The Easter bank holiday weekend is almost upon us and, if you're one of the lucky ones, that usually means four days off work.
Whilst many of us will be spending the majority of the time feasting up on Easter eggs and seeing family, there will be plenty of fun and exciting things taking place across the city centre that will serve as a perfect opportunity to hang out and catch up with friends, or to just do something a bit different this Easter.
This year, Good Friday falls on March 29 with the Easter Bank Holiday Monday taking place on April 1. In-between all of that, Easter Sunday will fall on March 31 - so there's still time to get plans in motion and stock up on eggs if you'll be celebrating.
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Across Greater Manchester this weekend, there will be all sorts going on and if you're after family-friendly events taking place across Easter for the younger ones to get involved in, we've already got a handy guide here featuring everything from popular egg hunts and elephant parades to huge inflatables and farm days.
But if you're after some more grown-up activities, there's the likes of bottomless brunches, punk parties, fly-by darts, and day time discos. So, whether you're up for a bit of a quiet one, or after something a little rowdy, we've got you covered with just some of the best events taking place here in Manchester for Easter this year.
Cirque Du Soleil: OVO
March 27 to 31
Acrobatic insects have rolled into town with the arrival of Cirque Du Soleil’s latest OVO show.
Running from March 27 to March 31 at the AO Arena, the family-friendly delight focuses on the world of bugs with an array of jaw-dropping dancing and awe-inspiring circus acts. It’s the troupe’s 25th show so far, and has received rave reviews since its inception. Tickets can be booked here.
Manchester Punk Festival 2024
March 29 - 31
Live music, poetry, comedy and podcast takeovers will all take centre stage as the Manchester Punk Festival 2024 descends on venues across Manchester City Centre on the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Running from March 29 to 31, the event will see performances at The Union, Gorilla, The Bread Shed, Yes, Zombie Shack, Rebellion and Sandbar with the line-up featuring bands including Hot Water Music, A Wilhelm Scream, Tsunami Bomb and King Prawn. Tickets can be bought here.
Sister Act
Until March 30
The ever-popular musical rendition of Sister Act is currently playing at the Palace Theatre.
Starring Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier and Coronation Street's very own Sue Cleaver as Mother Superior, everyone's favourite nun on the run stage show is here in the city until Saturday (March 30) - making it a perfect night-out around the Easter weekend.
If you haven't seen it already, expect a bit of Motown, some glittery outfits, and plenty of laughs. You can read our review of the show here. Tickets can be booked here.
Dragaret, Revolution Deansgate Locks
March 30
Drag queens will be at the ready for an evening of cabaret and bottomless brunch at Revolution on Deansgate Locks.
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will get to enjoy performances from Baga Chipz and Vanity Milan, alongside burlesque performances from Baby Daisy. The event, hosted by Ruby Murry, will also feature a DJ slot from Girls Night Out's Monopoly Phonic and live music from Chris Lafferty.
Taking place from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday (March 30), customers will get a brunch menu dish alongside 90 minutes worth of bottomless booze as they enjoy the varied entertainment for just £45 per person. Oh, and the dress code is 'fabulous'. Book here
The Quays Duck Race
March 29
It's a well-loved Salford tradition at this time of year, and fans will be pleased to Know the Quays Duck Race is back for its 9th year.
The race is hosted in Salford Quays on Good Friday, and there here will be a range of stalls and entertainment to keep visitors busy before the big race. Fancy being involved? Yo can join the race from just £2.50 on the day.
The event takes place on Friday at Salford Water Sports Centre.
R&B Block Party
March 30
Hosted by Trevor Nelson, some of the biggest names in R&B over the years will be performing as part of a special party at Bowlers Exhibition Centre on March 30.
Thong Song singer Sisqó, Blackstreet, Tweet, 702, Dru Hill, Musiq Soulchild and MiC LOWRY will be amongst the stars to grace the stage at the R&B Block Party. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster here.
There will also be an official afterparty taking place at AREA, on Sackville Street, afterwards too. Tickets for that can be bought here.
