Held in Manchester's Heaton Park, the UK Backward Running Championships sees competitors negotiate a mile-long course backwards. Although it looks comical, it's a surprisingly demanding exercise and great workout - when fitness aficionados try it they never look forwards. (Sorry.)
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Heaton Hall and Park makes the grand claim of being the largest municipal park in Europe. Consisting of 600 acres of beautiful parkland, gardens and pastures, it is listed Grade II on English Heritage's register of historic parks and gardens.
Available :
Apr - Aug 2013; Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun only (annual)
People travel to Ramsbottom from as far afield as Australia to compete in the Black Pudding Throwing Championships. Revisiting the old Yorkshire-Lancashire rivalry, competitors use black puddings to knock stacks of Yorkshire puddings off a shelf.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
For anyone suffering from the January blues, CAMRA returns with the National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester's Sheridan Suite. Presenting a selection of 200+ British and foreign beers, ales, ciders and perrys, it's just what's needed for a fun night out.
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Jan 2014 (annual)
The English National Badminton Championships at Manchester Velodrome feature a great crop of home-grown talent battling to be English champion. Forget any thought about badminton being among the more genteel sports - this series of matches are hotly contested.
Available :
Feb 2012 (annual)
A test of endurance, stamina and skill, the UEC European Masters Track Championships returns to the Manchester Velodrome this year. It's one of England's most exciting cycling events, attracting participants from across Europe.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
Manchester City FC play their home matches at the Etihad Stadium. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
Available :
18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
The British National Squash Championships take place at the National Squash Centre in Manchester's state-of-the-art Sportcity complex. As well as professional men's and women's events, the tournament features a Master's competition spread over 13 age-group categories.
Available :
Feb 2013 (annual)
Urbanathlon is a test of stamina and endurance, an athletic event set in an urban environment. At the event, in Manchester's Sportcity, spectators can watch as competitors climb, crawl, slide and slip through an urban obstacle course for charity.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The world's top taekwondo talent comes to Manchester's Sportcity for the BTCB British International Open. With pressure on participants increasing as the Olympics draws closer this is your chance to cheer the athletes determined to fight for glory and country.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
Sankeys, east of the city-centre in Ancoats, is a hub for techno and house lovers and a stalwart on the Manchester scene. Attracting some of the biggest DJs in the world, it hosts regular and one-off club nights every month.
Available :
Daily
From Kylie and Take That to Classical Spectacular and World Swimming Championships, the 23,000-capacity Manchester Evening News Arena in the city centre is one of Europe's largest indoor events venues hosting pop, rock, classical, comedy and sporting events.
Available :
Daily
A private lift transports guests to The Modern Bar and Restaurant at the top of a glass-covered landmark building in Cathedral Gardens. Dark woods and warm tones create a homely interior where the focus is on modern British cuisine prepared with local ingredients. Enjoy panoramic views and an ever-changing cocktail menu in the sixth-floor bar.
Available :
Daily
A trendy bar in a former fish market in the Northern Quarter, Bluu, so-called after the Blue Note Jazz Club, has a lively ground-floor bar, intimate basement lounge and private outdoor terrace. Fine dining is available in the upstairs restaurant.
Available :
Daily
Signature drinks and customised blends such as chocolate and gingerbread cocktails are concocted in this low-lit, atmospheric lounge bar in the trendy Northern Quarter where you can relax on egg-shaped stools. Socio Rehab also hosts inventive themed nights.
Available :
Daily
Glass-covered Urbis in the city centre offers five floors of temporary exhibitions exploring city life from modern urban culture, design, architecture and graffiti to music. See innovative displays in the Corridor Gallery or relax in the smart café bar.
Available :
Daily
Celebrate real girl power in Manchester every Wednesday afternoon: discover how the Suffragettes fought for equal rights, where they displayed their first militant action and how women fought for free birth control on the Suffragette City tour.
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Wed only
Explore Manchester's radical heritage on the Radical City Tour. Cultural revolutionaries, middle class reform and democratic rights are all covered on the Urbis city tour around Manchester...
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Mon only
This funky 500-capacity underground club in the Northern Quarter hosts DJ nights and live music gigs from reggae, jazz, and Latin jazz to soul and chilled grooves. The Mint Lounge has a chill-out room, great cocktails and serves Afro-Caribbean food.
Available :
Daily
The region's first dedicated live jazz club, Matt and Phred's in the Northern Quarter is a laidback, bohemian jazz joint with a relaxed dress code. Its homemade pizzas are as renowned as its late-night jam sessions. Arrive early to secure a seat!
Available :
Daily; not Sun
State-of-the-art The Triangle shopping mall in Manchester's original Corn Exchange Building stocks fashionable womenswear in East, street style in Roxy and designer jewellery in Green + Benz. Top Manchester DJs spin discs in the centre's trendy Zinc Bar & Grill.
