Things To Do This Summer In Manchester

Well, summer’s finally here! And we have two choices. We can sprawl out on our sticky sofas and accomplish nothing except finishing yet another can as we sweat from places we didn't know we could. 

Or we can get out, make some memories, get a tan (or burn), have a laugh, maybe drink one two many, and have a summer we’ll remember for years to come. We know which we prefer. And since you’re here, we imagine you feel similarly. Here are the best things to do in Manchester in summer so you can make good use of the fleeting sunny weather.

 

Head to a beer garden, of course!

Photo: The Oast House on Facebook

It just makes sense. And we Mancs are extremely lucky to have some beautiful watering holes that are perfect for teasing our mates, sinking a few, and catching some rays while we’re at it. So naturally, hitting a beer garden or two is one of the best things to do in Manchester in summer. Or anywhere, really.

Some worth a mention include Peveril of the Peak, Rain Bar, Courtyard (best for students), Oast House, Dive, Dukes 92, The Wharf, Terrace NQ, and 20 Stories if you’re feeling fancy.

 

Find tickets for events in pubs and bars - here

 

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Have a barbecue in a park 

Yeah, we all knew this one was coming. We can’t help it, it's who we are. As soon as the temperature goes one degree above normal, we get excited about the barbecue opportunities. And rightfully so. With a burger in one hand and a can in the other, not much can go wrong. 

Just check that you can definitely barbecue in your chosen park before you get in trouble or upset any wildlife.

 

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Or have a picnic  

If your local park doesn’t allow barbecues, they’ll most likely allow picnics. With the sun burning bright, a gin in a tin, scotch eggs, little sandwiches, fairy cakes, and some Pimm’s all laid out on your blanket, it’s literally impossible to have a bad time. Seriously, it's science. Head over to Platt Fields Park, Heaton Park, Hulme, Castlefield Bowl, Whitworth Park, or Saint John's Gardens for a lovely summer picnic. 

 

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Build sandcastles at The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit

 

Photo: The Great Northern Giant Summer Sandpit on Facebook

Manchester has almost everything you could want during summer, except a beach. But from the 13th of July to the 31st of August, 50 tonnes of sand will be put down along with some buckets and spades so the littluns (or you, no judgement) can have a play under the sun. Lovely! (And there are some bars close by).

  

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Make a splash trying watersports

Photo: Salford Watersports Centre on Facebook

There’s no time like the summer to learn a watersport. And if you’re really bad at it, at least you’ll cool off when you fall in the water. Centres like Scotman’s Flash in Wigan, Trafford Watersports Centre, and Salford Helly Hansen Watersports offer stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, funboat sailing, canoeing, and more. 

  

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Get your brunch on 

 

Photo: The Bread Shed on Facebook 

When is brunch a bad idea? We’ll answer: never. Literally never. And everything’s better in the summer, with brunch being no exception. And Manchester's packed with brunch events. Whether you want to shake it to some old-school RnB, UKG, reggae, afrobeat, pop princess bangers, or be lightly bullied by some queens, Manchester can sort it. 

 

Find tickets for brunch events in Manchester - here

 

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See what’s on at Escape To Freight island

 

Photo: Escape To Freight Island on Facebook 

The best thing to do in Manchester in the summer is to have fun. And this largely open-air venue has all sorts going down to keep you having fun in the sun. You can enjoy a wide range of events at this stylish hangout, including comedy, cabaret, music events, Bingo Lingo, artistic events, karaoke, and crazy delicious street food. There’s lots on, it’s beautiful, and has those summer vibes.

 

Find tickets for events at Escape To Freight Island - here

 

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Explore your alcohol options 

Photo: Manchester Craft Beer Festival on Facebook

As we’ve established, the summer sun and a cold bev were made for each other. So why not check out an alcohol festival? There’s the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, the Gin and Rum Fest, the Manchester Craft Beer Festival, and more. If you don’t like the sound of those, you could also try whisky, wine, vodka, gin, and other alcohol tasting sessions. 

 

Find tickets for alcohol tasting events - here

 

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Attend a festival or gig 

Photo: Manchester Reggae Festival on Facebook 

The summer was made for gigs and festivals. What’s better than hearing your favourite tune come on as the sun beats down on you? It’s paradise. So why not check out Creamfields North, the Sounds of the City performances, The Summer Of Love, or the Manchester Reggae Festival? Summer and reggae were meant to be.

 

Find tickets for gigs and festivals in Manchester - here

 

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Catch your favourite flick in an outdoor cinema 

 

Photo: Visit Manchester on Facebook

If you take a little journey outside of Manchester to Tatton Park this August, you’ll find the drive-in cinema showing iconic films Grease, Moulin Rouge!, and West Side Story. And if you're happy to venture out to Dunham Massey, there'll be showings of Rocketman and Mamma Mia! And Bramall Hall will be showing A Midsummer Night's Dream. There are loads more screenings around Manchester, but we need to carry on… 

 

Find tickets for the outdoor cinema at Dunham Massey - here

 

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Stroll the canals and pretend you're in Venice

With t-shirt weather in full swing, you really don’t need too much to be happy. Simply strolling along the canals is amazing when the sun pops out for the first time in what feels like years. You could even stop by somewhere for a nibble, a drink, or even just to rest and enjoy the weather. 

