We've certainly been treated as far as bank holidays go over the past few weeks - and now were gearing up for the next three-day weekend. With just days to go, we're also happy to report that the sun will be out in force and the temperature will be tipping nicely over that 20 degrees Celsius mark.
Naturally, the good weather calls for a pilgrimage to one of Manchester's many beer gardens or outdoor dining spots, but there's also a whole host of bank holiday fun taking place across the region. From blooming lovely flower festivals and disco brunches, to street food gatherings and vintage clothing markets. Oh and don't forget the new exhibitions, circus shows and dog meet-ups if you're more of the indoors type.
As we often do, we've taken a look at what's on offer over the spring bank holiday weekend, and rounded up some of our favourites. So, here's our pick of the best events to go along to this May bank holiday.
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Saturday, May 27
The Manchester Flower Festival
Coming into bloom, the Manchester Flower Festival makes its grand return this bank holiday weekend - and promises to be the 'most Instagrammable event of the year'. Now in its fifth year, the free city centre event attracts tens of thousands of visitors and is spread across locations including Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square and King Street. Installations this year will include a flower trail, an RHS green wall, a talks and music stage, a new floral marquee, and the 'world's smallest' spritz bar.
The Manchester Flower Festival takes place from Thursday, May 25 to Sunday, May 28. More information is available on the festival website.
Ibiza Calling Disco Brunch at Ducie Street
It won’t be long until the White Isle is kicking off its 2023 season in earnest, so perhaps get in the mood with the Ducie Street Warehouse’s Balearic-inspired Disco Brunch. Guy Williams and Mr Dorris will be providing the soundtrack, with performances from Ghetto Fabulous. A great way to ease into things if you got a bit carried away on Bank Holiday Friday.
Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP
Deansgate Mews Festival
Tucked at the back of the Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate Mews will be throwing itself into the Bank Holiday spirit with a festival running from Friday until Sunday. The Lion’s Den bar will be hosting more than 30 bands over the weekend, with nearby Low Four studio hosting an indoor and outdoor stage too, with its own acts playing live. Meanwhile, Another Hand will be on, er, hand to bring the cocktails and snacks.
Deansgate Mews, Manchester, M3 4EN
Cocktails at Bohemian Arts Club, Stockport
Stockport's hottest new bar opens its doors this week and it comes from Blossoms' frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie. Tucked away down a hidden cobbled backstreet in the Underbanks area of the town, Bohemian Arts Club takes inspiration from the pair's trips around the world and the speakeasy bars they've visited during touring - plus there's even a ground-floor salon run by Katie. The small but perfectly formed cocktail menu, meanwhile, pays tribute to the pair's roots and the town where they met and married with drinks including ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’, a nod to Roald Dahl and the couple's dog, and 'Plaza', a tip of the cap to Stockport's famous music venue.
Coopers Brow, Stockport SK1 1AQ
1940’s fun at East Lancs Railway
Forties fever will be sweeping the heritage railway from this weekend as the much-loved event, featuring music, performances and vintage stalls, makes a triumphant return. Guests are encouraged to take part and dress like the decade as they celebrate in 1940’s fashion and will also be able to catch a glimpse of a Spitfire fighter plane and a Hurricane as part of a Battle of Britain legend flypast. Tickets are available via the East Lancashire Railway website and the events take place in locations including Rawtenstall Station, Bury Transport Museum, Bury Station and Ramsbottom Station.
Street Eat Festival, Rochdale
Thousands flocked to the Street East festival last summer and it's set to return to the heart of Rochdale town centre this Saturday for the late bank holiday weekend. Tasty treats from local restaurant chefs will be on the menu, with dozens of mouth-watering dishes served up all at £4.50 or less including, Italian, Indian, English, German, American, Mexican and more. Plus, there will be activities and rides for children, a bar for the adults and a music stage serving up hours of fun for all ages. Admission is free and Street Eat will run from 11am to 7pm.
The Butts, Rochdale OL16 1EY
Sunday, May 28
E Soul Cultura at Freight Island
What’s this? Luke Unabomber will be alighting at Freight Island to celebrate the release of his second E Soul Cultura album bringing with him a raft of DJ chums with some staggering pedigree among them, including Artwork, Greg Wilson, DJ Paulette, the wildly influential Colin Curtis, A Certain Ratio’s Martin Moscrop, Aroop Roy and BB from Supernature. It’s free, spans 12 hours from 12pm and it will be wild.
Escape To Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Whisky Festival at the Whisky Jar
There will be more scotch than you can shake a stick at at the Whisky Jar’s bank holiday whisky festival, and they already have a fair bit on a regular evening. Kicking off at midday, there will be live music, an interactive whisky seminar, tacos and, of course, some whisky, with the likes of Naked Malt, Laphroaig, Makers Mark, Highland Park and Auchentosha showing off their wares. You also get to sample five whiskies with your ticket price too.
