Unique and quirky things to do in Manchester in 2025

The new year often feels like a bit of a false start.

After the holiday whirlwind of overindulgence and a drained bank account, January arrives with the promise of cold nights, dreary days, strict diets and endless gym sessions.

But why settle for the same old routine? A new year is the perfect chance to hit the reset button and embrace a fresh beginning.

This year, let’s make it different! 

We’ve curated a list of fun, quirky experiences to try in 2025. It’s your time to shine—because this year is your year!

Make Your Own Gin at Manchester Gin

For gin enthusiasts and adventurous spirits, this 2.5-hour gin-making experience is the ultimate treat. Begin with a G&T in hand as you explore the distillery and uncover the secrets behind Manchester Gin’s award-winning blends. Discover your palate with a guided gin tasting, then dive into the art of distilling your own bespoke gin using carefully selected botanicals. With your unique 700ml bottle to take home, you’ll have a lasting memento of this incredible experience.

What’s Included: G&Ts on arrival and during your session, a guided tour of the distillery, hands-on gin school to create your own gin, Tutored gin tasting, a 700ml bottle of your handcrafted gin and 10% off shop purchases and a discount at the onsite bar and restaurant, Three Little Words. 

Venue: Manchester Gin Distillery
Price: £95 per person
Dates: Multiple dates available (Contact [email protected] for group bookings)
You can get tickets here

The Big Manchester Bake

Channel your inner star baker in a marquee filled with fun and frosting! This award-winning bake-off experience lets you and your baking bench buddy rise to the challenge in 90 action-packed minutes. With a Head Baker guiding you, pre-measured ingredients, and a new theme each month, it’s the ultimate test of creativity and culinary skill. Whether it’s a date night, hen party, or just a quirky day out, it’s a recipe for unforgettable fun. Enjoy the cake-themed bar, hospitality suite, and drinks garden while you’re at it!

Venue: The Baking Marquee
Dates: Various from Wednesday 15th January 2025
Price: £46.90 – £59.50

You can get tickets here

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies, and You at the Science and Industry Museum

Get ready to embark on a “sense-sational” journey through the weird and wonderful world of human biology at the Science and Industry Museum. This immersive exhibition invites you to explore the science of the senses in the most interactive way imaginable. From squeezing through sticky snot to journeying into Dr Chris’s brain headquarters, you’ll dive deep into touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Along the way, encounter quirky challenges like poking around a giant eyeball, banging an enormous eardrum, and competing in a small library. Don’t miss the chance to get sneezed out of a giant nose!

Venue: Science and Industry Museum, Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level -1, New Warehouse
Dates: 14th February 2025 – 4 January 2026
Price: £10 (family discounts available; under 3s free)
Age: Recommended for ages 5 and up

You can find out more here

Hold On to Your Butts at LOWRY

This laugh-out-loud Jurassic Park parody blends comedy, drama, and physical theatre into a “chaotic masterpiece” praised by critics. Using Foley sound effects and imaginative silliness, the performance reimagines the dinosaur-filled blockbuster for the stage in a hilarious, creative way. Described as “imaginative, slick silliness on an epic scale,” it’s a must-see for comedy lovers.

Venue: LOWRY
Dates: 12th – 15th February 2025

You can find out more here

All Night Smoke at Millington Farm

Ready to unleash your inner BBQ master? This 18-hour overnight BBQ experience takes slow cooking to the next level. Cook a whole lamb, pig, or an entire rib side of beef over open flames, stay in deluxe bell tents equipped with in-tent smokers, and enjoy a three-course evening meal followed by a BBQ breakfast. You’ll learn rub-making techniques and compete to create the ultimate brisket. Perfect for groups of four, this is a carnivore’s dream!

Venue: Millington Farm
Dates: September 2025

You can find out more here

Six by Nico: Nostalgia Experience

Step back in time and relive your childhood with Six by Nico’s Nostalgia tasting menu. This six-course culinary adventure takes you on a flavour-filled trip down memory lane with creative spins on classics like fish finger sandwiches and pickled onion Space Raiders. It’s the perfect way to indulge in a bit of playful nostalgia while brightening up your winter. Optional wine and cocktail pairings make it even more special.

