Buzzing new things to see and do in Manchester this summer
- Written by I Love MCR
- Last updated 3 weeks ago
- Best of, Events, Featured, Food & Drink
Manchester is gearing up for what promises to be an incredible summer 2024.
From world-class dining experiences to amazing bars, new hotels, and gigs – you name it, we’ve got it.
And with just the small matter of England (say a prayer) winning the Euros this summer too – there are loads of fantastic places to watch football come home.
While we’re praying, we may as well stick in one (just incase eh) for some sunny skies and some good weather, given how blessed we are with so many great beer gardens and places to eat outside, and even incredible rooftop bars and restaurants with a view.
Here’s to a sensational Manchester summer 2024.
New openings this summer
Skof
Great British Menu and Roux Scholarship winner Tom Barnes has opened his first solo restaurant, Skof, in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood.
Barnes, a protégé of Simon Rogan, brings a farm-to-table ethos, sourcing from local suppliers like Cinderwood Market Garden and Lake District Farmers, alongside produce from Rogan’s Our Farm.
Skof offers a welcoming space with interiors reflecting Barnes’ Cumbrian roots and Manchester’s industrial history. The menu features 12 and 15-course tasting options, priced at £120 and £165 respectively, and a four-course lunch at £50 per head. Highlights include roasted sladesdown duck and Berkswell cheese sable biscuit.
Tender at Stock Exchange Hotel
Manchester’s 5-star Stock Exchange Hotel has opened its doors to a new luxury dining experience called Tender.
It has opened under the stewardship of chef-in-residence, two-time Michelin star Niall Keating, who achieved both of these stars under the age of 30—an incredible achievement.
Named after the tender care put into crafting each dish and with a nod to the heritage of the hotel, Tender offers high-end, gourmet food for everyday dining within the opulent and historic dining room of the Stock Exchange Hotel.
Tender opened officially on the 5th of June, in the newly renovated dining room.
They say it will cater for a variety of culinary experiences, offering weekday brasserie lunch, a la carte dinner, afternoon teas, a special Sunday roast and chef’s table and special tasting menu, all created by Niall Keating.
Habbibi
Habbibi Manchester, located in Spinningfields’ XYZ building on Hardman Boulevard, is bringing a taste of Middle Eastern flavours infused with European cuisine.
The restaurant, which opens on Saturday, 8 June 2024, has undergone a £3 million renovation, featuring elegant and luxurious interiors with plush seating and decorative accents.
With a seated bar area, private dining room, and outdoor shisha terrace, Habbibi aims to attract visitors from across the city. The menu, crafted by Head Chef Djafar Yousfi, includes standout dishes like lamb tagine, lobster ravioli, and Josper-grilled Argentine Angus x Hereford ribeye steak.
Owned by Zack Issak of Dabangg Hospitality Group, Habbibi offers a dynamic dining experience with unique cocktails, DJs, dancers, and a variety of shisha flavours. Reservations are now open.
Mother Mary’s
Manchester’s Font Bar is set to be reborn as Mother Mary’s, a new independent music venue and Irish bar, opening this June with live performances and great food.
The venture, which is being headed up by nightlife veterans Greg Dwyer, Joseph Finegan and Chris Sharp will see a complete refit with brand new bars, a bespoke sound system and a stunning lighting system that will illuminate two epic stages, breathing new life back into the iconic space.
The two stages which will be split across both floors are set to be the backdrop of everything Mother Mary’s is about – live bands, stand up and wonderful performances whilst providing a platform for new and upcoming DJs and performers.
The menu will feature all-day breakfasts, brunch, hearty Irish favourites and a show-stopping Sunday roast. Irish and American classics will make up a large part of the menu with plans to make Mother Mary’s breakfast and its trophy Sunday roast one of the best in the city.
A dedicated cocktail menu will also be launched alongside a selection of some of Manchester’s best beers, wines, cities and craft ales.
The menu will also pay homage to the history of the site’s former resident serving a £2 cocktail called ‘The Font’ with the ingredients and inspiration to change every three months.
HM Pasties Oldham
HM Pasties is moving into a larger bakery in Oldham after securing £300k in funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The new 1,700 sq ft site, triple the size of its current facility, will enable expansion and create opportunities for ex-offenders and local residents.
With plans to triple batch sizes and expand its product range, HM Pasties is poised for remarkable growth while maintaining its commitment to a great cause, the rehabilitation of offenders.
The company’s turnover has more than doubled in recent years, and it aims to reach £1.2m in 2024.
Rat & Pigeon
The historic pub with a grisly past, Mother Mac’s has now re-opened as the Rat & Pigeon.
Once the site of a massacre in the 70s, those days are long behind this new three-story, two-bar boozer.
