Spring is officially upon us, the sun is out (mostly) and the Easter Weekend is within touching distance. With the Easter bank holiday just days away, many of us will be looking out for things to do and places to visit over the four-day break. Fortunately, there's plenty going on, from gigs and parties to markets and family-friendly days out.
There will be drinks flowing at Kampus as they welcome two new traders to the mix, plenty of mosh pits at Manchester Punk Festival and a flurry of tasty Easter treats, plus a variety of Easter egg hunts across Greater Manchester and beyond. Of course, Manchester's regular agenda of gigs, comedy, theatre and clubbing can also be expected.
Below you'll find some of the best things to do in Greater Manchester this Easter Bank Holiday 2023.
Read more: Things to do with the family at Easter 2023 across Greater Manchester
Friday, April 7
Summer at Kampus
With the lighter nights finally here, the spring and summer season at the Manchester canalside beer garden officially gets underway this Easter weekend. For the first time, tables and chairs will be nestled throughout the giant tree ferns and palms, with visitors able to sample the wares of its foodie community – including Nell’s, Pollen, Great North Pie, The Beeswing wine bar and Yum Cha.
Also joining the lineup will be Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co and gin aficionados, Three Little Words, which will both run for summer-long runs. Both join the fold on Friday 7 April, with an Easter Weekender of booze, beats and eats in store - with Nell’s Pizza also joined by guest DJs throughout the weekend.
Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL
Manchester Punk Festival
Manchester Punk Festival's 7th edition will take place across the Easter weekend. Over 140 acts will play across seven venues - including The Union, Gorilla and Sandbar - with both super early and early bird tickets already sold out. The three-day event has become a much-loved celebration of all things punk, hardcore and ska with fans travelling from around the world to join in the fun.
Free from "sponsorship, ego and the extortionate pricing structures", and also entirely volunteer-run, this year's event will see bands such as Off With Their Heads, The Flatliners and The Beltones, take to the stage alongside UK ska legends Lightyear, and many more. Tickets can be purchased via the Manchester Punk Festival website.
Peter Hook & The Light Easter Homecoming
Peter Hook & The Light’s first headline shows of 2023 will see them back at Manchester’s Albert Hall for a three-night residency where they will be playing Joy Division’s two albums, New Order’s first two and both band’s Substances in full.
Taking place in the atmospheric surroundings of Albert Hall, The Light will perform both 'Unknown Pleasures' and 'Movement' on Thursday, April 6, 'Closer' and 'Power, Corruption & Lies' on Good Friday 7, while Saturday will see a triumphant performance of 'Substance'. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
City Centre, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Manchester 360 at Victoria Baths
This Easter weekend will see DJS Len Faki and Sam Divine behind the decks at the Grade II-listed swimming pool, as Manchester 360 takes over. Both nights will transform the historic baths' stained glass windows and historic architecture with mesmerizing project mapping and incredible light shows. Taking place on the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend, music lovers can dance the night away to the best electronic tracks. Tickets available via Manchester 360.
Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE
City-wide Easter egg hunt with Fluffy Fluffy
Soufflé pancake specialists Fluffy Fluffy are celebrating Easter with a city-wide Easter Egg hunt that will run over the course of the bank holiday weekend. Running until Monday, the Fluffy Fluffy team will be hiding eggs in various locations across Manchester and posting hints and clues on Instagram.
Those who manage to crack the puzzle in time and hunt down the eggs will be able to crack them over to reveal the mystery prizes. There will be plenty of dreamy pancakes up for grabs and there’s also free drinks and other treats hidden inside the eggs.
Carding Building, Whitworth St, Manchester M1 3NR
Saturday, April 8
Motley's Easter Drag Brunch
Motley at Yotel on Deansgate is putting on a Easter weekend brunch like no other with drag queen entertainment, along with a bottomless brunch and enticing cocktails. The restaurant and bar's Shameless Saturdays and Sinful Sundays bottomless brunches will welcome to the floor local drag queens from 11.30am until 5.30pm, while guests enjoy 88 minutes of 'bottomless' drinks.
Timed perfectly for the spring sun, Motley will also be launching their new Roku Gin Spring Terrace this weekend - complete with pink cherry blossom trees, Instagrammable décor and plush outdoor beanbags.