Venue: Six by Nico, Manchester
Dates: Until 26th January 2025

You can find out more here

Lucky Cat Sushi Masterclass

Dive into the world of sushi making with this premium experience at Lucky Cat. Guided by expert chefs, you’ll learn the intricate art of sushi creation, from preparing the rice to perfecting the roll. At the end, you can enjoy your sushi feast with traditional accompaniments like soy, wasabi, and ginger. You’ll also leave with a gift to commemorate your experience.

Venue: Lucky Cat 100 King St, Manchester
When: Multiple dates available
Price: £195 per person

You can find out more here

Escape Hunt Corn Exchange

Crack codes, solve riddles, and break free from thrilling escape rooms at Escape Hunt Manchester. With themes ranging from “Alice in Puzzleland” to “Doctor Who,” you and your team will be immersed in a race against time. Whether battling Cybermen or outsmarting pirates, Escape Hunt offers adrenaline-pumping fun with a fully stocked bar to celebrate your escape. Perfect for birthdays, team-building, or just a quirky day out!

Venue: Escape Hunt Manchester
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Contact: 0161 237 1222

You can find out more here

The Original Manchester Ghost Walk with Flecky Bennett

Discover the spookier side of Manchester with Flecky Bennett’s award-winning ghost walk. Dive into the eerie stories of the city’s past, including “The Mummy of Manchester” and the summoning of the Devil at Chetham’s Library. With dark humour and atmospheric backstreets, this 90-minute tour is strictly for adults and perfect for those who love creepy tales.

Venue: Princess Street, Manchester
Dates: Various dates through 2025
Age: 18+ only

You can find out more here

Faulty Towers Residency – Voco Manchester

Experience side-splitting comedy and delicious dining with the Faulty Towers Residency. Join Basil, Sybil, and Manuel in this immersive theatrical experience inspired by the iconic BBC series Fawlty Towers. Expect hilarious mishaps, improvised chaos, and a 70s-style three-course meal served with a heavy dose of absurdity. Perfect for fans of classic British comedy, this interactive show is a riotous night out that guarantees laughs aplenty. Secure your tickets early, as this smash-hit residency sells out wherever it goes.

Dates: 13th–23th February 2025
Venue: Voco Manchester, 81 Blackfriars Road, Salford, M3 7DB

You can get tickets here

The CUBE Live Experience

Think you have what it takes to beat The CUBE? This adrenaline-pumping adventure at Urban Playground will challenge your mind, body, and nerves. With 12 unique CUBES, each featuring iconic games, you’ll face seven thrilling challenges that test your balance, speed, judgment, and memory. The goal? Win points, avoid losing your lives, and join the elite few who’ve conquered The CUBE. With a bar and delicious food from THE BUTCHER on-site, it’s a perfect outing for competitors and spectators alike.

Venue: Urban Playground, Manchester Arndale, M4 3AB
Dates: Various dates available throughout 2025
Price: Starting from £30 per person

You can get tickets here

iFLY Indoor Skydiving Experience

Take to the skies (without leaving the ground) at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Manchester! This exhilarating experience replicates the thrill of freefalling from 12,000 feet, all within the safety of a powerful wind tunnel. After a safety briefing and gearing up in your flight suit, helmet, and goggles, you’ll step into the tunnel for two unforgettable flights. Suspended mid-air by expert wind technology, you’ll feel the rush of flying while guided by a certified flight instructor.

Perfect for adrenaline junkies, first-time flyers, and anyone looking for a unique adventure, you’ll even leave with a certificate to commemorate your experience.

What’s Included: Two exciting flights (equivalent to three 12,000ft skydives), Full instruction and equipment hire, A certificate of flight achievement

Who Can Fly?

• Ages 3+ (parental waiver required for under 18s)
• Maximum weight: 18 stone
• Not suitable for those who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions (check T&Cs)
• Availability: Monday–Friday during term time (anytime upgrades available for an additional fee)
• Price: £49.99 per person

You can get tickets here