August Bank Holiday in Manchester and the North

Creative Tourist Last Updated 21 August 2024

Wondering what to get up to over the bank holiday weekend? Check out our handpicked list of things to do in Manchester and the North for a fun-packed three days.

The last bank holiday of the summer stretches from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 August, and while we can’t fix the weather, we can magic up ideas for keeping you busy inside as well as out.

Factory Square offers a bit of both, so grab a deckchair and hit the taco truck and coffee cart or head inside the Warehouse for an interactive storytelling adventure that mixes cinema and animation – this will be the penultimate weekend you can catch Sweet Dreams.

If the sun shines and you just want to kick back and drink it in, we’ve updated our guides to beer gardens and roof terraces; if you’d like food-related activities, including demos and talks, try the free Festa Italiana or Bolton Food & Drink Festival. Explore green spaces in the heart of the city such as Castlefield Viaduct or take in some outdoor art both near and a little farther.

Combine a park trip with an exhibition, taking in the John Lyons retrospective, Carnivalesque at the Whitworth or the Wild show down the road at the Manchester Museum, perfect for the whole family. The little’uns will also love the art-based events and activities going on at YSP and The Hepworth in Wakefield; the adults might like New Order and Blossoms in Wythenshawe Park.

For something a bit different, head to the Portico Library on the Saturday and learn about local myths in its Weird As Folk display or scare yourself silly with HOME’s Indie Horror Summer film programme.

Manchester Pride

It’s a double celebration as Manchester Pride Weekend falls over the bank holiday. Taking a look at our alternative guide to Pride, showcasing arts and cultural highlights from around the city, including exhibitions, live music and theatre.

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Knowing the oak tree by Soraya Thashima — Two women looking up at the camera, one is wearing sunglasses and a cap, holding a phone. The other has long wavy pastel hair.

Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers, 7 Keepers Quay, New Islington Marina, Manchester , M4 6GL - Visit now

Excitingly for Manchester’s bar scene, Salmon Guru Madrid (ranked 16th in World’s 50 Best Bars), is set to take over Finders Keepers in Ancoats on Sunday, 25th August. This Manchester-first collaboration also celebrates Finders Keepers’ first birthday.

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Beer Gardens in Manchester & Salford

We’ve updated our guide to places where you can enjoy an alfresco tipple or two in Manchester and Salford – and you never know, there might well be sunshine this bank holiday weekend, so grab a bev and head into the great outdoors with our suggestions.

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Factory Square

Factory Square, Aviva Studios, Water St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4JQ - Visit now

The riverside suntrap outside Aviva Studios hosts some excellent food and drink traders this summer, including the Super Serve taco truck. Here’s where to get your Mexican food kicks, from handmade tacos to mouthwatering salted caramel churros. Of course, you need the perfect drink to go along with that sunkissed food – how does a Limoncello slushy sound? Feeling devil-may-care? Work your way through the carefully curated margarita menu. Oh and did we mention £4 pints?

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Manchester Factory international Festival - People enjoying Festival Square in the city centre — Factory International

Wild at Manchester Museum

Wild at Manchester Museum, Manchester, Until 1 June 2025, free entry - Visit now

Designed for the enjoyment of all ages, Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wildness’ as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis. The Wild exhibition features an immersive installation, audio, film and interactive elements alongside two-dimensional artworks and pieces from the natural history collection.

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Castlefield Viaduct

Castlefield Viaduct, Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester, M3 4PU - Visit now

Manchester’s first ‘sky park’ Castlefield Viaduct garden is designed to provide interest throughout the year, and the gardening team change the planting on a regular basis to make sure there’s plenty to see. During the summer months, the focus falls on densely planted ferns, grasses and herbaceous perennials, with plenty of colour through flower and foliage.

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Roof Terraces in Manchester

Best roof terrace in Manchester? We know the lot, and we’re willing to share our hard-earned information. From dive bars high up to swanky cocktail joints, this is our pick of the best places for booze with views.

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Outdoor Art in the North

Often free and publicly accessible, outdoor art has a special relationship to community, cultural heritage and the landscape it’s situated in. It also makes for a really good excuse to go and explore a new place. Take a look at our guide to the best outdoor installations in the North and get planning your trip out.

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Seasonal Guides

Alcohol-free things to do in the North

So you’re off the booze and you’re wondering what there is to do in Manchester that doesn’t involve drinking…

Things to do over February half-term

Looking for things to do with the family over the February half-term holiday? We’ve got you covered.

Valentine’s Day

Don’t leave Valentine’s Day to the last minute. You’ll find plenty in our guide, from top restaurants to outside-the-box activities.

Chinese New Year in Manchester

Colourful cultural adventures abound as Manchester rings in the Lunar New Year. Here’s our round-up of what’s on.

Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994

Cultural Calendar 2025

Our editors’ biannually updated list of some of the best-looking arts and cultural events in Manchester and the North in 2025.

New Year’s Eve in the North

From warehouse raves to live funk and soul, vegan street food to fancy dining, here’s our guide to New Year’s Eve in Manchester and the North.

Christmas food and drink

The holidays are coming so that means it’s time to eat, drink and be merry for Christmas 2025.

Destinations

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Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

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Culture Guides

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.

Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Food and Drink in the North

Not long now, spring is on its way but wave goodbye to winter with some of the North's best food and drink.

Section of Tapestry depicting a couple eating fish and chips

Tours and Activities in the North

While spring takes its sweet time to arrive, we've assembled a selection of indoor Tours and Activities that will have you feeling cosy and comforted.

Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island

Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

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Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.