Motley, Yotel Manchester Deansgate, 2 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M3 2NW
Easter weekend specials at Maray
Maray, the hit Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant famed for its 'disco cauliflower' and buttermilk chicken has announced a special Easter menu. The concept, which originated in Liverpool, has been winning over Mancs with its shareable mezze, vegetable and fish dishes since it opened last summer, and now is offering up a variety of vibrant spring mains ideal for the Easter break.
From Friday to Sunday, punters can dig into dishes such as tender Cumbrian lamb chops marinated in harissa with pea puree and mint sauce; delightfully crispy roast Jersey royals, spiced Moroccan carrots, caramelised onion tahini, smoked paprika and date molasses; and a Sunday roast with a twist provided by fenugreek potatoes and spiced butternut squash purée. Reservations are always encouraged but especially over the Easter weekend.
Maray, 14 Brazennose St, Manchester M2 6LW
Albert Schloss
Never one to do things by halves, Schloss is putting on not four, but give days on bank holiday frolics for those who like to stretch out the long weekend as far as possible. Blessing the weekend with Sunday roasts, sweet indulgences and dancefloor parties from Thursday 6 through to Monday, there's know doubting the commitment.
Extending the fun throughout the week, from Monday to Saturday, Cook Haus heroes will be serving up an Easter special sandwich of lamb patty, with brie and spicy redcurrant jam served in a Haus-baked Challah bread, while on Friday it's Fish & Frites on Good Friday, with bier-battered haddock goujons, fried herbs, mushy peas, tartare sauce and Haus fries. Of course, the Easter weekender isn't complete unless you're tucking into a hot cross bun, and Schloss' is topped with Bailey’s frosting.
27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Waltzing Matilda - floating pizzeria on Macclesfield Canal
Stockport's favourite (and only) floating pizzeria and coffee shop is back open after a winter refurbishment and is mixing up their food offering this weekend with Korean street food series.
The narrowboat turned café, which has been making waves on the Macclesfield Canal over the last three years, serves a range of Neapolitan-style pizzas, as well as 'Boaty Bakes, artisan coffees and hot chocolates, and now is swapping dough for dupbab by teaming up with Korean food specialists, BAB, For a Easter weekend collab. They'll be at High Lane on Saturday and Sunday, and their exact location will be available via their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Easter Egg Hunts
Searching for something a bit cheaper to do this Easter weekend, then you're in luck, as there's a number of egg hunts and trails taking place across the region for less than a fiver a pop.
Some of the more affordable options include Kenyon Hall Farm (£3), Tatton Parks' A Tiger who Came to Tea Garden Trail (£2 and anyone taking part between April 7 and 10 will be rewarded with a chocolate treat), Heaton Park (Trail maps cost £3 per person), and for those in town, Ducie Street's Easter Sunday Egg Hunt in partnership with Cocoa Cabana (£5).
Sunday, April 9
Carlton Club Record Fair
Vinyl junkies should be making a beeline to Whalley Range’s beloved social hub the Carlton Club from 1pm on Easter Sunday for some heads-down crate digging at its record fair. Entry is free, and you’ll be able to get a pint or so at the bar too. The evening sees poetry and spoken word, with Carlton Rhyme Tyme’s host Tony Curry, alongside Lucy Power and Gerry Potter. Music comes from Brooke Eleanor and Tom Metcalfe.
Rowan Lodge, 113 Carlton Rd, Manchester M16 8BE
The NOMA Big Spring Thing
This free-to-attend, family friendly Easter celebration takes place at Sadler's Yard this Sunday and offers something for everyone, including a smorgasbord of food and drink treats from neighbours New Century Hall. From seed bomb and kite making workshops, to Easter egg hunts and other Easter-themed activities, as well as live music from local musicians, this city centre spot has plenty of springtime activities to keep everyone entertained.
Easter Sunday 9 April, 11-5, Sadler’s Yard
Shayne Ward at The Ritz
Spend your Easter Sunday being serenaded (not solely, there will be other people there) by Tameside’s favourite son - well, along with Howard Donald and Mick Hucknall. Former X Factor winner and Corrie star Shayne will be bringing his hits to the Ritz, along with some new material, after hinting at a new album of ‘country pop’ being in the pipeline last year, and a greatest hits album in the offing too.