14 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Krazy Races, Stockport
The Krazy Races event is set to bring thousands of people to Stockport town centre this Sunday, as thirty teams take their soap boxes for a spin down the 350-metre course complete with chicanes, obstacles and water challenges, and passing local landmarks like the Plaza. Last month, it was also confirmed a British Second World War Bomber would fly over the races as part of the inaugural soapbox derby. The family friendly event will also feature a giant digger, plus street food, and the Robinsons Brewery horses.
Stockport Town Centre from 10.45am
You&Me at the Progress Centre
Kicking off Bank Holiday Sunday in fine style, the infamous You&Me will be heading to new outdoor venue the Progress Centre for an all-day party, welcoming Romanian tech-house icon Raresh to the decks, alongside Josh Baker, Marcelina Wick and Jentzen. Once it winds up there at 11pm, the after party heads to Joshua Brooks with Man/ipulate until 4am, for the marathon ravers.
Progress Centre, Charlton Pl, Ardwick, Manchester M12 6HS
Sunday Roast at Zouk
Nothing says bank holiday Sunday quite like a roast, and this weekend, Zouk Tea Bar & Grill are hosting a delicious roast on both Sunday and Monday. Served up with an Indian twist, the roast include Zouk's popular sharing platters - with three different roasted meats - plus all the trimmings and the restaurant's famous spicy gravy. Alternatively, you can indulge in individual plated roast dinners including Whole Roast Poussin, Beef Top Side and Lamb Henry - a mini lamb roast. Adding to the relaxed Sunday - or Monday - feeling, there will also be live entertainment in the restaurant with singer and guitarist Remi ‘The Jazz’ performing.
5, The Quadrangle, Chester St, Manchester M1 5QS
Monday, May 29
Monday Lunchtimes at RNCM
Every Monday and Thursday, students studying at the Royal Northern College of Music perform intimate concerts, from duos to full ensembles, sometimes with special visiting guests, and alongside staff members too. These could be the stars of the future, and you can get tickets for just a few quid, and what better time to dive in than a Bank Holiday.
124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD
Lou Lou’s Vintage Market
Vintage fans will be flocking to Manchester Cathedral on Bank Holiday Monday for the ever-popular Lou Lou’s Vintage Market. There will be everything from vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, records, home-ware and other quirky collectibles from the 1920s right up to the 1980s to dig through.
Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX
Colors Festival, Salford
A colourful new immersive art experience has landed Salford's Regent Retail Park this past week and its the ideal bank holiday Monday activity. The exhibition - which is a co-production between Fever and Colors Festival - plunges visitors into an "artistic universe of colour, creativity and diversity" and features 30 works from established and local artists from all over the world across a 800m² space, with works spanning street graffiti, eye-popping art, inspiring illustrations and vibrant photography.
The exhibition runs from May 19 until June 5, with time slots spaced through the days from 10am to 7pm.
100 Regent Rd, Salford M5 4QU
Stephen Hawking at Work exhibition at Science and Industry Museum
Launching just in time for half term, the Science and Industry Museum, 'Stephen Hawking at Work' exhibition will explore the life of the physicist through significant objects from his office. The display will provide insights into Hawking’s time as a scientist, science communicator, and as a person who lived with motor neurone disease. Highlights of the new exhibition will include a rare copy of his PhD thesis and an invitation to a party for time travellers that the acclaimed physicist hosted.
Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4JP
Ancoats Dog Social III at Crown and Kettle
I challenge you to find something more wholesome than a get-together for our four-legged friends. Once again, Crown and Kettle is letting the dogs out May 29 for another pup-tacular summer social. The BYOD (Bring Your Own Dogs) event runs from 12pm and you can expect Free paw-laroids on arrival, a Dog Shop MCR Pop-Up, dog beauty treatments, pet paw-traits and barking mad competitions and prizes for top dog, best dressed, quirkiest character and sickest tricks.
2 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5FE
La Clique at Mayfield Depot
You won't want to miss the ‘jaw-dropping’ circus and cabaret show taking place on the roof of Mayfield Depot from May 25. The worldwide touring La Clique, which has performed shows from Paris to New York, will take up residence for the first time in the north for six weeks, and will be performed in a specially designed 1920s ‘spiegeltent’. The lavish production, which combines everything from acrobatics to comedy, is being brought to the city by Edinburgh Fringe regulars and festival organisers Underbelly. Tickets are available on the Depot Mayfield website and start from £19.50.
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