Live, local picks for things to do in Manchester today with free events, family ideas, food, gigs and hidden spots across Greater Manchester, plus prices, times and travel tips.
At a glance: things to do in Manchester today
- Lunar New Year celebrations and family craft workshops in the city centre, mostly free and running from late morning.
- Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos at the Science and Industry Museum.
- LUMINISCENCE light and sound show at Manchester Cathedral from late afternoon.
- Around £10 Festival of Pie at The Black Friar in Salford.
- LOWRY 360 immersive art show at The Lowry.
- dexter in the newsagent live at The Deaf Institute tonight, doors around 7.30pm.
- Ghost walks, grassroots football and brass band nights across the boroughs.
If you are searching for things to do in Manchester today, this is the live local round up based on what is actually happening across the city and Greater Manchester.
As of late morning, Market Street is busy but manageable, trams are steady through St Peter’s Square and there is already a noticeable after work buzz building around Deansgate and Spinningfields.
Always double check times and ticket availability before setting off, as changes can happen at short notice.
Free things to do in Manchester today
If you are hopping off at St Peter’s Square, Deansgate Castlefield or Shudehill, you can fill most of the day without spending much.
Lunar New Year family activities in the city centre
There is a programme of Lunar New Year events running through the city centre today, including free arts and crafts sessions for children, short performances and chances to try traditional costume and calligraphy.
Activity is clustered between Market Street, Piccadilly Gardens and Chinatown from late morning into mid afternoon. It is easy to dip in for half an hour between errands.
For families looking for free things to do in Manchester today, this is one of the simplest options.
Cathedral Quarter wander before the light show
Even if you do not have a ticket for LUMINISCENCE, a slow walk around Exchange Square, Cathedral Gardens and the river is one of the easiest things to do in Manchester today.
Queues were forming near the cathedral steps shortly after midday. If the weather holds, it is a solid people watching spot before the evening projection crowds arrive.
Northern Quarter street art loop
Start near Piccadilly, head through Stevenson Square, Oldham Street and Thomas Street and build your own street art trail.
You will pass bee murals, ever changing shutters and tucked away courtyards that feel properly Manchester. It is ideal if you have an hour between plans and want something that reflects the city as it is right now.
Castlefield canals at golden hour
From Deansgate Castlefield tram stop, head down towards the Roman fort and canal basin. Late afternoon light on the brick arches is one of the best free things to do in Manchester today.
Hyperlocal tip: if you are coming in from Chorlton or Didsbury, jump off at Cornbrook and walk down instead of staying on to St Peter’s Square. It is quieter and avoids the busiest stretch.
Events happening in Manchester today
If you are searching for what is on in Manchester today and want bookable plans, these are the headline events.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos at the Science and Industry Museum
The interactive Horrible Science exhibition is now open at the Science and Industry Museum. Expect hands on experiments, space themed installations and plenty of humour aimed at children and adults alike.
General museum entry is free. The special exhibition is usually just under £10 for children and slightly more for adults. It is around five minutes from Deansgate Castlefield and about ten minutes from St Peter’s Square on foot.
This is one of the biggest family friendly things to do in Manchester today, especially for primary school aged children.
LUMINISCENCE at Manchester Cathedral
Inside Manchester Cathedral, LUMINISCENCE projects immersive visuals onto the historic stonework, paired with orchestral versions of Manchester anthems from Oasis, Joy Division, Elbow and The Verve.
Slots run from late afternoon into the evening. Tickets typically sit in the low to mid teens depending on the time you choose. Exchange Square and Victoria are the closest transport links.
Expect footfall to rise from around 6pm as people combine it with dinner or drinks nearby.
Festival of Pie at The Black Friar, Salford
Over the river in Salford, The Black Friar is running its Festival of Pie, with handmade pies priced at roughly £10.
It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from Deansgate or a short hop from Salford Central. Pair it with a city centre event later and you have a solid evening plan.
For comfort food fans, this is one of the tastiest things to do in Manchester today.
Across Greater Manchester
Not all the best things to do in Manchester today sit within the inner ring road.
- Broadhurst Park in Moston is hosting a football themed evening event with affordable drinks and easy parking if you arrive early.
- In Harwood, north of Bolton, a brass band and choir concert is scheduled for early evening, with tickets usually in the low teens.
