The best things to do in and around Manchester: August 2022

August is the month of Pride, bank holidays, school holidays, and apparently outdoor cinemas and challah baking classes. 

If you're not jetting off to a foreign land whilst listening to the sweet sweet tones of Jess Glynne, then it looks like you're staying in Manchester and making the most of its hectic events calendar. Don't worry, you'll be posting cool stuff on your Instagram story too. 

August is also peak festival season, so you can check out our festival guide for any last-minute bookings, and if you're stuck for some stuff to do with the kids over the summer hols, here's a list of 33 things to do with your sprogs. We're the best, we know. 

Read on for some of the best things to do in and around Manchester in August 2022.

Summer Bake Off: Challah| Manchester Jewish Museum | Tuesday 2 August

We get it, you've always dreamed of being in that tent in front of Paul Hollywood and getting a handshake on bread week. So have we. Well, Manchester Jewish Museum is giving you the perfect opportunity to brush up on your baking skills and get creative in the Learning Studio kitchen. Open to both kids and grown-ups, the masterclass doesn't require any previous experience, just some elbow grease and an interest in yeast-based Jewish treats. 

All the materials and the ingredients for the challah class are provided by the museum, and tickets are priced between £3 - £4 unless you're an MJM member and then it's free. Classes on the Tuesday run from 11am-12pm and 1:30pm-2:30pm. L'chaim.

Manchester Jewish Museum, 190 Cheetham Hill Rd, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8LW

Stories from Ukraine: Ukrland | The Lowry | Thursday 4 August

Showing solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine can also be done in a theatrical way, and this one-woman show features texts from modern Ukrainian playwrights and writers, written after the start of the war. Some of the texts and performances are in English and some are in Ukrainian, but the play is mainly about "confusion, about survival, about hatred and love, about rage and strength of spirit". Because we always love an event that's making a difference, all proceeds from the performance are going to a Ukrainian children's charity too. Tickets are £12 with discounts for concessions available too. 

The Lowry, Pier, 8 The Quays, Salford, Manchester M50 3AZ

Pride Film Festival 2022 | HOME | Fri 5 Aug 2022 – Thu 25 Aug 2022

If you've watched Call Me By Your Name, Moonlight and Blue is the Warmest Colour until you're blue in the face, HOME is celebrating Pride with a selection of lesser-known films exploring the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community across the generations. 

Covering all bases, the Young Film Programmers are showing a satirical coming-of-age comedy about coming out, the Queer East Film Festival brings an intimate documentary of emerging queer desire, and a new documentary called Maisie tells the story of Britain's oldest performing drag artist to name but a few. Tickets are on sale now for various showings of each film, and we recommend taking some tissues or wearing waterproof mascara. 

HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN

Food & Groove Festival | The Irish World Heritage Centre | Saturday 6 August

According to The Irish World Heritage Centre, "Food and music are global languages that bring people together," and the eclectic Confidentials team are sure-fire proof of this statement. We all love a good tune and eating too much. 

If you do too, then the Food & Groove Festival in Cheetham Hill is one to add to your calendar with a line-up that includes Omar, Loose Ends, and some unannounced food vendors serving goodies from around the globe. Hosted by comedian White Yardie and co-host Kyrah Gray, the whole day promises to pack in loads of flavour and bangers for £45 a ticket. The event runs from 12pm - 11pm on the Saturday, so make sure your dancing shoes are comfy. 

The Irish World Heritage Centre, 1 Irish Town Way, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 0AE

Le Social Two Year Anniversary| Nell's at Kampus | Saturday 6 August 

Natural wine, check, DJs, check, NYC-style pizza, check, ideal party set-up? Yes. Le Social is turning 2, and just like every good birthday party, they're taking over someone else's gaff and bringing loads of wine. 

The Le Social Summer Party is taking place on Saturday 6 August at Nell's, and Manchester's top disco collective Supernature are taking over the aux alongside other movers and shakers. The usual 14 and 22" pizza offerings will be available all day, and all sippers from Le Social are available by the glass or the bottle. There's one simple request: "No knobs, no snobs, simply turn up as you are and be prepared for a good old boogie." We forgot to say, it's free too. 

If you like Le Social's wine and also want to support an LGBT+ charity, there's another le Social event on 5 August with the MFDF award-nominated Suppher. Tickets here.

