It's not long since we enjoyed a four-day Easter break, and already we're gearing up for a bumper month of bank holiday weekends. Whilst we're used to two bank holidays in May, this month will feature an extra holiday on Monday, May 8 to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6.
And while all attention will be on the coronation and street parties next weekend, the early May bank holiday is a chance to make the most of an extra day off. Rest assured, Manchester venues are making the most of the three-day weekend with a packed schedule of events and activities from bank holiday brunches to music takeovers.
If you've not made your mind up on how to spend your extra day off yet, our quick guide might just provide some inspiration.
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Saturday, April 29
Roman Flügel meets Sprechen and Sticky Heat at The Yard, Cheetham Hill
You won’t often find Frankfurt’s Roman Flügel in the shadow of Strangeways, so let’s make this one count, people. The prolific electronic producer will be DJing alongside A Love From Outer Space’s Sean Johnston, and some of the city’s finest, including Sprechen Records’ Massey, Marco Giannini, Muddyfeet and the spectacular Supernature, all happening outdoors at The Yard in Cheetham Hill from 1pm to 1am. A few tickets remain on Skiddle.
Drive Your Plow Over The Bones of the Dead at The Lowry
Simon McBurney’s world-renowned international touring company Complicité is bringing a new production to The Lowry this week - and it promises a theatre experience like no other. Based on the Nobel Prize winner Olga Tokarczuk's book of the same name, and staring American-born, British actress and theatre director Kathryn Hunter, the otherworldly murder mystery is a tale about the cosmos, poetry and the limitations and opportunities of activism.
The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
The Flaming Lips at 02 Apollo
The US psych-rock band The Flaming Lips will be stopping off in Manchester as part of their US tour this Saturday, performing their landmark album 'Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots', in full for the very first time in England to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The group originally released the record back in July 2022 to critical acclaim with reviews heralding it "astonishing" and an "end-to-end triumph".
Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP
Mozarmy Meet 2023
It’s the tenth anniversary of the Mozarmy Meet, in which Smiths fans get their gladioli on and revel in the music and general vibes of Mr Stephen Patrick Morrissey. It’s a whole weekend of talks and music going on at - where else? - the Star & Garter in Piccadilly, with the Saturday boasting appearances from the likes of John Robb and Morrissey bass player Jonny Bridgwood, as well as ‘Mexican Morrissey’ Jose Maldonado, who’ll be singing live.
Star & Garter, 18-20 Fairfield St, Manchester M1 2QF
Candlelight ballet: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake at Manchester Cathedral
The global Candlelight classical music series will take over the beautiful Manchester Cathedral this May bank holiday. Paying tribute to one of the most impactful Russian composers, the programme moves on from last year's The Nutcracker to an enchanting ballet performance of Swan Lake. It tells the story of young Prince Siegfried who falls in love with Princess Odette, and guests can expect Tchaikovsky’s rousing music to be played by a esteemed string quartet as ballet dancers take to floor under flickering candlelight.
Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX
James Holroyd and Ruff Dug at Exhibition food hall
New food hall, kitchen and bar Exhibition is hosting a whole heap of events over the bank holiday weekend, with Jaguar Skills playing Friday night, while local heroes James Holroyd and Ruff Dug take to the sound system on Saturday, with Ruff joined by vocalist Private Joy. It’s free, and you’d struggle to find a better soundtrack to your Saturday night.
St George's House, 56 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NQ
Homoelectric at Hidden
Prepare yourselves for a bank holiday weekend blowout as Manchester's legendary queer club night serves up the best in disco, house and techno vibes. Back in it's original home, Hidden in Salford, Sunday's line-up features special guest DJs Hifi Sean, Josh Caffe and Laura Jackson with residents Jamie Bull, Lukas & Will Tramp.
16-18 Mary St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1NH
Sunday, April 30
Manchester meets Madrid at the Oast House
Madrid is coming to Manchester this weekend, with a fusion of Mediterranean music and food setting up at the Oast House. In collaboration with Spanish beer Madri, there will be live performances from Spanish singer Fusa Nocta, as well as a street food menu including a chorizo pork burger, bravas fries and caramel churros. There will also be performances from UK rapper Ramz, and it’s all free entry too.
The Avenue, Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY
Family fun at Hatch
Sunday will see Hatch, the food court complex under the Mancunian Way, dedicating itself to family fun. There will be outdoor games, craft workshops, face painting, mini mocktails and live music performances on the stage. You’ll be able to take advantage of their ‘feed kids for a fiver’ offer, and equally grown-ups will be able to take advantage of the Super Sunday offers, with pints at £4.50, two cocktails for £12 and prosecco for £20.
