Best Manchester Events In May 2026

For a guided tour that quickly turns into a party, hop aboard the Drag Bus. This two hour whirlwind packs in city views, outrageous performances, games and glitter.

With a glamourous lineup of drag queen hostesses at the helm, you can expect fun and fabulousness from the first minute to the last. Tickets start from just £55.86 and include a free glass of fizz to send you on your way.

Move your body this May at Old Skool Bingo. As you go eyes down in search of a full house, you'll groove to the biggest tracks from 90s and 00s RnB.

There's plenty more here to keep you entertained. We're talking singalongs, dance offs and epic prizes. Tickets start from just £19.25.

When it comes to the best places to eat, these city centre restaurants are coming out on top. From Michelin-recognised spots to quirky basements, there's heaps to choose from, whether you're craving light bites or full-blown feasts. 

May at Freight Island is packed with exciting events and live music that will have you grooving all month long. Kick off the Spring Summer Series with incredible special guests, and be sure to check out their indie nights too.

These events are totally free to attend, and there are seven different bars to check out while you're here. Plus, you can enjoy a range of sumptuous street food from their 11 vendors.

Whether you're looking for a unique date idea or something fun to do with your friends, The Big Manchester Bake is always a brilliant idea. You'll find their custom marquee in Salford, complete with 12 baking stations, a cake-themed bar, a hospitality suite and a stunning drinks garden. 

You'll work in teams of two, competing against all the other pairs, to bake the very beat treat. The theme changes every month, and they'll provide all the pre-measured ingredients you'll need as part of your ticket price.

Mix up your May proceedings with a trip to Sixes, the Corn Exchange watering hole with interactive batting nets. A must for cricket fans and bar game lovers alike, you'll take to the crease to go up against some of the best bowlers in the world.

Learn to pack, roll and slice like a pro at Yo! Sushi School. Under the expert guidance of resident masters, you'll learn the history of this ancient dish, pick up some knife skills and prepare your sensational creations. 

You'll try your hand at sashimi slicing, cucumber maki making, Kyoto garden roll packing and plenty more. Tickets start from just £27.95 and include a welcome drink and tasty staring snacks.

Whether you're a first timer or a budding pizziolo, the Dough-It-Yourself Pizza Masterless will have you flinging flour and stretching dough like a champ. With the help of resident chefs, you'll roll, top and bake your way to mastering the art of the Neapolitan.

Tickets start from just £54 and include all the ingredients, tips and tools you need, plus two drinks and a Friggitoria street food feast. Upgrade to the Pizziolo Grande package and you can add a Pococello shot or espresso to the mix, and get a branded apron and pizza cutter to take home.

With April taking the crown for bringing in spring, the main event this month are those sweet May bank holidays in Manchester. Spend your extra days off hitting up all kinds of happenings around the city, from bottomless brunches to quirky outdoor activities. 

It's time to break out the cowboy boots. The Big Bank Holiday Hoedown is coming to Quarter House - bringing a whole heap of country vibes and cowboy spirit with it. 

There'll be live music, delicious BBQ dishes and plenty of chance to show off your best do-si-do. Tickets to this yeehawing good time start from just £5.50.

Bougie Drag's bottomless brunch is known for one thing - and that's raucous affairs. They've got days out themed around iconic artists like Beyonce, all hosted by iconic queens like Imani Versace and Barb, complete with lip sync battles, dance-offs and catwalk contests. What's more, you can sip on 90 minutes of free-flowing booze and enjoy delicious dishes while DJs play banging tunes.

The Taskmaster is at The Metropolitan and he's planning to put you through your paces. In this chaotic night inspired by the hit TV show, you'll take on a series of brilliantly bizarre challenges and play all kinds of ridiculous games.

The winners bag a prize that money absolutely can buy - a bar tab. While you need a ticket to get involved, you can snap one up for free.

Things are hotting up this May, and whether you're looking to make the most of a long weekend or simply fancy an alfresco dinner, there's nowhere better than a beer garden. Our selection of places are perfect for any and all occasions - just have a scroll through 'em here.

Fancy getting a little competitive this month? Then head to the Electric Shuffle weekend brunch, complete with an hour of gaming on their interactive shuffleboard tables. These offer all kinds of fun minigames, as well as large screens that add up your scores for you.

