The Liverpool Military Show returns to Walton Hall Park. This exciting family day out features displays from all three branches of the armed forces, including freefall parachute displays, battle demonstrations and motorcycle displays, as well as face painting and paintballing.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Tatton Park spans 2000 acres, with 1000 acres of deer park and 50 acres of gardens, as well as containing two historic houses. Originally owned by the Egerton family for nearly 400 years, today it is one of the National Trust's most popular attractions, hosting major events throughout the year.
Available :
Daily
Chill Factore at Trafford Quays Leisure Village has a 180-metre real snow indoor ski slope. Ski equipment is available for hire and qualified instructors offer lessons. A special play area, inflatable tube rides and a luge slide cater to non-skiers.
Available :
Daily
The Trafford Centre boasts over 230 shops, more than 60 restaurants, bars and cafes and a 20-screen cinema under one roof, attracting shoppers from all over the north of England - a veritable cathedral for the consumer.
Available :
Daily
The Imperial War Museum North is housed in a fabulous modern building by star architect Daniel Libeskind (creator of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, among others). Take the kids to explore the key themes of war in the 20th century.
Available :
Daily
Wigan Athletic FC play their home matches at the DW 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 Friends Provident T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Lancashire Lightning play their home games at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
Available :
Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
The Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour goes behind the scenes of the world-famous Old Trafford football club. Stops include the Hall of Fame, Trophy Room, player's tunnel and even manager Alex Ferguson's spot in the dug-out. Pre-booking is recommended.
Available :
Daily
Manchester United FC play their home matches at the Old Traffod 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)
On Salford Quays in revamped docklands, The Lowry's glass-and-metallic structure houses an eclectic blend of galleries and visual art including LS Lowry's urban cityscapes. The complex offers waterside dining, gift shops and theatres; opposite is the Imperial War Museum North.
Available :
Daily
Opera North returns to The Lowry Salford for its first visit this season. Joining revivals of Puccini's Madama Butterfly (directed by Tim Albery) and Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore (directed by Jo Davies) is a new production of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
The Lowry Outlet Mall in the redeveloped Salford Quays docklands houses discount stores from Nike, Whistles and Molton Brown to M&S and accessories at Antler. Take a break in the 400-seat Food Court.
Available :
Daily
The National Wildflower Centre spreads across Court Hey Park in Knowsley, Liverpool. It has a working garden nursery, a play area for kids and interactive wildflower exhibitions, while the modern building houses a rooftop walkway, café and conservatory.
Available :
Mar - Aug 2013 (annual)
The Air & Space Centre and Electricity Gallery are among the entertaining galleries at the Museum of Science & Industry, in the world's oldest railway station in Manchester's regenerated canal district. Get hands-on in Xperiment or crawl through Underground Manchester.
Available :
Daily
Built into a railway arch, the city centre Knott Bar has high ceilings, wooden interior, terraced balcony and jukebox. It boasts a varied selection of global beers and local ale and a tempting menu of homemade burgers, platters and tapas.
Available :
Daily
Revolution, underneath the Arches at Deansgate Locks, prides itself on its vodka cocktails. Dress to impress, book a private booth, or admire the clientele from the mezzanine level. DJs provide an eclectic soundtrack of funk, soul and club anthems.
Available :
Daily
Manchester's House Of Fraser department store is the place for a leisurely browse and a reviving cuppa in the traditional tea shop. The classic Art Deco façade has earned the building a listing for its architectural merit.
Available :
Daily
A city-centre Spanish winehouse and restaurant, Evuna's signature dish is seabass baked in rock salt filleted on the wooden tables. Renowned for its award-winning wine list, Evuna's exposed brick walls are lined with Spanish wines, for ordering and taking home.
Available :
Daily
The People's History Museum is dedicated to the conservation, interpretation and study of material relating to the history of working people in Britain. Housing an accessible, comprehensive collection, the museum is the first national museum to be located in Manchester.
Available :
Daily
Manchester's Curry Mile is a stretch of the Wilmslow Road in Rusholme where curry houses compete for the business of thousands of Manchester diners a week. A huge student population and an abundance of neon ensure a vibrant atmosphere.
Available :
Daily
Hundreds of exhibitors come to Manchester Central for the popular annual Holiday & Travel Show. Visitors are given the chance to plan all aspects of their dream holiday, from meeting tour operators to exploring exotic and specialist destinations.