103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
Sounds From The Other City, Salford
The annual Sounds From The Other City, the festival that takes over Salford and doesn’t give it back until the early hours, is always a venue-hopping treat. Venues from FiveFourStudios, Islington Mill, The Nex Oxford, The Old Pint Pot, the Regent Trading Estate and St Philip’s Church will play host to a bewilderingly huge range of live acts, DJ sets and art performances, from the likes of Halo Maud, Sister Wives, Spider, Tapir!, Me Gusta and Kiss Me Again.
Nightmares On Wax at the Blues Kitchen
The legendary Nightmares On Wax - aka producer George Evelyn - will be in town, taking the Blues Kitchen on a journey through deep soul, out-there boogie, alt hip hop, electronica, folk oddities and earth-shattering dub, as well as a few bombshells from his most recent album Shape The Future. An icon.
13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
Sunday roast at Folk
A lazy Sunday roast is just what the doctor ordered on a Bank Holiday weekend, and some are worth travelling for. Why not give Folk over on Burton Road in Didsbury a try. All elements from the roasts to the yorkshires, are executed flawlessly, and it’s all done in fabulously stylish surroundings too. One of the very best roasts to be had in the city.
169-171 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LN
Lawn Club Spinningfields
Bringing the English countryside to Spinningfields this summer, the city centre drinking spot featuring an enclosed pergola and private domes, officially launches its seasonal takeover this bank holiday weekend. In collaboration with award-winning Chase Distillery, The Lawn Club’s summer takeover will transport Mancunians from the hustle and bustle of the city to the sunny hills of Herefordshire. Launching on Sunday and running until September, the takeover will see popular spot fully transformed, plus the addition of a new summer Chase drinks and cocktail menu.
Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HG
Tribe of Tattu Brunch
Nothing says bank holiday weekend like a leisurely brunch, and while we're spoilt for choice when it comes to places to whittle away a the hours with a glass of prosecco in hand, Chinese restaurant Tattu have launched a special weekend brunch for to mark the occasion. Available on the bank holiday weekends throughout May, The Tribe of Tattu Brunch (£47.50), will span dishes chicken truffle shumai and salt and pepper loin ribs as well as wok fried angry bird and adds on such as caramel soy-aged beef fillet and Shanghai black cod. Wash it back with one of their drinks packages, which includes Champagne, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.
3 Hardman Square, Gartside St, Manchester M3 3EB
Monday, May 1
Bloomtown trail
Nothing says spring quite like trees sporting colourful displays of blossom, so to help Mancunions find the best blooms across the city over the coming weeks, the National Trust has launched an interactive map as part of its #BlossomWatch campaign. Named Bloomtown in a nod to the city’s ‘boom town’ history, the trail features 30 places to see blossom in Manchester including some unexpected locations. A pop-up blossom display in Sadler’s Yard has also been created, with 12 different types of apple and cherry trees.
Turn It Up: The power of music
The headline exhibition at last year's Manchester Science Festival at the Science and Industry Museum, only has a few weeks left, so now might be the perfect time to exploring the science of music's mysterious hold over us and how it drives us. Visitors can make music together in a musical playground, find out how music can trigger emotions and memories, and take part in a musical Turing test and see if you can tell the difference between songs written by humans and machines. The exhibition runs until May 21, adults tickets are priced at £8, seniors at £7 and child and concessions £6.
Special Exhibitions Gallery, Level -1, New Warehouse, Science and Industry Museum
DNA VR
If you've ever wondered what it's like to shoot your way through a crowd of flesh eating zombies or survive a night in a haunted abandoned hospital, then we've got good news for you. All of the above is now possible at Manchester's latest virtual reality attraction. Found on Brown Street in the city centre, DNA VR is broken up into four main rooms with options including a VR arcade where up a group of up to 10 play a variety of different games, a escape room, the Ubisoft VR escape room, and the premium free roaming room.
30 Brown St, Manchester M2 1DH
Visit the "insta-perfect" pink cafe at Trafford Palazzo
The "world's most instagrammable cafe" has officially opened its pink doors at Trafford Palazzo. With six metre high glittering pink arches, flowers everywhere and plenty of opportunities to snap a pic for the gram, the first north west branch of famous London cake cafe EL&N is offering signature menu classics like brunch, cakes and a range of delicious mocktails, as well as new spring additions including truffle pasta and fresh summer salads. The cafe is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner daily from 8am to 11pm.
Barton Square, Trafford Park, The Trafford Centre, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS
Puppy Yoga
For those who like the best of both worlds, say hello to Paw Yoga Manchester - the city's cutest puppy yoga class. Based in the city centre, organisers are inviting all animal lovers and yogis to join them for a class like no other. The hour-long class it split into two with 30 minutes of puppy yoga - hello downward dog - and 30 minutes of playtime, the latter element prepares the puppies for being around humans before they're adopted. All event information including the venue is provided 48 hours before the class.
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