Best Events In April

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By Marcus Sanigar Food, Drink & Events Copywriter, DesignMyNight 10-year hospitality, travel and events expert, writing for Expedia, Trainline and more. Last updated on 26th March 2026

If you're deliberating things to do in Manchester this April, then you've stumbled upon a real winner with our guide to the month. A handpicked selection of fun activities and cool events, alongside the usual winning venues, this is designed to set you up for the springtime and an early Easter weekend; perfect when the warmer months are setting in.




BOUGIE DRAG EVENTS LTD

Hosted by iconic queens like Imani Versace and Barb, the bottomless brunches at Bougie Drag Events are well worth a visit. Expect everything from lip sync battles to dance-offs and catwalk contests throughout, paired with live DJs playing banging beats, tasty eats and 90 minutes of bottomless fizz or cocktails.

Best Easter Events In Manchester 2026

Of course, it wouldn't be April without a lineup of things to do on Easter weekend in Manchester. If you're looking for ways to celebrate the four-day bank hols, check out our guide on everything that's going down, including treasure hunts, club nights and afternoon teas.

Pink Bars And Restaurants In Manchester

After everything pretty in pink? Mark the middle of spring with these magenta, fuchsia and blush picks for places to visit. Whether you want restaurants serving Japanese-inspired bento boxes, brunch destinations or ball pits, our guide has it all.

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Saturday 28th March 2026

Taking place at their marquee in the Salford area, The Big Manchester Bake is a unique activity that's perfect for friends and couples. You'll work in teams of two to create a delicious treat, competing against all the other teas to be crowned the best bakers of the day.

This versatile space features the baking benches, a cake-themed bar, a hospitality suite and even a beautiful drinks garden. All the ingredients you need will be provided as part of your ticket price, all pre-measured in advance.

Paintvine

Sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly in one hand and a brush in the other with tickets to one of Paintvine's many themed nights, at a Manchester location. Gather your friends and book this activity for something a little different in the evening and follow the guidance of your instructor to create masterpieces like a Picasso kiss, summer lemons, and even have a go at one of its sculpting classes. 

DOUGH-IT YOURSELF PIZZA MASTERCLASS MANCHESTER

@ Pizza Pilgrims Manchester - Deansgate on Saturday 28th March 2026 and 26 other Saturdays

Whether you're celebrating something special or just fancy throwing around some flour, the Dough-It-Yourself Pizza masterclass has you covered. With the help of an expert pizziolo, you'll perfect the art of the traditional Neapolitan pizza. 

Your £54 ticket includes all the ingredients, tools and tips you'll need, plus two drinks and a feast of Friggitoria Italian street food. For just 20 quid more, you can add a Pococello shot or espresso to your evening's entertainment, and grab an apron and pizza cutter to take home.

Bottomless Bandeoke

@ Highballer on Friday 3rd April 2026 and 6 other Fridays

Karaoke meets the thrill of a gig at Bottomless Bandaoke. Grab the mic, pick your favourite banger, and sing your heart out with the backing of a live band. 

To keep you in full voice, there's 90 minutes of brilliantly bottomless booze - from Vimto Mojitos and Long Island Iced Teas to Eepoo, Prosecco and Highballer Lager, plus spirits and mixers. Tickets to this epic night out are just £48.60.

The Cockatoo Club

Book your spot at The Frockatoo Drag Brunch at The Cockatoo Club this weekend and you won't regret it - and they've even got a Lady Gaga-themed option as well. From £40 per person, you'll be treated to the best drag performers in Manchester as well as incredible games with prizes to be won. Expect free-flowing cocktails and tasty grilled wraps with chips to munch on. Coming as a group? Any table of four and above will receive a complimentary bottle of prosecco. 

Old Skool Bingo

Make your April amazing with big tunes and even bigger games at Old Skool Bingo. To keep you moving while you wield your dabber, DJs are behind the decks spinning 90s and 00s RnB hits.

Expect dance offs, sensational singalongs and the chance to win epic prizes. Grab your tickets from just £19.25.

📺 Taskmaster at The Metropolitan📺

@ The Metropolitan, West Didsbury on Thursday 2nd April 2026 and 15 other Thursdays

The Metropolitan, a beautifully grand pub in Didsbury, is transformed into the Taskmaster studio this April. This live game inspired by the hit TV show sees contestants take on a series of bizarre games and ridiculous challenges.

Get involved, outsmart the competition and secure the ultimate prize - your very own bar tab. Tickets to the action are absolutely free.

FunnyBoyz Manchester

From Taylor Swift tribute acts to Benidorm Bingo and appearances from RuPaul's Drag Race stars, the team at FunnyBoys Manchester are bringing you all kinds of April shenanigans. Think all kinds of fabulousness, performances and prizes. 

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 28th March 2026

Looking for a boozy outing with a little competitive fun thrown in? Then head to Electric Shuffle on Deansgate, where they host brilliant brunches every single weekend. Starting from £33 per person, this includes two hours of bottomless pizza, an hour of gaming and a bottle of prosecco or four beers each.