Easter Weekend Bottomless Brunch, Flight Club
30-31 March
Flight Club, on King Street, will be offering something a little different this Easter - by offering people an hour of fast-paced darts alongside bottomless pizza and a bottle of prosecco each.
Their Easter Weekend Bottomless Brunch costs £35 per person, and will also see the bubbles and pizza continue for another hour after the darts conclude to give you a good chance to de-brief on the winning (and losing) moments. Slots are available between 12pm-2pm or 2.30pm-4.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday (March 30 and 31). Book here.
Black Cat Club
Manchester’s newest social gaming venue will be opening its doors for 50% off gaming from Sunday to Thursday until the end of March. This means you can enjoy the likes of fly-by darts and shuffleboard alongside the sounds of live vinyl DJs and a bustling menu of food and drink.
The venue on Brown Street, just off Market Street, will also be screening live sports - with the Premier League games between Newcastle and West Ham (12.30pm on March 30) and between Liverpool and Brighton (2pm on March 31) set to have a big turn-out.
Book discounted games online here.
Day Time Disco with Fat Tony
March 30
On Saturday (March 30), Manchester music legend Fat Tony will be hosting a Day Time Disco at Joshua Brooks. Taking place from 4pm to 12pm, the event will see the DJ take you on a ‘six-hour musical odyssey through the best disco, funk, and soul’ via a state-of-the-art sound system in the venue’s intimate basement.
Truly a different way to celebrate Easter. Tickets from £9 here.
Pay a visit to Medlock Canteen at Deansgate Towers
A new all-day eatery from the people behind hit restaurants Madre and Belzan will be opening its doors this weekend over at Deansgate Towers. Medlock Canteen takes inspiration from both American diners and Parisian bistros, and its main draw is its rotisserie chicken oven - a first for Manchester.
An informal, laid-back space with American style booths; the canteen will welcome diners from dawn until late. Medlock Canteen starts the say with its all-day breakfast menu including large plates of duck egg hash and classic full English, before sandwiches of roast chicken and beef, as well as grilled cheese are served up at lunch. The menu also spans steaks, fish of the day and fresh salads, which can be washed back with French-inspired cocktails and beers.
Visit RHS Bridgewater
If the weather holds up this weekend, one place to check out spring coming into bloom is RHS Bridgewater. It covers an impressive 154-acre site in Salford, which was formerly the estate of Worsley New Hall, and if you visit at this time of year you’ll spot a sea of daffodils in the Orchard.
One of its main features is the Weston Walled Garden - one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK. It contains two inner walled gardens, the Paradise Garden and the Kitchen Garden, along with a series of connecting gardens around the perimeter, enclosed by a lower-level outer wall.
The site also includes beautiful woodland, the Chinese Streamside Garden and Ellesmere Lake, and there’s even a fun play area for kids too. After taking in the flora and fauna, you can grab a refreshment at the Bridgewater Cafe, Garden Cottage Shepherds Hut or the Stables Cafe.
It’s free for RHS members, while adult tickets start from £13.85 and children (aged 5-16) from £6.95. A family ticket (two adults and two children) starts from £33.30.
Easter Weekend at Diecast
March 29-30
Diecast, Manchester’s creative neighbourhood home to Leno Ex Machina, Brooklyn Beer Hall, Warehouse Kitchen, House of Daiquiri and Beer Garden is celebrating the long weekend with a host of Easter activities. Kicking things off on Good Friday, the Battle Brunch Royal, a 90-minute interactive brunch that's best described as a mash-up between Drag Race and Gladiators.
On Sunday, a 22-piece party playing Beyoncé's 25-year hit catalogues all night long, and supported by Manchester dance crew Ghetto Fabulous, makes for a rather special Easter. Alongside all the activity, there's also Diecast's main bar and restaurant and the chance to try your hand or just warm up your vocal chords with a bit of karaoke. Tickets can be booked via the Diecast website.
