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Things to do · Manchester

Things to do in Manchester

50 ideas for a day or a night in Manchester, by what you’re in the mood for.

By type

Nightlife · 14Arts & culture · 8Live music · 7Walking tours · 6Tours & day trips · 5Outdoors · 4Sport · 2Meet people · 1Markets · 1Family · 1Festivals & events · 1

Nightlife in Manchester

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The Warehouse Project (Depot Mayfield)MayfieldAlbert's SchlossPeter StreetBand on the WallNorthern QuarterCloud 23DeansgateHiddenCity centreNight & Day CafeNorthern QuarterThe Marble ArchAncoatsThe Peer HatNorthern QuarterOktoberfest at Albert's SchlossThu 15 October · Albert's SchlossWHP + Teletech present doof - Hannah LaingFri 16 October, 8pm · Depot Mayfield · From £35

Arts & culture in Manchester

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FreeOn The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarityThu 15 October, 10am · People's History MuseumFreePortrait of Black BritainThu 15 October, 10am · The Social, Aviva StudiosThe Brown Sugar RAP PartyThu 15 October, 8pm · Contact · From £10King LearThu 15 October · Royal Exchange TheatreGreat Northern Contemporary Craft FairThu 15 October · Victoria Baths · From £8.95The Observer Book Club with Min Jin LeeWed 21 October, 7:30pm · Contact · From £15English National Ballet - Romeo & JulietWed 21 October · Palace Theatre ManchesterMeera Syal: Vigilauntie!Thu 22 October, 6:30pm · Albert Hall · From £27

Live music in Manchester

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The Mountain GoatsFri 16 October, 7pm · Albert Hall · From £35Hallé: Classical ExtravaganzaSat 17 October, 7:30pm · The Bridgewater Hall · From £22Starsailor performing Love is Here (in full)Sun 18 October, 7pm · The Bridgewater Hall · From £32Phil Wang: UH OHSun 18 October · Opera House ManchesterCabaret VoltaireMon 19 October, 7pm · Albert Hall · From £35Steve Hackett - Best of Genesis and Solo GemsTue 20 October, 7:45pm · The Bridgewater Hall · From £54Hallé: Rachmaninov's Symphony No.3Thu 22 October, 7:30pm · The Bridgewater Hall · From £18.5

Walking tours in Manchester

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FreeFree Manchester Walking ToursDaily · 3 hrs · ★ 4.9 on GuruWalkFreeMust-do Manchester Free Tour with World Famous Dog SalchichaDaily · 2.3 hrs · ★ 5 on GuruWalkFree#1 Manchester Free Tour - As Seen on BBC & The Sidemen!Daily · 2 hrs · ★ 4.8 on GuruWalkFreeRadical Manchester - How Manchester Changed the WorldDaily · 2.5 hrs · ★ 5 on GuruWalkFreeFree Express Tour of Manchester city centre in SpanishDaily · 1.5 hrs · ★ 4.9 on GuruWalk▶ VideoTwo Days in Manchester - UKAny time · From €2

Tours & day trips in Manchester

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Chester ZooSelf-drive or train to ChesterJodrell Bank Discovery CentreSelf-driveTatton ParkSelf-drive · From £11East Lancashire RailwayBury Bolton Street stationRHS Garden BridgewaterSelf-drive or bus

Outdoors in Manchester

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FreeKinder Scout circular from Edale15 km · about 4.5 hrsFreeIrwell Sculpture TrailRoute from Irwell Sculpture TrailFreeCanal walk from Castlefield2.4 km · about 1 hrFreeWellbeing walk in Manchester2.2 km · about 36 min

Sport in Manchester

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Sale Sharks v Glasgow WarriorsSat 17 October, 1pm · CorpAcq StadiumManchester Storm vs Belfast GiantsSun 18 October, 4pm · AO Arena

Meet people in Manchester

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FreeCheetham Cultural Festival: Museum Open DaySun 18 October, 12pm · Manchester Jewish Museum

Markets in Manchester

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FreeBury Market (Saturday outdoor market)Sat 17 October, 9am · Bury Market

Family in Manchester

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Hugh Bonneville: Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved TeaSat 17 October, 2pm · HOME · From £10

Festivals & events in Manchester

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Manchester Literature Festival 2026Thu 15 October · Various venues · From £10
What’s On ManchesterThis week in Manchester, day by dayTonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights.Eat & drinkWhere locals eat in ManchesterThe restaurants, cafés and bakeries locals love.

Things to do in Manchester, answered

What are the best things to do in Manchester?

Right now: The Warehouse Project (Depot Mayfield) (nightlife), On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity (arts & culture), The Mountain Goats (live music) and Free Manchester Walking Tours (walking tours). Each list is refreshed several times a day.

What can I do for free in Manchester?

N&D DJ's // Adam Statham Presents Split the Decks, Bar DJ's // J Hoy, On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity and Portrait of Black Britain, and 11 more.

What's on in Manchester this week?

What's On Manchester has this week day by day: tonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights hotels and hostels run.