Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

We’re barrelling towards the month of jollity and celebration. However, just before we get there we here at Tours and Activities are taking a foodie look into autumn, one of the best seasons to mingle the cultural with the culinary.

In Manchester there’s a plethora of options between the ever popular Scranchester and new kids on the block Flavours of Manchester. Each tour offers something different but all of them provide that heady mix of cultural history steeped into the food you indulge in en route.

The Jewish Museum are well acquainted with sharing culture through food in their learning kitchen. Join them to make your own Gelt coins and learn about the traditions surrounding Chanukah, the Jewish festival of light. We also can’t wait for the return of the Melanin Market’s Winter Wonderland. The amount of incredible food, great music and good vibes at their festive events has the power to obliterate any ‘bah humbugs’.

And as ever Iglu Sauna and plunge pools are putting the hygge into Hebden Bridge, with their salt scrubs. Perfect for a bitingly cold but gloriously sunny day.

Scroll down to find out more, alongside some other top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools at Hebden Bridge Hostel, West Yorkshire, Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

iglu sauna
iglu sauna

Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

Scranchester tours

Melanin Markets Winter Wonderland at the Royal Exchange

Melanin Markets Winter Wonders at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 8 December 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Experience a festive edition of the market where community solidarity and elite crafts people sit side by side outrageous flavours and joyful live music.

Naanu stood at her stall wearing a green dress
Naanu Care

Make your own Chocolate Gelt at Manchester Jewish Museum

Make your own Chocolate Gelt: Chanukah inspired workshop at Manchester Jewish Museum, Manchester, 22 December 2024, from £0.00 - Book now

Enter into the Chanukah festivities with a chocolate Gelt making workshop from Manchester Jewish Museum. 

Chocolate gelt
NA

Festive Winter Fair at Victoria Baths

Festive Winter Fair at Victoria Baths, Manchester, 1 December 2024, from £4.00 - Book now

Victoria Baths are hosting a feast of festive cheer where you’ll find choirs, wine, arts, homeware and jewellery and much more in their Winter Fair.

A smiling market trader shows a customer a painting in Victoria Baths
Bernadette Delaney

The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market

The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market at The Hepworth Wakefield, West Yorkshire, 23 November–1 December 2024, from £2.00 - Book now

Get into the Christmas spirit with Hepworth Wakefield’s Festive Market featuring over 80 independent stalls with handcrafted goods. There will be live music, children’s activities and street food too.

An illustration people shopping at The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market
The Hepworth Wakefield / Michael Driver

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 10 December 2024–25 January 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Experience the work of David Hockney like never before in Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) at Aviva Studios.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of David Hockney.

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App. 

Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

Un-Convention Manchester 2024

Un-Convention Manchester 2024 at Band on the Wall, Manchester, 21 November 2024 - Book now

Un-Convention is the ultimate independent music industry conference and showcase taking place at Band on the Wall in Manchester this November. 

Image supplied by Band on the Wall

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, Until 20 December 2024, free entry - Visit now

Take a deeper look into Manchester Art Gallery’s collection with their regular, informative and fascinating gallery tours. 

Gallery Ceiling
Image courtesy of Andrew Brooks.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

More activity events

A close up of a pink bottle of Leeds Sauce
Until
FestivalsLeeds
Compass Festival 2024

With interactive encounters and live performance, Compass Festival is set to animate the city of Leeds this November.

free entry
Until
ActivityCity Centre
Whistle Punks Axe Throwing

This Autumn learn how to throw axes at large planks of wood with wild abandon. Whistle Punks have been bringing axe throwing to Manchester’s urban sprawl since February 2017. It’s the perfect way to let off some steam and indulge in some catharsis.

from £20
Two women chatting at a table
Until
ActivityManchester
Conversation Club

Improve your English conversation skills with likeminded adults in Central Library’s Conversation Club.

free entry
life drawing
Until
ActivityManchester
Life Drawing Manchester

Whether you have never put pencil to paper or have been honing your artistic skills for years, Bee Creative studio runs life drawing sessions for people of all abilities.

from £10
Timekeepers
Spotlight on

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Take me there

Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

23 St. Mary's B&B
York
Bed & Breakfast
23 St Mary’s B&B

Just outside the city walls, stylish interiors, spacious rooms and famous breakfasts make 23 St. Mary’s the ideal base for exploring this wonderful city!

Cineworld ententertainment center Parrs Wood Didsbury
Manchester
Cinema
Cineworld Didsbury

With only 11 screens (only!), this is one of the smaller multiplexes in Greater Manchester – but its advantage is its location in the lush surrounds of Didsbury, not far from a roster of good bars, cafés and restaurants.

Everyman Altrincham
Altrincham
Cinema
Everyman Altrincham

Altrincham’s Everyman is a supremely comfortable boutique cinema showing all of the latest blockbusters, independent hits and big screen events.

Alpaca Fold
Blackburn
Bed & Breakfast
Alpaca Fold

Located in the rural village of Samlesbury on a 35-acre smallholding, Alpaca Fold provides quality accommodation suitable for short and longer stays surrounded by the peace and calm of a rural setting.

Vue Printworks Manchester
Manchester
Cinema
Vue Manchester Printworks

Formerly run by Odeon, Vue Manchester Printworks is the biggest cinema in Manchester with a whopping 23 screens capable of seating 4,472 people. The programming covers all of the latest…

The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
Altrincham
Theatre
The Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Established in 1914, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse presents a variety of performances and screenings, as well as hosting term-time drama classes and a popular summer school for young people.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.