Things to do this summer in Manchester
Edinburgh previews, Tom Jones crooning by the lake at Tatton Park, outdoor screenings, Deaf Institute's 8th birthday, Manchester Caribbean Carnival and so much more: it's summer 2016 in Manchester.
We'll be updating this round-up of the best events in Manchester and beyond throughout the summer; if you have an event you want to tell us about, or think we've overlooked something, drop us a line at jess@theskinny.co.uk.
Group Therapy Edinburgh previews
Still time to catch some Edinburgh previews this summer before all the comedians head up to
[Tom Jones to perform at Tatton Park]
Concerts by the Lake
Tatton Park becomes the stunning backdrop to the Concerts by the Lake series, which lets you get outdoors to enjoy three days of live music in the Cheshire countryside. None other than the perma-tanned Welsh hero Tom Jones kicks things off on Thu 28, followed by ‘feel-it-in-my-fingers’ Wet Wet Wet on Fri 29, before the Halle rounds things up on Sat 30 followed by a spectacular fireworks finale. 28-30 Jul, Tatton Park, Cheshire, 5pm, £32.50-£45
Heartbreak Productions' open air theatre
Heartbreak Productions are out on the open road this summer, touring al fresco productions of The Tempest, Ratburger, The Importance of Being Earnest and Murder on the Terrace – the latter three of which you can catch at Didsbury's beautiful Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens. Grab the blankets and M&S picnics, before keeping those fingers crossed for summery skies... 29 Jul-28 Aug, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens.
Festwich
An entire festival of tribute acts, Festwich is Prestwich’s answer to Glasto (kinda), bringing North Manchester to life with rock and indie bands from across Europe. Expect two days of crowd-surfing and singing along, along with those all-essential bars, food stalls, children’s areas, rides and markets. 30-31 Jul, St Mary’s Park, Prestwich, 11am, free
Roald Dahl screenings
Celebrate Roald Dahl’s centenary with a series of free film screenings in Spinningfields, bringing his beloved characters to life through their cinematic adaptations. Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory all feature, so get ready to pull up a deckchair and enjoy. 2-4 Aug, free, 12pm/4pm (£5 deposit for headphones)
[Redbank Co.]
ShinDigger Block Party
Manchester’s gypsy brewing collective ShinDigger are stepping out from behind the brewing kettles to launch their brand new events branch, ShinDigger Sessions, with Block Party at the Green Quarter’s Redbank Co. Highlighting the ethos that surrounds the brand, which aims to pair their great beer with music, interesting spaces, collaborations and positive vibes, the party will feature a Reform Radio-curated line-up of funk and soul DJs, plus Nasi Lemak on street food duties alongside Redbank’s own stone-baked pizzas. Sat 6 Aug, Redbank Co., 12pm, £4-£6
Sadler's Yard Summer Jam
Join John Haycock, Rachel Rimmer, The Lake Poets, Napoleon IIIrd, Honey Feet and Stealing Sheep, along with DJ sets from Dutch Uncles and SMS, for Sadler's Yard's Summer Jam – which achieves lip-smacking dual meaning with Blawd's famous doughnuts also on the line-up: simply sign up for a free ticket, and you'll not only get guaranteed entry, but also a doughnut on the house.