Sit & Bun, Freight Island
March 31
An Easter weekend takeover will take place at Freight Island on Sunday (March 31) from Manchester-based collective Hit & Run. Featuring a line-up of yet-to-be-unveiled DJs, the event promises to bring the good ‘spring summer vibrations’ as it becomes an ideal spot for alfresco dining, drinking and dancing.
Many of the hub’s food and drink vendors will be up and running throughout the day too so you can get your fill of whatever you fancy - from burgers, curries, Sunday Roasts, pizzas, cocktails and ice creams.
The event will run from 12pm to 12am, free entry but bookings are advised here.
Easter Extravaganza at Sexy Fish
March 29 to April 1
Starting as they mean to go on, Good Friday will be all about Sexy Fish Manchester’s iconic Jungle Cabaret Dinner Party from 10pm. Expect live DJ set with performances from mesmerizing dancers, and a very special guest performance from Manchester legend DaxOnSax.
Easter Sunday and Bank holiday Monday will see the restaurant’s newly introduced Bottomless Sushi Brunch served all day, from 12-5pm. The limitless sushi brunch costs £52 per person, with a selection of signature dishes served sharing style, and low-key entertainment with Sexy Fish’s signature DJs and live musicians.
To celebrate the bank holiday, the upscale dining spot is also taking bookings later than usual, so tables on Easter Sunday are bookable up until 11:30pm. Bookings can be made on the Sexy Fish website.
Easter roasts at MOTLEY
March 31
While we’ve already lined up a whole host of family-friendly events to do with the kids over the Easter holidays, this one is a good one to include here.
MOTLEY, based in the YOTEL Manchester Deansgate hotel, will be hosting Easter roast dinners with a free bottle of Prosecco for all pre-bookings on Sunday (March 31). But, not only that, there will also be a free kids cinema club screening Disney classic Moana and a special kids menu on offer too.
You’ll want to get there for 12pm if you want to enjoy the cinema club. Bookings here.
Easter Wonderland at Zouk
March 31
Zouk Tea Bar & Grill will be transformed into an Easter wonderland this year complete with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland décor. The much-loved restaurant will be serving their indulgent roast this Easter Sunday with an array of Easter desserts on offer, as well as an Easter Egg Competition.
Tuck into Zouk’s Roast Sharing Platter encompassing plates of roast meat and served with all the trimmings including Yorkshire puddings, golden roast potatoes, seasonal veg and both classic and spicy gravy. There's some truly decadent desserts too, including chocolate samosas and chocolate fondant, as well as an Easter Cup Dessert, with chocolate cake, an Easter egg, mini eggs, and dark chocolate sauce.
To keep the kids entertained between courses, Zouk will also be running an Easter Egg Decorating Competition. Egg templates can be found on the back of every child’s menu, and there's the chance to win an Easter treat, including chocolate eggs and a soft cuddly toy. All the details can be found over on Zouk's website.
Try out the new Manchester to Salford cycle route
A scenic cycle trail through Manchester and Salford has officially been launched as part of a partnership between ‘Friends of’ groups in Manchester and Salford, as well as the respective local Councils. Rather unusually, the 32.8-mile route takes you through eight cemeteries lining the two cities.
Cemeteries may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a picturesque bike route, however, they provide beautiful and tranquil green spaces, and a place for reflection. QR codes have also been set up along the route to provide background information on the history of these spaces.
For more information on the trail, visit the MCRActive website here.
Free music festival at The Oast House
March 31
Following a successful season of events last spring and summer, Spinningfields bar The Oast House is bringing its hit music festival, Manifest, back to the city this Easter bank holiday weekend.
The festival will kick off on Sunday, 31 March with an all-day line-up of musicians playing live from 1pm in the afternoon through to the small hours. Taking place on the large outdoor terrace, the event has a packed roster of musicians lined up including bands, solo artists and duos taking to the stage throughout the day with interludes from resident DJs.
The event is not ticketed and is free to attend on a first come, first served basis. Food wise, festival-goers can grab signature dishes such as katsu chicken fries, northern poutine with bone marrow gravy and Lancashire cheese, alongside house-made cocktails and beers.