It’s in a fantastic spot on Back Piccadilly, so expect it to be a huge hit.
Leo & Roobs
From the team behind the Black Friar pub in Salford, comes the friendly, ‘family affair’ cafe Leo & Roobs.
Owners say it’s going to serve artisanal coffee, brunch classics and house-baked crumpets.
Named after the owner’s children, Leo and Ruby, this café will be a “family affair”, aiming to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.
Offering everything from artisanal coffee and fresh juices to delicious brunch and lunch options, the new café will be open from the early morning to afternoon, seven days a week.
Classic brunch dishes will be available, alongside summer salads, wraps and toasties.
However, the star of the show is the house-baked crumpets, featured in several dishes, including the soon-to-be-famous “Leo’s Stack,” which includes a juicy sausage patty, poached egg, American cheese and tomato chutney. Sounds perfect.
Louis
Louis is an exciting new opening in Spinningfields based on classic New York Restaurants.
Guests will be welcomed into intimate booths, surrounded by excellent cocktails and beautiful cooking. The big draw will be live performances providing a classy soundtrack to the evening.
Think singers, piano, and jazz. Guests will be served a menu developed and overseen by Executive Chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis, who recently launched FENIX, although the food at Louis will be entirely different.
Handmade fresh pasta will be made onsite from a dedicated pasta workshop adjacent to the Louis kitchen. They will also serve 12 ‘Classic American Cocktails’ curated by Will Meredith.
An unusual twist? No phones allowed – Louis is all about the here-and-now.
Onda
Viral sensation Onda, which hit the big time after showing us the one thing every house should have, a tiramisu draw – is opening a new restaurant in Circle Square.
They were a huge hit at The New Cross bar in the Northern Quarter, serving some of the best pasta you can get in the city – and that quality is now being rewarded with a swankier home.
The restaurant was founded by Michelin-trained chef Sam Dean, who also works with Gooey.
They initially opened at Exhibition, before moving into The New Cross site last year.
Incredibly, the owners raised £60,000 (currently nearly £70,000) through a crowdfunding initiative. So it’s all go for the new opening – which is expected this summer.
Treehouse Hotel
Designed to appeal to the child in all of us, Treehouse Hotel Manchester takes over the former Renaissance Hotel on Deansgate.
This playful and nostalgic hotel features 224 vibrant and pet-friendly rooms. It will have two restaurants and a rooftop bar, with menus curated by acclaimed chefs Mary-Ellen McTague and Sam Grainger.
Expect sustainable, locally sourced cuisine and eclectic Southeast Asian dishes. The hotel also offers unique event spaces perfect for private celebrations.
Caravan
Caravan will open an all-day restaurant, bar and roastery – for morning brew, breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, pudding and drinks – at St Johns, off Quay Street, Manchester.
Blacklock
Blacklock, renowned for its modern take on the Great British chophouse, is set to open its sixth restaurant and first outside of London in a Grade II listed building on Manchester’s lively Peter Street this Summer.
Guests can look forward to a delectable array of chops and steaks cooked over charcoal, complemented by cocktails crafted with a pip to peel philosophy and wines on tap.
The restaurant is also famous for its signature white chocolate cheesecake, served table side with a charming ‘say when’ approach.. but what if we never say when?!
Blacklock’s mission centres on quality produce and exceptional value. Their meat is sustainably sourced from award-winning Cornish farmers and butchers Philip and Ian Warren
The Manchester menu will feature new dishes highlighting the best local produce, alongside their celebrated Sunday Roast, complete with whole joints roasted over coals, Yorkshire puddings, duck fat potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and plenty of Blacklock gravy. Because there can never be enough gravy.
Soho House (maybe)
Soho House has been just about to open, for about a year and a half now so this is a definitely maybe… That being said, this will be a huge addition to the city.
Located in the iconic Old Granada Studios building, Soho House Manchester will occupy the top three floors, featuring a Cecconi’s restaurant, a rooftop swimming pool, a music venue, and a Mollie’s bar and diner.
Founded by Nick Jones, Soho House has expanded globally, catering to the creative industries. The Manchester branch will reflect the city’s vibrant culture, with local music and programming.
Membership includes access to an extensive gym, rooftop pool, late-night bar, live music space, and flexible event spaces. You can apply for membership on the Soho House website.
Events this summer
For a full list of what’s on, check out our what’s on guide.
Disney’s Aladdin at Palace Theatre
Until 7th July 2024; tickets from £20.00
Don’t miss out on Disney’s enchanting Aladdin musical, an extraordinary theatrical phenomenon that has already captivated the hearts of over 14 million people globally. This exuberant production, based on the 1992 animated film, is filled with unforgettable magic, comedy, villains, breathtaking sets and dazzling costumes.