- Ghost walks and murder mystery style trails are setting off around 7.30pm to 8pm from Sackville Street and St Peter’s Square, generally priced between £10 and £20 per person.
If you live in Bury, Tameside, Trafford or Stockport, check borough event listings filtered for today. Smaller community events often do not appear on national platforms.
Food and drink picks
If the rain eases, Ancoats and the Northern Quarter fill quickly. Booking ahead is sensible.
The Black Friar in Salford
Festival of Pie is the headline, but even outside the special menu it remains one of the cosier food stops near the city centre. It feels local rather than corporate, which matters when choosing things to do in Manchester today that do not feel generic.
Ancoats early doors
Head to Cutting Room Square straight after work and you can often secure a walk in table before peak time. New Islington tram stop is easier than battling traffic around Piccadilly.
Small plates typically range from £8 to £14 per dish.
Salford Quays before LOWRY 360
If you are heading to LOWRY 360 at The Lowry, plan time to eat around MediaCityUK. Main courses generally range from £12 to £18.
Salford Quays and MediaCity tram stops make this one of the more convenient evening things to do in Manchester today without driving.
Unexpected pick: Stockport Underbanks
Ten minutes by train from Piccadilly, the Underbanks in Stockport offer independent bars and food spots that still feel slightly under the radar.
It is a strong alternative if the Northern Quarter feels overcrowded tonight.
Family options today
For parents searching for practical things to do in Manchester today, these are the most straightforward choices.
- Horrible Science at the Science and Industry Museum, interactive and central.
- Lunar New Year crafts and performances in the city centre.
- Museum of Illusions Manchester on Market Street, tickets usually in the mid teens and best booked ahead.
- LOWRY 360 at The Lowry, combining art with football themed atmosphere.
If you would rather stay local, leisure centres and libraries in Trafford, Bury and Tameside often run low cost or free drop in activities listed on borough websites.
Evening plans in Manchester today
As office workers spill out around Deansgate, the city shifts pace.
dexter in the newsagent at The Deaf Institute
Doors are around 7.30pm, with tickets typically between £15 and £20. Oxford Road station is closest, or take a tram to St Peter’s Square and walk along Whitworth Street.
Mid sized gigs like this are classic weeknight things to do in Manchester today, lively without arena scale crowds.
Speed dating and games nights
Several city centre bars are hosting structured speed dating sessions and games nights, usually aimed at mid twenties to late thirties. Entry generally ranges from £10 to £25.
If you want something different from the standard pub circuit, this is an alternative way to approach things to do in Manchester today.
Late night ghost hunts
Small group ghost hunts run into the evening, guiding you through back streets you might normally rush past. Dress for colder temperatures after 9pm and expect plenty of standing around between stories.
Hidden local picks across Greater Manchester
Move beyond the usual museum and shopping centre routine.
- Walk from Stevenson Square to Cutting Room Square via quieter back streets between the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
- Explore Beech Road and Chorlton Green for a more relaxed south Manchester evening.
- Use the Trafford Centre as an all in one cluster for cinema, mini golf and indoor attractions, noting that M60 traffic builds quickly after 5pm.
- Head to Stockport Old Town and the Underbanks for independent venues without city centre crowds.
These micro plans are the kind of things to do in Manchester today that keep locals from ever saying there is nothing happening.
Getting around Manchester today
Trams on the Altrincham, Bury and East Didsbury lines typically run every 6 to 12 minutes through the afternoon. Expect peak crowding between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. A multi zone day ticket is often the most cost effective option if you are travelling between the city centre, Salford Quays and Trafford.
Bee Network buses offer capped fares and are useful for places like Moston, Harwood and Stockport, especially later at night when tram frequencies reduce.
City centre parking near Deansgate and the Northern Quarter fills quickly after work. Park and ride options at stops such as East Didsbury can save time and stress.
Most central things to do in Manchester today are within a 15 to 20 minute walk of one another, including the cathedral, Deansgate, Oxford Road, Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
That is your up to date guide to the best things to do in Manchester today, from free city centre walks to pies in Salford, immersive art at the Quays and gigs on Oxford Road.
Check back tomorrow for a freshly updated list of the best things to do in Manchester today.
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