Best Things To Do This Summer In Manchester 2026

One of the most fun things to do this summer in Manchester for adults, Alcotraz sees you smuggle bootlegged liquor past the watchful eye of the warden. This immersive prison experience will have you sipping bespoke cocktails from the master mixologists while the story unfolds around you with live actors - plus the chance to get stuck in and impact the story yourselves.

Things to do in Manchester in the sun? From private igloos to stunning terraces, there are plenty of places for alfresco dining this summer. Slap on the factor 50, assemble your squad and make the most of the city with our pick of outdoor restaurants to book now. 

When you need 2026 summer events in Manchester today, consider what's on from Boy Toy Events, whose happenings are complete with 90 minutes of unlimited boozing alongside world-class entertainment. Expect everything from Britney-themed shows to lip-sync battles and half-naked waiters at these unique experiences.

When you need summer events in Manchester this weekend, look no further than Cherry Jam's range of themed brunches and Saturday afternoon tea. These all come complete with bottomless cocktails, alongside musical bingo for afterwards.

After summer things to do in Manchester today? Whether you're watching looking for bottomless brunching or cocktails and bar snacks, this city's beer gardens are always worth checking out. We're bringing you waterside boozing, elevated terraces and ice-cold craft brews with our nifty guide to the best of them.

Love yourself a pint? Kick off the Manchester Craft Beer Experience at Track Brewing Co, following your local guide to a range of microbreweries and taprooms, learning about the process and sampling serves along the way.

We all love a good film, but when the weather is hot it seems a shame to be cooped up inside. That's where these outdoor cinemas come in, bringing you classic titles on giant screens outside.

Head to locations like Courts Club or GRUB On The Docks, where you'll find these alfresco events taking place.

Under the guidance of a resident artist, create your very own masterpiece to take home with you and enjoy tipples from the bar as you go. Taking place across Manchester at venues such as Revolution Deansgate Locks and Cass Art, plus offering exciting themes like the Northern Lights and Lazy Racoons, this experience offers something a little different to do on a summer evening in the city. 

A buzzing event space in the heart of The Depot, Freight Island has got plenty going on this season. Their Spring Summer Series brings you a regular lineup of live music performances, from DJs and artists like Jamie Duggan, Greg Wilson and PBR Streetgang.

That's not all that's going on here, with reggae brunches, soul bingo and more on the lineup. Soak up the sun in their outdoor space while you're here, and sample a wide range of street food from their multiple vendors.

From weekly Benidorm bingo to appearances from RuPaul's Drag Race stars, FunnyBoyz Manchester has a roster of fun events that are sure to spice up the summer months. Plus, a lot of these tickets come in at under £15 each.

If summer things to do in Manchester this weekend are what you're after, then the city's brunch for unlimited pizza chomping and prosecco glugging (there's a whole bottle each included here) is just the ticket. Make your afternoon out a little more competitive with a day of darts throwing at one of Flight Club's regular socials. 

Whether you head to YO!'s Arndale or Trafford Centre locations, these sushi making classes are sure to fill your summer evenings with fun activities aplenty. Learn knife skills, hear about some history, and chow down on menu items you made yourself.

Join Steve Price at the historic hotel The Midland and watch him perform marvellous wizardly as he turns the mundane into the incredible as part of his magic show. Tickets start from £24.50 per person and the extravaganza lasts 75 minutes. Come and experience a fun-filled evening in an iconic location (where Mr Charles Rolls met Mr Henry Royce) and delight in tipples from the bar to keep you refreshed throughout. 

Combining the energy of a high-energy house party with ten original games, Gameface is a unique destination in the Printworks. Move through a series of fast-paced games, from Pingedy Pong to Puck Off.

Prices start from £19.95 for 60 minutes of gameplay, so you can get competitive with your mates. Afterwards, head to the bar for celebratory drinks.

The Frockatoo Drag Brunch, taking place at The Cockatoo Club, is not to be missed. Join host Annabelle and a team full of some of the best glamourous queens in Manchester for around three hours of delicious food, bubbles and entertainment. Tickets are £40 each and include 90 minutes of unlimited fizz and selected cocktails, plus a complimentary bottle of prosecco for a table of four or above (so gather your friends). Expect to tuck into the likes of moreish wraps filled with Southern-fried chicken or grilled halloumi and get stuck into hilarious games. 

Manchester is full of great places to eat, and that list just keeps on growing. There are multiple new restaurants opening across the summer months, so it's a great time to find your new favourites.

Check out Portfolio MCR, the UK's first Champagne boutique, or Treehouse Hotel's new rooftop dining space Sister Moon, and thank us later.