Nell's at Kampus, 20 Minshull St, Kampus M1 3EF

BOBExpo | The Lighthouse Venue, Salford | Saturday 6 August 

This isn't an expo for people with short hair, but instead, it's a pretty fab one that showcases black-owned businesses and allows you to meet the faces behind the brands whilst you try and test some products. Designed to help you "network, shop and discover", there will also be talks throughout the day from experts and business owners as well as live demos on afro hair and gospel choir performances. 

There's a food hall with African and Caribbean dishes, workshops on face painting and African drumming, and products that range from skincare to shea butter. We also missed a live runway fashion show off that list, sorry. The expo runs from 10am - 6pm and general admission is free so we suggest you cop a ticket quick.

The Lighthouse Venue, 12 Centenary Park, Coronet Way, Eccles, Salford M50 1RE

YO! Sushi school | Manchester Arndale | Every Wednesday

If you always look at your plate of Maki and think, I could make that, YO! Sushi is about to make your dreams become a reality. Helping you to roll like a pro, this Manchester Arndale spot is hosting weekly sushi-making schools where you learn about the history, ingredients, and skills behind your favourite Japanese rolls and stacks. 

The classes are suitable for any budding sushi chefs out there "whether you’re a Maki Master or Inari newbie", and you get to eat all of your handiwork at the end too. You’ll be in a group with other sushi masters and the menu includes everything from salmon sashimi to a Kyoto garden roll. An added bonus is a 20% off discount code for all the sushi kits, and the classes are two hours long from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. 

 YO! Sushi, Manchester Arndale, Unit R6 & R7, Manchester M4 3AQ

The Manchester Caribbean Carnival| Alexandra Park | Saturday 13 August - Sunday 14 August 

Manchester Carnival is 50 this year, and the full two-day event is running in Alexandra Park. There are 8 stages in the main musical arena, a full parade that you can take part in by emailing manchestercarnivalparade@outlook.com, and everything from afrobeat to authentic food and drink. 

Tens of thousands of visitors turn up to Carnival every year, and all of the events and activities are free to join. The park will also be transformed with lights, sound and colour to bring the whole thing to life and Jamaican dancehall star Serani of the banger No Games is taking over the headline slot. 

Alexandra Park, 180 Russell St, Manchester M16 7JL

Beyond Landscapes | Saul Hay Gallery | Thursday 18 August - Sunday 28 August

Straight from our favourite canal-side art spot, Beyond Landscapes is an upcoming exhibition that explores the boundaries of what landscape art can truly be. Featuring abstract works, cityscapes, and even landscape-themed sculptures, all of the work on show is, as always, from Greater Manchester artists, and the whole thing is free. 

This event is Saul Hay's first themed open-call exhibition, and a load of the works on show will also be for sale if you're looking for some art for the walls at home. Whether the piece is "a painting of the rolling hills in the countryside, or a detailed, photo-realistic cityscape" Saul Hay is aiming to show off a variety of works that showcase the best from the city region. 

Saul Hay Gallery, Railway Cottage, Behind Bass Warehouse, Castle Street, Manchester M3 4LZ

Outdoor Adventure Cinema| Dunham Massey | Friday 19 August - Sunday 21 August

Keep your fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that the weather holds out long enough to watch your favourite musicals outside this August. Get your feather boas out for Rocketman and your best Puerto Rican sass for West Side Story at this outdoor cinema on the grounds of Dunham Massey. Picnics are welcome, there's free parking really close by, and the Mamma Mia! showing is already sold out, which is always a good sign. The gates open at 7:30pm each night and the film begins at 9pm, so bring some popcorn, a blanket, and your best musical theatre voice to watch your favourite flicks under the Altrincham stars. 

Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 4SJ

Manchester Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt | Manchester City Centre | Various dates throughout August

If you've always fancied frolicking around town whilst fine-tuning your detective skills, this fun puzzle treasure hunt will lead you around the city centre with a treasure map, compass, and clues to navigate your route. If you're a proper DCI, you'll reveal the location of your treasure at the end and unlock some discounts where X marks the spot. You'll get your map and equipment through the post after sending your address to info@ggtreasurehunts.com, or if you'd rather do it all from your phone, you can download a digital pack instead. Treasure hunters must be 18 or over as the final destination may involve getting a little bit tipsy, and you can choose your route based on your favourite inspirational Manc. The tour starts at Piccadilly station and travels wherever the map takes you.

Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester M60 7RA

Levy: views from the neighbourhood | Station South, Levenshulme | Friday 19 August - Friday 9 September

Station South was commended by Jonathan Schofield back in June for being "a magnificent project" with a great smoked mackerel kedgeree. Bringing some local art to the whole affair, artist James Hartwell is putting on an exhibition there in August which focuses entirely on places and life in Levenshulme - in particular along Stockport Road from the Fallowfield Loop to the south, and up to Levy Market. The idea is to celebrate Levenshulme (or 'Levy' as it is known locally) through the creation of an illustrated map, and the map aims to observe the vibrancy and diversity of this stretch of Stockport Road. 

The illustrated map is the centrepiece of the exhibition with other smaller illustrations displayed separately, all of which offer a fun observation of the locality and a snapshot of what it has to offer. Prints of all the artworks will also be on sale throughout the exhibition. 

975-977 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3NP

Bolton Food & Drink Festival | Various venues | 26 - 29 August

That’ll teach you for underestimating Bolton. The town’s food and drink festival is the biggest of its kind in the UK and attracts massive names. This year, the 17th edition, will see the likes of Ainsley Harriott, James Martin and Hairy Biker Si King headlining with special event demonstrations throughout the weekend. Elsewhere there’ll be over a hundred food vendors for visitors to try across the town centre as well as live music, entertainment for all the family and special foodie events. 400,000 attended last year and organisers are hoping to top that number in 2022.

Manchester Pride | Various city centre venues | Friday 26 August - Monday 29 August

If there's one event that has the ability to unite Sporty Spice, Nadine Coyle, Charity Shop Sue and Bimini Bon Boulash, it's Manchester Pride. Celebrating LGBTQ+ equality and challenging discrimination,  Pride weekend is always a key date in the Confidentials calendar, and this year the festival is "celebrating queer people, culture and expression as loudly and publicly as possible". Events over the weekend include everything from a candlelit vigil and street parade to a human rights forum, and you best believe there'll be glitter, rainbows and inclusive vibes throughout the whole hectic weekend. Tickets are on sale now for both day and weekend passes, plus it's on a bank hol, so you can rave, dance and nurse your hangover right through 'til Monday night. Don't forget your face paint. 

Festa Italiana | Cathedral Square | 27-29 August

Manchester’s beloved celebration of its Italian community and heritage returns to Cathedral Gardens this month with a bank holiday extravaganza. Cooking demos from Salvi’s wonderkid Sienna Cecco and Pasta Factory’s Julia Martinelli sit alongside a Gennaro Contaldo Parmigiano Reggiano masterclass and book signing on an impressive bill. The likes of Sicilian NQ, Lucky Mama’s, I Knead Pizza and Proove will be on hand to take your mouth on holiday even if your feet remain in Manchester. Grab a Peroni or an Aperol Spritz and soak it all up.

Cathedral Gardens, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3BG

Together As One exhibition | The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel | Thursday 28 July onwards

The Kimpton loves a good collab with the British Culture Archive, and to celebrate Pride Month there's a new exhibition called Together As One – A celebration of Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ Community. Open to the public already, the exhibition includes works by photographers Jon Shard and Peter J Walsh, capturing two iconic moments in Manchester’s vibrant history for visitors to enjoy on the walls of The Refuge. Capturing the Clause 28 protest and the Hacienda's Flesh club night, the photos give viewers a real insight into Manchester's LGBTQ+ history, and you can grab a quick cocktail afterwards whilst you chat about the artsy stuff. The exhbition's completely free and is just one of the many events included in The Kimpton's Summer of Pride programme.

 Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA

South Manchester dog show | Wythenshawe Cricket and Sports Club | Monday 29 August

If your dog has an Instagram account, a Carhartt water bowl, or an organic yak chew from one of Manchester's many bougie dog shops, we reckon you'll love showing off your pooch at the South Manchester dog show. All in aid of Dogs4Rescue, the event takes place on bank holiday Monday from 11am - 4pm, and there's everything from a fully licensed bar to flyball and inflatables. All show classes are ranked from 1st to 6th and everybody will get a rosette (don't worry). The dogs that place 1st in each class will then be entered into "best in show" where the winner gets a proper trophy and a special prize. Tickets are just under a fiver each, and you better get watching that Britain's Got Talent audition with the dancing dachshunds for inspiration, pronto. 

Wythenshawe cricket and sports club, 78 Longley lane, Northenden M22 4JF

Read next: Exclusive: World's largest Banksy exhibition comes to Manchester

Read again: The 2002 Commonwealth Games 20 years on

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