It also features new music, alongside all the smash hit songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, “Friend Like Me”, “A Whole New World”, “One Jump Ahead”, “Prince Ali”, and “Arabian Nights
Universally Manchester Festival 2024
6th to 9th June 2024
Universally Manchester Festival is at the heart of The University of Manchester’s bicentenary celebrations, bringing together over 150 imaginative and immersive activities and welcoming tens of thousands of people to campus from 6 to 9 June. The festival is excited to be partnered with Manchester Histories Festival, which will be shining a spotlight on local stories and connecting people through history, heritage, and cultural activities.
Pride Weekend across The Gay Village & the city centre
23rd to 26th August 2024
An unforgettable line-up of LGBTQ+ performers and global icons including Jessie J, Katy B and Eurovision queen Loreen in celebration of queer life and love at the Gay Village Party, right here in Manchester’s world-famous Gay Village!!
With a vibrant array of bold and diverse performances across The Village Stage, The Alan Turing Stage in Sackville Gardens and the Indoor Arena, our line-up aims to centre and empower the diversity of Greater Manchester’s incredible LGBTQ+ talent, showcasing the importance of party as protest and bringing Pride back to its roots.
The world-famous Manchester Pride Parade returns to Manchester Pride Festival and this year it is ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer’!
The iconic worker bee, deeply rooted in Manchester’s history, emerges as the focal symbol for this year’s Pride Parade theme – ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer – A Hive of Progress’. Dating back 150 years to the Industrial Revolution, the bee has evolved beyond a mere emblem; it has become a powerful representation of Mancunians’ hard work ethic and the bustling energy that defines the city as a hive of activity.
Hairspray The Musical at Palace Theatre
16th to 17th July 2024: tickets from £30.00
After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, the smash hit musical-comedy Hairspray is heading back out on tour around the UK and Ireland.
The Hundred at Old Trafford Cricket Ground
July & August 2024
Combining a short, fast format of cricket, with each game lasting less than three hours, and incredible entertainment beyond the sport, The Hundred is making cricket more accessible and reaching a broader audience. It’s simple: 100 balls per team, most runs wins, so every ball counts. It really is edge-of-your-seat-cricket!
Manchester Remembers charity football match
28th July 2024; tickets from £10
The charity football match set up in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack has announced its return for the third year. Manchester Remembers will consist of a team of Celebrities V Legends, and marks the seventh anniversary of the attack, it will also raise money for six different charities founded in the aftermath of the bombing as well as supporting ‘A Friend of the Foundation’
House of MCR at Factory International
20th to 22nd June 2024; Tickets from £10
What do you get when Project Runway, The Voice, Ru Paul’s Drag Race plus all the drama and suspense of the Great British Bake Off are poured into a blender then sweetened and seasoned with magical, melanated Mancunian spices?
For three glamorous, glorious nights the performers of House of MCR will slay the runway in six categories… We Dress, We Sing, We Dance, We Strip, We Lip Sync and We Are Family. The most fabulous host Rikki BB will sweat sequins in abundance to ensure you have the night of your life in a joyous celebration of Manchester’s legacy of love.
Backyard Cinema – Romeo + Juliet
12th to 27th August 2024; tickets from £32.00
Get lost in Baz Luhrmann’s classic 1996 film adaptation of Romeo + Juliet. Celebrate Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed 1996 cult classic Romeo & Juliet, screened under the stained glass windows and amongst candle-lit aisles of Albert Hall Manchester. A live choir will perform stunning interpretations of iconic songs from the soundtrack, including Young Hearts, Everybody’s Free, Kissing You and Doves Cry.
This is an extremely limited run of shows so don’t miss out and book now.
2:22 A Ghost Story at The Lowry
Until 15th June 2024; Tickets from £15.50
Written by Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, 2:22 A Ghost Story comes fresh from record-breaking seasons at five West End theatres with a host of acclaimed star performances. It’s a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear… What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?
A Chorus Line at The Lowry
23rd to 27th July 2024; Tickets from £23.00
A Chorus Line is a musical masterpiece that revolutionised Broadway, with creator Michael Bennett using real-life testimonies from late-night recording sessions with dancers. Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes, as they tell searing stories of ambition, shattered hopes, and what it really costs to follow your dreams.
The legendary Adam Cooper (Singin’ in the Rain, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake) and Carly Mercedes Dyer (The Drifters Girl Tour, Anything Goes, Barbican Theatre, Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre) reprising their roles as Zach and Cassie which they played to great critical acclaim at Curve in 2021.
Bluey’s Big Play at The Lowry
31st July to 11th August 2024; Tickets from £18.50
Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.
Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life in this UK premiere.
Life Of Pi at The Lowry
2nd to 6th July 2024; tickets from £17
Due to popular demand this spectacular production is returning to The Lowry this Summer!