Available :
Jan 2014 (annual)
If you're at a loss what to do with the kids during those long summer holidays, head to Manchester Central's Kids Fun Ideas Show, where experts give ideas for countless children's games. Entertainment ranges from dance workshops to science shows.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
The Caravan and Motorhome Show returns to Manchester Central with the latest touring models and all the best accessories. From sat navs to awnings, it caters for all the enthusiasts' needs and even includes a Farmers' Market and a KidZone.
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Jan 2014 (annual)
Manchester's Buy Art Fair is one of the country's largest consumer art exhibitions and offers potential buyers the opportunity to purchase original artworks. More than 300 renowned artists, sourced from over 75 respected galleries, are on display at Spinningfields.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
The Bridgewater Hall is central Manchester's £42m, waterfront concert venue. Home to Manchester's Hallé Orchestra, its 2,400-seater auditorium features an organ with 5,500 pipes, and hosts over 250 annual performances from classical to jazz. Enjoy its award-winning restaurant and café-bar.
Available :
Daily
Manchester Camerata's New Year's Eve Gala Concert at Bridgewater Hall features popular opera arias and choruses to welcome in the new year. A musical extravaganza, it concludes with a late Night of the Proms finale.
Available :
Dec 2013 (annual)
Manchester's Literature Festival is a city-wide celebration of new literature and spoken-word entertainment, attracting writers from around the globe. Watch out for readings from well-known national and international authors, with special attention also given to independent publishers and magazines.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
The Manchester International Festival is unique in consisting solely of specially commissioned work. It presents a series of large-scale world premières at venues across the city centre, many of which then begin international tours.
Available :
Jun - Jul 2013 (biennial)
Manchester's award-winning urban digital arts and music festival, FutureEverything presents a programme of experimental performance and exhibitions at venues across the city. The festival also expands its focus beyond the arts to include lively debate on environmental and global issues.
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May 2013 (annual)
Held every year in May, Queer Up North is a groundbreaking three-week festival that showcases new lesbian, gay and queer work across the arts. Events take place in venues all over Manchester and include exhibitions, talks, shows, cabaret and performance art.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
If you're looking for things to do with the kids during the interminable summer holidays, Manchester's Family Friendly Film Festival presents screenings and workshops at venues across the city. The programme includes award-winning features and shorts, as well as UK premieres.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
The annual Manchester Jazz Festival features a programme of international performers with concerts throughout the city. Catch open-air and indoor shows at venues including Albert Square, St Ann's Square, the Green Room and the Bridgewater Hall.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Long renowned for its famed Rusholme Curry Mile, real ale pubs and Chinatown, Manchester has also earned an enviable reputation for its many chic, world-class restaurants. The 11-day Food & Drink Festival celebrates the city's culinary status in style.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
The x.trax showcase returns to the parks, fountains, squares and gardens of Manchester for more outdoor street art and theatre. The three-day festival features work by acts from the UK and across the world.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
Manchester stages one of Europe's biggest Pride events, offering a host of parties, parades and celebration as the city sways in a fiesta of fun. The packed programme of events reflects the wide range of interests of the LGBT community.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
The Manchester Comedy Festival brings some of the top names in comedy to join home-grown talent at venues across the city. This year's line-up of slapstick and subversive talent goes to show that Manchester doesn't take itself too seriously.
Available :
Oct 2013 (annual)
The Manchester Irish Festival, one of the biggest in Europe, celebrates the Emerald Isle with over two weeks of partying, music, comedy, theatre, sport and dance around the city.
Available :
Mar 2013 (annual)
The 24:7 Theatre Festival returns to Manchester to celebrate the best of the fringe. The festival brings theatre performances to unconventional venues throughout the city, with several premieres performed as part of its programme.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
The Dot to Dot Festival is a unique opportunity to sample a broad range of established and up-and-coming global music acts. Various venues across Manchester play host to this year's festival, which also visits Bristol and Nottingham.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Manchester's Abandon Normal Devices (AND) festival investigates how we conjure a sense of normality through external devices and means. It sounds complicated, but it's a mandate that's transmitted through accessible films, installations and debates - at a level everyone can understand.
Available :
Aug - Sep 2013 (annual)
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