105 Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ
A dog’s dinner at Refuge
Why not treat that special hound in your life to his or her own roast dinner? The Refuge at the Kimpton Clocktower hotel has launched a dedicated mini roast dinner bowl for dogs, sitting in tandem with its own excellent roast platters for human beings. You - well, the dog - gets some meat, some vegetables, and a dash of gravy, and you’re asked to mention your canine guest’s requirements on booking.
Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
Easter All-Nighter at 42nd Street
42nd Street is bringing back its all-nighter event for the Easter holiday weekend, so gird your liver for hours upon hours of the best indie, rock and dance music at this veteran venue. It kicks off at 10.30pm, winding up at 6am, with last entry at 3am, with some wild drinks offers, including shots at £1, and beers from £2.80. What year is this? Who is the prime minister? Questions you may indeed be asking yourself the following morning. Godspeed.
42nd Street, 2 Bootle Street, Manchester, M2 5GU
Bottomless Brunch at Hatch
Two hours of bottomless Prosecco, Mimosas, Bloody Marys, lager, cider, and Easter-special Eggspresso Martinis awaits punters on Sunday afternoon over at Hatch. The award-winning food, drink, and retail destination under the Mancunian Way also has a range of new food traders to try out including Rio Mex, who are also dishing out two of their delicious tacos, with a choice of baja breaded cod, ground pork al Pastor, beef chilli con carne, and vegan halloumi as the fillings.
Hatch’s Big Easter Brunch can be booked on Hatch’s website. Tables are available to book between 1PM-1.30PM for those wanting to go bottomless.
103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
The Pen and Pencil
The Northern Quarter bar and restaurant have quite the Easter weekend on the cards. As well as their resident DJs playing from Thursday through Sunday, they're serving up a seriously delicious Easter treat in the form of a pancake stack filled with Nutella, crushed mini eggs and a crème egg - ticking all the boxes for a perfect Easter weekend.
Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EJ
Free music festival at The Oast House
Following a successful season of five jam-packed events last year, Spinningfields bar The Oast House, is bringing its hit music festival, Manifest, back to the city this bank holiday weekend. The festival will kick off on Sunday with an all-day line-up of musicians playing live from 1pm in the afternoon through to the small hours.
The event is not ticketed and is free to attend on a first come, first served basis. Last year’s event saw queues at the door, so they recommend getting there early to avoid disappointment.
The Avenue, Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY
Monday, April 10
Blossom Trail
With clear skies over the weekend, it might be the time to take a walk amongst Manchester's colourful displays as blossoms as they come into bloom. Helpfully, To the National Trust has created an interactive map you can follow so you can easily track down the beautiful blooms. no
Named Bloomtown, the trail features 30 places where you can see blossom in Manchester, from Magnolias on the Rochdale Canal to cherry trees in Hulme Park. The digital trail will go live from April 1 until April 30 and you can scan QR codes at the locations. Alternatively, you can pick up physical copies from Castlefield Viaduct, selected venues at NOMA, Central Library and local parks.
Simpson-inspired doughnut burger at Fat Hippo
The new limited-edition doughnut burger at Fat Hippo, based inside Great Northern Warehouse’s Lane 7, has been causing quite a stir for filling a pink iced treat with heaps of meat. Made in collaboration with popular bakery brand Project D, the mash-up involves Fat Hippo’s double-fried, buttermilk chicken seasoned with chilli and lime, smoked bacon, blueberry jello and cream cheese wedged between the classic ‘Homer’ pink iced doughnut.
Guaranteed to get both doughnut and burger fans talking, The Big Doh’ launched on Friday, March 24, and those wanting to give it a go will only have until April 22 to do so.
Lane7, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Mother Goose at The Lowry
The West End production of panto Mother Goose starring comedian John Bishop and acclaimed actor Ian McKellen opens at The Lowry this week. Fresh from a hugely successful run in London last Christmas, the show is an Easter treat for audiences at Salford Quays theatre.
The show will see Mother Goose (McKellen) and her husband Vic (Bishop) run an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays and live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams store. The show takes place at The Lowry, from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th April 2023.
MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester
Elizabeth Gaskell's Manchester
A new exhibition exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories has just opened to the public. The exhibition, which will explore the impact she had through her writing, will feature interactive elements and a map highlighting key locations in Victorian Manchester that inspired her.
Tales of Manchester Life – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester opened its doors to the public on Sunday 2 April 2023 and will run until April 2024.
84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW
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