May Bank Holiday Events and Parties 2026 In Manchester

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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 31st March 2026

An extra day off makes your weekend really count, so it's the perfect excuse to let your hair down. Whether you're after boozy brunch, alfresco sipping at the city's best pubs or unmissable live music, our guide has the goods. Read on to uncover the best things to do this May bank holiday in Manchester for 2026.




Manchester Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt! Single route or double for racing!

@ Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Various dates from Tuesday 31st March 2026

If outdoor events in Manchester are catching your eye this May, The Great Game is a top choice. Solve the riddles, crack clues and complete puzzles to follow the trail across the city, discovering famous landmarks or hidden streets as you go. And when 'X' marks the spot? You'll get 20% off food and drink at the chosen pub.

Cherry Jam

Offering up the best May bank holiday 2026 events in Manchester, Cherry Jam is your home of boozy and bottomless feasts. Whether you head for afternoon tea on Saturday, Top of the Pops supper clubs or charcuterie come Sunday, you'll also enjoy unlimited cocktails.

Bottomless PizzaLuxe Manchester

@ PizzaLuxe on Various dates from Tuesday 31st March 2026

Get ready for the ultimate feast at PizzaLuxe with their new Bottomless PizzaLuxe experience. Indulge in limitless Roman-style thin-crust pizzas and dough balls, all served fresh and hot straight from the oven.

As soon as you finish one, they'll bring you the next, so you can try every pizza on the menu. Pair it all with unlimited Italian spritz, draught beers, or mocktails for the perfect combination of food and drinks. It's 90 minutes of pure indulgence - the best way to spend your week. Plus, if you're celebrating your birthday, enjoy your Bottomless PizzaLuxe for free when you book with four friends.

What's On At Loft Social

Loft Social is serving up its usual brilliant mix of  connection and competition this May Bank Holiday. More than just a bar, this super spot in Stockport puts a modern spin on many a traditional game.

Get down here to try your hand at shuffleboard, petanque, archery and the epic disco curling. Games are priced per lane, not per person, starting from just £16.50.

Albert's Schloss - Manchester

Complimentary Round - Drinks only Table and 1 other offer

Albert's Schloss Manchester is ready and waiting to give you a warm wilkommen this May Bank Holiday. A bona fide bier and pleasure palace, it serves up Europe's best tankards and traditional cook haus cuisine, all inspired by the Alps. 

Expect fantastisch showtime performances on the big stage to keep your spirits high and your feet dancing. When it's time to refuel, tuck into sharing fondue, delicious schnitzel, wursts and the famous Schweinshaxe - that's crispy Bavarian pork knuckle to you and me.

Burlesque Bottomless Brunch

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

Inspired by the speakeasies of the prohibition era, The Fitzgerald is a stunning venue in the Northern Quarter. They host bottomless brunches every Saturday, complete with amazing burlesque performances from the team at Siren Entertainment.

This raunchy event promises two hours of free-flowing prosecco, beer and Aperol Spritz. You'll also get to enjoy a brunch dish of your choice, from smashed beef burgers to loaded fries or salt and pepper tofu tacos.

DOUGH-IT YOURSELF PIZZA MASTERCLASS MANCHESTER

@ Pizza Pilgrims Manchester - Deansgate on Saturday 4th April 2026 and 25 other Saturdays

Planning a big Bank Holiday bash with your mates? Get over to Pizza Pilgrims to roll up your sleeves and toss some dough. Under the guidance of resident pizzaiolos, you'll roll, stretch, top and bake your creation in the kitchen. 

To keep you refreshed along the way, there's a Friggitoria Italian street food feast and a choice of beer, fizz or soft drinks. Tickets start from just £54.

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 4th April 2026

Looking for some friendly competition at your next brunch? Available on both Saturdays and Sundays, the Electric Shuffle brunch is just the thing for you. The colorful Deansgate venue promises interactive shuffleboard tables, complete with fun multiplayer games and automatic scoring. 