Their electronic shuffleboard tables offer a number of fun, multiplayer minigames for you and your friends to compete at - with large screens that add up your scores for you. After you've played, toast to the winner in their colourful bar area.

Freight Island

Freight Island is buzzing with events this April, from screening all the action from the Six Nations fixtures to serving up a cracking roast carvery on Sundays. Head down to this multi-faceted venue to catch some football, feast on scrumptious grub from Voodoo Ray's or hit up the Bombay Curry Club on Saturdays. If you're in the mood for a spot of dancing, then you'll love its Spring Summer Festival Series, boasting acts like Sit & Bun plus Huey Morgan.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 28th March 2026

If you're searching for April events in Manchester today, Alcotraz is open almost every night of the week. This immersive prison experience sees you smuggling drink into the clink, with bespoke cocktails whipped up by inmate mixologists. And while you're sipping? You'll befriend crooked guards and watch the action unfold.

Paint a Pic Manchester

Visit an array of venues across the city to take part in Paint a Pic Manchester, the creative get-together that invites you to make your own masterpiece, under the guidance of experts, with a drink in the other hand. All materials will be provided, and while drinks aren't included, they will be readily available. Choose from a range of themes to get stuck into, like painting the moonlight, the tree of life or Leo the lion.

Big Bank Holiday Hoedown

@ Quarter House on Sunday 5th April 2026 and 3 other Sundays

Dust off your cowboy boots, pop on your Stetson and get on over to Quarter House for the Big Bank Holiday Hoedown. There'll be all sorts to keep you yeehawing long into the night.

We're talking live country music, delicious BBQ food and a whole lot of line dancing. Tickets to do your best do-si-do start from just £5.50.

The Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch

@ The Blues Kitchen Manchester on Every Saturday

When The Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch rolls into town every Saturday, The Blues Kitchen serves up 90s and 00s RnB nostalgia with its burgers, taco bowls and veggie plates.

Expect to hear the best of the best - we're talking Aaliyah, Nelly, Ashanti, Usher, Destiny's Child, the lot. While you groove to the tunes, you can tuck into a delicious brunch dish, plus 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco, mimosas and rum punch, all for just £35 per person.

DRAGBUS Manchester

@ The Bridgewater Hall on Saturday 28th March 2026 and 10 other Saturdays

Hop aboard the Drag Bus this April for wild and whirlwind trip of iconic city sights, outrageous performances and non-stop laughter. With a fabulous lineup of drag queen hosts, this tour quickly turns into a party. 

Expect music, dancing, games and plenty of glitter. Tickets start from just £55.86 and include a glass of fizz to set you on your merry way.

Burlesque Bottomless Brunch

@ The Fitzgerald on Saturday 4th April 2026 and 12 other Saturdays

Step into speakeasy-style venue The Fitzgerald in the Northern Quarter for a brilliant bottomless brunch on Saturdays, complete with two hours of burlesque. Expect a fantastic performance from the team at Siren Entertainment, inspired by the 1920s.

You'll enjoy a tasty barbecue brunch, courtesy of Quarter House, featuring Buffalo wings, salt and pepper tofu tacos, loaded fries and more. Plus, there'll be a whole two hours of free-flowing prosecco, beer and Aperol spritz.

Magic at the Midland

@ The Midland on Sunday 26th April 2026 and 6 other Sundays

Magic at the Midland is Manchester's fantastical show from the mind of Steve Price, one of the UK's top enchanters. Tickets start from £24.50 each to this wizarding event where you'll be amazed and wowed as he turns ordinary objects into the extraordinary. Taking place at the iconic hotel, its an event that's perfect for all, and especially the curious. 

YO! Sushi School - Manchester Selfridges Trafford

@ YO! Manchester Selfridges Trafford on Wednesday 8th April 2026 and 20 other Wednesdays

Whether you're a maki master or a nigiri newbie, Yo! Sushi School is the perfect place to brush up on your skills. In this two hour masterclass, you'll learn how to pack, roll and slice sensational creations. 

You'll make a fantastic feast of salmon sashimi, inari nigiri, cucumber maki and crunchy Cali roles - then tuck into your very own hand-rolled sushi. Snap up your tickets from just £27.95.

Anime is Art: Leaf Village: Naruto vs Itachi

@ BrewDog Manchester on Sat, 11th Apr 2026 @ 13:00 - 16:00

Chakra is the life force of art, channel it onto the canvas. Get down to Anime is Art to make a masterpiece from the likes of Goku, All might and Naruto.

Your £27.50 ticket gets you everything you need to get creative from your apron to the paint, easel and soundtrack. Once you've unleashed your inner artist, stick around after class for a drink, a bite and a debrief.

Cherry Jam

Wondering what's on in Manchester this April can come up with a lot of options, but none as good as Cherry Jam's bottomless events. From afternoon tea to grazing boards washed down with unlimited cocktails, there's a real treat in store here.