Blawd and The Pilcrow will also be hosting a doughnut workshop, as Portable Street Beer House take on beer duties and What's Your Beef?, Honest Crust and The Mexican Pilgrim serve up some fine street food. 6 Aug, Sadler's Yard, 12pm, free
The Deaf Institute’s 8th Birthday
Help the good folk of The Deaf Institute celebrate a landmark, as they throw huge 8th birthday party featuring the likes of Everything Everything, Dutch Uncles, DNCN, Mark Riley (DJ set), and DJs from Gold Teeth, Girls on Film, You Dig?, Piccadilly Records and So Flute. The gig tickets have already sold out, but you can still gain guaranteed free entry for the main bar and club event here. 12 Aug, The Deaf Institute, 6.30pm, free (gig tickets sold out)
Manchester Caribbean Carnival
Once again, Alexandra Park braces itself for Manchester Caribbean Carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture that’s been partying hard for well over 40 years. Along with the core parade and 10 stages of live calypso, soca and reggae, there will also be Caribbean food, vibrant costumes and all-round good times. 13-14 Aug, Alexandra Park, free
Kosmonaut Summer Party
The folk at Northern Quarter staple Kosmonaut are throwing a day-to-night Summer Party, throwing their doors wide open to let all of that (fingers crossed) summery goodness in. Roping in all the Kosmo favourites, Pasta Paul, Matt Ward, Cosmic Baggy, Jamie Groovement, Trash-o-Rama, Lil' Fee & Verba and Joy Social, the do will also feature an illustration showdown, seafood snacks from a Holy Crab pop-up, a special G&T menu from Aviation Gin and a chance to sample the bar's new drinks menu – with freebies up for grabs on the hour, every hour between 12-6pm. 20 Aug, Kosmonaut, 12pm, free
Manchester Pride
Arguably the city’s biggest and most important summer events, Manchester Pride returns to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture in Manchester and beyond. The Big Weekend, parade and vigil take place between 26-29 Aug, this year with a fairytale theme of ‘Once Upon a Time’ – though throughout August you can also usually catch fringe events spanning art, theatre, music, club nights and more.
26-29 Aug, various venues, times and prices
Drunk at Vogue Boat Party
In fact, while we're on the case, one of Pride's summery highlights each year is Drunk at Vogue's Boat Party, where the Manc disco maestros take to the Princess Katherine and sail along the, er, Salford Riviera for an afternoon of floating fun. 27 Aug, Salford, 3pm, £11
Moovin Festival
Head over to South Manchester this August for Moovin Festival at Etherow Country Park. Taking place across the August bank holiday weekend, the line-up’s out to impress with Lee Scratch Perry, Goldie, Congo Natty, Beardyman, Stanton Warriors, Greg Wilson, Jaguar Skills, Channel One Soundsystem, The Mouse Outfit, Riot Jazz and Finlay Quaye just tips of the iceberg. 26-29 Aug, Etherow Country Park, Stockport, £10-£30 day tickets; £55 weekend tickets
[Hidden]
The Hidden Forest
Help Manchester’s new favourite club celebrate their 1st birthday with The Hidden Forest, where tribal masks, wigs and forest face paint are all encouraged as they expand into their second courtyard for a huge day-to-night party. On the line-up you’ll find Point G, Nastia, Anton Fitz, Class Enemy and many more, along with special guests yet to be announced. 28 Aug, Hidden, 2pm, £20
The Luna Cinema
Open air cinema producers The Luna Cinema take on Tatton Park this summer with screenings of Top Gun, Dirty Dancing and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Don’t forget to pack a few blankets to keep the volatile English summer weather at bay, though you can always put some fire back into your heart with a trip to the on-site bar or hot street food. 9-11 Sep, Tatton Park, 7.30pm, £13.50
Summer Nights Film Festival
Screening classic and contemporary films in extraordinary locations across the country, the Summer Nights Film Festival utilises those late sunsets and (relatively) warmer evenings the cinematic way. Up North, there’s the likes of Dirty Dancing, Spectre, Ghost and Star Wars: The Force Awakens at venues including Dunham Massey and Derbyshire’s Hardwick Hall. Until 17 Sep, various venues, 7pm, £11
Bongo’s Bingo
Always fancied a night at Bongo’s Bingo, but never found the prospect of the Wednesday morning at work or uni the next day particularly appealing? Throughout summer, the bingo-with-a-twist moves to Friday nights. No excuses now, eh? Every Friday, Albert Hall, 7pm, £3
Food and drink
The great British summer would be NOTHING without the Pimm’s and BBQs that go with it. Mostly because we need booze and meat to distract ourselves from the Great British weather, but that’s another point for another day. Lucky, then, that we’ve compiled guides on the best food and drink events in Manchester – along with tip-offs for Liverpool and Leeds and Yorkshire, if you're after a day trip.