Each guest will enjoy a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers, as well as two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza to share between the group. After you've finished playing, you can toast to the winner in the bar, with tickets starting from £33 per person.

Known for their cool May events in Manchester today, GRUB know how to take things up a notch. You can expect a roster of bottomless brunches, disco bingo and fizz-laced quizzes. Good luck choosing.

Giving you behind-the-scenes access to a number of Manchester's most innovative microbreweries, this tour is a must for any lovers of craft beer. Sample drinks fresh from the taproom and be guided by experts, accredited sommeliers or makers.

Join Annabelle and her crew of talented queens at The Frockatoo Drag Brunch, taking place at The Cockatoo Club in Manchester's Gay Village. For just £40 per person you can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails, as well as a free bottle of prosecco for tables of four or above, alongside a menu which features Southern fried chicken wraps, smoked paprika nachos and more. What's more, there will be high-energy drag performances and fun games with cracking prizes throughout.

Bottomless Bandaoke brings you all the thrill of a live gig with the singalong fun of karaoke. Expect big vibes, surprise moments, and a packed dancefloor that keeps the energy high between songs.

To give you some courage to take to the stage, there's 90 minutes of free-flowing Vimto Mojitos, Long Island Iced Teas, Eepoo, Prosecco, Highballer Lager, plus spirits and mixers. Grab your tickets to a night of throwback anthems, guilty pleasures and crowd-pleasing classics for just £48.60.

Make your mark this May at Loft Social. Disco Curling is your chance to slide into the weekend.

In Stockport's first-ever indoor curling spot, you can grab a drink and have a laugh on the lanes. Tickets start from just £22 for up to eight players.

For the best events in Manchester in May 2026, check out Bougie Drag & Boy Toy. Expect a roster of incredible live entertainment complete with bottomless booze, from Beyonce-themed drag bashes and a Britney show, to bingo or musical sing-a-longs.

For May events in Manchester this weekend, look no further than Cherry Jam's bottomless dining offerings. There's afternoon tea on Saturdays or grazing platters to share come Sunday, with unlimited cocktails and musical bingo rounding off each day.

May in Manchester means one thing... extra time for brunch. As the bank holiday rolls around, there's even more options for you and your mates. So whether you fancy a boogie in your seat or a quirky activity alongside your eggs benny and prosecco, explore our guide to boozy weekend ideas. 

Fun and games come in the form of prosecco, freshly baked slices and state-of-the-art darts at Flight Club. Start the shenanigans early with their brunch, which includes a bottle of fizz per person, complimentary jugs of orange juice and steaming hot platters of droolworthy pizza.

Whipping up bespoke cocktails from your smuggled liquor, Alcotraz is the immersive prison experience giving jail time a boozy twist. Befriend the crooked guards, hide your contraband and watch the action unfold. 

Wondering what's on in Manchester this May weekend? FunnyBoyz is bringing you Benidorm bingo and a choice of events featuring RuPaul's Drag Race stars, so you can expect hilarity alongside fabulous performances.

If you're looking for delicious dishes, free-flowing drinks and non-stop nostalgia, get on down to The Slow Jams Bottomless Brunch. Every Saturday, its DJs serve up the very best 90s and 00s RnB, from Aaliyah and Ashanti to Nelly, Usher and Destiny's Child.

To fuel your dancing feet, you'll get a choice of main dishes, plus free-flowing drinks to kick off your day. That's all the beer, wine, prosecco and cocktails you can drink for 90 long minutes.

Magic at the Midland is a exciting and mind-blowing show, performed by one of the UK's top magicians Steve Price. Prepare to be wowed as he turns ordinary objects into impossible things, taking place in one of the city's most iconic hotels. Tickets start from just £24.50 per person, promising over an hour of mesmerising tricks and amazing feats.

Located in the city centre, DNA VR is a virtual reality arcade boasting a choice of fun, interactive games, from boat racing to zombie battles or dancing with your friends. Every one-hour session is led by an expert guide who will take you through the digital landscape, available for groups of up to 15 people at once. If you fancy planning a bigger event? They also have private hire options for up to 45 guests as well.