  

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Make some furry, scaly, or feathered friends at Chester Zoo

 

Photo: Chester Zoo on Facebook

From elephants to capybaras, snakes to orangutans, Chester Zoo is packed with animals both creepy and cuddly. A cracking day out at the worst of times, the zoo is only better when you get to see animals sunbathing like people.

  

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Or visit Cockfield's Farm

 

Photo: Cockfield's Farm on Facebook

Animals from the other side of the world are cool. But you can’t go wrong with farm animals either. Especially those at Cockfield’s Farm. Meet a range of animals such as inquisitive meerkats, pigs, chickens, fluffy alpacas, donkeys, owls, geckos, ducklings, chicks, llamas, tortoises, goats, cows, and more. 

 

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Try some new foods at a food festival

Photo: Foodies Festival on Facebook  

Delicious food is a must in the summertime. We can’t be wasting our taste buds and these stunning days on half-arsed, flavourless, everyday dishes. It’s time to step it up a notch. 

Head to Tatton Park this July for the Foodies Festival, which features street food, sweet treats, vegan and free-from bites, live music and more. Alternatively, the Food and Groove Festival pairs RnB, soul, gospel, reggae, and afrobeat tunes and global foods on the 6th of August.

 

Find tickets for food and drink events - here

 

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Spend a day stuffing your face and shopping at Hatch

 

Photo: Hatch on Facebook

Hatch on Oxford Road is full of shops, food, and more that are perfect for sunny days. Dive through beauty salons, upcycled vintage clothing and shoe shops before tackling some of the best food of your life and washing it back with a proper mint beer or cocktail. Choose from Asian food, hot dogs, cheesy pizzas, vegan junk food, fried chicken and more. 

 

Find tickets for food events - here

 

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Or try GRUB instead 

 

Photo: GRUB on Facebook 

Similar to Hatch, GRUB in the Green Quarter is a multi-award-winning street food and events space with lots to keep you entertained. There’s the independent cinema, theatre, gaming, brunch, disco bingo, lots of vegan events and food, comedy, music and more. If you’ve got a spare few hours to kill and a rumbly tummy, GRUB will sort you out and slap a smile on your face.

 

Find tickets for drink and food events- here

 

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Make your voice heard at Manchester Pride

 

Photo: Manchester Pride on Facebook

Glitter, leather, rainbows, and queens - it can only be Manchester Pride! March the streets in celebration and protest with tens of thousands of others from the community, donate to vital LGBTQIA+ charities, revel in a loving atmosphere and hit the Village for some mad parties at the end. It’s always a top and super important event. 

 

Find tickets for other Manchester pride events - here

 

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Eat at all the Northern Quarter restaurants

 

Photo: F L O C K Bar Manchester on Facebook 

With a lot of the NQ now pedestrianised, there’s more space to enjoy some tasty dishes while sprawling out in the sunshine. With some of the city’s best bars, pubs, and restaurants, eating and drinking your way through them all is one of the things to do in Manchester in the summer that you simply will not regret. 

  

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Catch the last weekend of the First Street Festival 

 

Photo: First Street on Facebook 

The Untold Orchestra have put together a program of events for this weekend (1st - 3rd July) which includes live bands and string quartets, poetry, face and body painting, and more. As the last weekend, and because it’s free, you might as well get down there and see what it’s all about! 

 

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Attend one of the biggest parties of the year with Warehouse Project

 

Photo: THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT on Facebook 

Since every Manc knows about the glorious, notorious WHP, we figured we’ll just tell you who’s playing this year. 

Warehouse Project's calendar is packed with huge names including Caribou, Little Simz, Mike Skinner, Jamie xx, The Blessed Madonna, Mr Scruff, Nia Archives, SHERELLE, Mella Dee, Disclosure, Chase & Status, Harriet Jaxxon, Kings Of The Rollers, Shy FX, and Sonny Fodera. 

 

Find tickets for Warehouse Project - here

 

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Hit the clubs

 

Photo: Hidden on Facebook

No more walking home shivering, and no more paying a fiver for the cloakroom. Summer is here, guys! And it’s here to take your clubbing experience up a few notches. Some of Manchester’s top clubs include Hidden, Joshua Brooks, Deaf Institute, Soup Kitchen, and The White Hotel amongst dozens of others. 

 

Find tickets for clubbing events - here

 

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Manchester is a pretty huge city. And that’s why there are so many unreal things to do in Manchester in the summer. From fun but free activities to ones where you splash some cash for an unforgettable time, Manchester has it all. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

  

Header: Visit Manchester on Facebook