Winner of every major play award including five Oliviers. The West End ‘theatrical phenomenon’ (Telegraph) embarks on its biggest journey yet. Jaw-dropping visuals, magic and world-class puppetry combine in a unique and ‘breath-taking’ (The Times) theatrical event that is ‘a wonder to behold’ (Daily Mail).
Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors –a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, and who will survive?
Based on the global phenomenon and winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life of Pi is the acclaimed and hugely popular adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.
Nature’s Music at Manchester Museum
6th July 2024; Tickets from £5
For one night only, musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music will transform Manchester Museum into an immersive experience where the allure of music meets the awe of nature in Nature’s Music.
Wander through the Museum’s collections as RNCM students perform live music, creating a soundtrack to our natural world that echoes from every corner.
Listen to the whispers of ancient stones in the Fossils and Dinosaur galleries. Experience the choruses of birds and bees in the gallery of the Living Worlds.
Audio depictions of sun, rain, land, and sky come alive in the galleries of Egypt and Sudan, South Asia, and Chinese Culture before a not-to-be-missed performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending is unveiled in a rarely performed arrangement for violin and chamber choir.
Great Northern Graduates at Waterside Arts
Until 28th July; Free entry
Launched in 2010, Great Northern Graduates was an established exhibition within the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair for nine years.
Waterside Arts and Creative Industries Trafford have been working closely with the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair to reintroduce the exhibition across both venues; offering exciting opportunities for these talented graduates to showcase their emerging collections and creating the perfect chance for visitors to see and buy from the strongest graduate talent.
The exhibition includes work from the two recipients of the Creative Industries Trafford Development Award 2023, Hannah Baxendale and Niamh Grimes.
The award winners were selected from the BA (Hons) Product Design & Craft course at Manchester School of Art for their distinctive approach to their crafts.
UFC 304 at Co-op Live
27th July 2024, Tickets on sale 7th June 2024
Arriving in Manchester on Saturday, July 27, UFC 304 is the first-ever sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena.
The card marks the first sporting event announced for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arena.
With state-of-the-art technology and a carefully curated unique design, the venue promises to bring fans right into the heart of the action.
Zip World Manchester at Heaton Park
Nestled in the heart of the famous Heaton Park, escape the city life for a few hours with a unique and exciting treetop adventure, whether it’s tackling obstacles under the canopy, or bouncing to your heart’s content on elevated bouncy nets
Built with the whole family in mind, Zip World Manchester offers the ultimate escape for any age.
Unleash your inner Tarzan on the Mini and Full Trek adventure courses, where you and your loved ones will zip, climb and balance your way along the trees on a selection of unique and exciting obstacles.
Brave adventurers from ages 4+ can enjoy Mini Trek, whilst Full Trek is reserved for bigger kids and adults!
Batman Unmasked
16 July – 26 August 2024
This year, Manchester will welcome Batman Unmasked – a journey through an elaborate collection of Batman items from the famous Warner Bros. archives, offering fans an exclusive opportunity to experience the cinematic world of Batman like never before.
Opening its doors at Depot Mayfield in Manchester on 16 July and running until 26 August, The experience brings the cinematic world of Batman to UK fans in celebration of DC’s Caped Crusader’s 85th anniversary throughout 2024.
See more events and what’s on in Manchester here
Live music and gigs this summer
Parklife
Parklife returns to Heaton Park from 8th to 9th June 2024.
This year there’s some pretty big names on the lineup including Doja Cat, Disclosure, and a huge throwback to the Sugababes.
Becky Hill, Kaytranada, Peggy Gou, Nia Archives, and loads more will also make an appearance this weekend. Let’s hope the rain holds.
Co-Op Live
After a chaotic start, the world-class venue is now up and running. And it’s been absolutely smashing it. Some gigs to look forward to are:
Take That on 10th to 12th June 2024
The Smashing Pumpkins & Weezer on 13th June 2024
Liam Gallagher – 30 Years of Definitely Maybe throughout June 2024
James on 14th June 2024
The Killers on 8th – 21st June 2024)
Foo Fighters at Old Trafford Cricket Ground
13th & 15th June 2024
Live from Wythenshawe Park:
New Order on 24th August 2024
Blossoms on 25th August 2024
Sounds of the City
The National on Thursday, 4th July 2024
The Saw Doctors on Saturday, 6th July 2024
Tom Grennan on Sunday, 7th July 2024
Jungle on Thursday, 11th July 2024
Manic Street Preachers & Suede on Friday, 12th July 2024
Hacienda Classical on Saturday, 13th July 2024
See more upcoming Manchester gigs here
- This article was first published on 7 June 2024 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.
- Last updated 3 weeks ago.
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