It’s said that April showers bring May flowers, and for Manchester residents, the prospect of sun couldn’t come sooner. 2023 has seen one of the longest winters in recent memory. With blistering winds and rain pouring into 2024, we and so many others are desperate for the joys of summer. Luckily, the city of Manchester has plenty of events for you to look forward to.
From canal cruises on the River Irwell to outdoor concerts, the time to fill up your calendar with the best summer events in Manchester has arrived!
1. Old School Hip-Hop Outdoor Summer BBQ
June 8
Fans of Tupac, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys will love Gin & Juices’ Old School Hip-Hop Outdoor Summer BBQ. This one-day-only event is a celebration of all things funky! Listen to your favourite hip-hop artists through Gin & Juices’ insane sound system, enjoying the occasional confetti shower and premium BBQ food from their dedicated vendor.
The organisers are encouraging ticket holders to come dressed as their favourite artists, so plan your costume in advance! The summer BBQ starts at 2 p.m. on June 8th and will run until 10 p.m.
Purchase Tickets here
2. Escape to Freight Island
April 21-September 8
If you’re someone who can never seem to find the time for summer fun, Escape to Freight Island’s 5 month-long festival gives you plenty of options! Located in the heart of Mayfield, this musical takeover hosts some of Manchester’s finest artists.
Get tickets for the 5th of May, and you can tune into DJ Greg Wilson’s jamming set, paint avocados and dig into a Sunday roast, all in the space of 6 hours! Or, book for the 14th of July and watch the UEFA Euros final, followed by a set from guitarist Sophie Lloyd.
Information here
3. Canal & River Cruise
Tickets available year-round
Looking to explore Manchester this summer? Leave on-land transport for winter and, instead, hop aboard a canal cruise of the city’s River Irwell. Best enjoyed on a blazingly hot summer day, this 1-hour round trip will take you past some of the city’s best sites.
See Manchester United’s home grounds, the Imperial War Museum and Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge. Boarding takes place at sunny Salford Quays, meaning you’ll see Media City in all its glory before heading off down the river.
Purchase Tickets here
4. Benidorm Bingo
29 June
FunnyBoyz never fails to put on a show, and their Benidorm Bingo is the perfect way to spend your summer evening. Based in the heart of Manchester’s iconic Gay Village, Benidorm Bingo offers guests a glass of fizz on arrival – a sign of things to come!
You’ll play for prizes in a range of wacky games and laugh until your sides hurt at the comedy cabaret. With performances from drag queens all over the world, you’ll leave Benidorm Bingo feeling light as a feather.
Purchase Tickets here
5. Sounds of the City
July 4-13
Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl is a legendary outdoor entertainment venue that’s sure to be packed this summer. Sound of the City’s star-studded line-up includes artists like The National, Tom Grennan, and Jungle. The 8,000-capacity venue will be a sun trap when the festival hosts five different events between July 4th and 13th.
Purchase Tickets here
6. Food and Drinks Walking Tour
Tickets available year-round
Do you have a foodie in your life? Maybe you are, too, and want to sample everything Manchester has to offer. Well, why not take a food and drink walking tour this summer? Fill your stomach as you take a guided journey through Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, two of Manchester’s most vibrant areas. You’ll taste local dishes from independent businesses, go sightseeing and catch rays as you walk the city’s cobbled streets.
Purchase Tickets here
7. Hairspray The Musical
July 16-27
Put on your dancing shoes this summer and dive into the magical world of Hairspray, the Tony Award-winning, feel-good musical. This 2-hour 30-minute musical follows the story of teenager Tracy Turnbald as she navigates 1960s Baltimore. Each performance is jam-packed with show-stopping songs, dance numbers, and enough glitz and glamour to last a lifetime. Located at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, tickets are available for audiences of all ages (but remember, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult!)
Purchase Tickets here
Looking for an apartment near Manchester this summer?
Manchester is truly the only place to be this summer. If you’re looking to relocate, why not consider our Bromley Street complexes or Crown View Apartments? Located in the heart of the city, you’ll be closer to the action than ever before.
Interested in buying a new home at Victoria Riverside, get in touch today.