringing together thrilling fairground rides, family attractions and classic summer treats, making it the perfect day out whether you'...Billy Liar (PG)
Billy Liar (PG)
HOME, Manchester
A fantastic new 4K restoration of the 60s New Wave classic. In 1963, John Schlesinger reunited with the screenwriting partnership of Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall following the success of A Kind of Loving, to create Billy Liar, a comedi...Factory 251 Saturdays
Factory 251 Saturdays
FAC251, Manchester
3 floors of music, all your favs with 899 other party goers. DJs spinning dance & RnB, Indie & Cheese, and Tech, Bass & DnB. ...moviEscape - SAWtopsy
moviEscape - SAWtopsy
Moviescape Stockport, Manchester
Inspired by the hit SAW movie franchise, SAWtopsy at moviESCAPE, Stockport's leading Escape Room offering, is a gory and ominous room with dim, atmospheric lighting, however it does not feature any jump scares - well none that are delibe...You're the best collegue ever - Special Edition Gift Card
You're the best collegue ever - Special Edition Gift Card
Gift Cards, Manchester
This heartfelt gift card unlocks endless exciting Fever experiences in the United Kingdom, - the perfect way to express show your gratitude to the colleague who always goes above and beyond for the team. ...BSL Gallery Tour with Martin Glover (No Spoken English)
BSL Gallery Tour with Martin Glover (No Spoken English)
HOME, Manchester
A BSL tour of the Manchester OpenJoin us at HOME for a BSL tour of this year?s Manchester Open, presented by art guide Martin Glover. This tour has no spoken English and is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing BSL users. Martin will guide ...David Hockney at the Royal Academy of Arts (U)
David Hockney at the Royal Academy of Arts (U)
HOME, Manchester
Widely considered Britain?s most popular artist, David Hockney remains a global sensation, whose exhibitions in London, New York, Paris and beyond, have attracted millions of visitors.?Featuring intimate and in-depth interviews with Hockney...Hunt for the Wilderpeople - 10 Year Anniversary (12A)