The brunch sessions start from juts £33 per person, including an hour of gaming and another hour in the bar. everyone will receive their own bottle of prosecco or four beers each, as well as two hours of unlimited sharing pizzas.

Magic at the Midland

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

Prepare to be amazed by the mystical Steve Price, during one of his two Magic at the Midland shows in Manchester this May. In the city's most iconic hotel, you will be baffled and entertained as he turns everyday objects into impossible scenarios, in a 75-minute show which costs as little as £24.50 per person to attend.

FunnyBoyz Manchester presents... BENIDORM BINGO

@ New York New York on Saturday 4th April 2026 and 38 other Saturdays

Get ready for a night of laughter, fabulous drag, and outrageous fun at FunnyBoyz Manchester with their World-Famous Benidorm Bingo. This unique Drag Cabaret experience will have you in stitches as the FunnyBoyz cast brings you comedy cabaret, twerk-offs, lip-sync battles, and all the cheesy tunes you can handle.

The night kicks off with a glass of fizz on arrival, and you'll be treated to unlimited popcorn all night long. Expect a musical spin on bingo, surprise appearances from RuPaul's Drag Race queens, and a chance to win big with the Spin the Wheel game. 

Bottomless Bandeoke

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

Grab the mic, pick your favourite banger and sing your heart out at Bottomless Bandaoke this May Bank Holiday. The night kicks off with Rock & Roll bingo before the live band take to the stage to turn guilty pleasures and crowd-pleasing classics into full-room singalongs.

Expect big vibes, surprise moments, and a packed dancefloor. To keep your singing voice in full flow, there's 90 minutes of bottomless drinks up for grabs, packing in everything from Vimto mojitos to Highballer Lager and prosecco.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Tuesday 31st March 2026

Spend your 2026 May bank holiday in the clink thanks to Alcotraz, the immersive prison experience and speakeasy bar tucked away on Watson Street. For starters, you'll smuggle your liquor in past the eagle-eyed warden, before sipping bespoke cocktails and befriending crooked guards while watching the action unfold.

Popworld Manchester

Looking for a fantastic night out without breaking the bank? Head to Popworld Manchester on Sunday the 25th of May and enjoy their unbeatable four drinks for £12.50 offer.

For just £12.50 per person, you'll get a wristband and four drink tokens, redeemable for house spirits and mixers, house wine, pints of house lager, or prosecco. This offer is limited to the first 200 guests, so make sure you don't miss out.

Fabulous Brunch Events Manchester

From buff bingo to Gaga-themed brunches and plenty more, Fabulous Brunch Events are the perfect choice of bank holiday things to do in May 2026. Nab a place at one of their weekend happenings and raise a glass to the bank holidays with some of the UK's biggest drag superstars.

The Cockatoo Club

For a raucous event hosted by Annabelle and her team of talented queens, look no further than The Frockatoo Drag Brunch at The Cockatoo Club in Manchester's Gay Village. Not only will there be hilarious performances and fun games with the chance to win some excellent prizes, but you can also sip 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails. Enjoy these while getting stuck into spicy nachos and all kinds of tasty wraps, all for £45 per person.

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Tuesday 31st March 2026

Looking for a unique date idea? Or want to try something different with your friends? Either way, The Big Manchester Bake is the perfect activity to try this bank holiday weekend. With a new theme each month, bakers will work in pairs to create the very best cake, with all the ingredients you need provided for you.

Head to this stylish marquee to get your bake on, in a space complete with a cake-themed bar and a stunning drinks garden. The 90-minute event is a great way to improve your skills, and you'll leave with a tasty treat at the end.

Where To Play Pool In Manchester

If the weather's not holding up, these pubs and bars with pool offer light relief. Better yet, some of Manchester's best venues are fronting beer vending machines, arcades, themed cocktails and more games to boot.

Best Beer Gardens In Manchester

Is there a better way to spend May bank holiday Monday in Manchester than checking out beer garden with a pint in hand? These are all the places you should mosey over to, should the sun poke its head out from behind the clouds and you need a relaxing afternoon catching some rays with pals.