Available :
Daily
The Printworks is a futuristic family entertainment complex in Greater Manchester. It offers non-stop entertainment in the form of nightclubs, bars and restaurants, a 20-screen cinema, an IMAX screen, a health club, plenty of shops, galleries and more.
Available :
Daily
The two-storey Vinyl Exchange, in the eclectic Northern Quarter, stocks secondhand and rare CDs, records and DVDs. Expert staff cover indie to experimental music with one whole floor dedicated to dance music and vinyl records.
Available :
Daily
High-ceilinged Night & Day Café in the Northern Quarter is part café with wi-fi, and part bar with impressive absinthe selection. The low-lit live venue hosts original music from international and local acts - no tribute or cover bands allowed.
Available :
Daily
Harvey Nichols on Exchange Square offers three floors of high-end and designer fashion, a foodmarket and a restaurant, bar and brasserie. Ease tired feet and get pampered in the Urban Retreat Hair & Beauty Salon.
Available :
Daily
An expansive city-centre shopping mall, Manchester Arndale has over 200 stores under one roof including high-street favourites, trendy shops and a music store with a stage for live gigs. For additional purchases browse fashion and food at Arndale Market.
Available :
Daily
The Festival of Fantastic Films is a three-day convention for fans of sci-fi, fantasy and horror films. It features multiple screenings, interviews with special guests, panel discussions, art and poster exhibitions, and memorabilia auctions.
Available :
Oct 2011 (annual)
The 60-metre-high Wheel of Manchester in Exchange Square offers 360-degree views of Manchester's ever-changing cityscape from its 42 pods, while commentary highlights local landmarks. Enjoy the 13-minute ride in heated, air-conditioned eight-seater capsules or sip champagne in the VIP gondola.
Available :
Daily
Platform 4 Piccadilly returns for another festival of free outdoor performances. Offering three days of eclectic entertainment, Piccadilly Gardens is transformed into an arena offering music, dance, theatre and circus acts for all to enjoy.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Inspired by the street stalls of Mexico, Bar Burrito is an award-winning city centre Mexican eatery with open kitchen and contemporary interior. Enjoy tasty bean- and rice-filled burritos, toasted quesadilla sandwiches and crispy corn tacos with salsa and cheese. Those wanting a quick bite can enjoy a beer with nachos or a healthy salad bowl.
Available :
Daily
A bustling city centre wine bar and bistro, Grinch Wine Bar's eclectic menu is famed for its delicious stone-baked pizzas. There's a budget-friendly wine, champagne and cocktail list plus happy hour 5pm-7pm daily. On Saturday nights, soul and jazz classics play upstairs.
Available :
Daily
The traditional city-centre Chaophraya Thai Restaurant & Bar has cushion seating and the à-la-carte selection includes modern interpretations of traditional Thai cuisine. At lunchtime, chefs prepare dishes at the Yee Rah Sizzler Grill. Enjoy a Singha beer at the Chaophraya Thai Cocktail Bar or book a table upstairs in the award-winning restaurant.
Available :
Daily
Huge windows look onto bustling King Street from Room Restaurant and lounge bar. Antique blends with contemporary with its vaulted ceilings and modern fittings and the retro cuisine includes the best of British comfort food and traditional desserts. Try their signature Roomberry cocktail from the extensive drinks list during cocktail hour 5-7pm Monday to Friday.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Behind Lounge 10's Grade-II listed city centre façade lies a Parisian nightclub interior of chandeliers, red velvet and provocative art. Enjoy indulgent French cuisine plus an extensive wine and champagne list. Singers, dancers and magician offer live entertainment while the last Friday of the month hosts a late-night supper club.
Available :
Daily
Central nightclub, South, hosts DJ and former Inspiral Carpets' organist Clint Boon's Disco Rescue every Saturday night, belting out old skool classics plus a dose of 60s, 70s, Northern soul, punk rock, Motown and funk in a fun, relaxed environment.
Available :
Daily
Every Saturday in the city centre, the Manchester Fashion Market showcases one-off independent label designs by fledgling Manchester designers. Browse and buy everything from clothes and lingerie to bags, hats and jewellery in the region's first dedicated designer fashion market.
Available :
Sat only
The refurbished city centre Manchester Art Gallery houses thousands of exhibits from 17th-century European art and Pre-Raphaelite paintings to Victorian dolls' houses and a Levi jeans chair. Enjoy the special exhibitions or take a break in the café.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
Pioneering artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer uses highly sophisticated responsive technologies such as robotics, video projection, and sound to sense the actions of nearby people. This installation at Manchester Art Gallery allows visitors to leave a trace of themselves in his art.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
A beautiful 1890s Victorian, neo-Gothic building with a vaulted roof, the refurbished John Rylands Library on central Deansgate houses the oldest-known New Testament piece and an early edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
Available :
Daily
Brightly coloured gaiety takes place around Albert Square and Chinatown to usher in the Chinese New Year in Manchester. Dragon dances, kungfu demonstrations and fireworks are just some of the highlights of this annual public celebration.
Available :
Jan 2013 (annual)
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