What's On
A ‘feel good summer’ terrace with wellness classes, live DJs and al fresco vibes is coming to Manchester
Sip on Malfy Gin-infused cocktails and get lost in an al fresco paradise
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and The Refuge are bringing a ‘feel good summer’ programme to the terrace this summer with a schedule made for the ‘body and soul’.
The activities will take place on The Refuge’s iconic outdoor terrace space this August, with an innovative wellness programme running every Saturday until the Come As You Are weekender Pride takeover from Friday August 25th to Sunday 27th.
The line-up this summer includes wellness classes, live DJs and al fresco vibes inspired by the Amalfi coast.
In collaboration with Emma of Thorlby Yoga and Caroline Dowsett, together they will bring a special morning of mindfulness through meditation, movement and art.
The programme is open to people of all levels of experience and will begin with a 30-minute guided meditation with Emma, as she takes guests into a deep state of calm and presence.
This will be followed by a mindful art session with Caroline, where creative potential will be unlocked exploring various themes and styles.
She will be on hand to provide prompts and direction, igniting the imagination and helping guests tap into their artistic expression with a paint workshop.
The Refuge’s terrace will be transformed into an Amalfi Coast inspired paradise where guests can cool off sipping on Malfy Gin-infused slushes (£9.50) and refreshing Malfy Gin spritzes (£11.50) from 2pm till late – perfect for those who love a sundowner.
The legendary Come As You Are weekender is returning to the terrace with Saturday night (August 26th) to be headlined by multi-gold record holder DJ Paulette.
An award-winning champion of great music, DJ Paulette is set to bring sets of uplifting house, party hip hop, raw rare grooves, soulful vocals and blistering funk to diamond strewn disco, jacking deep house and tearing techno during Manchester Pride this summer.
Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy will be headlining Sunday (August 27th) on the Terrace.
From a woman at the forefront of the vinyl resurgence, encouraging new appreciation for venues and quality listening spaces, Colleen’s passion and enjoyment of the music has shaped dancefloors new and old.
Throughout the weekend DJs will take over the terrace with the very finest disco and house tracks for an all-day soirée.
And if that’s not enough, The Refuge will be hosting a Disco Flow Yoga session hosted by Thorlby Yoga and The Hush Club Disco, so be sure to bring a mat to the festivities on Saturday 26th.
Additionally, the hotel is offering the ‘Stay with Pride’ package for those looking to be at the centre of where it’s all happening during Manchester Pride weekend.
The package includes a Come as You Are survival kit, cocktails, water bottles, and a £30 voucher for the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s Refuge Bar.
Tickets for the launch of Come As You Are Weekend on Friday August 25th are £16.75 and are available by clicking HERE.
Come as you are on Saturday 26th and Sunday 17th is free and runs on a first come first serve basis.
What's On
Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
Can’t wait for this!
Manchester Craft Beer Festival is back for another year, bringing with it more than 80 breweries and 500 different beers to sample.
The fourth edition of the festival will be taking place at Depot Mayfield on Friday July 5th and Saturday July 6th.
Cloudwater, Track, Marble, Northern Monk, Bundobust, Sureshot and Seven Brothers will be there to represent Manchester, alongside other UK stalwarts like Deya, Verdant, Siren and Leeds’ North Brewing Co.
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
Heritage breweries like Timothy Taylor’s, Chouffe and Timmermans will also be there, as well as international breweries from the US, Greece, Spain and Australia.
There will also be some great food options to line your stomach, including bao buns, crispy chicken and katsu tater tots at Bone Daddies, as well as Almost Famous, Bundobust, MorMor and Voodoo Rays.
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
Greg Wells, director of Manchester Craft Beer Festival, said: “It’s been a disheartening year for Manchester’s beer scene so far with closure of the beloved Indy Beer Con Fest and the unsuccessful debut of the International Brewing and Cider Festival, but we’re pleased to announce our return and bring more of what has been loved in the past three years.
“With even more breweries and experiences on offer and larger capacity this year, we’re buzzing to be back to satisfy all the beer lovers out there.
“The addition of a complimentary trade session to our programme is all about promoting this world class beer city and a small gesture to support all the incredible people who work across the drinks and hospitality industries.
“We all have a mutual understanding of the hardships our industries have faced in recent times so we thought it’d be a nice gesture to get everyone together for the love of drinks, food and music to celebrate beer and ourselves!”
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
The entry price includes all your drinks throughout your session, as well as festival glass and access to all the events happening.
And as it’s on during the Euros, it will be screening the football too.
Day tickets cost £57 per day session – with a discount for four tickets – or £145 for the whole weekend. Grab tickets HERE.
What's On
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
Get this one in your diary!
A brand new makers market is coming to Manchester this late May Bank Holiday weekend, with something for everyone.
Taking place at New Jackson – a new urban neighbourhood located at the southern gateway to the city – Manchester Made Market will be held on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th.
Over the two days you’ll be able to browse a selection of local artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region.
Supplied
There’ll be everything, from food produce, homewares, crafts and creations to dog accessories, house plants, jewellery and homemade soap.
Among the traders will be Manchester and Cheshire-based florist and floral artists Dot & Flora, graphic artist Ablott MCR selling music prints, HGT with crochet fashion and homeware designs, and artisan candlemakers Leaves and Prickles.
Elsewhere, there will be essential oils and other treatments from Grounded Wellness, permanent jewellery from Sealed Links, and desserts from Cake With Heart.
Supplied
There will be plenty of street food options to keep you topped up while you shop, including The Wild Grill, Food Sorcery, Salvi’s and new favourite Medlock Canteen.
Neighbourhood Brew will be supplying some great drinks as well.
Supported by Renaker, the market is free, but you can upgrade your experience with a limited, free VIP ticket with access to the dedicated bar area.
What's On
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
It’s taking place later this month!
The legendary Manchester Flower Festival is returning to our city later this month, complete with pop-ups, installations and tributes to some local icons.
Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday, the event will be headlined by its ‘Floral Trail’.
This year’s theme is Manchester Icons, with a host of names past and present being honoured in flower form, including the late comedy legend Caroline Aherne, pop star Sarah Harding and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Collaborating with Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow, floral designer Liv Woodward will create a portrait of Caroline Aherne at the Floral Marquee on New Cathedral Street, using sustainably sourced plants and flowers.
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding will be remembered in a ‘tribute garden’, sponsored by the AO Arena, with visitors able to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal by scanning the QR code at the display.
The homage to Pankhurst has been created by female-led Decordia, featuring an ornate wooden Manchester Town Hall-inspired planter with sashes, posters and colourful icons, alongside a wicker figure of the suffragette herself.
This can be found at the corner of Cross Street and King Street, adorned with purple, green and white plants – the colours of the suffragette movement.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Other local legends will also be honoured with their own installations, including Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta and iconic Manchester brewery Boddingtons .
Fringe events will be taking place too, at locations including Northern Quarter art shop Fred Aldous, The Bridgewater Hall, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct.
Selfridges Exchange Square, El Gato Negro, Tast Catala, Franco Manca, Grand Pacific Manchester and Urban Playground will also be taking part, with alfresco dining, festival-related dishes and cocktails.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Flower Festival, which is put together by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, with live entertainment, workshops, and arts and crafts markets.
It all happens from May 24th to May 27th – head over to the website HERE to find more information.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
New apartment development with huge gardens and outdoor space opening this year
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
